Royal Caribbean’s fleet contains some of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships.
When you choose your next cruise, you might be overwhelmed trying to decide which cruise ship is right for you.
Of course, ship size isn’t everything when picking a cruise ship. But, the size of the vessel is essential when considering the number of activities, entertainment, and dining options available to you.
Table of Contents
Royal Caribbean Ships by Size
Below is a list of all Royal Caribbean ships by size. We’ve arranged the list according to size measured in gross tonnage (the internal volume of a ship) and length measured in feet.
| Ship Name | Class | Gross Tonnage | Length | Passengers (Double Occupancy) | Crew Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oasis | 236,857 GT | 1,188 ft | 5,734 | 2,300 | |
Symphony of the Seas | Oasis | 228,081 GT | 1,188 ft | 5,518 | 2,200 |
Harmony of the Seas | Oasis | 226,963 GT | 1,188 ft | 5,497 | 2,200 |
Oasis of the Seas | Oasis | 226,838 GT | 1,187 ft | 5,602 | 2,109 |
Allure of the Seas | Oasis | 225,282 GT | 1,187 ft | 5,484 | 2,200 |
Spectrum of the Seas | Quantum-Ultra | 169,379 GT | 1,139 ft | 4,246 | 1,551 |
Quantum of the Seas | Quantum | 168,666 GT | 1,141 ft | 4,180 | 1,500 |
Ovation of the Seas | Quantum | 168,666 GT | 1,138 ft | 4,180 | 1,500 |
Anthem of the Seas | Quantum | 168,666 GT | 1,141 ft | 4,180 | 1,500 |
Odyssey of the Seas | Quantum-Ultra | 167,704 GT | 1,138 ft | 4,198 | 1,633 |
Freedom of the Seas | Freedom | 156,271 GT | 1,111 ft | 3,926 | 1,365 |
Independence of the Seas | Freedom | 154,407 GT | 1,112 ft | 3,858 | 1,440 |
Liberty of the Seas | Freedom | 154,407 GT | 1,112 ft | 3,798 | 1,360 |
Navigator of the Seas | Voyager | 139,999 GT | 1,020 ft | 3,388 | 1,230 |
Mariner of the Seas | Voyager | 139,863 GT | 1,020 ft | 3,344 | 1,200 |
Explorer of the Seas | Voyager | 137,308 GT | 1,020 ft | 3,286 | 1,185 |
Adventure of the Seas | Voyager | 137,276 GT | 1,020 ft | 3,114 | 1,185 |
Voyager of the Seas | Voyager | 137,276 GT | 1,020 ft | 3,602 | 1,200 |
Brilliance of the Seas | Radiance | 90,090 GT | 962 ft | 2,142 | 848 |
Jewel of the Seas | Radiance | 90,090 GT | 962 ft | 2,191 | 852 |
Radiance of the Seas | Radiance | 90,090 GT | 962 ft | 2,143 | 894 |
Serenade of the Seas | Radiance | 90,090 GT | 965 ft | 2,143 | 832 |
Enchantment of the Seas | Vision | 82,910 GT | 989 ft | 2,252 | 852 |
Rhapsody of the Seas | Vision | 78,491 GT | 915 ft | 1,998 | 765 |
Vision of the Seas | Vision | 78,340 GT | 915 ft | 2,050 | 742 |
Grandeur of the Seas | Vision | 73,817 GT | 916 ft | 1,992 | 760 |
List of Royal Caribbean Ships by Age
While older vessels are refurbished every three to five years, you’ll find a very different experience on a new ship compared to one over a decade old. Newer ships offer better technology, facilities, activities, and updated decor.
Whether you are looking for an exciting cruise on the newest ship, or a laid-back vacation on an older vessel, this list will help you choose the right ship for your cruise vacation.
The following table shows Royal Caribbean ships by age, from the newest ship to the oldest:
| Ship Name | Class | Year Built |
|---|---|---|
| Wonder of the Seas | Oasis | 2022 |
| Odyssey of the Seas | Quantum-Ultra | 2021 |
| Spectrum of the Seas | Quantum-Ultra | 2019 |
| Symphony of the Seas | Oasis | 2018 |
| Harmony of the Seas | Oasis | 2016 |
| Ovation of the Seas | Quantum | 2016 |
| Anthem of the Seas | Quantum | 2015 |
| Quantum of the Seas | Quantum | 2014 |
| Allure of the Seas | Oasis | 2010 |
| Oasis of the Seas | Oasis | 2009 |
| Independence of the Seas | Freedom | 2008 |
| Liberty of the Seas | Freedom | 2007 |
| Freedom of the Seas | Freedom | 2006 |
| Jewel of the Seas | Radiance | 2004 |
| Serenade of the Seas | Radiance | 2003 |
| Mariner of the Seas | Voyager | 2003 |
| Brilliance of the Seas | Radiance | 2002 |
| Navigator of the Seas | Voyager | 2002 |
| Adventure of the Seas | Voyager | 2001 |
| Radiance of the Seas | Radiance | 2001 |
| Explorer of the Seas | Voyager | 2000 |
| Voyager of the Seas | Voyager | 1999 |
| Vision of the Seas | Vision | 1998 |
| Enchantment of the Seas | Vision | 1997 |
| Rhapsody of the Seas | Vision | 1997 |
| Grandeur of the Seas | Vision | 1996 |
Royal Caribbean Ships on Order
Royal Caribbean has several cruise ships on order, including a sixth Oasis-class ship Utopia of the Seas.
Utopia of the Seas will become the largest cruise ship in the world upon its debut in 2024. The vessel is expected to have a gross tonnage of 1,000 GT larger than the current record-holder, Wonder of the Seas.
Additionally, several ships on order are part of Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class of cruise ships. The ships won’t be as large as the Oasis-class, but they will be around 200,000 GT.
Below, you’ll find a complete list of cruise ships on order by Royal Caribbean. These vessels are either under construction or have signed agreements to be constructed.
| Ship Name | Class | Expected Debut | Gross Tonnage (GT) | Guest Capacity (Double Occupancy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icon of the Seas | Icon Class | 2023 | 200,000 | 5,650 |
| Utopia of the Seas | Oasis Class | 2024 | 231,000 | 5,714 |
| TBA | Icon Class | 2025 | 200,000 | 5,650 |
| TBA | Icon Class | 2026 | 200,000 | 5,650 |
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Classes at a Glance
Royal Caribbean has eight classes of cruise ships. Each class of cruise ships features nearly identical designs and features, with some small differences between individual vessels.
The largest is the Oasis class of cruise ships. All five Oasis-class vessels make up the top five largest cruise ships in the world.
Here are Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship classes:
| Class | Gross Tonnage (GT) |
|---|---|
| Oasis Class | 225,282 – 236,857 |
| Icon (Coming 2023) Class | 200,000 |
| Quantum Ultra Class | 169,379 |
| Quantum Class | 168,888 |
| Freedom Class | 154,407 |
| Voyager Class | 137,276 – 139,999 |
| Radiance Class | 90,090 |
| Vision Class | 73,817 – 82,910 |
FAQs
What is Royal Caribbean’s Largest Ship?
Royal Caribbean’s biggest ship is Wonder of the Seas, with an internal volume of 236,857 GT, a length of 1,188 feet, a passenger capacity of 6,998, and a crew of 2,300.
The vessel debuted in 2022 and holds the record as the largest cruise ship in the world.
What is Royal Caribbean’s Smallest Ship?
Royal Caribbean’s smallest cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas.
Grandeur of the Seas is the oldest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet and the smallest in gross tonnage and length. The vessel measures 73,817 GT, 916 feet in length, and has a maximum occupancy of 2,440 guests.
What is the Newest Royal Caribbean Ship?
The newest Royal Caribbean ship is Wonder of the Seas, which debuted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in March of 2022. Wonder of the Seas is the fifth and largest, Oasis-class vessel in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The 236,857 gross ton vessel can accommodate 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew.
What is the Oldest Royal Caribbean Ship?
The oldest Royal Caribbean ship is Grandeur of the Seas. Grandeur of the Seas was launched on March 1, 1996, and christened the following December.
The ship is also the smallest in Royal Caribbeans fleet at 73,817 gross tons and 916 feet in length.
What is Royal Caribbean’s Longest Cruise Ship?
The longest cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet is Harmony of the Seas. The vessel is four inches longer than Wonder of the Seas at a length of 1,188.1 feet.
How Many Ships Does Royal Caribbean Have?
Royal Caribbean currently has 26 ships in its fleet. Ever since the introduction of Sovereign of the Seas in 1987, every subsequent ship has a name that ends with “of the Seas”.
Are New Royal Caribbean Ships Better?
New Royal Caribbean ships feature better technology, more activities, modern facilities, and updated decor. While old vessels are refreshed every three to five years, they simply don’t compare to the range of amenities and features offered by newer cruise ships.
However, many older Royal Caribbean cruise ships have undergone significant renovations thanks to the Royal Amplified program. Through the program, older Royal Caribbean vessels received substantial upgrades to bring their amenities closer to those of newer ships.
The program is more than the usual ship refurbishment. Each vessel in the program received upwards of $165 million in renovations to add new activities, entertainment, and dining options with an overhaul to the pool deck.
In our opinion, “Amplified” Royal Caribbean ships are on par with newer vessels, with the bonus of lower cruise fares.
What Was the First Royal Caribbean Ship?
The Song of Norway was the first Royal Caribbean ship introduced in 1970. The original vessel could carry 724 passengers with an internal volume of 18,000 gross tons before being “stretched” in 1978, adding 85 feet and bringing her size to 23,000 GT.
The stretched vessel had a passenger capacity of 1024.
Song of Norway sailed under the Royal Caribbean banner for 27 years before being sold, making it the longest-serving Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
