The 10 Largest Cruise Ships in the World Today
As the cruise industry has continued to expand over time, not only has the number of ships at sea during any given month of the year continued to rise, but the size of these ships grows, as well. This list of the world’s 10 largest cruise ships shows that progress is definitely being made in creating even larger ships than ever before and covers those ships which are in service at the time of this writing. Currently, with the exception of the Queen Mary 2 from Cunard Cruise Lines, all of the top 10 are from Royal Caribbean International, but this will change over the course of the next 2 years as Norwegian Cruise Lines, MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises and Costa Cruises all finish construction on ships which will begin to sail between the years 2011 and 2012.
Here is the list of the world’s largest cruise liners as it stands today, beginning with number 10:
MS Adventure of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – This is the 4th largest passenger ship in the world, weighing in at 137,276 tons with a length of 1,020 feet. At a cost of $800 million to build, it is a diesel powered electric ship that can hold over 3,000 passengers and a crew of 1,180 across its 14 decks. The ship is part of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class of ships and is so large that it is not able to pass through the Panama Canal. Built in Finland in 2001, the ship sails the Southern Caribbean region out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Amenities include: an ice skating rink for ice shows, a full sized basketball court, a casino, a wedding chapel, an internet cafe, 3 outdoor pools, a Johnny Rockets 50’s themed restaurant, and a 32 foot rock climbing wall.
MS Voyager of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – Another member of the Voyager Class, this ship was completed in 1999 in Finland at a cost of $500 million. It weighs in at 137,276 tons and is 1,020 feet long. It contains 15 decks and is capable of hosting over 3,000 guests with a crew of 1,181. As one of the premiere luxury liners for its maker, the ship is commonly referred to as ‘the floating hotel’ and offers interactive TV in most of its rooms along with en suite bathroom facilities. There is a 3 story theater that can put on Broadway quality performances, a casino, 2 themed night clubs, a golf simulator, an ice skating rink, a day spa, and a rock climbing wall. This ship has many ports of call including: Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Grand Caymen, Mexico and St. Maarten.
MS Explorer of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – As a vessel in the Voyager class, this ship is the same size as the others in its class on this list, offering the same capacity for guests and crew. It regularly hosts scientists who have access to its built in atmospheric and oceanographic lab which is run by the University of Miami. It was completed in 2000 in Finland and offers many of the same amenities as the Voyager of the Seas and the Adventure of the Seas, both by Royal Caribbean. An executive meeting room and conference space make this ship a popular choice for business tours.
MS Mariner of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – As another of the Voyager class vessels, this ship shares the size and capacity of its sister ships, but since it is a 2nd generation of the Voyager class, it weighs in at 138,297 tons. Currently, the ship’s primary tours are from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera on week long voyages. Built in Finland in 2003, the ship improves upon its class with staterooms that are a bit larger than standard rooms on such a liner. It has taken over the route that previously sailed by Vision of the Seas. In addition to standard Voyager amenities, there is a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream shop aboard this ship as well as a special club for teens.
MS Navigator of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – The same size as Mariner of the Seas, this is another Voyager Class ship from the 2nd generation. The design is a copy of that ship, as well, except this ship sails from United Kingdom to the Mediterranean and offers a more Greco-Roman theme with salt pools for tourists to relax in. She sails around Florida, Spain and Italy as premiere destinations and was completed in 2002. The primary difference for food enthusiasts will be the Jade, an Asian fusion restaurant she is known for.
RMS Queen Mary 2 from Cunard Line – When she was built in 2003, the Queen Mary 2 was the largest, longest and tallest passenger ship in the world at that time. She weighs 148,528 tons, is 1,132 feet long and 236 feet high, costing $900 million to build. She can hold 3,056 passengers and has a crew of 1,253 in all. As the flagship of Cunard Line, she is a transatlantic ocean liner and was named by the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II for Queen Mary of Teck who was the wife of Britain’s King George V. Her amenities include 15 unique restaurants, a casino, a ballroom, 5 swimming pools and the world’s first planetarium aboard a ship.
MS Independence of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – This ship was built at a cost of $828 million in 2008 and is a member of the Freedom class of ocean liners. It weighs in at 154,407 tons with a length of 1,112 feet total. A crew of 1,360 service this ship which can carry 4,370 passengers. An on-board water park called the H20 Zone and a shopping street are part of this ship’s amenities, but it also includes several pubs and wine bars. An Egyptian themed cabaret lounge and plenty of sports related activities will make this ship quite an attraction.
MS Liberty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – This is another Freedom class ship with the same size and weight as its sister ships and the same capacity, as well. Having set sail in 2007, she will be making her first voyage to the Mediterranean in 2011 and touring much of Europe though she now tours the Florida coast Along with many of the amenities shared with Independence of the Seas, she also offers a unique feature of whirlpools which are cantilevered out over the ocean so that as guests relax they have a clear view of the sea below in total safety. She is equipped with Wi-Fi and mobile capacity as are the other ships in her class.
MS Freedom of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – The final entrant to this list also comes from the Freedom class line of cruise ships and shares their same size and capacity. She sails from the Bahamas after being built in 2006. Her amenities are the standards for the Freedom class and there are flat screen TV’s in all of her state rooms. She shares the unique whirlpools with ocean views that the Liberty of the Seas has and is famous for having been the setting for the casting of the 9th season of America’s Next Top Model. More than 4,700 works of art are present on this ship, making it an experience that many tourists appreciate.
MS Oasis of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International – This is the largest cruise ship in service today and it cruises the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida as the world’s largest passenger ship. Completed in 2009, the ship cost nearly $1.5 billion to construct and weighs in at 225,282 tons with a length of 1,181 feet. The ship’s name is the result of a contest that was held by Royal Caribbean in 2008 and it offers 2 story suites that are a first of their kind and 1,600 square feet in size, featuring balconies which give a view of the sea. The ship’s entertainment areas are vast and divided into neighborhoods that mirror a theme park’s layout. There are places for teens and youth with computer labs and youth oriented sports activities, boutiques, restaurants, a comedy club, a karaoke bar, a beach pool, a tattoo parlour, and the word’s first park at sea which has 56 trees and more than 12,000 plants.