10 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World

Giants of the sea or true floating cities, Cruise Ships are today able to transport milions of tourists from one port to another, discovering the world's most beautiful destinations.

Well equipped and provided with all comforts, these colossus of the sea go beyond our imagination and become bigger and bigger, even in some cases containing proper residential neighbourhoods.

Which are the biggest cruise ships? We have made a rank of the 10 world's biggest cruise ship  to satisfy your curiosity! (Latest Update: February 2018)

10th Position: Norwegian Breakaway

Ranking 10th is Norwegian Breakaway. Chosen “Best new cruise ship” by Cruise Critic, this ship is ready to take you to the tropics or to the Caribbean.

On board the Norwegian Breakaway you can breath the fresh air of the ocean thanks to the Waterfront, the quarter-mile oceanfront promenade with seaside restaurants, bars and amazing panoramic views.

Some of the best things of the ship are the 25 restaurants, inluding 3 new venues of fish and seafood, and the three dazzling Broadway shows: Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy.

9th Posizione: Queen Mary 2

True sea legend, Queen Mary 2 is beyond doubt one of the most beautiful cruise ships ever built!

Really elegant interiors, luxurious decorations and refined details contribute to the charm of this ship with a 20th-century atmosphere.

On board this piece of history, which is 345 meters long and weights 148.528 tonnes, her passengers will enjoy wild evenings at the casino, daydream at the planetarium or have fun playing tennis or with the golf simulator: everything, of course, wearing the right dress code!

8th, 7th and 6th positions: Independence, Liberty and Freedom of the Seas

At 8th, 7th and 6th positions of our rank are joint winners the 3 twin cruise ships of Royal Caribbean: Independence of The Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of The Seas. With a lenght of 339 meters and a gross tonnage of 154 tonnes they can host 3,634 passengers each.

INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS

Let's start talking about Independence! On board this super cruise ship you will be spoilt for choice.

From the surf simulator to the Royal Promenade with its shops, restaurants and caffés; from the mini golf field to the Solarium inspired by a tropical jungle, from the Adventure Ocean programme for children and teenagers to the Day Spa and Fitness Centre, from beauty treatments to yoga practice, from spinning to aerobics to Las Vegas' style evening shows; the lounge bar, the Casino Royale, the swimming pool, the ice-skating ring, the rock wall and the basketball and volleyball fields.

Anyway, a cruise to have fun that you will not want to end!

LIBERTY OF THE SEAS

Nothing less is Liberty of the Seas, which offers sports and activities for all: ice-saking ring, rock wall; basketball and volleyball fields and golf and minigolf fields.

Some of the new features of this ship is the Splashaway Bay, big water park for children and the Tidal Wave, new water slide that adds to the Cyclone and the Typhoon!

Also the food service is for all tastes: from the main restaurant with a wide international menu to the steakhouse Chops Grille where you can choose meat and fish; the Johnny Rockets where you can taste American classics with a 50s decoration, the Jade with Asian food or the newest Giovanni's Table with Italian specialities and the Sabor Modern Mexican.

There are also many bars and lounges to go depending on how the evening goes.

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS

Last, but not least, we present the Freedom of the Seas: a ship we all agree with!

On Board the Freedom, sport and adventure lovers will be satisfied by the spectacular rock wall, the surf simulator, the ice-skating ring and the golf and minigolf fields.

Also relaxing is guaranteed thanks to the hot bathtubs hung at 37 meters over the sea level and a luxurious Spa where you can pamper yourself drinking a refreshing cocktail.

Finally, also your children will be happy thanks to the DreamWorks Experience, where they will find their favourite characters like Shrek, Fiona and Kung Fu Panda.

5th Position: Norwegian Epic

With a gross tonnage of 155 tonnes, a lenght of 329 meters and capacity for 4,100 passengers, the Norvegian Epic can be considered the fifth biggest cruise in the world!

The Norwegian Epic, ship owned by Norwegian Cruise Line NCL of the generation Freestyle Cruising has an elegant and informal style.

During the day you can have fun thanks to a big sport center, an enormous Water Park, a bowling center, a rock wall, a fitness center and wellness center. At night you will be spoilt for choice among the wide range of 14 restaurants, private clubs, the Ice bar, the White Hot Party by NCL and much more.

P.S. Tips before departure:

• make sure you buy the right package: extra drinks on board are particularly expensive!
• if you travel with young children (under 4 years old) this might not be the best cruise for you.

4th Position: Quantum of the Seas

The spectacular one of a kind Quantum of The Seas has been excluded from the podium by a nose:

Innovation, design and a combination of unconventional areas and on board activities make the experience on board this ship of well 167,800 tonnes, 348 meters and 4,180 passengers capacity unique!

If you are seeking an unforgettable experience, the Quantum of The Seas is the right ship choice! Some recommendations: the RipCord skydiving simulator and the amazing 360º panoramic view sfrom the North Star.

WOW!

3rd Position: Oasis of The Seas and Allure of the Seas

We have arrived at the lowest place of the podium! Ranking 3rd are in a tie 2 proper floating palaces: the twin ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Some figures? 362 meters long, 72 meters high and well 2,700 cabins that can host up to 5,404 and 5,402 passengers respectively.

On board this two floating cities getting bored is almost impossible!

Life on board happens inside proper residential neighbourhoods with all kind of attractions: you can zip line above the sea, or ride the waves with the surf simulator, stroll down the Royal Promenade drinking a Starbucks coffee or shopping in the many shops, go to the theater, play golf, basket, climb a rock wall and much more...

There are obviously swimming pools for adults and children and, precisely for children there is a whole neighbourhood, known as Adventure Oceans with games and entertainment for children and a fascinating hand made carousel. 

There are also relax rooms and a fitness center, bars and restaurants of all kinds!

2nd Position: Harmony of The Seas

Recently replaced from the highest place of the podium, the fantastic Harmony of the Seas is now the 2nd biggest cruise in the world!

This mastodontic monster of the seas exceeds its 2 twins not as much as per gross tonnage and lenght, but for the capacity of passengers: it can host up to 5,479 people, an absolute record!

Built in 2016, this ship (bigger than the Eiffel Tower), in addition to boasting the title of the world's biggest cruise, it can be considered to all intents and purposes an authentic toyland.

Royal Caribbean has spared no expenses and the ship has attractions never seen before: 7 neighbourhoods on board; 3 multi-level slides including the Ultimate Abyss, that is the highest slide existing on a cruise ship, 45 meters over the sea level; over 25 choices among restaurants and bars and the biggest Spa on board a cruise ship.

Also 2 surf simulators, 11,252 artworks along the ship, the Central Park, a real park in the middle of the ship with well 10,587 plants.

There's also a Theater with 1,380 accomodations with an amazing enertaining program, Broadway shows and the Bionic Bar, first bar served entirely by barman-robots, and much more.

So if you feel curious about this floating city, read our special article about the Harmony of the Seas.

1st POSITION: SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS

If you think you have already seen it all, you are wrong! Because Royal Caribbean has gone beyond their limits presentaing for summer season 2018 a new cruise ship that has left the Harmony behind: we are talking about theunreal Symphony of the Seas.

With 18 decks, capacity for 6,780 passengers and 2,100 members of the crew the Symphony of the Seas is now the biggest cruise ship in the world.

The ship, which this year will sail the Mediterranean including the Port of Civitavecchia (first departure is scheduled for next April 3, 2018) has all of the famous attractions of class Quantum, like the Zip Line, minigolf, surf simulator Flow Rider, the Rock Climbing walls along with many other new attractions to be discovered.

Some of them are the Ultimate Abyss, the slide on the stern, is by far the largest ever made aboard a cruise ship, capable to give emotions and unforgettable chills.

On board, as well as a super equipped gym, there are wellness areas including the Vitality spa, the largest ever built on board a vessel. Also, be aware that when you post your selfies on Facebook and Instagram you will be doing so thanks to Voom technology, the fastest internet connection available in the sea.

If you want to find out more, read also our article about the Symphony of the Seas.

Who knows if Royal Caribbean has something new in store to improve itself in the next years? In the meanwhile, let's enjoy this classification and daydream about our next holidays!

Enjoy your cruise!