A comprehensive ranking of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, ordered from the largest to the smallest — here's the complete list.

Are you in search of the most action-packed, resort-like Royal Caribbean cruise ships available? If that's the case, you’ll want to board one of the largest vessels in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

The largest Royal Caribbean cruise ships inherently offer the most pools, waterslides, and other deck activities, alongside a plethora of onboard dining options, bars, and entertainment venues. They house the biggest casinos and spas within the Royal Caribbean fleet and feature the highest number of cabins and suites, including the widest variety of cabin types.

Accommodating over 6,000 passengers, the largest Royal Caribbean ships are akin to gigantic resorts found in popular destinations like Orlando and Las Vegas. If you prefer a ‘bigger is better’ philosophy for your resort experience, these Royal Caribbean ships will be perfect for you.

However, Royal Caribbean doesn’t only operate large vessels. The Miami-based cruise line also offers a selection of smaller ships that host around 2,000 to 3,000 guests, providing a more intimate atmosphere. In fact, these smaller ships can be only half or a third of the size of the fleet's largest vessels, featuring significantly fewer deck activities and indoor amenities.

The smaller Royal Caribbean cruise ships are ideal for travelers who prefer a more personal and less crowded resort atmosphere.

To make sure you choose the right Royal Caribbean ship for your needs, it's beneficial to research which ships are the largest and which are the smallest before making your reservation.

Here’s a complete list of all Royal Caribbean ships currently in service, organized from largest to smallest.

1. Icon of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2024
Dimensions: 248,663 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,610

2. Utopia of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2024
Dimensions: 236,473 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,668

3. Wonder of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2022
Dimensions: 235,600 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,734

4. Symphony of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2018
Dimensions: 228,081 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,518

5. Harmony of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2016
Dimensions: 226,963 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,479

6. Oasis of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2009
Dimensions: 226,838 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,602

7. Allure of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2010
Dimensions: 225,282 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 5,484

8. Spectrum of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2019
Dimensions: 169,379 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,246

9 (tied). Ovation of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2016
Dimensions: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,180

9 (tied). Anthem of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2015
Dimensions: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,180

9 (tied). Quantum of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2014
Dimensions: 168,666 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,180

12. Odyssey of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2022
Dimensions: 167,704 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,284

13. Freedom of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2006
Dimensions: 156,271 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,926

14 (tied). Independence of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2008
Dimensions: 154,407 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,634

14 (tied). Liberty of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2007
Dimensions: 154,407 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,798

16. Navigator of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2002
Dimensions: 139,999 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,388

17. Mariner of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2003
Dimensions: 139,863 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,000

18. Explorer of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2000
Dimensions: 137,308 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,286

19 (tied). Voyager of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 1999
Dimensions: 137,276 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,602

19 (tied). Adventure of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2001
Dimensions: 137,276 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,114

21 (tied). Jewel of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2004
Dimensions: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,191

21 (tied). Serenade of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2003
Dimensions: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,143

21 (tied). Brilliance of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2002
Dimensions: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,142

21 (tied). Radiance of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 2001
Dimensions: 90,090 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,143

25. Enchantment of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 1997
Dimensions: 82,910 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,252

26. Rhapsody of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 1997
Dimensions: 78,419 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,998

27. Vision of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 1998
Dimensions: 78,340 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,050

28. Grandeur of the Seas

Inaugural voyage: 1996
Dimensions: 73,817 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,992

What is the largest Royal Caribbean ship?

The largest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the recently unveiled Icon of the Seas. With a size of 248,663 gross tons, it stands as not just the largest Royal Caribbean ship but also the biggest cruise ship ever constructed by any line. It features more bars, restaurants, theaters, and deck-top attractions than any other ship currently at sea.

Icon of the Seas marks the beginning of a new class of ships at Royal Caribbean that surpasses all previous sizes. This series is known as the Icon Class. A second ship in this class, Star of the Seas, is set to launch in 2025.

What are the dimensions of Icon of the Seas?

Weighing in at 248,663 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is over 6% larger than Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, which was the largest ship in the fleet until now (and the biggest ship ever operated by any line). Icon of the Seas boasts a capacity for up to 7,600 passengers — setting a new record for passenger ships. This is about 7% more than the maximum capacity of Wonder of the Seas, which accommodates up to 7,084 passengers.

This increased capacity is partly because the ship is designed with families in mind. Icon of the Seas features significantly more cabins equipped with additional bunks to host families with multiple children. It also offers more family-oriented amenities, including a brand-new outdoor "neighborhood" called Surfside, specifically tailored for families with young kids.

Which Royal Caribbean ship is the smallest?

The smallest cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet is Grandeur of the Seas. At only 73,817 tons, it’s merely a third the size of Icon of the Seas.

Grandeur of the Seas was launched in 1996, during an era when cruise ships were significantly smaller and featured fewer amenities. Now at 28 years old, it stands as the oldest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and is likely to be retired in the coming years.

Aside from a rock climbing wall, Grandeur of the Seas lacks the flashy top-deck attractions found on newer Royal Caribbean ships, such as skydiving simulators and expansive water parks. Its top deck mainly offers pools, hot tubs, and sunbathing areas, typical of vessels built in the 1990s.

Nonetheless, Grandeur of the Seas has garnered a dedicated fan base among Royal Caribbean enthusiasts who appreciate smaller, more intimate ships.

Recently, Royal Caribbean has suggested the possibility of developing a new series of smaller ships to succeed Grandeur of the Seas and other aging small vessels in its fleet.

Will larger Royal Caribbean ships be introduced soon?

Royal Caribbean has three new cruise ships on order, all of which are set to be among the largest in the fleet, if not the largest overall.

These new ships include two additional vessels in the Icon Class series, akin to Icon of the Seas. They are scheduled for delivery from a shipyard in 2025 and 2026, and are anticipated to be as large or even larger than Icon of the Seas.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean has one more ship from its well-known Oasis Class series on order, expected to arrive in 2028.

Since the launch of Oasis of the Seas in 2009, Oasis-class ships have led the mega cruise ship market. When they first debuted, these vessels were about 40% larger than the next largest cruise ships, and they continue to rank among the biggest and most feature-rich ships globally.

The upcoming Oasis Class ship, which has yet to be named, is anticipated to be approximately the same size as Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's second-largest cruise ship. However, it will be smaller than the line's largest vessel, Icon of the Seas.

What distinguishes larger Royal Caribbean ships from smaller ones?

Royal Caribbean's larger vessels offer significantly more onboard venues and attractions compared to their older counterparts. This makes them particularly appealing to vacationers who prefer the vibrant atmosphere of a megaresort over a more intimate setting.

For example, the Oasis-class ships feature three distinct main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a mini-golf course, a basketball court, and even a zip line on their top decks. Inside, you can find an abundance of lounges, bars, restaurants, and shops, alongside expansive casinos, spas, and theaters showcasing Broadway-style performances. They even boast indoor ice skating rinks.

The new Icon of the Seas offers a similarly extensive range of amenities.

Royal Caribbean's smallest ships are significantly smaller than the Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels, measuring about half to a third of their size. They lack many of the aforementioned features, offering a more intimate atmosphere compared to larger, mass-market ships, and accommodating far fewer passengers. While Oasis Class and Icon Class ships can hold over 5,400 guests at double occupancy, the four oldest vessels in the fleet, known as the Vision class, are designed for around 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

For those who wish to experience Royal Caribbean without the overwhelming crowds, the smaller ships are an excellent option. These vessels attract a specific group of Royal Caribbean enthusiasts who value intimacy over a plethora of onboard amenities and often find these cruises to be more cost-effective on a per-day basis.

Moreover, due to their smaller size, Royal Caribbean's least extensive ships can navigate routes to destinations that larger vessels may struggle to access. Not every port around the globe is equipped to accommodate a ship as massive as Icon of the Seas.