FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Biggest Cruise Ships

by Richard Newton

Nov 1, 2018
Features

APPROXIMATELY SIX MILES offshore, a shimmering white island appears. Or is it a shopping mall or an entertainment complex? Or a theme park? Or a huge resort hotel? Or a floating town of 8,000 people? Whatever it is, it is moving steadily and silently along the horizon, heading north. Even at a distance, from my vantage on the waterfront of a Spanish coastal town, I feel dwarfed. I am gazing across at Symphony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.

Currently the largest, I should say. In recent years the mantle has been passed with remarkable frequency to successive ships of the same cruise company, Royal Caribbean International. In 2009 the world champion was Oasis of the Seas, overtaken a year later by Allure of the Seas, itself surpassed in 2016 by Harmony of the Seas. The reign of Symphony of the Seas will last until 2021, when a slightly larger (as yet unnamed) sister ship is scheduled to take to the waves.

Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas zip-line © ROYAL CARRIBBEAN

Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas zip-line © ROYAL CARRIBBEAN

Royal Caribbean is not the only player in this mega-ship race. MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Dream Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and P&O all have mammoth ships planned for the near future, many of which will be powered by liquefied natural gas. They won’t just be huge, they’ll also be green.

Why the obsession with size? The simple reason is super-sized cruise ships are popular, and popular ships make money. The more complicated reasons involve an increase in what’s known as Panamax (the maximum size of ship that can use the Panama Canal) and fundamental changes in the cruise market, putting the emphasis on the ship as a destination in its own right.

From 2016, bigger locks and a widening of the Canal significantly increased the size of ships able to traverse Panama, enabling shortcuts between the Atlantic and the Pacific. But for the largest cruise ships, the new Panamax is academic. They will always be way too big. Symphony of the Seas is more than double the maximum tonnage for the Canal. Therefore, it is not suited to the traditional seasonal schedule, spending winters port-hopping in the Caribbean with summers in Alaska.

AquaTheater © ROYAL CARRIBBEAN

AquaTheater © ROYAL
CARRIBBEAN

When the ship is the resort, the routes become secondary. The Caribbean remains the preferred winter location, and the Mediterranean has become dominant for the summer trade. For many passengers, the ports of call are merely a diversion. All of the main attractions reside on board.

Gone are the days when the highlights of a cruise included dressing up for dinner with the captain or gazing landward from the rails. From the Spanish shore, I photograph Symphony of the Seas and instantly post the image to Twitter. I expect reciprocal images from the ship looking in my direction. But there are none. The Twitter timeline is full of images of the ship’s glittering interior: the Central Park, with 20,000 tropical plants; the funfair on the Boardwalk; the line for Starbucks; last night’s show in the poolside AquaTheater; the twin spiraling slides of the Ultimate Abyss, down which adrenaline junkies can descend 10 stories in 13 seconds.

The facts of the giant ship are breathtaking. It has 18 decks, 24 elevators and seven neighborhoods (including Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade and the Youth Zone). Its 2,774 guestrooms accommodate a total passenger capacity of 6,680 (plus 2,200 crew). The cost of construction was $1.35 billion.

Symphony’s sister ship, Allure of the Seas — slightly smaller but costing $1.5 billion — boasts a two-deck dance hall and an ice skating rink. Oasis of the Seas ($1.4 billion) has basketball and volleyball courts, a zip-line over the central atrium and a miniature golf course. Norwegian Joy (approximately $700 million) includes a go-cart racetrack. The Disney Dream ($900 million) has the world’s first at-sea water coaster. Celebrity Edge ($1 billion), due to launch in late 2018, will feature a Magic Carpet, a tennis court-sized platform that will slide up and down the outside of the ship.

As the big-ship market becomes increasingly competitive, the unique selling points become ever more outlandish. The use of drones will likely become commonplace in the future, both for food and laundry deliveries direct to stateroom balconies and even to enable passengers to board at sea. Symphony of the Seas already has a Bionic Bar in which automated arms mix and serve the drinks, and fully automated restaurants are on the drawing board for future ships.

Norwegian Joy’s go-cart racetrack © NORWEGIAN

Norwegian Joy’s go-cart racetrack © NORWEGIAN

Innovation is limited only by current technology and the imagination of the designers. But what about the size of the ships? How much bigger can they get? Some experts argue they’re already too big.

For a start, the larger the ship, the fewer ports capable of handling it. It’s not just a question of the physical space required for docking but also of dealing with the mass movement of thousands of passengers. Many of the smaller Caribbean islands already struggle to cope with the sudden influx of visitors. Coach excursions in particular can present a logistical nightmare; some islands simply don’t have enough vehicles to accommodate everyone who might want to take a trip inland.

As the world fleet of mega-ships grows, even the larger ports feel the strain. Receiving two or three cruise ships at the same time pushes the current capabilities to the breaking point. Either the ports of call will have to invest in upgraded passenger terminals and transport infrastructure, or the mega-ships will have to make do with a shrinking list of suitable ports of call.

Sheer size presents other problems. One of the most common is the outbreak of illness, especially norovirus — exceptionally contagious and leading to vomiting and diarrhea. In the enclosed environment of a ship at sea, it can spread among passengers and crew with alarming speed. The larger the ship, the more people infected. Although most outbreaks strike fewer than 10 percent of the people on board, the illness can make a misery of dozens (sometimes hundreds) of cruise vacations.

All other issues are dwarfed by the almost unthinkable possibility of a mega-ship catching fire, running aground or sinking. Regulations set by the International Maritime Organization stipulate full evacuation should be completed within 30 minutes of an order being given to abandon ship. To date, the only true emergency affecting a mega-ship came when Costa Concordia ran aground off an Italian island in 2012. In that case, evacuation took six hours; 35 of the 4,200 people on board died.

Not surprisingly, Symphony of the Seas addresses safety by going big. Each of its 18 lifeboats can carry up to 370 people. The lifeboats are the last line of defense. The new mega-ships have innumerable safety systems to protect against all possible threats. Even so, one of the first big ships (though it looks like a tugboat compared to the current generation), RMS Titanic provides a lesson from history that you can never be too careful. Accidents will always happen.

Although safety is the most important factor when designing a new ship, the contingencies are deliberately discrete. First and foremost, the aim is to wow the passengers. Symphony of the Seas, in common with other new-generation mega-ships, doesn’t disappoint. It is breathtaking from every angle, whether you’re on board in your private stateroom or the public areas or if you’re standing on shore six miles away watching it sail past.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
May 30, 2025

Grupo Brisas Opens New Las Brisas Mérida Boutique Hotel

Grupo Brisas opened its newest property in Mexico. Las Brisas Mérida, an exclusive boutique hotel strategically located in the heart of the interesting Mexican town of Mérida within the Yucatan Peninsula, marks the brand’s 13th property in Mexico. Grupo Brisas reaffirms its leadership as one of the fastest-growing Mexican hotel chains in the country.

Smarter Business Travel: 12 Tips from IHG Business Edge

For small- and mid-sized businesses, travel is often a necessary part of growth — helping to strengthen client relationships, explore new markets and attend key industry events. But with rising costs and limited resources, keeping business travel efficient and budget-friendly is more important than ever.

May 2025
May 30, 2025

By-the-cabin Yachting Redefines the Cruise Experience

I wish this day could last forever!” my windswept 9-year-old exclaimed, his voice soaring over the Mediterranean. He gripped the helm of a Bali 4.6 sailing catamaran off the coast of Marseille, his sun- bleached hair whipping in the salty breeze. The scent of the sea mingled with the aroma of warm baguettes drifting from the Côte d’Azur shoreline. Our captain, a seasoned sailor, subtly adjusted course, letting my son feel the exhilarating pull of the wind against the sails. As the waves lapped against the hull, I realized this was no ordinary vacation — this was freedom, unfiltered.

Daily
May 30, 2025

4 U.S. Hotels to Stay at This Pride Month

Pride Month kicks off June 1, and hotels around the country celebrate with special events and offerings.

Seoul: Your Next MICE Destination

Seoul has rapidly become a leading global MICE hub, known for its rich culture, advanced technology and strong economy. As the capital of South Korea, it offers a strategic location in East Asia and a booming cultural influence through K-pop, K-movies, Korean cuisine and K-dramas. With its vibrant atmosphere and business-friendly environment, Seoul is increasingly the top choice for MICE organizers and corporate travelers seeking connection and collaboration.

Daily
May 30, 2025

Summer Gin Cocktail Recipes Inspired by Destinations Around the World

Sometimes our memories of trips to certain destinations and cities around the world become synonymous with a specific dish or drink we had there — whether it was sipping an Aperol Spritz on the Italian coast or cooling off with a gin and tonic in London, a good cocktail in particular elevates a destination.

Daily
May 28, 2025

Tea Time is Tree Time at This Banyan Tree Resort

Named after the tropical banyan tree, a symbol of sanctuary under which one finds peace of mind and internal harmony, Banyan Tree Krabi, in southern Thailand, adopted the concept in its most recent introduction of Banyan Tree Krabi’s special Afternoon Tea Set, available to both guests and passing visitors.

Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach

Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.

May 2025
May 28, 2025

Discover the Dazzling Beauty of Amalfi’s Legendary Cave

PHOTO: © GUILLOHMZ | DREAMSTIME .COM