The 30 Biggest Cruise Ships On Our Seas

1. Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas

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The Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas is THE biggest cruise ship in the entire world as of 2022 and it's an extremely impressive ship. In 2019 the design was ussies by the Oasis Class series which are a group of some of the biggest ships and most modern/innovative in the entire world. It was completed in 2022. Its gross tonnage (GT) is 235, 600. It has 18 decks, 2,867 staterooms, and 19 pools which is more than any other cruise ship, EVER. Its length is 1,188 feet long and its maximum capacity is up to 7,084 passengers!

2. Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

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Before the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas, the Royal Symphony of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. Again, it's part of the Oasis class of ships and it is impressively big. The GT of the ship is around 228,000. This cruise ship also has 18 decks and around 2,867 staterooms and suites. Passengers certainly won't be short of entertainment on this ship and it features the largest slide on a boat ever, it is named the Ultimate Abyss which is a part of the water park area. It also has an ice skating rink and a zip line too!

3. Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

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It comes as no surprise that the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas is also a part of the Oasis class - some of the most renowned ships ever and the biggest cruise ship company. It spans a length of 1,188 feet and its gt is 226,963 making it one of the largest cruise ships ever. Like the other Oasis-class ships, it also has 18 decks. It can hold up to an impressive 6,780 passengers on board! And those on board make the most of the greenery, the theatre, rock climbing walls, and the excellent array of shops and restaurants.

4. MSC World Europa

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The MSC World Europa made its first voyage in 2022 making it one of the newest cruise ships ever, as well as one of the largest. The ship was an impressive creation and it has a GT of 215, 856. It's 1093 feet long and can fit up to 6,762 passengers at its absolute maximum limit. It has 16 decks and these are filled with world-class amenities and luxury areas as well as places for family entertainment and more luxury entertainment areas such as the theatre. It has approximately 17 pools and it has created the largest dry slide ever, 11 feet high!

5. Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas

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The Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas (yet another of the Oasis class) is considered one of the largest and most innovative ships in the world. Its gross tonnage stands at 225,282 and it spans 1,187 feet in length! The cruise is a completely luxurious experience and for those willing to pay top prices they can have themselves an ocean view, and a balcony suite room with a totally lavish interior. For fun, there's a mini-golf course, a surf simulator, a water park, a basketball court, and a casino amongst a whole host of other facilities,

6. Allure of the Seas

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The Allure of the Seas is another massively impressive vessel - another one of the Oasis class. Its GT measures at around 2225,282 making it one of the largest in the world and its length measures around 1,187 feet long. It has many different options for the kind of cruise depending on budget, from the top facilities and luxury packages to more budget-friendly options. The ship can hold 6,700 passengers. There is a Central Park area of the ship where you can go to unwind in nature and greenery. Or, the usual cinema, restaurants, bars and all kinds of entertainment features.

7. Costa Smeralda

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The Costa Smeralda cruise ship is operated by Costa Cruises and it focuses on maintaining an Italian style and culture. It has a gross tonnage of 182,7000 which is smaller than some on this list, but still huge and up there amongst the largest in the world. It also measures 1,105 feet in length. Its maximum capacity is around 5,224 passengers. And those who are on the Costa Smeralda can enjoy the live shows, casino, the fitness center whilst the children attend the kids club. It's got something for everybody on the gigantic cruise ship.

8. Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

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The Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas is a cruising experience for all different kinds of ages. It is one of the largest ships on the sea. Its GT is around 225,282 and it's 1,187 feet long. With 16 decks it boats all kinds of different amenities, from the adult-only 'Solarium' to the Central Park area which is a place with greenery where passengers can relax in.  The ship can hold around 6,700 passengers which is a huge capacity even for a cruise ship! It has become a world-renowned cruise ship experience.

9. Iona

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The Iona is known for its modern design and for being packed full of the most modern features and facilities as well as being one of the largest cruise ships of all time. The Gross Tonnage is approximately 183,900 and 1.128 feet in length. The ship has 17 passenger decks. It also has a four-deck atrium, which has panoramic views and there is also a glass-dome which is full of activities and entertainment called the 'SkyDome'. It is part of the P&O cruise operators, one of the most renowned cruise operators ever.

10. AIDAnova

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The AIDAnova cruise is operated by AIDA Cruises. It measures a massive 1,106 feet long and its GT is 183,000. Not only is it one of the largest cruises in the world right now, but it is also the first AIDA cruise ship which is powered by liquified natural gas. This means that it has less of an environmental impact. It also has many other eco-friendly features and it is one of the best ships currently to make an effort towards being more environmentally friendly. It also has 20 decks, which is one of the most decks of any other cruise ship!

11. Norwegian Breakaway

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The Norwegian Breakaway cruise is one of many cruises operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. The Norwegian Breakaway has a GT measurement of 145,655 and a length of 1,028 feet. It has an extremely spacious feel and on board, you have all the amenities you could wish for, shops, sports areas, an aqua park, restaurants, and a cinema to name but a few. It is known for a fantastic eating experience. It offers upmarket restaurants and casual laces to eat as well as an outdoor restaurant which is located on the ship's waterfront promenade.

12. Mardi Gras

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The Mardi Gras is a cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. The Mardi Gras is another ship that is powered by liquified natural gas, the first in North America to do so. The cruise ship is huge, its GT is 180,000 and it's 1.300 feet long. The Mardi Gras offers a very unique, fun, and lively atmosphere. It also has a famous restaurant on board named Emeril's Bistro 1396 which is owned by the well-known chef Emeril Lagasse. Not only does it have its water park, but it also has a theme park with the first-ever roller coaster at sea, named Bolt.

13. MSC Grandiosa

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The MSC Grandiosa is named as such due to its sheer size. The GT of the ship stands at 181,541 and its length measures 1,085 feet and it can hold a maximum of around 4,888 passengers! It's a slick and modern ship design and offers a feel of luxury on board. It is owned by MSC Cruises Fleet and it is currently the largest ship of the operator and one of the largest in the world. It has many special, international cuisine restaurants on board. It often sails around the Mediterranean region but it also sails to Northern Europe.

14. Genting Dream

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Genting Dream is a part of the operator named Dream, Cruises. The cruise ship mainly operates around Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. It has a GT of 151,300 and a length measured at 1,099 feet. The Genting Dream can hold up to 3,352 passengers. It's extremely large and it offers world-class entertainment at the 'Dream Palace; which has a theatre and shows live shows and Broadway shows. There's even a virtual reality tech gaming area for those who are the technology lovers. It's a super family-orientated cruise ship that has something for everyone.

15. Norwegian Epic

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The Norwegian Epic also makes the list of largest cruise ships today. It is operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, a renowned cruise company. The GT of the Norwegian Epic is around 155,873 making it one of the largest ships owned by the company. It is 1,1081 feet long and it has a multitude of decks where passengers can enjoy the facilities. It can carry around 4,100 passengers. It has a very modern aesthetic and it features a hull artwork. It has sailed all around the ocean offering cruises from the Caribbean to Europe and Northern America.

16. MSC Meraviglia

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The MSC Meraviglia is a cruise operated by established cruise line MSC Cruises. It sails all over the world offering all different kinds of experiences. It has a GT of 171,598 and its length measures 1,022 feet. Many of these ships have a similar size, meaning that the largest ships in the world are all very similar with only small changes between them. The promenade has an LED sky which creates an impressive display depending on the time of the day. The MSC Meraviglia can fit up to 4,500 guests onboard.

17. MSC Bellissima

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MSC Bellissima is called as such because it produces itself on its beautiful aesthetic and appearance and for being one of the largest cruise ships ever. It is a huge gross tonnage of 171,598 and a massive 1050 feet long from one end of the cruise ship to another, meaning that passengers have a spacious experience they can find the ship full of facilities along the way. The MSC Belissima generally sails around Europe, particularly the Mediterranean with a focus on countries such as Italy, France, and Spain.

18. Spectrum of the Seas

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The Spectrum of the Sea is another state-of-the-art cruise that is operated by Royal Caribbean International. In terms of its size, its GT is 169,779 and its length is 1,139 feet. It's one of the largest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet and Spectrum of the Seas is also one of the most impressively technologically advanced ships in the collection. Spectrum of the Sea can comfortably accommodate up to around 4,246 passengers on board but its absolute capacity is an impressive 5,622 passengers, which is a lot of people.

19. Norwegian Encore

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Norwegian Encore is a cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, one of many huge and modern ships. As with many cruise ships from the Norwegian Line, it is also amongst the largest with its gross tonnage measuring 169,116 and its length measuring 1094 feet. It can fit 4266 passengers on when the ship is full to its limit. The ship has sailed around various regions including the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Easter Mediterranean. The ship also features the 'Kinky Boots' award-winning Broadway show!

21. Quantum of the Seas

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Quantum of the Seas cruise isn't just considered one of the largest cruises in the world, it's also considered revolutionary for a variety of reasons, including having many 'first of a kind' on the ship such as a glass observation capsules to see the stars at night. Its GT is 16,888 and its length is 1,142 feet. The ship also has an indoor skydiving experience. The technology on Quantum of the Seas is unparallel and for this reason, it is considered one of the most technologically advanced cruise experiences available today.

22. Costa Cruises Costa Smeralda

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Costa Smeralda is a flagship cruise that is operated by Costa Cruises. It can fit a whopping 6,554 guests on board and the maximum can stretch to 7,710 passengers, which is one of the largest capacities ever. The GT of the ship is 185,00 and the length of the Costa Smeralda is 1,106 feet long. It primarily sails around the Mediterranean. Costa Smeralda is another cruise that is attempting t be more environmentally friendly and it is also operated by liquefied natural gases. It also has an atrium inspired by the Roman Colloseo.

23. Anthem of the Seas

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Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-class cruise ship that is operated by Royal Caribbean International. Quantum Class is a series of cruise ships operated by the company and they have certain features such as innovative technology, specialty dining, and great entertainment. They are also designed more eco-friendly. It measures at 168,666 GT and spends 1,141 feet in length making it without a doubt one of the largest cruise ships on the sea. It has all kinds of amenities and even a world-famous performance venue.

24. World Dream

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World Dream is one of the largest cruise ships ever. It is operated by Dream Cruises which is also linked to the cruise company Genting Hong Kong. It is 335 meters long and has a gross tonnage of 151,300 which is massive. It can hold up to 3,376 which is less than some ships by comparison but it is still huge for the majority of cruise ships. It sails mainly in Asia, around countries such as China, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. It offers a huge array of entertainment activities and also a multitude of health and wellness facilities.

25. Ovation of the Seas

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Ovation of the Seas has an impressive gross tonnage of aro9und 168,666 and it spans a huge 11142 feet in length. It is operated by Royal Caribbean International and it belongs to the Quantum Class. Like many Quantum Class ships, it contains the famous North Star glass observation pod as well as the iFly skydiving facility. These have become renowned in the world of cruises and the scale of the amenities is what sets the Quantum Class apart. Much of the cruise can be operated through the iQ app, such as booking a dinner reservation.

26. Independence of the Seas

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Independence of the Seas is a huge cruise ship operated again by one of the largest cruise operators, Royal Caribbean International. The gross tonnage for the ship for comparison is 154,406 which is similar to the other largest ships. And it is 1112 feet long which is in the top bracket for cruise ship length. Its total occupancy can reach 5,509 passengers! And there will never be a shortage of activities as you can go surfing on the surf machine, play golf at the golf course or use the full-sized basketball of swimming pools.

27. Norwegian Bliss

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Norwegian Bliss is a cruise ship which is operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, as we now know, one of the biggest cruise operators ever which contains some of the largest ships on the road. This cruise ship in particular has a GT of 168,000 and a length of 1093 feet. It has multiple passenger decks to enjoy the many services ad facilities. It has its very own go-karting track, aqua park, and a serene spa for a more relaxing experience. It can hold up to 4.266 passengers on the Norwegian Bliss. But it never feels overcrowded due to the sheer amount of space!

28. MSC Seaview

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You probably guessed that MSC Seaview is a cruise ship operated by MSC Cruises. Its GT of 153516 makes it one of the largest ships on the sea. It is also 1060 feet long and has a passenger capacity of around 6,334! MSC Seaview's design is slightly different from many other cruises as here the design tries to make as much outdoor space as possible. It has a very unique promenade that wraps around the entire ship and includes restaurants and bars. It is all covered in glass to give the best views of the ocean from any point!

29. Liberty of the Seas

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Liberty of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships which is operated by Royal Caribbean International. The huge cruise ship has a gross tonnage of 154,407 and a length of 1,112 feet. The ship is luxurious, with multiple decks, lots of swimming pools, and almost all of the facilities you could possibly want whilst on a cruise vacation.  The Liberty of the Seas usually sails to a variety of destinations which include Europe as well as the Caribbean. It has a huge array of live performances every night!

30. Norwegian Joy

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The Norwegian Joy is yet ANOTHER cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. The GT is around 167,725 and it is 1093 feet long so the Norwegian Joy is without a doubt one of the biggest cruise ships around today. The ship offers an entire array of everything you could imagine, first-class restaurants (including a steakhouse, a classic Italian, and a seafood restaurant), lively bars, daily shows, and nightly entertainment as well as the Galaxy Pavillion - an entertainment complex with virtual reality experiences. The nightlife on this particular cruise is particularly vibrant.

31. Things everyone needs to know before going on a cruise: some rooms don't have windows

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We know that your cabin room on the ship isn't the thing you're most looking forward to for your trip because you're going to be spending most of your time outside of your cabin to see what the ship has to offer. That being said, it's still nice to have a relaxing room with a sea view you can wake up to in the morning. Although you might think avoiding any extra private balcony payment might mean you can still enjoy looking out of the window, it's important to know that not every room has a window! You definitely need to research your room beforehand if you a) definitely want a window and b) have claustrophobia where a room without a window is going to be a problem.

32. Keep your essentials in a separate bag on your person

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Packing a huge suitcase with everything you need for your vacation is all well and good, but the way the cruise system operates is that your bags can often be separated from you for a while even after you're on the ship. They can take your luggage to your room a while before you're actually allowed into your room, so if you've put everything you need in your suitcase, you're going to be stuck for a bit. It's a good idea to have an essentials bag on you (with sunscreen, any immediate medications you need, anything to keep you occupied) that they won't take off you.

33. Don't just go for the cheapest deal

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As you've gathered from this list of amazing cruise ships, there are so many different options and experiences you can have, and even though we know cruises can get expensive, going for the cheapest deal might not be the right ship for you. You might be thinking they're all going to the same place with the same stops so it doesn't really matter, but different ships will offer quite a different experience. It might be better to invest more money in a ship that's perfectly suited for what you want! The things that can vary include the dining experience and the onboard entertainment.

34. You won't be 'bored while trapped at sea'

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One of the reasons a lot of people say cruises don't appeal to them is that they don't like the idea of being stuck on a ship whilst traveling so much out at sea and think they'd get bored waiting to travel from port to port. Nothing could be further than the truth - and it's often hard to realize just how big these ships are when you haven't been on one before (though we hope this list helped!). There will be no shortage of entertainment. Even with a week's trip on a cruise you might not see everything it has to offer. There are parties, pools, entertainment shows, cinemas, more than one restaurant, dance parties, kids clubs... you name it.

35. Be prepared for the dress code

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We know how stressful it is trying to get your clothes organized before a vacation and making sure you've washed all your underwear in time - but for a cruise, it's about to get a lot harder! This isn't just about rolling as many t-shirts as you can into your suitcase, because a lot of cruise ships have a strict dress code, and for dining specifically. For meal times you might be expected to wear formal outfits, like dresses or suits, or at the very least a smart shirt. You won't be able to go casual with shorts and flip flops, so always check your particular cruise's dress code before you go!

36. Avoid cruise souvenirs

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The cruise ship is as much as part of your vacation as the countries you visit, and in the moment, it's tempting to buy souvenirs like mugs with your face on, or that nice picture from the professional cruise photographer. To save yourself time and money, avoid any gimmicky souvenirs on the ship (unless you really, really want one!). There are enough people on the ship to be able to ask a kind stranger to take a nice photo of you with a sea view, and you'll be best spending your money in the places you actually visit and make port at.

37. Don't dismiss all-inclusive

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The amazing thing about cruises can often be the amount of dining options, including restaurants backed by celebrity chefs on board. The trouble is, all that food and drink you're going to need during your trip can get very expensive, especially for a family. All-inclusive, while it might seem like a huger sum upfront, can often be the best option when you think about the amount of food and drink you're going to need throughout the days. Be sure to compare fares before you book to see about all-inclusive dining options.

38. Book your cabin based on sea sickness levels

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If you have really bad sea sickness you're probably not considering going on a cruise in the first place, but sometimes you might think it's worth the risk, or maybe you don't even know how bad you'll get it before you board. If you're worried about feeling a little queasy, the best thing you can do is choose your cabin based on where you think your tummy will be most settled! A good option is a cabin as high as you can go, as this will be less hard to stomach than a cabin very low down. Cabins in the middle of the ship can also be better than front or bad, so top center is a good way to go if you can get it!

39. Booking for activities is essential

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It's true that cruise ships have a wealth of attractions and things going on all of the time, and they do give off the vibe of going with the flow, wandering about and enjoying the view. While that's true if you want a relaxed vacation, it's not so true if you're looking to do as many on board activities as possible. There are a set number of people sailing on the ship that all have the same idea as you - and there's no enough room for everyone to just wander up when they feel like it. So if there's something you really want to do, like certain restaurants at a certain time or party activities, book in advance!

40. You might actually be able to bring your own food

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If you're worried about the dining options on board because you don't want to pay for all inclusive, or if you have very strict dietary requirements that you think will be a pain to deal with with the onboard food, there are certain ships that will let you bring your own food on board. You need to check in advance which ones do, and then you can pack as much as you can to take with you. When you make stops at ports and day trips, you can then buy more food at grocery stores or whilst out and about to take back onto the ship with you.

41. Check about tips

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Some cruise lines will have tips included in the price that you pay at the time of booking, which means the hard-working staff will have their tips included in your booking fee. Not all cruises will do this, though, and it should tell you at the time of booking whether the price includes on board tips or not. If not, there might be an expectation to tip your servers and all other cruise workers while you're on board, so it pays (literally) to know beforehand whether that's the case. You're always welcome to leave extra tips at the time even if it was included in your booking fee, too.

42. You can do laundry on board

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Nobody wants to have to think about doing laundry while trying to enjoy a vacation, but if you're going for a long time and you packed light - or you spilled something on that shirt you were going to wear for formal dinner - the good news is that a lot of cruise ships will have a laundromat on board so that you can do your own washing. Or, there will be a much more expensive service to have it washed and folded for you by the cruise staff. It's worth checking before you choose which ship to book whether they offer this service, if you think you'll need it!

43. You might be able to bag a last minute upgrade

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We know that feeling of lamenting that you didn't get a bigger room or wondering whether it's going to be enough based on what you booked. You can only do so much as your budget allows, but that doesn't mean you can't actually get those luxury extras last minute if they become available. Cruises will often offer upgrades at a much lower price close to departure date if certain rooms or things haven't been booked up. This could be a room upgrade to one with a balcony, a bigger bed or things like complimentary spa experiences.

44. Boarding late can actually be a good thing

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We don't mean so late that you risk missing the ship - because believe us when we say it will leave without you - but unlike heading to the airport, earlier is not necessarily better. Boarding for a cruise ship can be very hectic when everyone arrives at once, which is usually very early because people think they need time to get on board. Sometimes, arriving more towards your booked arrival slot rather than ridiculously earlier can be a good thing - both to help the boarding process, and to ensure you're not struggling through a crowd!

45. Hail room service!

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Sometimes you just can't be bothered to leave the room or get dressed for dinner, even on a cruise ship you've paid for. There might be the odd morning where you just want to take in the balcony view and avoid other people whilst staying in your pajamas. Luckily, most ships will offer room service. This could be an additional charge depending on the booking you made, but most of the time if you paid for all-inclusive with your meals included, this should include room service at no additional cost! It might mean much less choice of food you can have, of course, but perfect if you're not fussy.

46. Switch off data roaming

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Data roaming is a must when you're traveling and you want internet access, but no matter where in the world you're heading, you always know it's going to be costly. Well a cruise takes that to a new level. If you have your data roaming switched on all the time you're on board a cruise, it's going to cost you a fortune in your phone's internet bill. The good news is you shouldn't even need it switched on while on board the ship, because the WiFi they provide is good enough for emails and messages, and you can easily switch roaming on only for the times you're docked.

47. Bring your own medicines

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You never know what can happen on a vacation, and you don't want to be faced with the high prices of the on-board pharmacy when things come up! So prepare for anything by packing general medications in advance so that you have them without having to pay extra. This can be pain relief, tablets for sea sickness, medication for heartburn or nausea... even flu medicine. Anything you think you could be hit with on board your cruise that might ruin your vacation, pack for it in advance so you have it ready to go when you need it!

48. Get your 10k steps in: avoid elevators!

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These huge cruise ships of course have a bunch of elevators you can use, but our advice is not to use them at all! Unless you have mobility difficulties or any other reason that you can't walk that far, it's much better to walk everywhere you need to go. Not only is it an excuse for free exercise but it also means you can save time. That's because it actually takes longer than you'd think to wait for the elevators if you're using them all the time - because so many other people are using them, and this means they'll be full and crowded, too.

49. Check about your departure location

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When you're excitedly booking a cruise, you're likely focused on the cruise itself and where it's going to be taking you for the next week or two. But the docking location is the first and most important hurdle! Ships will depart from certain locations only - in your country, there might be only a few spots, and they might be a million miles away from you. Some cruises may also require you to take a flight to get there before you've even got on the ship, so you'll need to factor all that in, too - as getting to the departure port can add time and money onto your trip.

50. Take the time to appreciate the ship itself!

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As you've seen with this list of the biggest cruise ships, these things are truly works of art. To put it in perspective, the Titanic was half the size of some of these modern day cruise ships. While you're busy thinking about everything you need to pack and book, and then flitting from activity to activity whilst on board, don't forget to take the time to actually appreciate the design and existence of one of these huge ships! You can't fully appreciate it on photos like you can in person, so take some photos - and take it all in!