In recent years, we’ve witnessed an incredible transformation in cruise ships. Cruise lines are always looking to amaze passengers with increasingly larger and more modern ships.
With such a vast market, it’s become difficult to decide which ship to choose, and many passengers continue to wonder which are the largest cruise ships in the world.
In this article, we’ll look at the 2025 ranking, which focuses on the ships’ actual size as measured by their tonnage.
10. MS Arvia
CRUISE LINE: P&O Cruises (Carnival)
GROSS TONNAGE: 185,600 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2022
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 6,600 max
In 10th place, we have MS Arvia from the British cruise line P&O Cruises.
If you’re American, you might not be too familiar with this ship, as it mainly departs from Southampton and sails to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands.
However, all you really need to know is that it’s the flagship of P&O, which is part of the Carnival group (a name you’re likely more familiar with). It could definitely be a nice option if you’re looking for a large ship for a cruise in Europe.
9. Costa Toscana
CRUISE LINE: Costa Cruises (Carnival)
GROSS TONNAGE: 186,350 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2021
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 6,500 max
Ninth place goes to Costa Toscana, a ship from Costa Cruises. It’s the newest vessel in the company’s fleet and the current flagship.
If you look at the photos, you’ll notice it looks quite similar to MS Arvia, which we just discussed. That’s because they’re built on the same blueprint.
How is that possible? Well, in case you don’t know, Costa and P&O are both part of Carnival Corporation, which explains why their ships share many similarities.
What differs is the décor and overall atmosphere on board. On Costa, you’ll find an authentic Italian ambience, the hallmark of this historic Italian cruise line.
8. MSC World Europa/World America
CRUISE LINE: MSC Cruises
GROSS TONNAGE: 215,800 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2022
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 6,700 max
Position number eight for a ship by MSC Cruises. This Italy-born cruise line has been expanding significantly in recent years, especially in the American market.
One of its main selling points is certainly its very affordable prices, but the new ships are also making it a cruise line well worth considering.
As you might guess, MSC World Europa it’s currently the largest ship in the fleet, but in 2025, MSC World America was also lunched, a sister ship of very similar size.
7. Allure of the Seas
CRUISE LINE: Royal Caribbean
GROSS TONNAGE: 225,300 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2010
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 6,780 max
Seventh place for Allure of the Seas, the second ship in the Oasis family. It was launched only a year after Oasis of the Seas and can actually host about 50 more passengers, though its gross tonnage is slightly lower than its sister ship.
Like the other ships in this class, it offers a wide range of entertainment venues and activities, including a zip-line, the AquaTheater, and the interactive H20 Zone water park.
6. Oasis of the Seas
CRUISE LINE: Royal Caribbean
GROSS TONNAGE: 226,800 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2009
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 6,750 max
In sixth place is Oasis of the Seas, measuring 1,186.5 feet (361.6 meters). It was the first ship in the Oasis class and entered service in 2009.
When it was launched, it was the largest cruise ship in the world, but subsequent ships have since taken that title. It’s quite remarkable that, after more than 15 years, it still ranks number five on this list.
Oasis of the Seas has 16 decks in total and can accommodate around 6,700 passengers.
5. Harmony of the Seas
CRUISE LINE: Royal Caribbean
GROSS TONNAGE: 226,900 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2016
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 6,690 max
Harmony of the Seas holds the fifth position in this ranking. It has a gross tonnage of about 226,900 GT, just slightly more then the previous ship.
Harmony introduced a new standard for family vacations, setting a record for the tallest slide at sea that doesn’t end in a pool, called the Ultimate Abyss. You’ve probably tried it yourself if you’ve ever been on board.
4. Symphony of the Seas
CRUISE LINE: Royal Caribbean
GROSS TONNAGE: 228,000 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2018
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 6,680 max
Symphony of the Seas is another ship in the Oasis class, very similar in terms of size and onboard amenities to the ships mentioned above.
As you’ve probably noticed, all of these Oasis-class ships have very similar gross tonnage. Symphony goes slightly over, at 228,081 GT.
It officially entered service in 2018 and mainly offers cruises departing from Miami, although it often sails Europe itineraries during the summer months.
It also ranks among the top Royal Caribbean ships overall. I recommend checking out the full ranking of Royal Caribbean ships from best to worst!
3. Wonder of the Seas
CRUISE LINE: Royal Caribbean
GROSS TONNAGE: 235,600 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2022
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 7,000 max
Taking the third spot is another Royal Caribbean ship: Wonder of the Seas. It held the title of the world’s largest cruise ship for a long time but lost that record in 2024 when Icon of the Seas surpassed it.
Like many of these mega-ships, it was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, and entered service in 2022.
Wonder of the Seas has several themed neighborhoods, each distinct in purpose, layout, and décor. It also boasts another record: it houses the largest family suite in the world.
2. Utopia of the Seas
CRUISE LINE: Royal Caribbean
GROSS TONNAGE: 236,000 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2024
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 7,600 max
In second place is Utopia of the Seas, the newest ship on the list, which entered service in July 2024.
Even though it’s brand new, it’s not the largest. It has to settle for second place, as one of its sister ships is just slightly bigger.
1. Icon of the Seas
CRUISE LINE: Royal Caribbean
GROSS TONNAGE: 248,600 GT
YEAR BUILT: 2023
PASSENGER CAPACITY: about 7,600 max
Icon of the Seas by Royal Caribbean is currently the largest cruise ship in the world.
This new ship made its inaugural voyage in January 2024, and even though it’s no longer the newest ship, it still holds the title of the largest when it comes to gross tonnage.
Its official measures are:
- Length: 1,196.7 feet (364.75 meters)
- Width: 159 feet (48.47 meters)
- Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
- Decks: 20 total, with 18 accessible to guests
Icon of the Seas is also a marvel of engineering and mechanics, powered by six Wartsila multi-fuel engines that can run on both LNG (liquefied natural gas) and distillate fuel.
The ship accommodates about 7,600 passengers with about 2,350 crew members.
On board, you’ll find 7 swimming pools and 6 different waterslides. With this ship, Royal Caribbean has broken several records, including having the tallest slide at sea and the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship.
And it’s not even over, check the 7 Big Changes Coming to Royal Caribbean in 2025.
CRUISE ESSENTIALS 2025
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