How Many Cruise Ships In The Caribbean?

The Caribbean Sea, covering 2.75 million square kilometers and home to around seven thousand islands and over 20 bordering countries, has become the world’s most visited region by cruise. In 2023, the Caribbean gained almost 1 million new visitors compared to 2019. Royal Caribbean, the world’s largest cruise line by passenger capacity, now has 27 oceangoing vessels in all. As of 2023, Royal Caribbean has 26 fully operational cruise ships, set to grow to 27 with the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.

To find the best cruise ship for your next cruise, compare all cruise ships sailing to the Caribbean by key info like price, size, and amenities. The largest Royal Caribbean cruise ships are more than three times the size of the smallest in the fleet. Royal Caribbean launched its second biggest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, on July 19, targeting a slightly younger crowd.

As of July 2024, there are 69 passenger ships with over 135,000 GT in service. The first ships over that size were the Voyager-class from Royal Caribbean Group.

There are several cruise lines operating in the Caribbean, with Royal Caribbean International being the company’s largest brand. Out of 40-50 populated islands in the Caribbean, cruise ships visit 25 of them regularly. To locate and track ships in and around one of these 49 Caribbean Cruise Region Ports, select the desired location.

What is the cruise capital of the world?

Miami’s reputation as the Cruise Capital of the World is aptly earned with its bustling port, PortMiami, serving as a sprawling embarkation point for countless seafaring adventurers. We recognize this metropolis not only for its sun-kissed beaches and vibrant nightlife but also as the thriving hub of the cruise industry.

As with any major port, we acknowledge the complex challenges that come with the territory. Issues such as Miami cruise ship injuries remain a concern, with our commitment to passenger safety being paramount. The mechanisms in place to protect and respond to such incidents are a testament to our dedication to maintaining the highest standards while hosting millions of vacationers each year.

Position as a major economic contributor is clear, with the bustling trade and tourism bringing significant revenue to the local community. We approach each challenge with a solution-oriented mindset, ensuring that Miami continues to thrive as the Cruise Capital of the World while upholding our duty to provide a safe, sustainable and profitable future for all stakeholders involved.

How many cruise ships does the Royal Caribbean have?

As of 2024, there is a total of 29 Royal Caribbean cruise ships that offer an enormous amount of itineraries and amazing destinations. All Royal Caribbean cruise ships have state-of-the-art amenities and facilities, making them a top choice for families and thrill-seekers.

How many cruise ships are in the Caribbean?

Some growth came in the way of new brands sailing in the region. Thirty-seven lines have a presence in the Caribbean this year, up from 33 in 2019. Some are new to the market, including Margaritaville at Sea, Virgin Voyages, Explora Journeys and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

There are just a few more ships sailing the Caribbean this year over 2019, 154 from 150, according to CLIA.

But many of those ships carry more people than their predecessors. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line, which has always had a strong Caribbean presence, has shed a half-dozen Fantasy-class ships, which carried just over 2,000 passengers, since the pandemic began. The line has since launched two 6,500-guest Excel-class ships, the Mardi Gras and the Carnival Celebration, in the Caribbean, and a third, the Carnival Jubilee, is expected to launch in late December out of Galveston, Texas.

“Capacity to the Caribbean has increased for us, since our overall capacity has grown in some of our top homeports, including Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston, with the introduction of our Excel-class ships,” said Fred Stein, vice president of planning and deployment for Carnival Cruise Line. “The Caribbean is strong, along with the overall cruise industry, which we’ve seen across the busy summer travel season happening now.”

What is the top 1 cruise ship in the world?

Cruise ships have evolved into giant vessels, even eclipsing aircraft carriers. So, what are the top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world?

The Top 10 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World. Modern 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.

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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.

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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 voyagein 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 (1,1967feet), 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 CPbow 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.

How many cruise ships have sunk?

Thankfully, very few cruise ships have actually sunk in modern history. Even so, the Titanic’s sinking impacted maritime law so much that there are more than enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew onboard any given sailing.

Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk.

Titanic (April 1912). One of the most infamous sinkings was that of the Titanic, which sank on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

On the night of April 14, 1912, the ship collided with an iceberg. A little over two-and-a-half hours later, the ship was completely submerged underwater. Unfortunately, the majority of passengers were unable to safely evacuate, as there were not enough lifeboats for everyone onboard.

What is the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean?

Port of Miami List of busiest cruise ports by passengersRankPort2022 / 20231Port of Miami7,299,2942Port Canaveral6,924,8653Port of Cozumel4,098,4914Port of Nassau3,521,178.

How many cruise ships does Carnival have?

Our 27 ships operate 2- to 29-day voyages, departing from every coast in the U.S. While we’re best known for Caribbean cruises, we sail to other exotic and amazing destinations like Mexico, Alaska, The Bahamas, Europe and Hawaii. Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line Australia has two ships, and offers cruises from Sydney and Brisbane to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Carnival Cruise Line proudly supports important causes likeSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and Operation Homefront.

Every day, our team on board and ashore lives the Carnival Values:

How many cruise ships are on the ocean?

As of November 2022 there were 302 cruise ships operating worldwide, with a combined capacity of 664,602 passengers. Cruising has become a major part of the tourism industry, with an estimated market of $29.4 billion per year, and over 19 million passengers carried worldwide annually as of 2011.

“Sea cruise” redirects here. For the song, see Sea Cruise.

Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on tours known as “shore excursions”. On “cruises to nowhere” or “nowhere voyages”, some cruise ships make two- to three-night round trips without visiting any ports of call.

Modern cruise ships tend to have less hull strength, speed, and agility compared to ocean liners. However, they have added amenities to cater to water tourists, with recent vessels being described as “balcony-laden floating condominiums”.

What is the 3 biggest cruise ship in the world?

In serviceRankShip nameGross tonnage1Icon of the Seas248,6632Utopia of the Seas236,4733Wonder of the Seas235,600.

Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, passenger ships primarily used for transportation across seas or oceans, they typically embark on round-trip voyages to various attractive ports of call. There passengers may go on organized tours known as “shore excursions”. The largest may carry thousands of passengers in a single trip, and are some of the largest ships in the world by gross tonnage(GT), bigger than many large cargo ships. Cruise ships started to exceed ocean liners in size and capacity in the mid-1990s; before then, few were more than 50,000GT. In the decades since the size of the largest vessels has more than doubled. There have been nine or more new cruise ships added every year since 2001, most of which are 100,000GT or greater. In the two decades between 1988 and 2009, the largest cruise ships grew a third longer (268 to 360m (879 to 1,181ft)), almost doubled their widths (32.2 to 60.5m (106 to 198ft)), doubled the total passengers (2,744 to 5,400), and tripled in volume (73,000 GT to 225,000 GT). The largest have grown considerably since, particularly in passenger capacity; As of December2023, the largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has a gross tonnage of 248,336, is 365m (1,198ft) long and holds up to 7,600 passengers.

Cruise ships are organized much like floating hotels, with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the usual ship’s crew. They cater to nautical tourists, with recent vessels being described as “balcony-laden floating condominiums”. The “megaships” went from a single deck with verandas to all decks with verandas, and feature ameneties such as theaters, fine-dining and chain restaurants, spas, fitness centers, casinos, sports facilities, and even amusement park attractions.

Cruise ships require electricity both for propulsion and onboard power. As with cargo ships, cruise vessels are designed with all the heavy machinery at the bottom of the hull and lightweight materials where feasible at the top, making them inherently stable even as passenger ships are getting ever taller, and most supplement design with stabilizer fins to further reduce rolling in heavy weather. While some cruise ships use traditional fixed propellers and rudders to steer, most larger ships use azimuth thrusters that can swivel left and right to steer, vastly improving vessel maneuverability.

What countries cruise in the Caribbean?

All Caribbean TerritoriesAnguilla.Antigua and Barbuda.Aruba.The Bahamas.Barbados.The British Virgin Islands.Cayman Islands.Cuba.

The Caribbean is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world, with its vibrant cultures, unspoiled natural beauty and of course, great weather. Each area of the Caribbean has its own history and influence, which can result in an incredible melting pot of traditional, cuisine, music and more.

We all know the most obvious regions of the Caribbean like Barbados and the Bahamas, but there’s so much more to this part of the world. Whether you’ve visited before or it’s on your bucket list, you’d be amazed at just how much of the Caribbean there is to discover.

With that in mind, let us take you on our very own tour of this beautiful area of the globe, not forgetting the chance to visit it thanks to our expansive choice of Caribbean cruise itineraries.

Which country has the most cruises?

The United States Leading passenger source countries in the global cruise industry in 2019. The United States was the leading passenger source country in the global cruise industry in 2019.

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How many cruise ships does Disney have?

Five ships How many different Disney Cruise Line® ships are there? Disney Cruise Line® has five ships in their fleet. The two original sister ships consist of the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, with more recent additions being the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy and finally the Disney Wish, which first set sail in Summer 2022.

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