Massive cruise liners are increasingly common sightings. Is there a limit to this trend?
Gone are the days of wondering how a cruise ship could stay afloat, with its colorful, cartoon-like decks and towering waterslides. The world's cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line, are embracing the 'bigger is better' mentality, as they churn out mega-size cruise ships one after another.
This year alone, expect to see a lineup of these larger-than-life ships, many surpassing their predecessor sister ships in size. In late April, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced its newest ship, the Norwegian Aqua, boasting a passenger capacity of 3,600 – a 10% increase over other Prima Class ships. The cruise line has ordered four even larger ships, each carrying 5,000 passengers, starting from 2030.
Meanwhile, MSC Cruises debuted its second-largest ship, MSC World America, in April. Stretching 1,092 feet long and accommodating 6,762 passengers, it sails on Caribbean itineraries out of the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal – the largest cruise terminal in North America, capable of processing an impressive 36,000 passengers daily on three ships[1].
Two more new MSC World Class ships, MSC World Asia and MSC World Atlantic, are set for delivery in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Carnival Cruise Line also plans to launch its most behemoth class ever in 2029, with the delivery of the first of three ships sporting more than 3,000 cabins and accommodating nearly 8,000 guests[2].
In August of this year, the sister ship to Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas and the second ship in its Icon Class, Star of the Seas, will set sail from Port Canaveral on seven-night year-round Caribbean sailings. With approximately the same maximum passenger capacity and 20 equally eye-popping decks, it will feature waterslides, a water park, seven pools, and 40 places to eat and drink[2].
The cruise lines are investing heavily in their new ships, anticipating a growing demand for cruising. In fact, over 37 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)[3]. Despite concerns about the environmental impact of these massive ships and the challenges posed by the size and number of passengers, cruise lines continue to push for larger, more unique travel experiences to gain market share.
[1] Enrichment Data: The MSC Miami Cruise Terminal is the largest cruise terminal in North America. It can process 36,000 passengers daily on three ships.[2] Enrichment Data: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, its sister ship Star of the Seas, and the second ship in its Icon Class, will have approximately the same maximum passenger capacity and 20 equally eye-popping decks, featuring waterslides, a water park, seven pools, and 40 places to eat and drink. Carnival Cruise Line plans to launch its most behemoth class ever in 2029 with three ships sporting more than 3,000 cabins and accommodating nearly 8,000 guests.[3] Enrichment Data: More than 37 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
- The cruise line, Norwegian Cruise Line, recently launched a new ship, the Norwegian Aqua, which is bigger than its predecessor sister ships, accommodating 3,600 passengers.
- In the realm of ecommerce, it's predicted that the number of cruise passengers will skyrocket, with over 37 million expected to cruise in 2025, as per Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
- glimpse into the future, Carnival Cruise Line plans to debut its most massive class ever in 2029, featuring ships housing more than 3,000 cabins and catering to nearly 8,000 guests.
- As concerns about environmental impact and challenges posed by size and numbers of passengers rise, cruise lines continue to strive forlarger, more distinctive travel experiences, hoping to gain market share.
- Technology plays a significant role in the cruise industry, with ships like Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas sporting waterslides, a water park, seven pools, and 40 dining and drinking options across 20 decks.
