Top 5 Cruise Companies In The World

Royal Caribbean International has some of the top 5 biggest cruise ship in the world. It controls 19.2% of passengers from the global market.

The company has been operating since 1998 and has built two private resorts in Cocokay (Bahamas) and Labadee (Haiti).

Royal Caribbean International Ship Features:

The company has some of the best ship for families with onboard activities like Slide Aqua Park, Surf Simulator and Latin Dance Classes.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships are loaded with Central Park, Neighborhood & Bars. The adults-only retreat is the best thing couples can do in their vessels.

Their ship has the world's largest family suite spread over 1,800 sq. ft. and features attractions like the North Star, Rock Climbing, Surfing, etc.

Royal Caribbean International Fleet:

Royal Caribbean International has 26 ships currently operating under 5 classes. Their newest Icon class ship Icon of the Seas is scheduled for its maiden voyage in 2024.

Oasis Class:

The Oasis-class ships are the biggest ones in the world. It has the capacity to carry 6,296 passengers in double occupancy.

There are 16 decks in these vessels - divided into seven neighborhoods.

• Wonder of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas

Quantum Class:

Quantum class ships have a capacity of 4,905 guests.

• Odyssey of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Freedom Class:
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas

Radiance Class:

Radiance class ships can carry 2,501 passengers.

• Jewel of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas

Voyager Class:

Voyager class vessels are capable of accommodating 3,602 passengers.

• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Adventure of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas

Vision Class:

The vision class is the smallest one in Royal Caribbean's category, with a capability of a maximum of 2,446 passengers.

• Vision of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas

Carnival Cruise Line operates 1,500 voyages annually. It is the biggest cruise company in the world, with 120,000 employees globally.

The company has calling on ports from Cozumel to Ketchikan. Carnival Cruise Line hosts more than 24,000 performances a year by comics in the Punchliner Comedy Clubs on its ships.

Carnival ships are the world's largest live comedy provider.

Carnival Cruise Ship Features:

Carnival Cruise ship features the first IMAX theater at sea. It also has America’s first onboard brewery and the bike-ride-in-the-sky aerial attraction SkyRide.

Some ships feature BOLT - the ultimate Sea Coaster and waterworks. Adults can relax in Cloud 9 SPA or Kid free retreat.

Passengers can eat global delicacies in restaurants like Guy's Burger Joint, Big Chicken, Rudi's Seagrill & more.

Also, Carnival cruise drink packages are rated the best among cruise liners, with varieties of options on board.

Carnival Cruise Line Fleet:

Carnival Cruise has 24 ships operating globally. Their popular destinations include the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Alaska.

Do not get confused about Carnival Cruise with Carnival Corporation - as it is the parent organization of this company. The corporation handles cruises like Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Holland America & others.

Excel, Holiday & Destiny Class:

The Capacity of these ships ranges from 1,452-5,402 passengers. It has 10-18 decks, according to their class.

• Carnival Jubilee
• Mardi Gras
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Radiance 

Vista & Sunshine Class:

These vessels can carry 3,002-3,934 passengers. There are 12-14 decks on the ship.

• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Vista
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine

Dream Class:

Dream class vessels can accommodate 3,646 passengers and have 14 decks.

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Dream

Spirit Class:

Relatively smaller, these carriers only incorporate 2,610 guests and have 12 decks.

• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Spirit

Concordia & Fantasy Class (3,700 Passengers):

• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Elation

Conquest Class (2,980 Passengers):

• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Conquest

Norwegian Cruise Line controls 8.6% of the total market globally. The top 5 biggest cruise ships in the world 2023 is Norwegian Encore.

The company operates all-year-round trips to the Caribbean, Transatlantic, Europe and more. Norwegian Cruise To Alaska is the best itinerary provided by the company.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Features:

Each cruise liners have distinct features so as the NCL has. It has the world's first thrilling race track (speedway) on the ocean.

Their vessels have duty-free shops that offer jewelry, premium branded clothes & liquors. Passengers can play basketball and volleyball on the top deck whereas they can ride 4*4 and even do a roller coaster ride.

Kids mostly love Mini-Golf or Aquapark waterslides in NCL ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line Fleet:

Norwegian Cruise Line has 17 ships existing in their fleet. These are separated into five classes with a capacity of 2,004 - 4,095 passengers.

Their oldest ship is the Norwegian Spirit, whereas the newest is Norwegian Viva.

Prima Class:

• Norwegian Viva
• Norwegian Prima

Breakaway & Breakaway Plus Class:

• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Breakaway

Epic & Jewel Class:

• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Epic

Dawn & Sun Class:

• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Norwegian Sky

No-Class:

• Norwegian Spirit
• Pride of America

MSC Cruises was established in 1989 in Switzerland. MSC corporation is the largest industrial supplier company in the world.

MSC Cruises to Caribbean are ranked best, following Mediterranean, World Cruise & the Persian Gulf.

The company offers vacations for families, adults and party lovers. Their vessels use the cleanest marine fuel LNG - are more tech-friendly and labeled as eco-friendly.

MSC Cruises Ship Features:

MSC ships have some of the largest waterparks on the Ocean and high-tech theater. They also have crew members assigned to babysit toddlers.

Parents can feel free to enjoy onboard activities like Swimming, White-Themed parties and late-night disco. The major attraction of this tour company is the wide selection of massage treatments with beauty treatments.

Their specialty restaurants serve continental, fully American, Mediterranean & seafood. If you are a MSC yacht member, you will get heavy discounts in the casino.

MSC Cruises Fleet:

MSC Cruises operates 21 ships and most of them tour in the Mediterranean. Its first ship was MSC Lirica in 1989; the newest is MSC Virtuosa.

The Swiss company has MSC World Europa as the largest carrier that can accommodate up to 6,742 guests. The smallest ship in their fleet is MSC Armonia which can carry 2,520 guests.

Seaside Evo-class:

• MSC Seacape
• MSC Seashore
• MSC Seaview
• MSC Seaside

World-class:

• MSC World Europa
• Meraviglia Plus class
• MSC Virtuosa
• MSC Grandiosa
• MSC Bellissima
• MSC Meraviglia

Fantasia Class:

• MSC Preziosa
• MSC Divina
• MSC Splendida
• MSC Fantasia

Musica Class:

• MSC Magnifica
• MSC Poesia
• MSC Orchestra
• MSC Musica

Lirica Class:

• MSC Opera
• MSC Lirica
• MSC Sinfonia
• MSC Armonia

Costa Cruises is an Italian cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation. It is the oldest cruise line on our list and was established in 1948.

Sadly, Costa does not operate in the United States. It has tours ranging from the Mediterranean to South America.

Athens, Buenos Aires, Barcelona & Rome are the significant ports that this cruise liner operates from.

In 2012, an incident happened to the company known as - Costa Concordia Disaster. 32 people died after the vessel sank in Sola del Giglio in Tuscany.

However, the accident didn't impact much to their loyal passengers as it became 5th most popular cruise company in 2022.

Costa Cruises Ship Features:

The cruise vessels have pools, water slides, hot tubs & kids club mostly for families. Adults like spa treatments, casinos and party nights.

Some ships have extra features such as a 4D cinema. Costa Cruises doesn't have mega-ships, so they are relatively smaller.

Onboard activities are limited and are not much focused on the outdoors. Yet, they have some of the finest indoor activities like dancing lessons, art classes, mini golf, etc.

Costa Cruises Fleet:

Costa Cruises has 12 ships in their fleet till 2023. Costa Fortuna is their oldest ship, whereas Costa Toscana is the newest one.

The Toscana has a capacity of 6,600 passengers; on the flip side, Costa Luminosa can only carry 2,892 guests.

Excellence-Class:

• Costa Toscana
• Costa Smeralda

Vista Class:

• Costa Firenze
• Costa Venezia
• Costa Deliziosa
• Costa Luminosa

Concordia Class:

• Costa Pacifica
• Costa Serena
• Costa Fascinosa
• Costa Favolosa

Dream & Destiny Class:

• Costa Diadema
• Costa Fortuna