World's largest cruise ships

Cruise ships are increasingly become a popular holiday ‘destinations’. In turn, they are becoming bigger and better. The biggest cruise ships in the world today is about five times the size of Titanic and can accommodate about 5,400 to 6,000 passengers.

Earlier a mode of travel, they are now holiday destinations that house all modern-day facilities and more. You find multiple dining option, coffee shops, shopping ‘streets’, multiple pool, theatre, and fitness centres as common features on these cruise liners.

Let’s take a look at the modern day Titanics and some of the facilities they offer on-baord.

MSC Preziosa

Rank: 10

Cruise line: MSC Cruises

Year: 2013

Gross tonnage: 139,400

Length: 1,093 feet

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MSC Preziosa

MSC Preziosa is the new flagship cruise ship of the MSC Preziosa group and entered service in March 2013.

According to Wikipedia, it was built at a cost of $550 million. One of the routes where you can experience this cruise is Barcelona-Marseille-Genoa-Naples-Messina-Tunis.

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MSC Divina

Rank: 10

Cruise line: MSC Cruises

Year: 2012

Gross tonnage: 139,400 GT

Length: 1,093 feet

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MSC Divina

The cruise ship was originally called SC Fantastica until the company renamed her to honor actress Sophia Loren. She entered service in May 2012 and runs in the Mediterranean. It is also the largest ship in the fleet of MSC Cruises. She was constructed at a cost of $550 million.

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Royal Princess

Rank: 9

Cruise line: Princess Cruises

Year: 2013

Gross tonnage: 141,000 GT

Length: 1,083 feet

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Royal Princess

Royal Princess is the flagship of the Princess fleet, which is build by Fincantieri. She has capacity to accommodate 3,600 passengers.

The ship boasts of youth and teen centre, provision to watch on the upper deck under the stars, spa, fitness centre, and a theatre.

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Norwegian Breakaway

Rank: 8

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Year: 2013

Gross tonnage: 146,600

Length: 1,063 feet

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Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Breakaway is home ported at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal in Manhattan, making seven-night cruises to Bermuda (May thru Sept) and seven-night cruises to the Bahamas & Florida (October thru April), according to Wikipedia.

The ship was build by Meyer Werft and was launched in April 2013. She has a passenger capacity of 4,500.

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Queen Mary 2

Rank: 7

Cruise line: Cunard

Year: 2004

Gross tonnage: 148,528 GT

Length: 1,132 feet

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Queen Mary 2

At the time of her construction in 2003, she was the widest, tallest and longest passenger ship ever built. She was built at a cost of 460 million pounds, which is higher compared to contemporaries.

Queen Mary 2's facilities include fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theatre, and the first planetarium at sea.

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Independence of the Seas

Rank: 4

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Year: 2008

Gross tonnage: 154,407 GT

Length: 1,112 feet

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Independence of the Seas

She entered service in April 2008 and can her 15 decks can accommodate 4,370 passengers.

Independence of the Seas generally sails from Southampton, England in the Summer months and from Fort Lauderdale in the Winter months, according to Wikipedia.

The passenger ship features an interactive water park, a dedicated sports pool for volleyball and basketball, an internal shopping ‘street’, two-story Alhambra theatre, and an ice skating rink.

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Liberty of the Seas

Rank: 4

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Year: 2007

Gross tonnage: 154,407 GT

Length: 1,112 feet

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Liberty of the Seas

The 15 deck ship can accommodate 3,634 passengers. In 2011 the ship underwent renovation and now features amenities that compared with any other ship in the world.

She now has DreamWorks experience, which includes poolside screening of Shrek movies, Shrek trivia games and scavenger hunts, Shrek kid’s parade, and other experiences.

It also features Broadway musical Saturday Night Fever, a 3D theatre, poolside under the stars outdoor movie screen, Vintages wine bar, surf simulator, rock-climbing, ice-skating rink, cantilevered whirlpools, mini golf course, and much more.

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Freedom of the Seas

Rank: 4

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Year: 2006

Gross tonnage: 154,407 GT

Length: 1,112 feet

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Freedom of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas can accommodate 3,634 passengers on her 15 decks. It took approximately 500 million pounds to build her, according to Wikipedia.

The ship features three swimming pools, an interactive water park, a sports area with a rock climbing wall, a miniature golf course and a full size basketball court.

It also has an ice skating rink, a casino, a three-deck-high Broadway-style theatre, a dedicated 24-hour pizza venue, a boxing ring in the gym, and many Duty-free shops.

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Norwegian Epic

Rank: 3

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Year: 2010

Gross tonnage: 155,873 GT

Length: 1,081 feet

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Norwegian Epic

The ship has 4100 passenger berths, with all outside cabins having balconies. It features an Aqua Park that has tube and bowl water slide at sea, fitness centre and sports court.

It also has  a rappelling wall, two three-lane bowling alleys, Ice Bar, and over 20 different dining options.

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Oasis of the Seas

Rank: 1

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Year: 2009

Gross tonnage: 225,282 GT

Length: 1,187 feet

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Oasis of the Seas

She cruises the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has set a new record of carrying over 6,000 passengers.

According to Wikipedia, she was constructed at a cost of $1.4 billion.

The ship features two-story loft suites and luxury suites with balconies overlooking the sea or promenades, a zip-line, a casino, a miniature golf course, multiple night clubs, several bars and lounges, a karaoke club, comedy club, five swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts, theme parks and nurseries for children.

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Allure of The Seas

Rank: 1

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

Year: 2010

Gross tonnage: 225,282 GT

Length: 1,187 feet

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Allure of The Seas

She is 2 inches longer than her sister ship Oasis of the Sea and olds for the largest passenger ship every constructed. Both ships have identical structures. It has passenger capacity of 5,400.

According to Wikipedia, she was constructed at a cost of $1.2 billion.

The ship features DreamWorks experience, first Starbucks at sea, award-winning Broadway musical Chicago, a two-deck dance hall, a theatre with 1,380 seats, and an ice skating rink, and 25 dining options.

Many of the ship's interiors were extensively decorated by muralist Clarissa Parish.