What Is the Length of a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes, depending on their purpose. The length of a cruise ship is usually measured in gross tonnage or by the number of decks. A gross tonnage measurement is the total internal volume of a vessel, which includes cargo space, lounges, and other areas that are not accessible to passengers. Gross tonnage measurements range from as small as 5,000 tons to as large as 230,000 tons.

The average cruise ship measures between 70-100 thousand gross registered tons (GRT). The largest cruise ships can measure up to 225 thousand GRT. Cruise ships with a GRT of over 100 thousand are typically considered to be megaships. Megaships offer a wide variety of activities and amenities such as casinos, lounges, spas, swimming pools, and multiple restaurants.

In addition to measuring by gross tonnage, the length of a cruise ship can also be determined by the number of decks.

Generally speaking, the more decks on a cruise ship, the longer it will be. Most modern cruise ships have nine or more decks with some larger vessels having up to twenty-two decks.

Cruise ships also vary in length depending on their purpose. For example, river cruises tend to be much smaller than ocean cruises since they must navigate through shallow waterways and locks. River cruises usually measure less than 100 meters long while ocean cruises can range from 200-360 meters long.

Overall, the length of a cruise ship varies greatly depending on its purpose and size. Smaller vessels tend to measure between 5-100 thousand GRT while larger vessels can reach up to 225 thousand GRT with some having up to twenty-two decks. Cruise ships also vary in length depending on their purpose with river cruises typically being much smaller than ocean cruises.

Conclusion:
What Is the Length of a Cruise Ship? Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes and vary in length depending on their purpose and size – ranging from 5-225 thousand Gross Registered Tons (GRT) with some having up to twenty-two decks – with river cruises usually being much smaller than ocean cruises.