There are currently twelve cruise ships that cost at least $1 billion to build. Five of the top twelve are part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class, which have an average volume of 227,000 in gross tonnage.
Icon of the Seas blew away these numbers with the cost of the build, however, doubling the cost of previous ships.
These are the largest cruise ships in the world.
While seven of the twelve $1 billion club vessels are operated by Royal Caribbean Group, three of the ships are operated by MSC Cruises, one by Norwegian Cruise line, and one by Disney Cruise Line.
In this article: List of 30 Most Expensive Cruise Ships Built to Date
Disney Wish
 |
Cost to Build: $1 billion Year Built: 2022 Gross Tonnage: 144,000 Length: 1,119 ft Total Capacity: 5,555 |
MSC Seashore
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Cost to Build: $1 billion Year Built: 2021 Gross Tonnage: 170,412 Length: 1,112 ft Total Capacity: 5,877 |
MSC Seascape
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Cost to Build: $1 billion Year Built: 2022 Gross Tonnage: 170,400 Length: 1,112 ft Total Capacity: 5,877 |
Ovation of the Seas
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Cost to Build: $1.1 billion Year Built: 2016 Gross Tonnage: 167,800 Length: 1,141 ft Total Capacity: 4,905 |
Norwegian Epic
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Cost to Build: $1.2 billion Year Built: 2010 Gross Tonnage: 155,900 Length: 1,081 ft Total Capacity: 4,228 |
MSC World Europa
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Cost to Build: $1.25 billion Year Built: 2022 Gross Tonnage: 215,863 Length: 1,094 ft Total Capacity: 6,762 |
Oasis of the Seas
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Cost to Build: $1.3 billion Year Built: 2009 Gross Tonnage: 225,280 Length: 1,181 ft Total Capacity: 6,699 |
Wonder of the Seas
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Cost to Build: $1.35 billion Year Built: 2022 Gross Tonnage: 236,857 Length: 1,187 ft Total Capacity: 6,988 |
Symphony of the Seas
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Cost to Build: $1.35 billion Year Built: 2018 Gross Tonnage: 228,081 Length: 1,184 ft Total Capacity: 6,680 |
Harmony of the Seas
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Cost to Build: $1.35 billion Year Built: 2016 Gross Tonnage: 226,963 Length: 1,188 ft Total Capacity: 6,780 |
Allure of the Seas
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Cost to build: $1.43 billion Year Built: 2010 Gross Tonnage: 225,282 Length: 1,187 ft Total Capacity: 6,780 |
The table below shows the 30 most expensive cruise ships ever built. These ships are listed in order from most expensive to least expensive in the top 30.
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Icon of the Seas
 |
Cost to Build: $2 billion Year Built: 2023 Gross Tonnage: 248,663 Length: 1,196 ft Total Capacity: 7,600 |
30 Most Expensive Cruise Ships Built to Date
| Ship | Date Built |
Capacity | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icon Of The Seas | 2023 | 7600 | $2 billion |
| Allure of the Seas | 2010 | 6780 | $1.43 billion |
| Harmony Of The Seas | 2016 | 6780 | $1.35 billion |
| Symphony Of The Seas | 2018 | 6680 | $1.35 billion |
| Wonder of the Seas | 2022 | 6988 | $1.35 billion |
| Oasis of the Seas | 2009 | 6699 | $1.3 billion |
| MSC World Europa | 2022 | 6762 | $1.255 billion |
| Norwegian Epic | 2010 | 4228 | $1.2 billion |
| Ovation Of The Seas | 2016 | 4905 | $1.1 billion |
| MSC Seascape | 2022 | 5877 | $1 billion |
| MSC Seashore | 2021 | 5877 | $1 billion |
| Disney Wish | 2022 | 5555 | $1 billion |
| AIDAcosma | 2021 | 5200 | $950 million |
| AIDAnova | 2018 | 5200 | $950 million |
| Carnival Celebration | 2022 | 5374 | $950 million |
| Mardi Gras (Carnival) | 2020 | 5282 | $950 million |
| Costa Smeralda | 2019 | 6520 | $950 million |
| Costa Toscana | 2021 | 5322 | $950 million |
| MSC Bellissima | 2019 | 5700 | $950 million |
| MSC Meraviglia | 2017 | 5700 | $950 million |
| Anthem of the Seas | 2015 | 4905 | $950 million |
| Quantum of the Seas | 2014 | 4905 | $950 million |
| Disney Fantasy | 2012 | 4000 | $940 million |
| Spectrum of the Seas | 2019 | 4246 | $940 million |
| Norwegian Bliss | 2018 | 4200 | $920 million |
| Norwegian Encore | 2019 | 4200 | $920 million |
| Norwegian Escape | 2015 | 4200 | $920 million |
| Norwegian Joy | 2017 | 4400 | $920 million |
| Celebrity Apex | 2021 | 3260 | $900 million |
| Celebrity Beyond | 2022 | 3276 | $900 million |
| Celebrity Edge | 2018 | 3370 | $900 million |
