Cruise ship sizes have doubled since 2000, report shows

A report by the international organization Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that the average size of the world's ten largest cruise ships has doubled since 2000, increasing from 103,000 to 205,000 gross tons.

Currently, the Icon of the Seas by Royal Caribbean is the largest vessel in operation. Launched in January 2024, it features 20 decks and can accommodate nearly 10,000 people. While the ship utilizes Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to reduce CO2 emissions compared to conventional marine fuel, the report notes that its methane emissions are higher.

Projections suggest this growth trend will continue. If current patterns persist, the largest cruise ships in 2050 could be up to eight times larger in gross tonnage than the Titanic.