Costs quickly add up when outfitting a massive ship with all the amenities and extras found in a five-star hotel. It’s no wonder that the average ticket price is so high, given that modern cruise ships cost hundreds of millions to build (or more, as we’ll see).
If you were curious about how much some of the world’s most luxurious and huge cruise ships truly cost to build, here is a list of the top 13 most expensive cruise ships ever built. The list features ships in increasingly expensive order.
Because of rising consumer expectations and fierce industry competition, cruise companies are always innovating and topping one another with cutting-edge onboard features.
Huge cruise ships populate today’s oceans. Because of this, the industry consistently receives billions of dollars in funding, which allows luxurious cruise liners to be developed.
So, let’s dive into our top 13 list of the most expensive cruise ships around the globe.
Carnival Mardi Gras
The Carnival Mardi Gras was a ground-breaking ship when it made its debut in 1972. Its initial focus, which set it apart from other cruise ships at the time, was on festive enjoyment for all passengers (thus the name). The most recent Mardis Gras, which was built in 2021 and had 2,641 staterooms, 18 passenger decks, and a rollercoaster, maintains the distinctive onboard environment to this day. It costs $950 million.
| Year built | 2021 | Gross Tonnage | 183900 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 5282 – 6338 |
| Builder | Meyer Werft | Crew | 1745 |
| Class | Excellence-Helios | Decks | 18 |
| Building cost | USD 950 million | Cabins | 2641 |
| Length (LOA) | 344 m (1129 ft) | Operator | Carnival Cruise Line |
| Beam (width) | 42 m (138 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Cruises, a division of the Royal Caribbean Group, operates the Celebrity Edge, an Edge-class cruise ship. The order for the new ship was placed in December 2014 with the French shipbuilder STX France; the keel was laid in June 2017, and the ship was floated out at the start of 2018.
She joined the Celebrity fleet in October 2018 and, with 130,818 GT, became the largest ship by gross tonnage to enter the Edge class. Celebrity Edge launched her first season on November 6, 2018, after giving birth on a transatlantic voyage from France to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Since December 2018, Celebrity Edge has operated out of Port Everglades, making weekly cruises to the Mediterranean in the summer and the Western and Eastern Caribbean in the winter. It costs a billion dollars.
| Year built | 2018 | Gross Tonnage | 130,818 GT |
| Flag state | Malta | Passengers | 2918 – 3521 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 1377 |
| Class | Celebrity EDGE | Decks | 15 |
| Building cost | USD 1 Billion | Cabins | 1467 |
| Length (LOA) | 306 m (1004 ft) | Operator | Celebrity Cruises |
| Beam (width) | 39 m (128 ft) | Speed | 41 kph (25 mph) |
Norwegian Bliss
The list now includes the brand-new, enormously luxurious Norwegian Bliss cruise liner, which cost nearly $1 billion to construct.
The third ship of the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class, Norwegian Bliss, was constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany (NCL). NCL’s 16th ship, the Norwegian Bliss, is based in Miami. Sister ships include the Norwegian Escape and the Norwegian Joy.
The ship’s signature feature is the 180° observation lounge on deck 15. The 6096 m (20,000ft) – 2 salon offers amazing views of the ocean and is encircled by floor-to-ceiling windows.
| Year built | 2018 | Gross Tonnage | 168028 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 4004 – 4903 |
| Builder | Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany) | Crew | 1716 |
| Class | Breakaway Plus | Decks | 20 |
| Building cost | USD 1 Billion | Cabins | 2043 |
| Length (LOA) | 333 m (1093 ft) | Operator | (NCL) Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Beam (width) | 41 m (135 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
MSC Bellissima
Cruise ship MSC Bellissima is run by MSC Cruises. She was built at Saint-Nazaire, France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The vessel joined MSC Meraviglia in the Meraviglia class of cruise ships owned by the business. She can accommodate 4,500 passengers and has a tonnage of 171,600GT. Launched in March 2019, the ship.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MSC Cruises announced the cancellation of all North American cruises through June 30, 2020. On March 4, 2019, MSC Bellissima set sail for her first journey, and on March 12, 2019, she made her first port of call in Spain. The ship costs $1 Billion.
| Year built | 2019 | Gross Tonnage | 171600 GT |
| Flag state | Malta | Passengers | 4488 – 5686 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 1536 |
| Class | Meraviglia | Decks | 18 |
| Building cost | USD 1 Billion | Cabins | 2244 |
| Length (LOA) | 315 m (1033 ft) | Operator | MSC Cruises |
| Beam (width) | 43 m (141 ft) | Speed | 41 kph (25 mph) |
MSC Meraviglia
The MSC Meraviglia is a cruise ship that belongs to MSC Cruises and is run by them. STX France built it at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France. The Meraviglia class of MSC’s new “Vista Project” ships is headed by the MSC Meraviglia, with the MSC Bellissima class, which followed in 2019. There are 4,500 passengers on each vessel.
It was the sixth-largest cruise ship in the world when it first went into service in June 2017, trailing only AIDAnova and Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels. The ship, which has previously cruised in Northern Europe and the western Mediterranean, made its first move to the US in the fall of 2019 to New York and Miami in order to sail to the Caribbean as part of MSC’s North American growth program. It costs $1 Billion.
| Year built | 2017 | Gross Tonnage | 167600 GT |
| Flag state | Malta | Passengers | 4488 – 5386 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 1536 |
| Class | Meraviglia | Decks | 18 |
| Building cost | USD 1 Billion | Cabins | 2244 |
| Length (LOA) | 316 m (1037 ft) | Operator | MSC Cruises |
| Beam (width) | 43 m (141 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
AID Anova
The AIDAnova is the first ship of AIDA Cruises’ new Excellence-class fleet and is rumored to be the world’s fifth-largest passenger ship. This 337 m (1105 ft) long luxury ship was made at a reported cost of $1.1 billion by Meyer Werft in Germany.
AIDAnova was introduced in December 2018, and its standout feature is the Green Cruising concept. It is the first cruise ship in the world that can be powered by liquefied natural gas both at sea and in port (LNG).
With a capacity of 1,500 crew members and up to 6,600 passengers, the 183,900 GT AIDAnova has more than 2,600 passenger cabins. To suit the upscale dining and entertainment needs of the passengers, the ship features a total of 17 restaurants, a luxury day spa, 23 bars, and a 360-degree theatre, among other amenities.
| Year built | 2018 | Gross Tonnage | 183900 GT |
| Flag state | Italy | Passengers | 5400 – 6600 |
| Builder | Meyer Werft (Papenburg, Germany) | Crew | 1500 |
| Class | Excellence-Helios | Decks | 20 |
| Building cost | USD 1.1 Billion | Cabins | 2600 |
| Length (LOA) | 337 m (1,106 ft) | Operator | AIDA Kreuzfahrten (AIDA Cruises) |
| Beam (width) | 42 m (138 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
Norwegian Epic
The Norwegian Epic, one of Norwegian Cruise Lines’ most expensive ships, cost $1.2 billion to construct due to its distinctive size and design.
The ship boasts one of the biggest aqua parks and single-occupancy rooms. At the time it was built, it could hold 4,228 people, which made it the third-largest cruise ship in the world. It underwent a renovation in 2020, making travel there a modern luxury.
It is 329.45 m (1082 ft) long and 52 m (170 ft) wide, with a gross tonnage of 155,873.
| Year built | 2010 | Gross Tonnage | 155873 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 4228 – 5074 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 1724 |
| Class | Epic | Decks | 19 |
| Building cost | USD 1.2 billion | Cabins | 2114 |
| Length (LOA) | 329 m (1079 ft) | Operator | (NCL) Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Beam (width) | 41 m (135 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
MSC World Europa
MSC World Europa is one of the world’s most costly cruise ships, with a build cost of USD 1.25 billion. The MSC World-class fleet consists of four vessels, with World Europa serving as the inaugural vessel.
The ship features 2,700 guest rooms, 430,000 sq ft of public space, 20 decks in total, and the world’s longest dry slide, the Spiral, at an impressive 11 stories in the air.
| Year built | 2022 | Gross Tonnage | 205700 GT |
| Flag state | Malta | Passengers | 5240 – 6774 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 2138 |
| Class | MSC WORLD | Decks | 20 |
| Building cost | USD 1.25 billion | Cabins | 2633 |
| Length (LOA) | 333 m (1093 ft) | Operator | MSC Cruises |
| Beam (width) | 47 m (154 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
Harmony of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are similar in terms of their onboard amenities and activities, and layout. The 1,188-foot-long, billion-dollar ship can accommodate 6,410 passengers in total.
The Ultimate Abyss slide, which carries visitors down ten decks at nine miles per hour, is one of its standout features. It costs around $1.35 Billion.
| Year built | 2016 | Gross Tonnage | 226963 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 5497 – 6410 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 2394 |
| Class | OASIS-Plus | Decks | 17 |
| Building cost | USD 1.35 billion | Cabins | 2745 |
| Length (LOA) | 362 m (1,188 ft) | Operator | RCI-Royal Caribbean International |
| Beam (width) | 47 m (154 ft) | Speed | 41 kph (25 mph) |
Symphony of the Seas
The Symphony of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean, is the second-largest cruise ship in the world. This vessel, which was the largest cruise ship in the world from 2018 to 2022, is currently a close second to Wonder of the Seas.
There are two 13 m (43 ft) rock climbing walls, a full-size basketball court, an ice rink, a zip line with ten decks, a theatre with 1400 seats, an outdoor aquatic theatre with Olympic-height platforms, and other amenities. A park with more than 20,000 tropical plants is also there.
Six marine-diesel sets, each consisting of three 16-cylinder Wärtsilä 16V46D common rail engines and three 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, power Symphony of the Seas.It has 2,759 cabins and 15 guest decks, totaling 17 decks. It costs around $1.35 Billion.
| Year built | 2018 | Gross Tonnage | 228081 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 5518 – 6780 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 2394 |
| Class | OASIS-Plus | Decks | 17 |
| Building cost | USD 1.35 billion | Cabins | 2759 |
| Length (LOA) | 361 m (1184 ft) | Operator | RCI-Royal Caribbean International |
| Beam (width) | 47 m (154 ft) | Speed | 41 kph (25 mph) |
The wonder of the Seas
Since January 2022, Wonder of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean vessel, has held the title of the largest cruise ship in the world. The fifth ship of Royal’s Oasis class made its maiden voyage in March 2022. The appropriately titled Wonder of the Seas features 2,874 cabins, 19 pools, and 17 decks (15 guest-accessible decks) (the most on any cruise ship). This beauty costs around $1.35 Billion.
| Year built | 2022 | Gross Tonnage | 236857 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 5734 – 6988 |
| Builder | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | Crew | 2394 |
| Class | OASIS-Plus | Decks | 17 |
| Building cost | USD 1.35 billion | Cabins | 2874 |
| Length (LOA) | 362 m (1188 ft) | Operator | RCI-Royal Caribbean International |
| Beam (width) | 64 m (210 ft) | Speed | 41 kph (25 mph) |
Oasis of the Seas
The “seven neighborhoods” design element, which has subsequently been adopted by its sister ships and has virtually become a standard, was initially used by the first ship of the Oasis class, The Oasis of the Seas.
When it was launched in 2009, it broke the previous capacity record (6,780), and it also has the deepest high dive pool ever to sail. It was built for roughly $1.4 billion by STX Europe in Turku, Finland.
The Broadway musical “Hairspray” was performed exclusively for guests as onboard entertainment.
| Year built | 2009 | Gross Tonnage | 225282 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 5592 – 6431 |
| Builder | STX Europe | Crew | 2150 |
| Class | OASIS | Decks | 17 |
| Building cost | USD 1.4 billion | Cabins | 2796 |
| Length (LOA) | 362 m (1188 ft) | Operator | RCI-Royal Caribbean International |
| Beam (width) | 47 m (154 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
The Allure of the Seas
The $1.5 billion Allure of the Seas is now the most expensive cruise ship in the world, surpassing her The Allure of the Seas, which debuted in 2010, features 25 different dining establishments, four swimming pools, and ten whirlpools, and can house up to 6,314 passengers at once.
The 1,188-foot Royal Caribbean vessel features a cutting-edge theatre with seating for 1,380, where passengers may enjoy productions like the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Chicago.”
The Allure of the Seas and many of its sister ships feature Shrek and Madagascar characters, thanks to a partnership between Royal Caribbean and DreamWorks Entertainment.
| Year built | 2010 | Gross Tonnage | 225282 GT |
| Flag state | Bahamas | Passengers | 5492 – 6314 |
| Builder | STX Europe | Crew | 2150 |
| Class | OASIS | Decks | 17 |
| Building cost | USD 1.5 billion | Cabins | 2745 |
| Length (LOA) | 362 m (1188 ft) | Operator | RCI-Royal Caribbean International |
| Beam (width) | 47 m (154 ft) | Speed | 43 kph (26 mph) |
No comments:
Post a Comment