If you are the type who wants to mix adventure, relaxation, and recreation all into one water-based package, then luxurious cruise ship voyages and tours are exactly designed for your tastes. If you have ever wondered how many people can fit on a cruise ship, then keep reading!
The General Capacities for Cruise Ships
Throughout the decades, the general capacity for cruise ships has been within the range of 3,000 - 6,000 passengers.
Take for example the infamous Titanic - launched in 1911, it had a reported passenger capacity of 3320 individuals. This figure is not that far off from the modern-day vessels we currently enjoy.
Which Types of Cruise Ships Can Carry the Most Passengers?
There is not necessarily a universal type of cruise ship that could be identified that carries the most passengers as the classes, categories, or designations of ships may vary from cruise line to cruise line.
However, if you are looking for the largest cruise ship line to date, then this honor would go to none other than the Oasis-line cruise ships by Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line, at the forefront of which is Symphony of the Seas. This ship can reportedly accommodate up to 6,680 passengers.
The Most Popular Cruise Ships in the World
Let’s now take a look at some of the most popular cruise ships and how many passengers they can accommodate.
MSC Fantasia (MSC Cruises): 3,274 - 4,363 Passengers
The MSC Fantasia entered service in December of 2008. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,093.6 feet and a stateroom count of 1,637 units.
It was reported to be one of the largest vessels of a new generation of cruise ships at its time of operation and spent its inaugural season cruising from Genoa and headed for the Eastern Mediterranean, then the Canary Islands, and then the Western Mediterranean territories.
MSC Splendida (MSC Cruises): 3,274 - 3,952 Passengers
The MSC Splendida entered service in July of 2009. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,093.6 feet and a stateroom count of 1,637 units.
Dubbed as one of the few members of Fantasia-class vessels (a category of cruise ships based on the capacity and specifications of the MSC Fantasia), this ship was originally intended to be named the MSC Serenata but the owners decided to go with MSC Splendida to better represent the vessel’s elegance and beauty.
MSC Seaside (MSC Cruises): 4,132 - 5,336 Passengers
The MSC Seaside entered service in December of 2017. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,060 feet and a stateroom count of 2,066 units.
Introduced by MSC Cruises as the lead vessel of the Seaside class of cruise ships, this ship is considered to be the largest cruise ship to have ever been designed and constructed by renowned Italian shipbuilding company Fincanteri, and was the 14th largest cruise ship in the world at the time.
MSC Seaview (MSC Cruises): 4,132 - 5,336 Passengers
The MSC Seaview entered service in June of 2018. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,060 feet and a stateroom count of 2,066 units.
An immediate follow-up to the lead vessel MSC Seaside, the sister cruise ship MSC Seaview is just as astounding and massive as its predecessor, beginning its journey from Genoa and launching a 7-day voyage around the Western Mediterranean, visiting notable areas such as Valletta, Messina, Naples, Barcelona, and Marseille.
Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 3,386 - 4,000 Passengers
The Navigator of the Seas entered service in November of 2002. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,020 feet and a stateroom count of 1,693 units.
Identified as the fourth Voyager-class cruise ship owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International, this vessel was christened by legendary tennis athlete Steffi Graff.
Mariner of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 3,344 - 4,000 Passengers
The Mariner of the Seas entered service in October of 2003. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,020.7 feet and a stateroom count of 1,674 units.
Considered to be a second-generation Voyager-class vessel, the Mariner of the Seas is one of the five cruise ships under the aforementioned category and was christened by the ship’s godmother, an accomplished American paralympic athlete Jean Driscoll.
Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 4,284 - 5,498 Passengers
The Odyssey of the Seas entered service in July of 2021. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,138.7 feet and a stateroom count of 2,137 units.
As the latest and greatest cruise ship on this list, the Odyssey of the Seas is a technological behemoth that ushered in its maiden voyage on July 31st, 2021. There is no designated godmother for this vessel at the time of writing.
Freedom of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 3,634 - 4,375 Passengers
The Freedom of the Seas entered service in April of 2006. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,111.46 feet and a stateroom count of 1,817 units.
Considered to be the lead vessel and namesake of the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line’s Freedom-class cruise ships, the Freedom of the Seas had its maiden voyage in the Caribbean on June 4th, 2006.
Liberty of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 3,634 - 4,375 Passengers
The Liberty of the Seas entered service in May of 2007. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,112 feet and a stateroom count of 1,817 units.
This vessel falls under the Freedom-class cruise ship family. It was originally intended to be named the Endeavour of the Seas but the company decided to go with Liberty in the end. This cruise ship was christened by the Madeley spouses who are attributed with founding the charity “Hands Across the Nations.”
Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 5,484 - 6,780 Passengers
The Oasis of the Seas entered service in October of 2009. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,180 feet and a stateroom count of 2,742 units.
Being the first (and the namesake) of the Oasis-class cruise ships of Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line, this vessel ushered in a new generation of the largest family of cruise ships across the globe.
Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 5,484 - 6,780 Passengers
The Allure of the Seas entered service in October of 2010. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,180 feet and a stateroom count of 2,742 units.
As the second vessel belonging to the Oasis-class cruise ships, the Allure of the Seas is nearly identical with its sister ship the Oasis of the Seas.
Symphony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 5,518 - 6,680 Passengers
The Symphony of the Seas entered service in March of 2018. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,184.42 feet and a stateroom count of 2,759 units.
This vessel is the fourth entry into the Oasis-class cruise ships by Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line and is considered to be the largest cruise ship worldwide in terms of gross tonnage (228,081).
Harmony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line): 5,494 - 6,687 Passengers
The Harmony of the Seas entered service in May of 2016. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,188.1 feet and a stateroom count of 2,747 units.
Considered to be the second-largest passenger ship in the world (right behind the previously discussed Symphony of the Seas), this Oasis-class vessel is considered to be the longest in terms of overall length.
Majestic Princess (Princess Cruises): 3,560 - 5,600 Passengers
The Majestic Princess entered service in March of 2017. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,082.7 feet and a stateroom count of 1,780 units.
Originally designed and built for the Chinese audience (themes, furniture, signages), this Royal-class cruise ship has a special focus on Cantonese cuisine and establishments such as a tea bar, casino, and karaoke rooms.
Norwegian Epic (Norwegian Cruise Line): 4,100 - 5,183 Passengers
The Norwegian Epic entered service in July of 2009. This cruise ship has an overall length of 1,081 feet and a stateroom count of 2,114 units.
When it was built, the Norwegian Epic was identified as the third-largest cruise ship globally and the lead vessel that ushered in the Epic-class line for the Norwegian Cruise Line.
Conclusion
There are several wonderful active cruise ships across the globe today. Unfortunately, most operations have been temporarily suspended as a result of health and safety precautions to battle the spread of COVID-19. However, as infection counts are decreasing, vaccinations are rolling out, and regulations and restrictions are easing, we can all look forward to wonderful tours and vacations aboard the most famous cruise ships. In the meantime, if anyone asks you how many people can fit on a cruise ship, then you should be more than capable of satisfying their curiosity.
