Ezra Lebourgeois - Royal Caribbean International is by far and away the leader when it comes to the world's most expensive cruise ships, operating most of the top 10, including the whopping Allure and Oasis of the Seas. Ship-technology.com presents the costliest cruise ships ever built.
Allure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas is the most expensive cruise ship in operation. It is the latest cruise ship in the Oasis class, owned by Royal Caribbean International. About $1.4bn was incurred in the building this world class cruise ship. Allure of the Seas is the largest passenger ship ever constructed, stretching just two inches longer than its sister ship Oasis of the Seas. Allure of the Seas accommodates 6,296 guests as well as 2,384 crew members, and is loaded with features such as the first on-board Starbucks, a 1,380-seat theatre and ice skating rink.
Oasis of the Seas
The Oasis of the Seas of Royal Caribbean is the second costliest ship. The vessel entered service in December 2009. It was built by STX Europe (formerly Aker Yards) in Turku, Finland, at a cost of about $1.24bn. The Oasis of the Seas cruises Caribbean from its home port of Port Everglades in Florida. The ship offers an array of passenger features such as luxurious staterooms, a zip-line, a casino, a miniature golf course, night clubs, bars and lounges, Pool and Sports Zone, Entertainment Place and theme parks.
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) spent approximately $1.2bn on its new cruise ship Norwegian Epic. The cruise ship truly represents the "freestyle cruising" concept introduced by NCL. The Epic accommodates 4,100 passengers served by 1,753 crew.
The Norwegian Epic sails to the destinations in Caribbean and Europe. It offers more than 20 dining options, studio rooms for solo travellers and world-class live entertainment, fitness and sports facilities, aqua park, pools and hot tubs.
Disney Fantasy
Disney Fantasy is the fourth cruise ship in the expanding fleet of Disney Cruise Line. The ship was constructed at an estimated cost of $940m by Meyer Werft shipyards in Papenburg, Germany. The onboard facilities were exclusively designed to cater to families. The ship cruises on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages. The 1,250 staterooms spread across the 14-deck vessel accommodate 4,000 passengers and more than 1,450 cast and crew members. The cruise ship features a magnificent three-deck atrium lobby, sweeping grand staircase, marble and stone inlay floor, fluted columns, lavish decorative murals and paintings.
Disney Dream
Disney Dream owned by Disney Cruise Line cost nearly $900m to build. The cruise ship was put into service in 2011 and now sails to the Bahamas. It offers 1,250 staterooms accommodating 4,000 guests and more than 1,458 crew. The cruise ship gives a glimpse of early 20th-century design as well as cruise-industry first features such as the AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea. Disney Dream boasts of being a true family cruise liner offering one-of-a-kind venues and experiences for each member in the family.
Queen Mary 2
Queen Mary 2 (QM2) is a flagship and transatlantic ocean liner of Cunard Line. Built at a cost of more than $880m (£550m), QM2 is Cunard's only transatlantic ocean liner operating between Southampton and New York, after the retirement of Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2008. Queen Mary 2 also sails on an annual world cruise. The transatlantic ocean liner carries 2,620 passengers and 1,238 crew members. It features 1,347-seat Britannia Restaurant, 200-seat Queen's Grill, Royal Court Theatre, Winter Garden, 14 bars and clubs and health and fitness facilities.
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