Royal Caribbean has taken big bets on big cruise ships — take a look at it's 5 largest vessels that have each held the title of world's largest

Brittany ChangJan 16, 2023, 19:20 IST

Brittany Chang/Insider

Royal Caribbean International currently operates the five world's largest cruise ships.
Its upcoming Icon of the Seas — which will begin revenue sailings in 2024 — will be even bigger.

If you believe bigger is better in the cruise industry, you may enjoy traveling aboard one of Royal Caribbean International's five Oasis-class cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean has been at the forefront of unveiling and operating the world's largest cruise vessels.

Royal Caribbean International

And its five Oasis Class ships — the Harmony, Allure, Symphony, Wonder, and Oasis of the Seas — are currently the biggest in the world.

Royal Caribbean International

Most recently in 2022, Royal Caribbean launched the Wonder of the Seas, a 1,188-foot-long behemoth that currently claims the title of the world's largest cruise ship.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But in 2024, this title will be stripped away and given to the cruise line's next build, the 1,198–foot-long Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean International

It may seem like there are no competitors outpacing Royal Caribbean in building these mega vessels.

Royal Caribbean International

But this wasn't the cruise line's goal, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's chief product innovation officer, told Insider.

Royal Caribbean International

"We don't sit down and [say], 'We're going to design the next biggest ship,'" Schneider said.

Royal Caribbean International

Instead, he says Royal Caribbean prioritizes the addition of multiple onboard entertainment options and "first experiences" to differentiate itself from the typical "dinner and a show" cruise.

Royal Caribbean International

Instead, he says Royal Caribbean prioritizes the addition of multiple onboard entertainment options and "first experiences" to differentiate itself from the typical "dinner and a show" cruise.

And this then sets off a domino effect.

Royal Caribbean International

As the cruise line's "wishlist" of onboard experiences expands, its need for revenue grows as well, Schneider said.

Royal Caribbean International

And meeting these revenue needs then requires adding more cabins, dining spaces, and subsequently square footage.

Brittany Chang/Insider

"As you go through the evolution of [our] strategy to compete [as] the best family vacation, you quickly grow into bigger ships," Schneider said.

Royal Caribbean International

And bigger may truly be better regarding amenities aboard these mega cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean International

Unlike other vessels, every Oasis Class ship is subdivided into smaller and more digestible "neighborhoods" that all have their own services, design, and activities.

Royal Caribbean International

And the list of amenities may feel overwhelmingly long for traveling families who only have a few days aboard the ships.

Royal Caribbean International

Oasis Class vessels all have a zip line, multiple water slides, and a boardwalk with a carousel, just to name a few amenities.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And this list doesn't even include the nighttime entertainment, which includes options like an ice skating performance and a swim-and-dive show.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But vessels of this size still come with their own pitfalls.

Royal Caribbean International

Not all ports can accommodate these floating cities.

Royal Caribbean International

And some nations like French Polynesia have already banned ships of these sizes.

Royal Caribbean International

So while travelers aboard these mega-ships may miss out on some desirable destinations, at least they'll have plenty of unique onboard amenities that rival — and maybe surpass — the typical on-land resort.

Royal Caribbean International

So while travelers aboard these mega-ships may miss out on some desirable destinations, at least they'll have plenty of unique onboard amenities that rival — and maybe surpass — the typical on-land resort.

"It's not an ambition to build mega ships, but we're very happy with the results of ours," Schneider said.

Royal Caribbean International

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Royal Caribbean has taken big bets on big cruise ships &mdash; take a look at it's 5 largest vessels that have each held the title of world's largest

If you believe bigger is better in the cruise industry, you may enjoy traveling aboard one of Royal Caribbean International's five Oasis-class cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean has been at the forefront of unveiling and operating the world's largest cruise vessels.

And its five Oasis Class ships — the Harmony, Allure, Symphony, Wonder, and Oasis of the Seas — are currently the biggest in the world.

Most recently in 2022, Royal Caribbean launched the Wonder of the Seas, a 1,188-foot-long behemoth that currently claims the title of the world's largest cruise ship.

But in 2024, this title will be stripped away and given to the cruise line's next build, the 1,198–foot-long Icon of the Seas.

It may seem like there are no competitors outpacing Royal Caribbean in building these mega vessels.

But this wasn't the cruise line's goal, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's chief product innovation officer, told Insider.

"We don't sit down and [say], 'We're going to design the next biggest ship,'" Schneider said.

Instead, he says Royal Caribbean prioritizes the addition of multiple onboard entertainment options and "first experiences" to differentiate itself from the typical "dinner and a show" cruise.

And this then sets off a domino effect.

As the cruise line's "wishlist" of onboard experiences expands, its need for revenue grows as well, Schneider said.

And meeting these revenue needs then requires adding more cabins, dining spaces, and subsequently square footage.

"As you go through the evolution of [our] strategy to compete [as] the best family vacation, you quickly grow into bigger ships," Schneider said.

And bigger may truly be better regarding amenities aboard these mega cruise ships.

Unlike other vessels, every Oasis Class ship is subdivided into smaller and more digestible "neighborhoods" that all have their own services, design, and activities.

And the list of amenities may feel overwhelmingly long for traveling families who only have a few days aboard the ships.

Oasis Class vessels all have a zip line, multiple water slides, and a boardwalk with a carousel, just to name a few amenities.

And this list doesn't even include the nighttime entertainment, which includes options like an ice skating performance and a swim-and-dive show.

But vessels of this size still come with their own pitfalls.

Not all ports can accommodate these floating cities.

And some nations like French Polynesia have already banned ships of these sizes.

So while travelers aboard these mega-ships may miss out on some desirable destinations, at least they'll have plenty of unique onboard amenities that rival — and maybe surpass — the typical on-land resort.

"It's not an ambition to build mega ships, but we're very happy with the results of ours," Schneider said.

Royal Caribbean has taken big bets on big cruise ships — take a look at it's 5 largest vessels that have each held the title of world's largest