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These are the world's biggest cruise ships by size

Sarah Swain
Sarah Swain

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These days, biggest is often better when it comes to cruising.

A handful of companies are ever pushing the tape measure when it comes to their latest vessels – never mind what they can put on board.

These are currently the world's biggest cruise ships.

Ships are measured in gross tonnage.

It's a measurement of the ship's internal volume of its enclosed spaces.

Guests capacities depend on how many people are sharing cabins so can vary slightly.

Attribution: Supplied
14. Carnival Festivale - 183,521 gross tonnes, 6,500 guests
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14. Carnival Festivale - 183,521 gross tonnes, 6,500 guests

Due in 2027, the newest ship from Carnival will be a mammoth offering and the biggest in the fleet.

She will sail from Port Canaveral in Florida, to the Caribbean.

The colourful new ship will have six zones with attractions including the deck-spanning Studio 724 multimedia experience featuring unique light and sound effects.

Attribution: Supplied
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Families will love the open-air Sunsation Point, with its water park acrtivities like Carnival WaterWorks Ultra and raft rides SunSoaker and Turning Tides.

Alchemy Bar and Piano Bar 88 plus show spot Limelight Lounge will also be on board.

Carnival Festivale will be joined by Carnival Tropicale in 2028.

Attribution: Supplied
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13. Costa Smeralda - 185,010 gross tonnage, 6,554  passengers
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13. Costa Smeralda - 185,010 gross tonnage, 6,554 passengers

Costa Smeralda from Italian company, Costa, is named after a stretch of coast in Sardinia.

Attribution: Supplied
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Costa Smeralda launched in 2019 and is currently the 13th biggest ship in the world.

Attribution: Supplied
12. Costa Toscana - 186,364 gross tonnage, 6,554 guests
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12. Costa Toscana - 186,364 gross tonnage, 6,554 guests

Next up, also from Costa is Costa Toscana at 186,364 gross tonnage.

Attribution: Supplied
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It's the company's 'flagship' and runs on LNG.

It boasts the best restaurants in the fleet the company says.

Attribution: Supplied
11. Disney Adventure - 208,000 toss tonnage, around 6000 guests
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11. Disney Adventure - 208,000 toss tonnage, around 6000 guests

Disney Cruise Lines might be pulling out of Australia but it's newest ship will sail from Singapore from next year.

The seven themed lands on board will include the Disney Imagination Garden, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Wayfinder Bay and Disney Discovery Reef.

Attribution: Supplied/Disney Cruise Line via CNN
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Restaurants will include the Hollywood Spotlight Club, Navigator's Club, Mike & Sulley's Flavors of Asia and the Enchanted Summer Restaurant inspired by Tangled and Frozen.

A variety of state-of-the-art stage shows will include Captain Jack Sparrow and the Siren Queen Show based on Pirates of the Caribbean.

Attribution: Supplied/Disney Cruise Line via CNN
10. MSC World Europa - 215,863 gross tonnage, 6,762 guests
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10. MSC World Europa - 215,863 gross tonnage, 6,762 guests

Launched in 2021, MSC World Europa, was once the biggest ship from the Italian brand.

Attribution: Supplied

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