Royal Caribbean Ships by Size and Age

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Marcello De Lio

I’ve been cruising since I was 11 years old. I love the freedom that cruising provides, meeting new people, and exploring amazing new ships. I love to share my passion for cruising and travel with readers.
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Royal Caribbean’s fleet contains some of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships.

amplified Navigator of the Seas at royal Caribbean private island
(Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International)

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.

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 NameClassGross TonnageLengthPassengers
Icon Of The SeasIcon250,800 GT365 m5,610
Wonder Of The SeasOasis236,857 GT362 m5,734
Symphony Of The SeasOasis228,081 GT362 m5,518
Harmony Of The SeasOasis226,963 GT362 m5,497
Allure Of The SeasOasis225,282 GT360 m5,492
Oasis Of The SeasOasis225,282 GT311 m5,592
Odyssey Of The SeasQuantum Ultra169,300 GT360 m3,844
Spectrum Of The SeasQuantum Ultra168,670 GT348 m4,246
Anthem of the SeasQuantum167,800 GT348 m4,168
Quantum Of The SeasQuantum167,800 GT348 m4,162
Ovation Of The SeasQuantum167,800 GT348 m4,168
Freedom Of The SeasFreedom154,407 GT338 m4,024
Independence Of The SeasFreedom154,407 GT338 m3,836
Liberty Of The SeasFreedom154,407 GT338 m3,678
Navigator Of The SeasVoyager139,570 GT311 m3,348
Mariner Of The SeasVoyager138,279 GT331 m3,334
Explorer Of The SeasVoyager137,308 GT311 m3,282
Voyager Of The SeasVoyager137,276 GT311 m3,416
Adventure Of The SeasVoyager137,276 GT311 m3,382
Jewel Of The SeasRadiance90,090 GT293 m2,144
Radiance Of The SeasRadiance90,090 GT293 m2,122
Serenade Of The SeasRadiance90,090 GT293 m2,148
Brilliance Of The SeasRadiance90,090 GT292 m2,150
Enchantment Of The SeasVision82,910 GT301 m2,284
Rhapsody Of The SeasVision78,878 GT279 m2,026
Vision Of The SeasVision78,717 GT279 m2,036
Grandeur Of The SeasVision73,817 GT279 m1,994

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.

North Star observatory rising on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas as it sails in the ocean
(Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean)

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 NameClassYear BuiltBuilder
IconIcon2023Meyer Werft (Turku, Finland)
OasisOasis2022Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, STX France)
Quantum UltraQuantum Ultra2021Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
Quantum UltraQuantum Ultra2019Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
OasisOasis2018Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, STX France)
QuantumQuantum2016Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
OasisOasis2016Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, STX France)
QuantumQuantum2015Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
QuantumQuantum2014Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
OasisOasis2010STX Europe (Turku, Finland)
OasisOasis2009STX Europe (Turku, Finland)
FreedomFreedom2008Aker Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
FreedomFreedom2007Aker Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
FreedomFreedom2006Aker Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
RadianceRadiance2004Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
VoyagerVoyager2003Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
RadianceRadiance2003Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
VoyagerVoyager2002Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
RadianceRadiance2002Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
RadianceRadiance2001Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany)
VoyagerVoyager2001Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
VoyagerVoyager2000Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
VoyagerVoyager1999Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
VisionVision1998Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, STX France)
VisionVision1997Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire, STX France)
VisionVision1997Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Helsinki, STX Finland)
VisionVision1996Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Helsinki, STX Finland)

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.

Oasis of the Seas arrives at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz Spain to begin her $165 million amplification
Oasis-class cruise ship at a dry dock (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean)

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 NameClassExpected DebutGross Tonnage (GT)Guest Capacity (Double Occupancy)
Icon of the SeasIcon Class2023200,0005,650
Utopia of the SeasOasis Class2024231,0005,714
TBAIcon Class2025200,0005,650
TBAIcon Class2026200,0005,650

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Classes at a Glance

Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas Aerial View

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:

ClassGross Tonnage (GT)
Oasis Class225,282 – 236,857
Icon (Coming 2023) Class200,000
Quantum Ultra Class169,379
Quantum Class168,888
Freedom Class154,407
Voyager Class137,276 – 139,999
Radiance Class90,090
Vision Class73,817 – 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 SeasGrandeur 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?

Song of Norway Cruise ship. The first Royal Caribbean vessel. Photograph from 1994

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.

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About the author

Marcello De Lio

I’ve been cruising since I was 11 years old. I love the freedom that cruising provides, meeting new people, and exploring amazing new ships. I love to share my passion for cruising and travel with readers.

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