How Many Passengers and Crew Can a Cruise Ship Hold?

By Anna Duncan

Cruise ships have become one of the most popular vacation options for travelers around the world and are known for their luxurious amenities and opulent decor. But one of the most important questions people ask when considering a cruise is how many passengers and crew can a cruise ship hold?

When it comes to passenger capacity, cruise ships can vary greatly in size, with some vessels capable of accommodating thousands of passengers. The largest cruise ships in the world, such as Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, can hold up to 6,687 passengers. The other end of the scale sees much smaller vessels such as Hurtigruten’s MS Roald Amundsen, which can carry only 530 passengers.

Cruise ships also have crew members onboard who are responsible for keeping everyone safe and comfortable during their voyage. The typical ratio is one crew member to every two passengers, so on a ship that holds 6,687 passengers there would be approximately 3343 crew members. Of course this ratio can vary depending on the size and type of ship.

Cruise lines also employ additional staff members such as chefs, entertainers, housekeeping staff and more. These employees typically live on board during their contract period but do not count towards passenger capacity as they are not considered “cruisers”.

Conclusion:

The passenger capacity of a cruise ship depends on its size but can range from 530 people to over 6,000 people. Additionally, each vessel has a crew complement that is typically double the number of passengers onboard. Cruises also employ additional staff members who live on board but do not count towards passenger capacity.