Royal Caribbean Ships by Size and Age

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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 (Double Occupancy)Crew Members

Wonder of the Seas

Oasis236,857 GT1,188 ft5,7342,300

Symphony of the Seas

Oasis228,081 GT1,188 ft5,5182,200

Harmony of the Seas

Oasis226,963 GT1,188 ft5,4972,200

Oasis of the Seas

Oasis226,838 GT1,187 ft5,6022,109

Allure of the Seas

Oasis225,282 GT1,187 ft5,4842,200

Spectrum of the Seas

Quantum-Ultra169,379 GT1,139 ft4,2461,551

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum168,666 GT1,141 ft4,1801,500

Ovation of the Seas

Quantum168,666 GT1,138 ft4,1801,500

Anthem of the Seas

Quantum168,666 GT1,141 ft4,1801,500

Odyssey of the Seas

Quantum-Ultra167,704 GT1,138 ft4,1981,633

Freedom of the Seas

Freedom156,271 GT1,111 ft3,9261,365

Independence of the Seas

Freedom154,407 GT1,112 ft3,8581,440

Liberty of the Seas

Freedom154,407 GT1,112 ft3,7981,360

Navigator of the Seas

Voyager139,999 GT1,020 ft3,3881,230

Mariner of the Seas

Voyager139,863 GT1,020 ft3,3441,200

Explorer of the Seas

Voyager137,308 GT1,020 ft3,2861,185

Adventure of the Seas

Voyager137,276 GT1,020 ft3,1141,185

Voyager of the Seas

Voyager137,276 GT1,020 ft3,6021,200

Brilliance of the Seas

Radiance90,090 GT962 ft2,142848

Jewel of the Seas

Radiance90,090 GT962 ft2,191852

Radiance of the Seas

Radiance90,090 GT962 ft2,143894

Serenade of the Seas

Radiance90,090 GT965 ft2,143832

Enchantment of the Seas

Vision82,910 GT989 ft2,252852

Rhapsody of the Seas

Vision78,491 GT915 ft1,998765

Vision of the Seas

Vision78,340 GT915 ft2,050742

Grandeur of the Seas

Vision73,817 GT916 ft1,992760

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 Built
Wonder of the SeasOasis2022
Odyssey of the SeasQuantum-Ultra2021
Spectrum of the SeasQuantum-Ultra2019
Symphony of the SeasOasis2018
Harmony of the SeasOasis2016
Ovation of the SeasQuantum2016
Anthem of the SeasQuantum2015
Quantum of the SeasQuantum2014
Allure of the SeasOasis2010
Oasis of the SeasOasis2009
Independence of the SeasFreedom2008
Liberty of the SeasFreedom2007
Freedom of the SeasFreedom2006
Jewel of the SeasRadiance2004
Serenade of the SeasRadiance2003
Mariner of the SeasVoyager2003
Brilliance of the SeasRadiance2002
Navigator of the SeasVoyager2002
Adventure of the SeasVoyager2001
Radiance of the SeasRadiance2001
Explorer of the SeasVoyager2000
Voyager of the SeasVoyager1999
Vision of the SeasVision1998
Enchantment of the SeasVision1997
Rhapsody of the SeasVision1997
Grandeur of the SeasVision1996

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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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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