Top 12 Most Expensive Cruise Ships In 2024

[Updated for 2024] The means of luxurious lifestyle experiences around us are immense in number. While the search for a one-of-a-kind experience on the land ends with a long list of options to live in the moment, the experiential purchases at sea are limited in contrast to its enormity.

However, at sea, the experiences the luxurious cruise ships and yachts can offer transcend the outnumbered choices on land.

As being affordable to many customers compared to yachts, cruise ships play a big role in meeting the demands of the multi-billion dollar ocean tourism industry.

These floating cities redefine luxury travel by offering awe-inspiring experiences coupled with sumptuous, superlative amenities and impeccable services for travel enthusiasts.

With the increasing demand of customers and the competition within the market, the cruise lines are regularly enriching the cruise experiences with innovative and creative offerings onboard, outdoing each other.

There are massive cruise ships operating at sea today. As a result, the industry attracts billions in investment annually, resulting in the entry of luxurious and expensive cruise ships into operation.

Top 12 Most Expensive Cruise Ships in 2024

Here is a list of the most expensive cruise ships in the world.

1. Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the lead ship of the Icon Class. This ship was constructed at a whopping cost of 2 billion US Dollars.

Icon of the Seas will enter service on 27th january 2024. This largest cruise ship in the world is powered by LNG with a gross tonnage of 250,800. It has 6 multi-fuel Wartsila Engines that can run on LNG as well as distillate fuel. It also contains fuel cells for producing electricity.

It has a 2350 member crew and can accommodate 7600 guests on its 20 decks packed with entertainment facilities like theatres, play areas for children, concert halls, swimming pools water parks and so on. 

2. Oasis Luxury Class: Allure of the Seas & Oasis of the Seas

The Allure of the Seas is one of the two most expensive cruise ships in operation around the world. The second ship in the Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis-class cruise ships, Allure of the Seas, was the world’s largest passenger ship when it launched in November 2009.

Reportedly, around $1.43 billion was incurred in constructing this world-class cruise ship at the STX Europe Turku shipyard in Finland.

This 1,187-foot-long vessel measures 215 feet in width with a gross registered tonnage of 225,282t. With 18 total decks, the vessel can accommodate a total of 6,780 guests and 2,200 crew members.

The main features of the ship include a two-deck dance hall, an ice skating rink, 25 dining options and a theatre with 1,380 seating capacity etc.

The first in Oasis-class luxury ships, Oasis of the Seas is another $1.4bn cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean International’s fleet. This 225,282 GRT vessel was the world’s largest cruise ship when it launched in 2008.

While all other features of the Oasis of the Seas match with its sister vessel, the length of the vessel is reportedly 50 millimetres shorter than Allure of the Seas.

However, it has been stated that the classified length of these vessels was the same, and the changes were unintentional as they happened due to the small changes in the temperature of the steel used for construction.

3. Oasis Class: Symphony of the Seas & Harmony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis-class cruise ship Symphony of the Seas is the world’s largest passenger ship currently in service. Thus, for obvious reasons, Symphony of the Seas is one the most expensive cruise ships in the world now, with a cost of production of $1.35 billion.

Built by STX France, the vessel measures 1188 feet in length, 215.5 feet in width and 238 feet in height, with a gross registered tonnage of 228,081t.

The ship that started its maiden voyage in April 2018 features 18 decks and is capable of accommodating a maximum of 6,680 passengers and a 2,200-person crew.

The features aboard this luxury cruise ship include 22 restaurants, 24 pools, a children’s water park, an ice-skating rink, a full-size basketball court, two 43-foot rock-climbing walls, etc.

Another Oasis-class cruise ship of Royal Caribbean International, Harmony of the Seas, is another expensive luxury passenger vessel currently in service.

Despite costing Royal Caribbean the same expense as its sister vessel ($1.35 billion), Harmony of the Seas comes behind  Symphony of the Seas due to the 1,100 tons difference in size from the former.

The 228,081GRT vessel is also 1,188 feet long, 215.5 wide and 238 feet in height.  With 2,747 staterooms in various sizes, Harmony of the Seas is capable of housing 6,687 passengers in addition to 2,200 crew members.

Similar to its sister ship, Harmony of the Seas features several dining and entertainment options abroad. Started construction in 2014, the ship set its first sail in May 2016 to Southampton from the facility of STX France.

4. MSC World Europa

The most expensive cruise ship in terms of building cost in MSC cruises, the MSC World Europa is one of the green fuel ships present today. Powered by LNG, one of the world’s cleanest marine fuels, and featuring breakthrough green technologies, MSC World Europa symbolizes the beginning of a new era of cruising. These unique and environmental features make MSC World Europa one of the most expensive cruise ships in the world, with a build cost of a whopping USD 1.25 Billion.

Another example of MSC Cruises’ long-term environmental commitment and responsibility to the future, this unique prototype features a ground-breaking design where every detail offers you an entirely new cruising experience. On 29 June 2020, MSC held the keel-laying ceremony for the ship renamed MSC World Europa,

The 153,518 GRT vessel is 1060 feet long, 135 feet wide and 245 feet in height. The height of MSC world Europa is almost 10 feet more than the world’s most expensive ship – The Oasis-class Allure of the Seas. With 22 decks, the MSC World Europa is capable of housing 5079 passengers in addition to 1413 crew members.

5. Norwegian Epic

One of the most expensive ships of Norwegian cruise lines, the Norwegian Epic, cost 1.2 billion U.S. dollars to build because of its unique design and size. 

The ship has one of the largest Aqua Parks and cabins for single passengers. When built, it was the third-largest cruise ship in the world to carry 4,228 passengers. It was recently refurbished in 2020, making it an updated luxury to travel. 

With 155,873 Gross Tonnage, it measures 329.45 meters in length and 52 meters in width.

6. AIDAnova

AIDA Cruises’ first of the new Excellence-class ships, AIDAnova, is reportedly the fifth-biggest passenger vessel in the world. The cost of producing this 337-meter-long luxury vessel, built by Meyer Werft in Germany, is a reported $1.1 billion.

Launched in December 2018, AIDA Nova’s highlight is the Green Cruising concept- the world’s first cruise ship that can be powered at sea and in port by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The 183,900 GT AIDAnova features more than 2,600 passenger cabins, with a capacity to accommodate 6,600 passengers and up to 1,500 crew members.

The vessel has a total of 17 restaurants, 23 bars, a luxury day spa, a 360-degree theatre, etc., to meet the passengers’ luxurious dining and entertainment needs.

7. Meraviglia class cruise ship: MSC Meraviglia & MSC Bellissima

MSC Cruises MSC Meraviglia cruise ship is the lead ship of MSC’s new class of vessels being built by STX France. The cost of production of one ship in this class is reportedly around $ 1 billion as this vessel is part of the Geneva-based line’s $10.2 billion investment for a total of 11 vessels to be delivered by 2026.

Set its first sail in June 2017, MSC Meraviglia was the world’s 4th largest cruise ship when it launched, behind Oasis-class ships.

The 315.8-meter-long MSC Meraviglia features 15-passenger decks and has the capacity to house 4,500 passengers and 1,536 crew members.

MSC Bellissima, a sister ship of MSC Meraviglia, is the second Meraviglia class cruise ship of MSC Cruises. Another ship from $ 1 billion, MSC Bellissima, made her maiden voyage in March this year.

Constructed by STX France at its Chantiers de l’Atlantique facility in France, the 171,598 GT MSC Bellissima has almost similar features to its sister ship.

8. Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand-new behemoth luxury ship- Norwegian Bliss– which set sail last year, also joins the list with about $1 billion in production costs.

Built by Meyer Werft, the 168,028 GT Norwegian Bliss has a length of 1,094 ft, a moulded beam of 136.2 ft and a maximum draft of 29.53 ft.

With 20 decks, the vessel features 2,220 cabins that can accommodate 4,000 passengers in addition to 1700 crew members. Norwegian Bliss offers guests a great vacation experience, elegant suites, several themed dining areas and bars, a 20,000 sq. ft Observation Lounge, an 800-seat Bliss Theatre and a two-storey go-kart track, etc.

9. Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Edge is another new billion-dollar luxury ship currently in service. Built by STX France, Celebrity Edge is the first Edge-class cruise ship of her owner and started her maiden voyage in December 2018.

This 1,004 ft-long vessel has a tonnage of 130,818GT and is capable of accommodating 2,918 passengers and 1,377 crew members.

Among other entertainment and dining facilities, the ship is known for its most technologically advanced theatre, offering a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience with panoramic projection screens, rotating spiral staircases, etc.

10. Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Cruise’s recent addition was Carnival Mardi Gras, which cost around $950 Million and was delivered in 2020. This is the largest ship in the fleet, measuring 184,000 gross tonnages and having 2641 rooms. It features BOLT™: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first roller ever on a cruise ship.

The Mardi Gras is fitted with LNG-powered main engines, which are environmentally friendly with cheaper operating costs than conventional marine engines.

It will also help the company comply with new restrictions on heavy sulfur fuels that started in 2020.

11. P&O Iona

This 185,000 tonnes and 345 meters longship from P&O Cruises is the largest cruise ship in the UK market today, built at $950 million.

This massive building budget includes many luxuries, including the world’s first gin distillery on cruise ships. Iona is P&O’s greenest ship as it is powered by LNG-fueled engines.

12. Quantum-class cruise ships

Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum-class cruise ships are reportedly the third-largest class of cruise ships behind their owners’ Oasis-class and MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia class ships by gross tonnage.

The three ships in this class- Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, and Ovation of the Seas- have almost similar features and the cost of production, i.e. about $9.4 million.

The three ships in this series started their maiden voyage in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Among these 168,666GT vessels, the first two vessels have a length of 1,139 ft and a maximum beam of 162 ft, while the third vessel has a length of 1,142 ft and a maximum beam of 160 ft.

The Quantum-class cruise ships can house a maximum of 4,905 passengers and 1,500 crew members.

To Summarize :

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