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Is the Royal Caribbean the biggest cruise?

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, has completed its first set of sea trials and is joining the fleet in 2024.



As of 2026, Royal Caribbean International holds the title for operating the largest cruise ships in the world. Their "Icon Class" and "Oasis Class" vessels have consistently broken records for size, gross tonnage, and passenger capacity. The current reigning champion is the Icon of the Seas, which has a gross tonnage of approximately 250,800 and can accommodate over 7,600 guests at maximum capacity. These ships are essentially floating cities, featuring record-breaking amenities such as the world's largest waterpark at sea, multiple neighborhoods, "Central Park" (a living garden with thousands of real plants), and massive theaters. While other lines like Carnival or MSC operate very large ships, Royal Caribbean has made "the biggest" a central part of its brand identity, focusing on "megaships" that offer an overwhelming variety of dining, entertainment, and thrill-seeking activities. For travelers, being on the "biggest" ship means having unparalleled options, though it also means navigating a vast environment alongside thousands of other passengers, which is why the ship is designed with "neighborhoods" to help distribute the crowds and maintain a manageable flow.

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It is the world's second-largest cruise line operator, after Carnival Corporation & plc. As of January 2021, Royal Caribbean Group fully owns three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.

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1. Wonder of the Seas. The Wonder of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship and weighs 236,857 Gross tonnes.

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That's why guests and travel experts continually recognize Royal Caribbean as the Top Cruise Line for families, Best Cruises for couples, and Best Cruise Line for first timers. And for 20 consecutive years, we've been voted Best Cruise Line Overall by Travel Weekly readers.

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Both companies are market leaders in terms of fleet sizes. That said, Royal Caribbean has more ships and they're often larger, which means additional dining, activities and lodging options for passengers.

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On board, the mix of other passengers can determine the overall experience, but both cruise companies do an excellent job of offering fun for all ages. Carnival wins this category for its more laid-back atmosphere and the number of children-specific activities.

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Royal Caribbean International ranked as the second-best cruise line in the world. As of 2022, the cruise line operates 26 ships and two privately owned resorts: Labadee on the northern coast of Haiti and Coco Cay, a private island in the Bahamas.

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When it comes to luxury cruises, nobody does lavish like Royal Caribbean. Unforgettable adventures call for an unforgettable oasis where you can rest and recharge in between thrills.

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When it comes to luxury cruises, nobody does lavish like Royal Caribbean. Unforgettable adventures call for an unforgettable oasis where you can rest and recharge in between thrills.

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Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk.

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The hype for Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Icon of the Seas, has been building for a long time with record-breaking sales -- and in January 2024, the latest class from the line will debut. The 7,600-passenger vessel promises to be a showstopper, especially the new glass-covered AquaDome.

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Royal Caribbean International is known for driving innovation at sea and has been continuously redefining cruise vacationing since our launch in 1969. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel, pushing the envelope of what is possible for a cruise ship.

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Royal Caribbean International (RCI), previously known as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), is a cruise line brand founded in 1968 in Norway and organised as a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group since 1997.

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Generally speaking, the most affordable mainstream cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The more upscale cruise lines will cost you more, such as Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Viking Cruises.

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Royal Caribbean International dress code Royal Caribbean breaks its suggested attire into several categories. Casual includes polos, jeans and sundresses, but the line asks that guests wear swimwear only on the pool deck and shorts at breakfast and lunch, according to its website.

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Allure of the Seas is the most expensive cruise ship in operation. It is the latest cruise ship in the Oasis class, owned by Royal Caribbean International.

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The best cruise lines in 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line ranked as the best cruise line in the world, according to Condé Nast Traveler. Norwegian Cruise Line ranked as the top cruise line this year. It is the third-largest cruise line in the world by passengers, according to Cruise Market Watch.

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Royal Caribbean Age Policy Rules for cruising alone on Royal: Passengers must be 21 years old to travel on their own from North American ports; they should be at least 18 years old when sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

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Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean cruise ships aren't all-inclusive – at least not in the true sense. While they may not be fully all-inclusive, they do offer guests exceptional value. The pricing model allows cruisers to receive a base experience and pay for any add-ons they may want to enjoy.

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What is the Safest Cruise Line? The CDC gave ships with Disney Cruise Lines a score of 96 or above on their 2016 inspections. According to their voluntary disclosures in Q2 of 2016, there was 1 claim of theft exceeding $10,000 and 2 claims of sexual assault.

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Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, however, is a whopping five times the size of the Titanic. Photos show how the two ships' dining rooms, luxury bedrooms, and more compare.

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