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The World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Coming in January—Here's What It's Like Inside

The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas —which will be the largest cruise ship in the world —will debut to passengers for the first time.

With capacity for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, Icon of the Seas is billed as part all-inclusive resort, part theme park, and a massive destination unto itself . Clocking in at 250,380 gross tons and measuring nearly a quarter mile long (1,198 feet to be exact), the vast ship will sport a total of 20 decks, 18 of which will be accessible to guests.

The ship will be divided into eight different “neighborhoods,” each with their own distinct atmospheres, dining options, and activities. “ Icon of the Seas is truly what we call a white paper ship,” Anna Drescher, manager of architectural design, new building and innovation for Royal Caribbean group, said in a video statement . “The reason that we call it that is we start with a blank sheet of sketch paper, so it truly is starting fresh.”

In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024. It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas.

The ship's typical seven-day itineraries include three at-sea days, so passengers have time to fully enjoy the endless choices of amenities on board. “We want guests to walk up to the ship and just have this moment of: I can’t believe that’s where I’m going ,” said Jennifer Goswami, the line’s senior manager of product development.

Here's a look at the enormous scale of the new ship and what to expect on board.

When it begins sailing, the Icon of the Seas will offer a total of 2,805 staterooms that can hold 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or a maximum of 7,600 guests. Passengers can choose from a whopping 28 different room types, including Sunset Suites with wraparound balconies and Family Infinite Balcony staterooms with bunkbeds fit for a family of up to six.

The largest suite on board will be the three-story, 1,772-square-foot “Ultimate Family Townhouse,” which comes with its own movie theater, ping-pong table, karaoke, and a slide between floors. It can sleep up to eight people and costs approximately $75,000 per week.

Among the eight "neighborhoods," or sections of the ship with distinct ambiance, are Central Park, which offers greenery and sidewalk cafes, and The Hideaway, which aims for a European beach club aesthetic. There's also The Suite Neighborhood, Surfside, Thrill Island, Chill Island, The Royal Promenade, and the Aquadome.

The ship's 2,350 crew members will also get their own neighborhood, complete with amenities like a gaming room and hair salon.

Another superlative for Icon will be sporting the largest waterpark at sea. The park, called Category 6, features six different record-breaking waterslides, including the tallest onboard waterslide. There will also be a free-fall slide, plus a raft-style slide for four passengers to ride together.

Seven pools and nine whirlpools will be located throughout the ship, including the first infinity pool on a cruise ship to be suspended in the air. The Royal Bay pool, located on the 15th deck, will break the record for largest pool at sea, holding an astounding 40,000 gallons of water.

Across the towering vessel, there'll be more than 20 food venues and 15 bars and nightlife experiences, including a sweeping three-level main dining room.

Among the options for grabbing a drink will be the line's first onboard swim-up bar, a walk-up Champagne bar, and a bar specializing in coffee cocktails like espresso martinis.

On the entertainment front, Royal Caribbean has hired 75 performers to titillate guests across three cavernous theaters. The Absolute Zero ice arena will feature shows with Olympic-level skaters, while the AquaTheater will combine the talents of divers, robots, and skateboarders.

In the Royal Theater, a 16-piece orchestra (the largest one at sea), will accompany shows like the Wizard of Oz.

In smaller venues throughout the ship, like the dueling piano bar, 50 live musicians and comedians will perform each night, making it possible for every type of passenger to find something that fits their style.

World’s new largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas sails in Finland

At over 250,000 Gross tonnage, Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship. Photo / Supplied, Royal Caribbean

Are we ever going to need a bigger boat? The world has a new largest cruise ship , and her name is Icon of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines vessel was sailed for the first time in inaugural sea trials, close to the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland, where she was built.

Completing four days of at-sea testing, the Icon was put through her paces last week, with key systems, engines and hull tested under the strains of 250,800 gross tonnage.

Operators Royal Caribbean report that the preliminary tests have been a success. However, to say all was “ship shape” would be inaccurate. The Icon is the shape of a small city.

Spread across 20 decks and 365 metres long, fully weighted, she will carry up to 7600 guests when she sails into Miami at the end of the year. At the prow an impressive 25-metre-tall glass structure - the ‘Aquadome’ - containing the tallest ‘waterfall at sea’. As possibly the only waterfall at sea, that didn’t stop them from reaching for the stars.

The ship is so large the builders refer to each section of the Icon as “neighbourhoods”, of which there are eight. This includes ‘Central Park’ - a landscaped, green space in the central cavity of the ship - furthering comparisons to a city at sea . Throughout these districts are a choice of 40 different diners and restaurants.

She is around five times the size of the Titanic. Her required crew alone is more than the famous liner - with a combined total of 2350 workers.

The Finnish shipyard first floated the enormous vessel in January this year, but this is the first time Icon has been out to open water.

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, earlier this year.

During the trials, last week, she was operated by a team of just 450 specialists and four enormous tugboats. Royal Caribbean says these were the preliminary tests with a second set of sea trials scheduled that “will push Icon to its limits later this year”.

The Icon will be joined by a sister ship Utopia of the Seas, which is scheduled to go into service later next year. However, at a projected 236,860 Gross Tons for the second Oasis-class ship, the Icon still clinches the record as the world’s largest cruise ship.

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Royal Caribbean takes delivery of world’s largest cruise ship in Finland

Icon of the Seas will make its debut in January 2024 in Florida

By Laura Hyde | 28 November 2023

Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of Icon of the Seas ahead of the ship’s debut in Miami, Florida in January 2024.

Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku handed over the Icon-class ship at a celebration ceremony in Turku, Finland after 900 days of design and construction. Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO, was joined at the ceremony by Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, and Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku, as well as more than 1,200 crew members and workers.

“Today, we are celebrating more than a new ship; it’s also the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and dreaming at Royal Caribbean to create the ultimate vacation experience,” said Liberty. “Delivering Icon of the Seas represents all that can be accomplished with strong partnerships and a commitment to delivering memorable vacations responsibly, and we thank Meyer Turku and an incredible village of skilled partners for joining us on this journey. The memories millions of families and vacationers will make on Icon will be our greatest accomplishment yet.”

Icon of the Seas will sail from Finland to Cadiz in Spain, where the cruise line will complete finishing touches on the ship. Icon will then sail to Miami for its inaugural cruise, a seven-night roundtrip ‘Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day’ itinerary departing on 27 January.

The ship is the first of three planned vessels in the Icon-class and will overtake the Oasis-class Wonder of the Seas as the largest cruise ship in the world. It will showcase a number of firsts for Royal Caribbean Group, including the  AquaDome, the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship, and more water onboard than any previous Royal Caribbean Ship across its seven pools and six waterslides.

“Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers,” said Bayley. “Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history.”

Tags: Royal Caribbean International     News     building and refurbishment

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Video: World's Largest Cruise Ship Taking Shape in Finland

Eric Haun , Editor

Eric Haun is editor of Marine News. He has covered the commercial maritime and...

May 12, 2023

Icon of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas—the world's largest cruise ship—is taking shape at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

The 250,800 GT vessel, the first in Royal Caribbean's new Icon-class, has been under construction since June 2022. The fully assembled ship was floated out in December and is now undergoing final outfitting ahead of scheduled delivery in October or November 2023.

First announced in 2016, the 1,198-foot-long Icon of the Seas will have 20 decks (including 18 guest decks) and will be bigger than the world's current largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class Allure of the Seas. With 2,805 staterooms, the ship will be able to carry 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or up to 7,600 passengers if every cabin is maxed out. It will have capacity for a crew of 2,350.

In addition to being the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas will also be Royal Caribbean's most environmentally friendly. The vessel will run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and utilize fuel cell technology. Other notable green features include air lubrication to reduce hull friction, shore power connection and an advanced waste heat recovery system to turn waste heat into up to 3 megawatts of extra energy.

The ship will also feature the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides, as well as nine whirlpools and seven pools on board, including the first suspended infinity pool at sea. The vessel will have eight distinct "neighborhoods" that offer a variety of experience options for passengers.

Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami starting in January 2024, offering both Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.

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The World’s Largest Cruise Ship is Almost Ready to Set Sail

The construction of what will eventually become the world’s largest cruise ship has been completed at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The impressive vessel, named the Icon of the Seas , recently embarked on its anticipated maiden voyage into open water, marking the beginning of extensive sea trials. These trials are a crucial step before the ship’s scheduled delivery in October of this year, and they will ensure that all systems and functionalities are tested and optimized.

With its awe-inspiring length of 1,200 feet and an estimated weight of 250,800 tons, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas is an absolute marvel. To put its size into perspective, it’s equivalent to trying to balance two CN Towers , an astonishing feat of engineering.

The Icon of the Seas completed its initial round of sea trials on June 22, according to a recent press release by Royal Caribbean. Throughout these trials, the vessel traveled hundreds of miles, subjecting its main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise levels and vibration levels to rigorous testing. Despite a slight delay in departure due to adverse wind conditions, all testing was conducted within the scheduled timeframe, ensuring the ship’s adherence to the highest standards of safety and performance.

A Capacity of up to 5,610 Passengers

In a few short months, the Icon of the Seas will cruise through the picturesque Caribbean waters, welcoming a capacity of up to 5,610 passengers and accommodating a dedicated staff of 2,350 members. The ship also will be the largest floating water park in the world boasting an impressive array of six record-breaking water slides. However, passengers seeking a more leisurely vacation experience also can indulge in the ship’s seven sparkling pools and nine inviting whirlpools.

The current world record holder for the largest cruise ship is Wonder of the Seas, another vessel from Royal Caribbean, which, despite being 1,188 feet shorter and consisting of only 18 decks, completed its inaugural voyage last year. The Icon of the Seas has been positioned by Royal Caribbean International as the pinnacle of cruise ship technology, combining cutting-edge features with the extensive expertise amassed over the company’s remarkable 50-year history.

“We are presenting it as the ultimate family vacation, and when you step back and contemplate the immense energy and dedication poured into creating this ship, it is truly mind-blowing,” Royal Caribbean International’s President and CEO, Michael Bayley, told CNN.

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The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world

M odern cruise ships continue to grow in size, with the biggest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas , launching at the start of this year, and her sister ship the Star of the Seas expected to surpass her in size.

Both of these ships are operated by Royal Caribbean International, which operates five of the ten largest cruise ships in the world. Carnival Corporation, arguably the biggest cruise company in the world, features three times on the list through its subsidiaries P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.

All of the heaviest cruise ships in the world were built within the last 20 years, although the majority – six of the ten – were built within the last five years.

So, here are the top ten biggest cruise ships in the world, by gross tonnage. 

10. P&O Cruises MS Arvia : 185,581 gross tonnes

The MS Arvia is P&O Cruises’ fourth ship to be built by German shipyard Meyer Werft. Weighing in at 185,581 gross tonnes, the 345m (1,130-foot) Arvia is slightly larger than her sister ship, the MS Iona . The 20-deck ship is the largest ship commissioned for the British cruise market and has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,264 passengers, with 1,800 crew onboard. 

The ship is the second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Excellence-class vessel for P&O, following the Iona . Arvia is powered by a 61,760kW LNG drive system, with a propulsion power of 37 megawatts. The LNG-powered propulsion system allows the vessel to sail at a maximum speed of 21.5 knots.

After being floated out in August 2022, the Arvia mainly operates itineraries around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.

9. Costa Cruises – Costa Smeralda : 185,010 gross tonnes

The Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered vessel in the Costa Cruises fleet. With a gross tonnage of 185,010gt, the 20-deck Excellence-class ship measures 337m (1,106 feet) in length. The second LNG-powered cruise ship to enter operation in the world, she has a maximum capacity of 6,554 passengers with 1,646 crew and a service speed of 21.5 knots.

Construction of the Costa Smeralda began at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, in September 2017. Meyer Turku collaborated with the Meyer Werft Papenburg shipyard to develop and integrate the LNG propulsion plant for the ship. She is fitted with four 16-cylinder, Caterpillar MaK 16VM46DF engines, with 15.4 megawatts (20,710 horsepower) output per engine, resulting in a maximum power of  37 megawatts (50,000 horsepower).

The ship, which was named after the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, entered service in December 2019 , departing Savona on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, where it has sailed since.

8. Costa Cruises – Costa Toscana : 186,364 gross tonnes

The Costa Toscana is the sister ship of the Costa Smeralda and is also powered by LNG . measuring 337m (1,106 feet) long and weighing in at 186,364 gross tonnes, the Toscana has a maximum capacity of 6,338 passengers and 1,678 staff across her 20 decks.

Like her sister ship, the Toscana was also built at the Meyer shipyard in Finland, with construction completed in 2021. She is also powered by four MaK-Caterpillar engines, with a total power of 57.2 megawatts (76,706 horsepower), and two ABB Azipod motors , resulting in a service speed of 17 knots.

Named in homage to the Tuscany region of Italy, Costa Toscana mainly sails around the Mediterranean Sea but Costa Cruises has also used the ship to sail itineraries further afield, such as around Brazil and the UAE.

7. MSC Cruises – MSC World Europa : 215,863 gross tonnes

The only entry in the top ten from MSC Cruises, MSC World Europa measures 333m (1,094 feet) in length. With 215,863 gross tonnage, she can house more people than any other ship in the MSC fleet: up to 6,762 passengers across 2,633 cabins spread over 22 decks, in addition to 2,138 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Europa ’s LNG-power propulsion system was subcontracted to Finland-based Wärtsilä. Five LNG-powered, 14-cylinder Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines power the vessel, with a propulsion power of 44 megawatts ( 59,005 horsepower). She also features nitrogen oxide reduction (NOR) units, two Wartsila LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, seven thrusters, and two fixed-pitch propellers. 

The MSC World Europa was floated out at the end of 2021 and was initially used as an accommodation vessel for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the ship berthed at Doha Port in Qatar during the tournament. Following the competition, the ship subsequently travelled several routes around the UAE, before sailing to the Mediterranean, where it has sailed itineraries since.

6. Royal Caribbean International – Allure of the Seas : 225,282 gross tonnes

The first of many entries on this list operated by Royal Caribbean, Allure of the Seas weighs in at 225,282 gross tonnes. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet), she is only 50mm (2 inches) longer than her sister ship the Oasis of the Seas . The Allure has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,200 crew across 18 decks.

Built at the Turku Shipyard in Finland, the Allure took two years to build , floating out in 2010. She features six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines with a total power output of 97 megawatts (130,053 horsepower). It is propelled by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters. The ship can travel at a cruising speed of 22 knots.

With a homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US, the Allure mainly serves itineraries around the Bahamas but she is scheduled to sail routes around the Mediterranean in 2025.

5. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas : 226,838 gross tonnes

The oldest ship on this list, the Oasis of the Seas has been in service for over a decade. She was the biggest cruise ship at the time when floated out in 2009, with a gross tonnage of 226,838gt and a length of 360m (1,181 feet). The Oasis has a maximum capacity of 6,699 passengers and 2,181 staff across 18 decks.

The Oasis took two years to build at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, with the keel laid on 12 November 2007 and the ship arriving at her homeport of Port Everglades in Florida, US, on 13 November 2009.

The Oasis is powered by eight Wärtsilä V12 diesel engines, which generate 5.6 megawatts (7,500 horsepower) each, alongside four bow thrusters. The main propulsion system consists of three 20-megawatt (26,820 horsepower) electric Azipod motors, resulting in a combined propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and a standard cruising speed of 23 knots.

The Oasis mainly operates routes around the Caribbean, but occasionally repositions to offer itineraries in the Mediterranean.

4. Royal Caribbean International – Harmony of the Seas : 226,963 gross tonnes

The third Oasis-class ship built by Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas weighed in bigger than her existing sister ships at launch in 2016, with 226,963 gross tonnage, but she has since been surpassed by newer vessels. With a total length of 362m (1,188 feet), Harmony has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,300 staff across 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean placed an order with STX France for the construction of Harmony of the Seas in December 2012. The first steel for the ship was cut at STX France’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in September 2013, while the keel-laying ceremony was held in May 2014.

The Harmony is powered by three 18.9-megawatt Wärtsilä 16V46 16-cylinder main generator diesel engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46 12-cylinder engines producing 13.9 megawatts each. The propulsion power is provided by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters and manoeuvring is assisted by four 5.5-megawatt Wärtsilä CT 3500 tunnel thrusters. The propulsion system results in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and enables the ship to sail at a standard speed of 23 knots.

Harmony of the Seas embarked on her inaugural seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain, in June 2016, and currently operates itineraries around the Western Caribbean from her homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US.

3. Royal Caribbean International – Symphony of the Seas : 228,081 gross tonnes

At launch in 2018, the Symphony of the Seas surpassed the Harmony as the biggest cruise ship, weighing in at 228,081 gross tonnes. Measuring 361m (1,185 feet), the Symphony has a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers and 2,200 staff across 18 decks and was the testing ground for Royal Caribbean's new muster drill . With a total length of 361m (1,185 feet), She is roughly 30 metres (98 feet) longer than the largest military ships , the US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the USS Gerald R. Ford .

The keel-laying ceremony for the Symphony of the Seas was held in October 2015 at STX’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France, and the ship sailed out in June 2017. She is powered by six diesel sets, each composed of three Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, as well as three 20-megawatt electric Azipod main engines – resulting in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) of propulsion power and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Symphony commenced her seven-day maiden voyage from Barcelona in April 2018, and since then has mainly operated itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.

2. Royal Caribbean International – Wonder of the Seas : 235,600 gross tonnes

Royal Caribbean's flagship, Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis-class cruise ship built for the cruise company. Weighing in at 235,600 gross tonnes, the Wonder was the largest ship in the world when she was completed in January 2022. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet) in length, the 18-deck Wonder has a maximum capacity of 7,084 guests across its 2,867 staterooms, as well as housing 2,369 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, Wonder is powered by two Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and four Wärtsilä 12V46D engines; and uses three 20-megawatt electric Azipod engines for propulsion, combining for a propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Wonder sailed her maiden voyage in March 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has since served itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami and Cape Canaveral.

1. Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas : 248,663 gross tonnes

Weighing 248,663 gross tonnes and measuring 365 metres (1,1967 feet), the Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Christened on 23 January 2024, the Icon has a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew across 20 decks. She is the lead ship of the new Icon-class, with a sister ship the Star of the Seas due to be delivered in 2025 and another ship planned for delivery in 2026.

Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, the Icon is the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet that can be powered by LNG. It uses three Wärtsilä 14V46DF and three Wärtsilä 12V46DF for its main generator engines, which provide 67.5 megawatts of energy to run the ship. She is propelled by three 20-megawatt Azipod thrusters as well as five 4.8-megawatt Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters, with a cruising speed of 22 knots.

After sailing her maiden voyage on 27 January 2024, the Icon now sails year-round itineraries of seven-night trips around the Eastern and Western Caribbean from her homeport of Miami, Florida.

"The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world" was originally created and published by Ship Technology , a GlobalData owned brand.

The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

Holland America cruise ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list

Are you looking for the most activity-packed Holland America cruise ships at sea? If so, you'll want to get on one of the biggest Holland America cruise ships.

The biggest Holland America cruise ships are, as you might expect, the Holland America ships with the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms, as well as the most choice in cabins and suites. They also have the biggest spas and casinos among ships in the Holland America fleet.

With 1,325 rooms and space for 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, the biggest Holland America ships are bigger than many resorts on land, though they aren't as big as some of the truly giant cruise ships operated by such major lines as Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line .

Among the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Holland America is known for a focus on relatively smaller vessels.

Holland America operates 11 cruise ships in all. In addition to three vessels that hold 2,650 people at double occupany, the line has eight smaller ships — some significantly smaller. Holland America's two smallest vessels are designed to carry just 1,432 passengers apiece.

Holland America's smaller ships, notably, have less deck-top pool and lounge space and fewer interior venues than the biggest Holland America cruise ships.

The smallest Holland America cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience.

Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained

To make sure that you end up on the right Holland America cruise ship for you, it pays to study which Holland America ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

Here, every Holland America ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.

1. Rotterdam

Maiden voyage: 2021 Size: 99,863 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,650

1 (tied). Nieuw Statendam

Maiden voyage: 2018 Size: 99,863 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,650

1 (tied). Koningsdam

Maiden voyage: 2016 Size: 99,863 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,650

4. Nieuw Amsterdam

Maiden voyage: 2010 Size: 86,700 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,106

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 86,273 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,104

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 82,318 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,924

7. Westerdam

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 82,305 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,916

7 (tied). Oosterdam

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 82,305 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,916

7 (tied). Zuiderdam

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 82,305 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,916

10. Zaandam

Maiden voyage: 2000 Size: 61,396 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,432

11. Volendam

Maiden voyage: 1999 Size: 61,214 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,432

What is the biggest Holland America cruise ship?

The biggest Holland America cruise ship is the 2,650-passenger Rotterdam and its two older siblings, the 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam and the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam.

All three vessels are the exact same size: 99,863 gross tons. (Note that gross tons is a size measurement that takes into account the interior space of a ship and not its weight).

In addition to being the biggest ships in the Holland America fleet, the three vessels, collectively known as the Pinnacle Class, are the newest ships in the Holland America fleet. They have the most venues and amenities.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America cruise

Notably, in addition to a main restaurant and casual buffet, the three Pinnacle Class ships have five separate specialty dining venues — everything from a pan-Asian eatery and an Italian restaurant to a steakhouse. That's more than you'll find on other Holland America ships.

Pinnacle Class ships also have all of Holland America's signature entertainment venues — something that can't be said for the line's older vessels.

Specifically, on Pinnacle Class ships, you'll find one of the line's signature live entertainment areas with a B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock).

Related: Holland America makes entertainment changes on some ships

The Pinnacle Class ships also have spectacular, state-of-the-art main theaters with push-out stages enveloped by two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screens. The theaters are home to all sorts of additional music, dance and comedy performances.

What is the smallest Holland America cruise ship?

The smallest Holland America cruise ship is the 1,432-passenger Volendam. Measuring just 61,214 gross tons, it's 39% smaller than Rotterdam and the two other Pinnacle Class vessels mentioned above.

Because of its smaller size, Volendam has fewer features and amenities than most other Holland America ships — particularly the ships of the new Pinnacle Class and another recent group of vessels called the Signature Class.

In general, Volendam appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate cruise experience. It also draws cruisers who care more about the destinations they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

Unveiled in 1999, Volendam is not just the smallest Holland America ship but the oldest Holland America ship.

Are bigger Holland America ships coming?

Not for now. Holland America currently does not have a single ship on order. The brand is owned by Carnival Corporation, which has not ordered new ships for Holland America for several years as it focuses on paying down debt . The company took on a huge amount of debt during the COVID-19 pandemic to stay in business.

What's the difference between bigger and smaller Holland America ships?

The biggest Holland America cruise ships have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels. As a result, they are a good choice for vacationers who like a bigger resort experience with lots of options for restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Holland America's smaller ships lack some of the features found on the bigger ships. In general, they have a more intimate feel, and they hold fewer people. While Holland America's biggest Pinnacle Class ships can hold 2,650 passengers at double occupancy, as noted above, the line's two oldest vessels (known as the R Class ships) are only designed to carry 1,432 passengers at double occupancy.

As a result, the smallest Holland America ships are a good choice for vacationers who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Holland America loyalty perks

Note that all Holland America ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Holland America cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

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