In October 2026, the largest cruise ships in service are the three Icon-class ships of Royal Caribbean: Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. Each measures 248,663 GT and 364 metres (1,194 ft) in length, with 2,805 cabins for 5,610 passengers at double occupancy. Next come the Oasis-class ships, then MSC’s World Class series.
These figures are impressive, but they do not tell you whether a ship will suit you. A 7,000-passenger giant and a small ship carrying a few hundred people offer completely different trips. This page first sets out the ranking of the largest cruise ships, using only data published by the cruise lines and shipyards, then the criteria for choosing the right size of ship.
The essentials
- Largest ships: Royal Caribbean’s Icon class (248,663 GT, 364 m / 1,194 ft)
- Entered service: Icon of the Seas in January 2024, Star of the Seas in August 2025, Legend of the Seas in July 2026
- Shipyard: Meyer Turku (Finland) for the Icon class; Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, France) for Utopia, Wonder and the MSC World series
- Unit: gross tonnage (GT) measures enclosed internal volume, not weight
- To choose: size matters less than the itinerary, the atmosphere and what is included
Ranking of the largest cruise ships in service
The table only includes ships whose specifications we could read in an official document: Royal Caribbean fact sheets and Chantiers de l’Atlantique reference sheets. Capacity is not always expressed the same way: Royal Caribbean publishes the number of passengers at double occupancy (two people per cabin), whereas Chantiers de l’Atlantique gives a maximum capacity (extra berths included). The two figures cannot be compared directly.
| Ship (line) | Entered service | Gross tonnage | Length | Cabins | Passengers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) | January 2024 | 248,663 GT | 364 m (1,194 ft) | 2,805 | 5,610 (double occupancy) | Royal Caribbean fact sheet |
| Star of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) | August 2025 | 248,663 GT | 364 m (1,194 ft) | 2,805 | 5,610 (double occupancy) | Royal Caribbean fact sheet |
| Legend of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) | July 2026 | 248,663 GT | 364 m (1,194 ft) | 2,805 | 5,610 (double occupancy) | Royal Caribbean fact sheet |
| Utopia of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) | June 2024 (delivery) | 236,857 | 362 m (1,188 ft) | 2,867 | 7,060 (maximum) | Chantiers de l’Atlantique |
| Wonder of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) | January 2022 (delivery) | 236,857 | 362 m (1,188 ft) | 2,867 | 6,988 (maximum) | Chantiers de l’Atlantique |
| MSC World Europa (MSC Cruises) | 2022 (delivery) | 216,639 | 333 m (1,093 ft) | 2,614 | 6,764 (maximum) | Chantiers de l’Atlantique |
| MSC World America (MSC Cruises) | 2025 (delivery) | World Class series: 216,639 | 333 m (1,093 ft) | 2,614 | 6,764 (maximum) | Chantiers de l’Atlantique (series data) |
For MSC World America, the shipyard publishes a single sheet for the whole World Class series: the figures are those of that sheet, drawn up on the basis of MSC World Europa. Other very large ships exist, notably the first ships of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class. We have not included them because we could not consult their up-to-date official sheet.
Icon of the Seas and her sisters: the Icon class
Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, the three Icon-class ships share the same dimensions: 364 metres (1,194 ft) long, 66 metres (217 ft) wide, 20 decks of which 18 are open to passengers, and 2,350 crew members. Icon of the Seas made her inaugural cruise on 27 January 2024, Star of the Seas on 31 August 2025 and Legend of the Seas on 4 July 2026, according to Royal Caribbean’s fact sheets. A fourth ship in the class, Hero of the Seas, is under construction: Royal Caribbean released images of her float-out in September 2026.
On board, the Icon of the Seas fact sheet lists eight “neighbourhoods”, including a water park (Category 6), a family zone (Surfside) and the AquaDome. It is a ship very much aimed at families.
The Oasis class: Utopia and Wonder of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas, delivered in June 2024 by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, is the sixth ship of the Oasis class and the first of that class powered by liquefied natural gas. Notably, according to the shipyard, she does not offer week-long cruises but short getaways of 3 or 4 days. Wonder of the Seas, delivered in January 2022, was presented on her release as the largest ship in the world, before the Icon class arrived.
MSC World Europa and the World Class series
MSC World Europa, delivered in 2022 at Saint-Nazaire, is according to Chantiers de l’Atlantique the largest ship ever built for a European shipowner. The ships of this series run on liquefied natural gas and have a Y-shaped architecture with a large outdoor promenade. MSC World America followed in 2025. The shipyard announces further ships in the series up to 2031.
Understanding the numbers: tonnage, capacity, crew
- Gross tonnage (GT or UMS): it measures the enclosed internal volume of the ship, not its weight. It is the indicator used to rank the “largest” liners.
- Passengers at double occupancy: two people per cabin. This is the most useful basis for picturing the usual number on board.
- Maximum capacity: it includes extra berths (families with children). The ship can come close to it during school holidays.
- Crew: on the Icon class, 2,350 crew members for 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or about 2.4 passengers per crew member.
Also bear length in mind: a ship of more than 360 metres (1,181 ft) cannot dock everywhere. The largest liners mostly call at big ports, on itineraries designed for them.
How to choose your cruise ship
The right question is not “which is the biggest?” but “which ship fits my trip?”. Here are the criteria that really matter.
1. Size and atmosphere
| Ship size | Strengths | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Very large (more than 5,000 passengers) | Many restaurants, shows, water parks, kids’ clubs; ideal for families | Longer embarkation and disembarkation; crowds at pools and shows; calls limited to big ports |
| Large or mid-size | Good balance between activities and crowds; wide choice of Mediterranean itineraries | Fewer spectacular attractions |
| Small ship or expedition | Calmer atmosphere, calls at small ports, quicker landings | Fewer activities on board; price per night often higher |
2. Itinerary and departure port
The ship goes where the cruise line positions it. Departure ports shape the whole trip: our pages cover departures from Marseille for the Mediterranean and from Le Havre for Northern Europe. Starting from a port close to home avoids a flight, which often weighs more in the budget than the choice of ship.
3. Length
A big ship offers so many activities that a 3- or 4-night mini-cruise is not enough to see everything. It is, however, a good way to try a ship before a week-long cruise.
4. What is included
From one line to another, the advertised price does not cover the same things: drinks package, service charges or “stay package”, speciality restaurants, Wi-Fi, excursions. Compare the total price, not just the headline price. Our cruise guide details these items, and the pages on MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises set out their packages.
5. Age and equipment of the ship
A recent ship often brings new cabins and features such as shore power connection or liquefied natural gas propulsion. An older, refurbished ship can be cheaper for an identical itinerary. Look at the entry-into-service date and the date of the last refit on the ship’s sheet.
Types of cruise ship
- Ocean cruise liners: the vast majority of the offer, from mid-size ships to the giants of the Icon class.
- Expedition ships: smaller, designed for polar regions or remote coasts, with landings by tender.
- River boats: far smaller than ocean liners, on the Rhine, the Danube, the Seine or the Rhône.
- Sailing cruise ships: a niche, with few passengers and a more nautical atmosphere.
Also read: our comparison of cruise lines and the Caribbean cruise guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest cruise ship in the world in 2026?
Royal Caribbean’s three Icon-class ships (Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas) share first place: 248,663 GT, 364 metres (1,194 ft) long, 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, according to the line’s official fact sheets.
How many passengers can Icon of the Seas carry?
Royal Caribbean states 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, in 2,805 cabins, with 2,350 crew members. Maximum capacity, extra berths included, is higher.
Where were the largest cruise ships built?
The Icon class was built by Meyer Turku in Finland. Utopia of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and MSC World Europa and World America come from Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.
What does GT mean for a cruise ship?
GT (gross tonnage) is a measure of the ship’s internal volume, not of its weight. It is the indicator used to compare the size of cruise liners.
Is a bigger ship more comfortable?
Not necessarily. A big ship offers more activities but also more people at the pools and at embarkation. For a quiet cruise or calls at small ports, a smaller ship is often a better fit.
What are the names of the largest cruise ships?
Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas (Royal Caribbean’s Icon class), then Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas (Oasis class), then MSC World Europa and MSC’s World Class series.
Our sources
- Royal Caribbean Press Center (royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com): “Fast Facts” sheets for Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas (updated 9 December 2025) and Legend of the Seas (updated 10 September 2026), consulted on 5 October 2026
- Chantiers de l’Atlantique (chantiers-atlantique.com): reference sheets for RCI Utopia of the Seas, RCI Wonder of the Seas and the MSC World Class series, consulted on 5 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
