Shipping has always been the backbone of Global Trade since the dawn of trading and will continue to be so in the coming decades, but apart from cargo, ships are also used for taking humans from one part of the world, to another. For general travelling, for offering luxurious vacation experiences, or whatever be the reason, all thanks to cruise ships. These gigantic eyecatchers are some of the most beautiful things on water.

The international cruise industry has boomed in the last few decades and was on its peak till the time the world went black with this pandemic. Slowly things are expected to go back to normal with time.

Listed out are the top ten gigantic cruise ships that rule the seas and dominate the oceans. There cruise ships are almost three-times the size of the 1988-built Sovereign of the Seas, which is considered to be the first mega-cruise ship, in the history of mankind!

1. Symphony Of the Seas

Build Year: 2018

Passenger Capacity: 5,518

Owned By: Royan Caribbean International

Gross Weight Tonnage (GWT): 228,081

Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises, the Symphony of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world. This titan of a ship measures 361.011 meters in length and is the 25th Ship in Royal Caribbean’s Fleet. Whatever you want, this has it all. Ranging from epic waterslides to glow-in-the-dark-laser-tag and even FlowRider surf simulators. This giant set on its maiden voyage on 7th April, 2018.

2. Harmony of the Seas

Build Year: 2016

Passenger Capacity: 5,494

Owned By: Royal Caribbean International

GWT: 226,963

Closely following her sister-ship, the Harmony of the Seas is the second biggest cruise ship in the world, stretching over a length of 362.12m with multiple virtual balconies, fitness center, entertainment place, Central Park and all other luxurious amenities. The Harmony of the Seas set on it’s maiden voyage on 29th May, 2016 in the Mediterranean. It falls under the category of Oasis-Class vessels of Royal Caribbean International.

3. Allure of the Seas

Build Year: 2010

Passenger Capacity:5,484

Owned By: Royal Caribbean International

GWT: 225,282

The Allure of the Seas is the third largest cruise ship in the world. This vessel also comes under the Oasis-class cruise ships of Royal Caribbean and boasts of a length of 362 meters and a beam of 47 meters. Luxuries like a theatre with 1,380 seats, two-deck dance hall and an ice skating rink are a park of this vessel. She set on her maiden vessel in the December of 2010 in the west and east Caribbean.

4. Oasis of the Seas

Build Year: 2009

Passenger Capacity: 5,484

Owned By:  Royal Caribbean International

GWT: 226,838

The Oasis of the Seas is the fourth biggest cruise ship in the world. This beauty is the first vessel in the Oasis-class ships of Royal Caribbean International and the fourth largest cruise liner overall. Stretching at 361.6m in length and having 16 passenger decks this vessel can serve a maximum of 6,296 passengers. She has a Glass-covered Solarium with pool, basketball and volleyball courts and numerous surf simulators. This vessel also boasts an outdoor Aqua Theater and offers options from two-story loft suits and luxury sites with balconies. She set on her maiden voyage in the December of 2009.

5. Costa Smeralda

Build Year: 2019

Passenger Capacity: 5,224

Owned By: Costa Cruises

GWT: 185,010

The Costa Smeralda is the fifth largest cruise ship in the world and is the largest vessel owned by the Italian Cruise line Costa Cruises. This beast was named after the Emerald Coast of Sardinia and is powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). She measures 337 meters in length and 42 meters in width. She set out on her maiden voyage in the December of 2019 and currently operates in the Mediterranean Sea.

6. P&O Lona

Build Year: 2020

Passenger Capacity: 5,206

Owned By: P&O Cruises

GWT: 184,089

The P&O Lona is the sixth largest cruise ship in the world and is LNG powered too. This beast is built to sail for the U.K. based cruise line P&O Cruises. It has whopping measurements of 345 meters in length. She has 17 passenger decks and all the luxurious amenities one can hope for. This vessel was supposed to set on its maiden voyage in May of 2020 however due to Pandemic, it was postponed to October, 2020.

7. AIDA Nova

Build Year: 2018

Passenger Capacity: 5,252

Owned By: AIDA Cruises

GWT: 183,858

The AIDA Nova is the seventh largest cruise ship on planet earth and is deemed to be the first ship of the Helios class that Meyer Werft built for AIDA cruises, this was the first LNG powered cruise ship. Stretching over 337 meters in length and having a breadth of 42 meters, she set out on her maiden voyage in December, 2018.

8. MSC Grandiosa

Build Year: 2019

Passenger Capacity: 5,264

Owned By: Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Cruises)

GWT: 181,541

MSC Grandiosa is the eighth largest cruise ship in the world. This flagship vessel of MSC cruises has the dimensions of 331.43 meters by 43 meters and boasts a total of 2,421 cabins. This vessel is 16 meters longer than its sister MSC Meraviglia which was the previous flagship vessel of MSC Cruises. This vessel is currently sailing in the Mediterranean waters.

9. Carnival Mardi Gras

Build Year: 2020

Passenger Capacity: 5,282

Owned By: Carnival Cruise Line

GWT: 181,808

The Mardi Gras is the ninth largest cruise ship in the world and is operated by the largest cruise operator on the planet, Carnival Cruise Lines. This beast pays tribute to the first cruise ship of the company and is named after TSS Mardi Gras that was launched back in 1972. She set out on her maiden voyage on 31st of July, 2020.

10. MSC Meraviglia

Build Year: 2017

Passenger Capacity: 4,488

Owned By: Mediterranean Shipping Company

GWT: 171,598

The MSC Meraviglia is the tenth largest cruise ship in the world and closely follows its sister ships with a length of 315 meters and a width of 43 meters. This ship boasts of several awards one of them being an award for its Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) Management. She is specially designed to operate throughout the year and reach speeds up-to 22.7 knots. She set out on her maiden voyage back in the June of 2017.