'Utopia of the Seas': worlds largest cruise liner will set sail in 2024

Table Of Content

• Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
• Utopia of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
• More Royal Caribbean
• Icon of the Seas offers 28 different stateroom categories to choose from, 14 of which are brand-new
• Harmony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
• Iona (P&O Cruises)

A dynamic entertainment space featuring a 55-foot waterfall, it functions as a spot for 220-degree ocean views by day and a stage and nightlife venue at night. Meanwhile, the family-friendly Surfside is designed to keep kids of all ages entertained with water and dry activities, kids club areas, and an adjacent three-story family townhouse. If large ships aren’t your thing though, be sure to check out the smallest cruise ships in the world as well. One of the biggest differences with Harmony isn’t the ship but the itineraries she offers – she is permanently based in the Caribbean, sailing from Galveston in Texas. If you’re noticing a theme to this list, then well done – the third Oasis-class ship to launch is also the third-biggest ship sailing the waves in 2024. Harmony of the Seas is actually very slightly longer than Wonder of the Seas, but her overall interval volume is lower.

Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Costa Toscana is the second Excel class vessel built for Carnival-owned Costa Cruises. The LNG-powered cruise ship is the flagship of the fleet and was constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. She’s almost identical to the Costa Smeralda, including gross tonnage and size. The only reason she is lower than her sister ship in the largest cruise ships in the world is that she entered service in 2021. Since being delivered from the shipyard to the cruise line in November 2023, Icon of the Seas overtook Wonder of the Seas as the world’s largest cruise ship. The new-class Icon of the Seas is an impressive 250,800 gross tons and can hold 5,610 passengers at double occupancy.

Utopia of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

"It means more people can experience something. It means that there's a lot more amenities and activities onboard the cruise ship," McDaniel said. "The more people they can put on a cruise ship, of course, the better business they do, the more money they make." Perched at the top of Icon, the Aqua Theater will feature wraparound ocean views and an ... One of 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges along the ships promenade, Coastal Kitchen will be a ... One of the most anticipated on-board amenities will be the largest waterpark at sea. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises.

More Royal Caribbean

Details on where the ship will sail and for how long have yet to be revealed by Royal Caribbean. Millions are following the journey through the eyes of the passengers, as they live and post their lives aboard a vessel they’ll be on for nearly a year. If it sounds like a reality show, that’s exactly what some watchers have turned it into.

Harmony of the Seas overtakes its older Oasis-class ships just slightly, making her the fourth-largest cruise ship in the world. The vessel is the first of two new orders from STX France to expand the large class ships to four. Icon of the Seas is the first in its class and is powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

World's largest cruise ship sets sail from Miami - DW (English)

World's largest cruise ship sets sail from Miami.

Posted: Sun, 28 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

There are some seriously impressive cruise ships coming in the next couple of years, but already in 2024 we have some epic ships sailing the oceans. While the ship was originally planned to sleep as many as 9,000 (!) guests, the plans have now reverted to a more reasonable 6,000 guest level. We don’t know much else about Disney Adventure except that she will be Disney’s biggest cruise ship by far, and that screams potential for excitement. Scheduled to begin sailing in April 2025, MSC World America will be the world's seventh-biggest cruise ship when it debuts and the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever deployed to North America. Unveiled in January, Icon of the Seas is the world's biggest cruise ship.

Largest cruise ship in the world to set sail from Miami, now taking early bookings - WPLG Local 10

Largest cruise ship in the world to set sail from Miami, now taking early bookings.

Posted: Mon, 18 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

In June 2023, the new 'Icon of the Seas' cruise ship set sail for the first time for its sea trials. 'Icon of the Seas' will be the biggest cruise ship at sea when it sets sail in January 2024. It is powered by six dual-fuel engines, which can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel alternative that the Cruise Lines International Association says reduces sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some environmentalists worry LNG-powered ships increase methane emissions.

Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. By 2025 the top-10 list will all be ships with a gross tonnage over 200,000 which is pretty spectacular, and who knows by then what will be in the pipeline. Disney Cruise Line has already ordered new ships for 2024 and 2025 as sister ships to the Disney Wish, which launched in 2022. The ship still has 30 dining and drinking venues though – 11 places to eat and 19 bars or lounges, so plenty of space to unwind. But the ship is much more European in style, with Mediterranean-themed restaurants.

Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. Moreover, Icon will have a long lineup of other energy efficiency initiatives onboard, all of which help to contribute to Royal Caribbean Group's goal of introducing a net-zero ship by 2035. Even though Meyer Turku's time with Icon has come to an end, they're hard at work building Star of the Seas. Plus, the first steel for the third Icon Class ship was cut in mid-January. Icon of the Seas will offer 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida.

The 20-deck ship will feature 2,805 staterooms and have a maximum capacity of 7,600 guests—over 500 more passengers than Wonder of the Seas. It will also kick off the brand’s new Icon class of vessels and introduce passengers to five new "neighborhood" concepts, with eight neighborhoods in total. Royal Caribbean has just announced more details for its latest mega-ship, Icon of the Seas. Scheduled to set sail on her first voyage in January 2024, Icon of the Seas will usurp Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas as the largest cruise ship in the world.

Despite the focus on families, there are plenty of spaces for adults to escape. Icon of the Sea's Central Park, an open-air green space, is designed to offer adult guests a serene setting, perfect for romantic dinners or tranquil strolls amidst the plants and trees. Icon of the Seas will rise 20 decks high and stretch 1,198 feet in length. Featuring 28-room types on board, layouts have been designed with for families in mind and can accommodate three, four, five guests in options like the Family Infinite Balcony and Surfside Family Suite. Icon will feature the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides.

While we may have to wait until the bottom half of this list for a non-Royal Caribbean ship, MSC World Europa is worth the wait. As confirmed on Thursday, MSC World America will operate alternating itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. For the summer of 2025, both MSC World America and Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami on Saturdays on seven-night trips to the Caribbean. Carnival Celebration will sail out of Miami on Sundays on six- to eight-night trips to the Caribbean. When complete, the bow of the 362-metre ship would reach the top of New York's Empire State Building if the vessel was standing vertically.

As of February 2024[update], there are 68 passenger ships with over 135,000 GT in service. The first ships over that size were the Voyager-class ships from Royal Caribbean Group's Royal Caribbean International (RCI). On Jan. 27, the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, set sail on its inaugural cruise. With the capacity to carry nearly 8,000 people, the 20-deck, 1,198-foot-long vessel is the size of a small city.

The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas—which will be the largest cruise ship in the world—will debut to passengers for the first time. Icon of the Seas offers something for everyone – on a ship that size, how could she not? The existing five Oasis Class vessels are all ranked as the world’s largest passenger ships and Utopia of the Seas will be included once it sets sail.

At the time of writing, the lowest advertised fare on Royal Caribbean's website for a cruise onboard Icon in 2024 starts at $3,005 per person for an interior room for the March 23 sailing. Icon of the Seas measures an astonishing 250,800 gross registered tons and can carry a maximum of 7,600 passengers, making Icon roughly 6% larger than Wonder of the Seas. Whether you're counting down the days until your Icon cruise or cannot fathom stepping foot on a ship that size, there's no denying that the launch of Icon of the Seas is a major milestone in the cruising industry.

Top 10 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World 2024

Table Of Content

• Arvia (P&O Cruises)
• FAQ on Largest Cruise Ships
• There are more dining venues onboard Icon of the Seas than any other ship in the fleet
• A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage
• Royal Caribbean Is Launching the World's Largest Cruise Ship in 2024—See Inside
• Cruises
• Construction is now under way on the Royal Caribbean megaship which will have a capacity of nearly 10,000 travellers

To avoid any surprises when you get on the ship, however, it is important that you understand what is and isn't included. Onboard, guests will find the largest waterpark and ice rink at sea, new neighborhoods to explore, the cruise line's first-ever food hall, and so much more. The vessel is different from other large ships in the cruise industry and boasts features like the Zipline and the AquaTheater. Harmony of the Seas was the first in the class to feature the 10-Story Ultimate Abyss slide, which is located aft of the ship above the AquaTheater. The slide has since been a major feature on new Oasis-class vessels and added during refurbishments. The Hideaway neighborhood will boast an industry first with its fully-suspended infinity pool.

I Was Among the First To Sail On The World's Biggest Cruise Ship—And Here's What I Thought - Southern Living

I Was Among the First To Sail On The World's Biggest Cruise Ship—And Here's What I Thought.

Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Arvia (P&O Cruises)

We look at the top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world by gross tonnage. It's a city at sea, accommodating up to 7,600 passengers in 2,805 staterooms and nearly 10,000 people, including the crew. The ship offers different experiences that include seven pools — one is the largest on any ship — the world's first onboard water park with six water slides, theaters, a casino and over 40 dining and drinking spots.

FAQ on Largest Cruise Ships

The Costa Smeralda is the biggest ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, and she is built to the same template as Arvia – after all, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises all fall under the umbrella of the Carnival Corporation. Arvia sails around the Mediterranean and offers longer sailings to the Caribbean. Oasis of the Seas sails from Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Florida during the winter season, including Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries. Symphony of the Seas offers similar itineraries to Wonder of the Seas, but she is based out of Miami during the winter months and Barcelona in the summer. Carnival Celebration will mostly sail to Eastern Caribbean destinations such as St. Thomas, San Juan and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.

There are more dining venues onboard Icon of the Seas than any other ship in the fleet

She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer. Nearly every sailing will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. It's powered by liquefied natural gas, treats its own waste, and produces its own water. A weeklong Caribbean cruise costs about $3,500 for two people in an average stateroom. For those seeking more luxury, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – a three-story suite complete with touchscreen tables and a slide – can go for up to $100,000 per trip. The Royal Loft, aimed at high-rolling adults, offers two bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a spacious balcony starting at $40,000.

Dining on ‘Icon of the Seas’

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas was previously the world’s largest cruise ship in most of 2023. The Oasis class vessel is 236,857 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of 5,734 at double occupancy, but that goes up to 7,084 at maximum capacity. The giant cruise ship also has a crew capacity of 2,204, and there are a total of 18 decks. The crown of the world’s biggest cruise ship previously went to Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis-class vessel operated by Royal Caribbean. The ship is similar in design to her sister ships but adds some additional features and evolves the class. Wonder of the Seas is a massive 236,857 gross tons with a guest capacity of 5,734 at double occupancy.

A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage

Ceylan Yeginsu, a reporter for the Travel section, tries out a ride in the sprawling water park on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship.Credit... Costa Smeralda is the cruise line’s first-ever cruise ship powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). She’s also the largest vessel ever constructed for the Italian-based cruise operator.

The giant ship that Meyer Turku built in Finland can also hold 2,350 crew members. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas became the new world’s largest cruise ship when she was delivered to the cruise line in November 2023, at a massive 250,800 gross tons and a length of 1,198 feet. The LNG-powered vessel will also have a guest capacity of 5,610 at double occupancy, which can reach a maximum of 7,600. In 2019, The Royal Caribbean cruise ship underwent a massive $165 million upgrade, which did not just add new water slides, but also The Ultimate Abyss aft slide, new dining venues, and a refreshed look.

Cruises

Launching one year after her sister ship, Allure of the Seas was the second Oasis-class ship and at the time, she was marginally bigger. However, the 2019 revamp and expansion of Oasis of the Seas has dropped Allure by a single place. As a result, she is slightly more limited in her entertainment and dining scope, but it’s fine margins – she still has two FlowRiders for example, but she only has three pools. Symphony of the Seas is another Oasis-class ship, and she’s very similar to Wonder of the Seas in terms of on-board entertainment, dining choices and the iconic Central Park in the middle of the ship. Both ships have been designed around a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars. All three vessels are among the most venue-filled in their respective fleets, with dozens of restaurants, bars, showrooms and over-the-top attractions on the decks.

Among the new neighborhoods is Chill Island, the ship’s new take on a pool deck. Chill Island will be located mid-ship across three decks and hold four of the ship’s seven pools, including the brand’s first-ever swim-up bar at sea. That’s certainly been the mantra for Miami based cruise line Royal Caribbean, who just announced their largest ship Icon of the Seas will officially enter service in 2024.

This voyage will signify the ship's completion, as the ship will officially be ready for regular service. From the cruise line's first-ever swim-up bar to the largest pool at sea, infinity-edge Cove and Cloud 17 Pools, Chill Island is, undoubtedly, going to be the best pool deck at sea. Whether you want to watch the ship pull into port or want clear views of the horizon while sipping on a cocktail, you will also find some of the best ocean views onboard here.

MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean are currently the only cruise brands in the world with ships measuring more than 200,000 tons. Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas will be the largest in the world when it takes to the ocean in 2024. It will claim the title from its sister vessel Wonder of the Seas, which had its maiden voyage from Florida to the Caribbean on March 4. The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.

Wonder of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship in the world until 2024, and the most recent of the Oasis-class ships to have launched. In the last few years, we’ve seen some amazing new ships launch, including many of the biggest cruise ships in the world. And that’s not changing – over the next few years even bigger ships are on the way.

It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. She’s expected to sail the Caribbean from ports in America, so there will no doubt be some changes made to accommodate American guests. Expect beautiful artworks, thrilling children’s activities and the very latest in sustainability tech. In fact, her main difference is in the itineraries offered – while most are still in the Mediterranean, she also sails to the Middle East for cruises from Dubai. MSC World America will also have six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. MSC World America and Icon of the Seas, in particular, have several similarities, including public area venues segmented into "districts," as MSC Cruises calls them.