A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way. Transportation is not the prime purpose, as cruise ships operate mostly on routes that return passengers to their originating port, so the ports of call are usually in a specified region of a continent.
In contrast, dedicated transport oriented ocean liners do "line voyages" and typically transport passengers from one point to another, rather than on round trips. Traditionally, an ocean liner for the transoceanic trade will be built to a higher standard than a typical cruise ship, including high freeboard and stronger plating to withstand rough seas and adverse conditions encountered in the open ocean, such as the North Atlantic. Ocean liners also usually have larger capacities for fuel, victuals, and other stores for consumption on long voyages, compared to dedicated cruise ships.
Here is a list of ten of the biggest cruise ships in the world in the year 2011.
1. MS Allure of the Seas
This is THE biggest cruise ship created ever. Ordered in 2006, this ship is owned by the Royal Caribbean International Company. Besides its gigantic size, Allure of the seas features a double deck dance hall, a theatre with a capacity of 1385 people, an ice rink, 25 dining options and a crew of over 2000 people at your service all the time.
This ship stands 72 m tall with a 360 m length to its credit. You can enjoy fine dining in any of the dining halls, spend a fun evening watching aerial acrobats or just surf through the garden lined shopping centre of the ship while you sip your Starbucks coffee on board. Ever since its maiden voyage in November 2010, the ship has redefined luxurious cruises.
2. MS Oasis of the Seas
Second on the list of largest cruise ships is MS Oasis of the Seas, only 50 mm shorter than the first one. The two sister ships are together owned by Royal Caribbean International. At a slightly shorter length, this ship has same displacement as her enormous sister.
MS Oasis flaunts a total of 16 decks, six marine diesel engines that allows it a maximum speed of 22.6 knots and three diesel run engines to produce on board electricity for the ship. The electricity produced is used to run the ship’s huge theatre, all the dining halls that serve delicacies from around the world.
3. Norwegian Epic
This huge vessel places third amongst the biggest cruises of the world. Norwegian Epic has a length of 329.49 m with a 40 m beam. With 19 decks and a gross tonnage of 155,873 GT, this ship has a capacity of 4100 passengers.
But that’s not all that makes this ship one of the best luxurious cruises around. On this ship, you can enjoy everything from an ice bar to a bowling alley, shopping, theme parks and great dining experiences in one of the 21 dining halls.
4. MS Freedom of the Seas
Another gem in the Royal Caribbean cruise lines, MS freedom of the Seas, launched in 2006, is a 338.9 m long beauty with a beam of 38m. It ranks fourth among the largest cruise ships of the world but is one of its own when it comes to luxury.
With a capacity of 3634 passengers, this ship offers everything from Irish pubs to best quality coffee, casinos, ice rinks and many opportunities for great family time.
5. MS Liberty of the Sea
In 2007, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line launched a 15 deck ship with a capacity of 3634 passengers making it the fifth of the largest cruise ships in world.
This cruiser is 338.9 m long with a gross tonnage of 154, 407 tons. The options for leisure on this ship include ice rinks, volleyball court, fitness center, children’s play area, fitness center and much more.
6. MS Independence of the Seas
With a gross tonnage of 154, 407 tons, this cruise liner easily becomes the sixth biggest cruise in the world. At 339 m length, this long cruiser makes a trip to parts of Europe ever since it was first started in 2008.
Its most exciting feature is the Pyramid lounge, an Egyptian themed lounge, along with water pools, rock climbing walls, volley ball courts and gaming sections. The sports activities offered on this ship are some of the best offered on any cruise line.
7. RMS Queen Mary 2
Besides being a transatlantic cruiser, the ship’s length at 345 m makes it one of the biggest cruise ships in the world. When it was launched in 2003, it got instant success because of high quality offered.
Currently, it’s rated high on passenger happiness, dining experience and children friendliness. It has a GT of 151,400 tons and can accommodate 3056 passengers at a given time.
8. MS navigator of the Seas
Ever since its launch in 20002, this cruise has been one of the biggest cruises of the world. It stands at 311.1 m long with a beam of 49.1 m and has a GT of 138,279 tons.
It flaunts everything you can ask for from a luxury cruise- fun, food, and frolic.
9. MS Mariner of the Seas
With a length of 311.12m, the ninth longest luxury cruise has a total of 1557 staterooms with a total capacity of 3114 passengers.
It was launched in October 2003 and has been in service ever since. It makes a routine voyage around Rome, making its way throughout the Mediterranean region.
10. Explorer of the Seas
At 311m length, Explorer of the Seas is tenth of the biggest cruises around the world. This cruise was launched in 2000 and is still operational with a capacity of 3114 passengers on every trip.
Part of the Royal Caribbean International fleet, this ship is one of the oldest ships in the category of largest cruise ships to be still functional.
In contrast, dedicated transport oriented ocean liners do "line voyages" and typically transport passengers from one point to another, rather than on round trips. Traditionally, an ocean liner for the transoceanic trade will be built to a higher standard than a typical cruise ship, including high freeboard and stronger plating to withstand rough seas and adverse conditions encountered in the open ocean, such as the North Atlantic. Ocean liners also usually have larger capacities for fuel, victuals, and other stores for consumption on long voyages, compared to dedicated cruise ships.
Here is a list of ten of the biggest cruise ships in the world in the year 2011.
1. MS Allure of the Seas
This is THE biggest cruise ship created ever. Ordered in 2006, this ship is owned by the Royal Caribbean International Company. Besides its gigantic size, Allure of the seas features a double deck dance hall, a theatre with a capacity of 1385 people, an ice rink, 25 dining options and a crew of over 2000 people at your service all the time.
This ship stands 72 m tall with a 360 m length to its credit. You can enjoy fine dining in any of the dining halls, spend a fun evening watching aerial acrobats or just surf through the garden lined shopping centre of the ship while you sip your Starbucks coffee on board. Ever since its maiden voyage in November 2010, the ship has redefined luxurious cruises.
2. MS Oasis of the Seas
Second on the list of largest cruise ships is MS Oasis of the Seas, only 50 mm shorter than the first one. The two sister ships are together owned by Royal Caribbean International. At a slightly shorter length, this ship has same displacement as her enormous sister.
MS Oasis flaunts a total of 16 decks, six marine diesel engines that allows it a maximum speed of 22.6 knots and three diesel run engines to produce on board electricity for the ship. The electricity produced is used to run the ship’s huge theatre, all the dining halls that serve delicacies from around the world.
3. Norwegian Epic
This huge vessel places third amongst the biggest cruises of the world. Norwegian Epic has a length of 329.49 m with a 40 m beam. With 19 decks and a gross tonnage of 155,873 GT, this ship has a capacity of 4100 passengers.
But that’s not all that makes this ship one of the best luxurious cruises around. On this ship, you can enjoy everything from an ice bar to a bowling alley, shopping, theme parks and great dining experiences in one of the 21 dining halls.
4. MS Freedom of the Seas
Another gem in the Royal Caribbean cruise lines, MS freedom of the Seas, launched in 2006, is a 338.9 m long beauty with a beam of 38m. It ranks fourth among the largest cruise ships of the world but is one of its own when it comes to luxury.
With a capacity of 3634 passengers, this ship offers everything from Irish pubs to best quality coffee, casinos, ice rinks and many opportunities for great family time.
5. MS Liberty of the Sea
In 2007, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line launched a 15 deck ship with a capacity of 3634 passengers making it the fifth of the largest cruise ships in world.
This cruiser is 338.9 m long with a gross tonnage of 154, 407 tons. The options for leisure on this ship include ice rinks, volleyball court, fitness center, children’s play area, fitness center and much more.
6. MS Independence of the Seas
With a gross tonnage of 154, 407 tons, this cruise liner easily becomes the sixth biggest cruise in the world. At 339 m length, this long cruiser makes a trip to parts of Europe ever since it was first started in 2008.
Its most exciting feature is the Pyramid lounge, an Egyptian themed lounge, along with water pools, rock climbing walls, volley ball courts and gaming sections. The sports activities offered on this ship are some of the best offered on any cruise line.
7. RMS Queen Mary 2
Besides being a transatlantic cruiser, the ship’s length at 345 m makes it one of the biggest cruise ships in the world. When it was launched in 2003, it got instant success because of high quality offered.
Currently, it’s rated high on passenger happiness, dining experience and children friendliness. It has a GT of 151,400 tons and can accommodate 3056 passengers at a given time.
8. MS navigator of the Seas
Ever since its launch in 20002, this cruise has been one of the biggest cruises of the world. It stands at 311.1 m long with a beam of 49.1 m and has a GT of 138,279 tons.
It flaunts everything you can ask for from a luxury cruise- fun, food, and frolic.
9. MS Mariner of the Seas
With a length of 311.12m, the ninth longest luxury cruise has a total of 1557 staterooms with a total capacity of 3114 passengers.
It was launched in October 2003 and has been in service ever since. It makes a routine voyage around Rome, making its way throughout the Mediterranean region.
10. Explorer of the Seas
At 311m length, Explorer of the Seas is tenth of the biggest cruises around the world. This cruise was launched in 2000 and is still operational with a capacity of 3114 passengers on every trip.
Part of the Royal Caribbean International fleet, this ship is one of the oldest ships in the category of largest cruise ships to be still functional.
