Of the major cruise lines, Royal Caribbean is currently at the top in fleet size and ship size. In recent years, Royal Caribbean has introduced the cruising community to the largest mega-ships in the world, which can hold more than 5,000 passengers at double occupancy, with more on the way. Actually, Royal Caribbean holds the top 9 spots in the world for largest cruise ships, as ranked by gross tons.
Royal Caribbean ships are categorized into 7 classes, from mega-ships that are like floating resorts to smaller ships with a more relaxed atmosphere. Let’s look at Royal Caribbean’s fleet of ships by class, beginning with its mega-ships in the Icon Class.
The Icon Class houses the largest ships at sea. Currently, there are three ships in the Icon Class with more on the way. Each ship features 8 neighborhoods, 6 waterslides, 7 pools, and more than 40 dining options.
The Oasis Class is home to some of the largest ships in the world. The 6 ships in this class introduced the neighborhood concept including Central Park with real trees and plant. The ships feature more than 35 dining venues, and attractions that will take your breath away.
The Quantum Class consists of 5 ships, three ships are considered to be Quantum Class and two ships are considered to be Quantum Ultra Class. These vessels are (slightly) smaller than the Oasis Class, but they feature innovations like the North Star observation capsule and SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea complete with a full-size basketball court, bumper cars, roller skating and more.
The Freedom Class has three mid-size ships that on their debut, were among the largest ships in the world. They are still some of the most loved ships in the cruise line’s fleet. They also introduced the FlowRider surf simulator, now a Royal Caribbean signature attraction.
The Voyager Class introduced the cruising world to the Royal Promenade, onboard ice-skating rinks, and rock climbing walls. They are quite a bit smaller than the megaships making them easier to navigate.
The Radiance Class was introduced in 2001 and is famous for its more than 3 acres of glass, including floor-to-ceiling windows and exterior-facing glass windows.
Finally, the Vision Class ships set sail in 1996 with the debut of Grandeur of the Seas. They are smaller and more intimate ships which feature glass atriums, ocean views everywhere you look, and a touch of elegance at sea.
From the smallest ship, Grandeur of the Seas (73,817 GT), to the largest, Legend of the Seas (248,663 GT), the difference in gross tons is quite remarkable. Gross tons is not actually a measurement of weight, but rather of the ship’s internal volume. Meaning gross tons is a measurement of the ship’s overall size, which is determined by a mathematical formula, not a measurement of weight. Here is a look at each ship from newest to oldest including the class of ship, gross tons (GT), number of passenger decks, and passenger capacity at double occupancy.
- Legend of the Seas (Icon Class – 2026)
- 248,663 GT
- 18 passenger decks
- 5,610 passenger capacity
- Star of the Seas (Icon Class – 2025)
- 248,663 GT
- 18 passenger decks
- 5,610 passenger capacity
- Utopia of the Seas (Oasis Class – 2024)
- 236,473 GT
- 16 passenger decks
- 5,668 passenger capacity
- Icon of the Seas (Icon Class – 2024)
- 248,663 GT
- 18 passenger decks
- 5,610 passenger capacity
- Wonder of the Seas (Oasis Class – 2022)
- 235,600 GT
- 16 passenger decks
- 5,734 passenger capacity
- Odyssey of the Seas (Quantum Ultra Class – 2021)
- 167,704 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 4,198 passenger capacity
- Spectrum of the Seas (Quantum Ultra Class – 2019)
- 169,379 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 4,246 passenger capacity
- Symphony of the Seas (Oasis Class – 2018)
- 228,081 GT
- 16 passenger decks
- 5,518 passenger capacity
- Harmony of the Seas (Oasis Class – 2016)
- 226,963 GT
- 16 passenger decks
- 5,479 passenger capacity
- Ovation of the Seas (Quantum Class – 2016)
- 168,666 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 4,182 passenger capacity
- Anthem of the Seas (Quantum Class – 2015)
- 168,666 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 4,180 passenger capacity
- Quantum of the Seas (Quantum Class – 2014)
- 168,666 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 4,180 passenger capacity
- Allure of the Seas (Oasis Class – 2010)
- 225,282 GT
- 16 passenger decks
- 5,718 passenger capacity
- Oasis of the Seas (Oasis Class – 2009)
- 226,838 GT
- 16 passenger decks
- 5,602 passenger capacity
- Independence of the Seas (Freedom Class – 2008)
- 154,407 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,858 passenger capacity
- Liberty of the Seas (Freedom Class – 2007)
- 154,407 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,798 passenger capacity
- Freedom of the Seas (Freedom Class – 2006)
- 156,271 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,926 passenger capacity
- Jewel of the Seas (Radiance Class – 2004)
- 90,090 GT
- 12 passenger decks
- 2,191 passenger capacity
- Mariner of the Seas (Voyager Class – 2003)
- 139,863 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,344 passenger capacity
- Serenade of the Seas (Radiance Class – 2003)
- 90,090 GT
- 12 passenger decks
- 2,143 passenger capacity
- Navigator of the Seas (Voyager Class – 2002)
- 139,999 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,368 passenger capacity
- Brilliance of the Seas (Radiance Class – 2002)
- 90,090 GT
- 12 passenger decks
- 2,142 passenger capacity
- Adventure of the Seas (Voyager Class – 2001)
- 137,276 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,114 passenger capacity
- Radiance of the Seas (Radiance Class – 2001)
- 90,090 GT
- 12 passenger decks
- 2,143 passenger capacity
- Explorer of the Seas (Voyager Class – 2000)
- 137,308 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,286 passenger capacity
- Voyager of the Seas (Voyager Class – 1999)
- 137,276 GT
- 14 passenger decks
- 3,602 passenger capacity
- Vision of the Seas (Vision Class – 1998)
- 78.340 GT
- 11 passenger decks
- 2,050 passenger capacity
- Enchantment of the Seas (Vision Class – 1997)
- 82,910 GT
- 11 passenger decks
- 2,252 passenger capacity
- Rhapsody of the Seas (Vision Class – 1997)
- 78,878 GT
- 11 passenger decks
- 2,040 passenger capacity
- Grandeur of the Seas (Vision Class – 1996)
- 73,817 GT
- 11 passenger decks
- 1,992 passenger capacity
And that is not all! Royal Caribbean has more ships on the way. Icon Class Hero of the Seas will debut in August 2027, a fifth Icon Class ship is coming in 2028, a seventh Oasis Class ship is under construction also to debut in 2028, and the cruise line recently announced a brand-new class of mid-sized cruise ships is under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. The first two ships in the new Discovery Class are scheduled to debut in 2029 and 2032.