Biggest Luxury Liner

The Allure of the Seas and the Oasis of the Seas are the biggest luxury liners in the world. Both have a gross tonnage of 220,000 GT. Both are 1,187 ft long. Their beams are 208 ft. They both have a capacity of 6,296. There are reports the Allure is 50 mm longer than the Oasis. According to its owner Royal Caribbean International, the disparity is just due to ship temperatures.

Facts about the Oasis Class of Ships

Both liners were ordered in 2006. The Oasis was finished and delivered October 28, 2009. The Allure was delivered in October 2010. Following their construction, the Oasis class passed the Freedom class as the world’s biggest ships. The Oasis class is 69 feet longer compared to the Independence of the Seas. The Oasis class is also 26 feet wider.

The biggest luxury liners were constructed by STX Europe. In 2008, the company declared that the two Oasis class ships would be stationed at Port Everglades, Florida.

The Allure of the Seas

Built under the code name Project Genesis, the keel was set down on 2 December 2008. The Allure departed from the Turku shipyard on 29 October 2010. The vessel proceeded to Port Everglades at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The vessel is fitted with telescoping funnels, allowing it to go below bridges. The clearance is 2–3 meters (6.6–9.8 ft) at the mean water level.

The MS Oasis of the Seas

Like her sister ship the Allure, the Oasis has several amenities. Its luxury suites and two-story loft suites measure 1,600 sq ft (150 m2). The liner has night clubs, a small golf course and a casino. Other amenities include a zip line and theme parks. The Oasis also has a comedy club, basketball courts and lounges.

The name of the Oasis was selected following a contest that was held. During the initial float out, the vessels were unable to pull it out. This led to some minor damage to the port side. However, they were repaired and did not have any lasting effect. This incident did not result in any delays of its delivery either.

Comparison with Other Ships

In terms of gross tonnage, the nearest competitor now is the Norwegian Epic at 155,873 GT. The Liberty of the Seas, the Freedom of the Seas and the Independence of the Seas all have a 154,407 GT.

The biggest luxury liners in the world were built at a cost US$1.24 billion (900 million Euros each). They are the most expensive commercial ships ever made.