Comparing Titanic vs biggest cruise ship in the world

When Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas launches, it will be the world’s largest cruise ship. Comparing it to the most famous ocean liner, the Titanic, highlights just how much cruise ships have evolved.

Icon of the Seas vs. Titanic

The Titanic, known for its tragic sinking in 1912, remains one of the most iconic ships in history. Despite advances in shipbuilding, many new cruisers still reference the Titanic when thinking about cruise ships. To put things in perspective, here’s how modern ships like Icon of the Seas compare to the Titanic.

Comparing Titanic vs biggest cruise ship in the world

Icon of the Seas

Size: Icon of the Seas is about five times the size of the Titanic. It measures 1,198 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 250,800. To put that in context, it’s nearly as tall as the Empire State Building if it were standing upright.
Facilities: Icon boasts seven pools, nine whirlpools, and a comprehensive water park. It offers 1,815 staterooms, including 179 suites, and has a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600.

Titanic

Size: Titanic was 882 feet 9 inches long and had a gross tonnage of 46,328 tons. It had nine decks.
Facilities: For its time, Titanic was a marvel, featuring a heated pool, gym, squash court, and Turkish bath. It could accommodate 2,453 passengers.

Comparing Titanic vs biggest cruise ship in the world

Construction Cost: Titanic was built at an estimated cost of $7.5 million in 1912, equivalent to about $400 million today. Icon of the Seas cost $2 billion to construct.
Passenger Experience: Titanic offered first, second, and third-class accommodations, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. Icon of the Seas has a more inclusive approach with high-tier suites offering exclusive amenities but without the class distinctions of the past.
Entertainment: Titanic’s evening entertainment included smoking rooms, billiards, and music. In contrast, Icon features full-scale shows, live music, and comedy performances across four distinct venues.

Ticket Prices

Titanic: In 1912, first-class fares ranged from £30 to £870, which would be roughly $100,000 to $345 in today’s money.

Icon of the Seas: Tickets for a 7-night cruise start at over $1,500 per person, with luxury suites costing up to $80,000 for a week.

Key Differences

In Comparing Titanic vs biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas represents a significant departure from Titanic’s era. Modern cruise ships like Icon focus on leisure and entertainment, with a wide range of activities and amenities. Unlike Titanic’s transatlantic voyages, today’s cruise ships offer pleasure cruises with diverse experiences and destinations.