When the award-winning Surprise of the Seas made its debut in March 2022, it was the biggest cruise ship in the whole world. Now, although, the Royal Caribbean vessel has been surpassed by among the cruise line’s different ships.
Right here’s every little thing you’ll want to know in regards to the spectacular measurement of the large mega-resort at sea!
Simply How Huge is Surprise of the Seas?
Surprise of the Seas weighs in at 235,600 gross tons, which places it about 15,000 gross tons smaller than the most recent ships within the fleet, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
The ship can maintain near 7,000 passengers at absolute most capability, however at double occupancy, it sails with simply 5,734 company. There are 2,204 crew members, on common.


Surprise of the Seas Size
Surprise of the Seas is 1,188 ft (or 362 meters) lengthy — so it’s solely about eight ft off Icon class ships. This size is equal to only a bit longer than three soccer fields.
Surprise of the Seas Width
Surprise of the Seas is 215 ft large. Once more, when evaluating its width to that of the most important ship on this planet — these ships within the Icon class, which tie for largest — that places Surprise of the Seas at nearly 4 ft thinner.
Surprise of the Seas Top
Surprise of the Seas stands tall at 240 ft, with 18 complete decks, together with 16 passenger decks.
If it’s tough to think about simply how tall that’s, think about that it’s about 9% of the world’s tallest constructing, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It’s additionally a few fifth of the dimensions of the Empire State Constructing. The ship is equal in peak, although, to the Taj Mahal.
Surprise of the Seas Weight
Surprise of the Seas weighs 235,600 gross tons. Don’t consider gross tons as equal to 2,000 kilos, although. Gross tonnage is particularly a way of measuring cruise ship measurement and it refers to inside quantity quite than precise weight. A gross ton equals an inside quantity of 100 cubic ft.
How Does Surprise of the Seas Measure As much as Different Main Cruise Ships?
As talked about, Surprise of the Seas, which was constructed on the standard Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France continues to be one of many largest cruise ships on this planet, however it’s been surpassed by different Royal Caribbean vessels in recent times.


As of writing this text, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas tie for the business’s largest cruise ships, with Utopia of the Seas coming in subsequent, adopted by Surprise of the Seas.
Utopia of the Seas and Surprise of the Seas are each Oasis-class vessels, with Symphony of the Seas, the next-largest cruise ship, additionally in that class.
| Stats | Surprise of the Seas | Icon of the Seas | Utopia of the Seas | Symphony of the Seas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 235,600 | 248,663 | 236,473 | 228,081 |
| Size | 1,188 | 1,196 | 1,188 | 1,188 |
| Passenger Decks | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 |
| Whole Decks | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 |
| Most Visitor Capability | 6,988 | 7,600 | 6,988 | 6,680 |
| Whole Cabins | 2,867 | 2,805 | 2,834 | 2,759 |
| Crew Capability | 2,204 | 2,350 | 2,290 | 2,200 |
For years, Royal Caribbean has held the title of cruise line with essentially the most huge ships, and, with an increasing number of massive ships on order, that doesn’t appear like it’s going to alter any time quickly.
Is Surprise of the Seas Actually That A lot Greater Than Different Cruise Ships?
While you evaluate Surprise of the Seas to the opposite cruise ships inside its personal class, the sizes are pretty related. As a median cruiser, you’re not going to note that a lot of a dramatic distinction between Surprise of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas or Symphony of the Seas.
Nonetheless, for those who have a look at the subsequent class of Royal Caribbean ships, those that got here earlier than the Oasis class, you’ll undoubtedly see a giant loss in measurement.


Earlier than the Oasis Class, there was the Quantum Class, and the 5 ships in that class measure in at below 170,000 GT every — making for almost a 70,000 GT distinction.
The Quantum Class ships also can solely maintain round 4,000 folks at double occupancy, that means that for those who’re crusing at double occupancy on one in every of these vessels, you’re going to be touring with almost 2,000 fewer folks than for those who had been crusing on Surprise of the Seas at double occupancy.
So, sure, once you start taking a look at Surprise of the Seas as in comparison with cruise ships outdoors of its quick household, it’s very apparent simply how massive this vessel is.
Surprise of the Seas Capability – Passengers and Crew
Surprise of the Seas holds almost 7,000 passengers at most capability and 5,734 company at double occupancy. In case you had been carefully evaluating Icon of the Seas and Surprise of the Seas in our desk above, although, you’ll discover one thing attention-grabbing.
Regardless that Icon of the Seas is notably greater than Surprise of the Seas by gross tonnage, the latter can really maintain extra company total, if we’re simply speaking about double occupancy charges.


This is because of how the ships are laid out. Icon of the Seas dedicates extra of its house to suites, which frequently maintain extra than simply two passengers. Double occupancy charges, in the meantime, at all times assume that there are two folks in each single stateroom and suite on the ship.
As such, for those who’re placing two folks in every room on Icon of the Seas, you’ll have fewer folks than you’ll for those who had been to do the identical on Surprise of the Seas. Nonetheless, for those who put the utmost variety of folks in every stateroom on every ship, Icon of the Seas proves that it’s greater as soon as once more.
There are 2,204 crew members working Surprise of the Seas.
What About Lodging on Surprise of the Seas?
There are 2,867 staterooms on Surprise of the Seas, giving cruisers loads of choices once they’re reserving (although there are some Surprise of the Seas cabins you’ll particularly need to keep away from).
Breakdown of the Lodging on Surprise of the Seas
Whereas staterooms on Surprise of the Seas will be mainly damaged down into inside, ocean view and balcony staterooms, plus suites, there are some key variations and standout choices.
For instance, when taking a look at inside staterooms, you’ve choices resembling studio single cabins, designed for single cruisers; digital balcony cabins, supplying you with a real-time view of the ship’s exterior through a display alongside one wall; and inside cabins that overlook the Boardwalk, Promenade, and Central Park neighborhoods.


Then, there are additionally ocean view and balcony cabins which are designed with households and extra space in thoughts.
So far as suites go, you’ve your typical junior, grand and house owners suites, but in addition lofts and the crème de la crème: the Final Household Suite.
Now a Royal Caribbean favourite, it first appeared on Surprise of the Seas and was shortly lauded as among the finest suites within the business, with cool options resembling an in-suite slide, sport room, personal cinema and balcony with a whirlpool.
How is the Inside of the Ship Divided?
It’s been the case for years now that Royal Caribbean splits its ships right into a handful of neighborhoods, with particular person areas and decks themed round a sure exercise or vibe. Surprise of the Seas is damaged down into eight such neighborhoods.
Central Park
The aptly named Central Park is Royal Caribbean’s park-style setting, the place you’ll discover greater than 20,000 residing vegetation in a verdant, lush, brightly lit panorama — it’s arduous to consider you’re nonetheless on a cruise ship once you’re strolling by means of the Central Park neighborhood!


This neighborhood is dwelling to some eating, and also you’ll discover staterooms adjoining to and overlooking the park.
The Royal Promenade
The Royal Promenade is the bustling coronary heart of all exercise on a Royal Caribbean ship, and it’s lined with procuring, eating, leisure and extra.


In case you’re ever bored throughout a cruise (unlikely) and unsure what to do together with your time subsequent, head to the Royal Promenade and also you’re positive to seek out one thing enjoyable to catch your fancy.
The Suite Neighborhood
The Suite Neighborhood really made its first look on Surprise of the Seas (although you may as well discover it on ships that got here after Surprise of the Seas right now).


This neighborhood mainly adopted the development of making a VIP space for suite company solely. It consists of its personal plunge pool, solar deck and restaurant, and is a pleasant means for suite company to get pleasure from some facilities with none crowds.
The Boardwalk
With a boardwalk vibe (clearly), this neighborhood is dwelling to Johnny Rockets, Playmakers sports activities bar and the AquaTheater. In later ships, the AquaTheater will get its personal neighborhood, however for Surprise of the Seas, that is the place you’ll discover it.
The Pool and Sports activities Zone
Excessive up on the highest decks, the pool and sports activities zone is dwelling to a number of swimming pools, the Final Abyss dry slide, The Excellent Storm waterslides, the FlowRider after which the sports activities courts.


Leisure Place
You’ll discover the ship’s principal theater in Leisure Place, in addition to different venues, such because the Studio B ice rink and the Music Corridor.
The Youth Zone
The Youth Zone encompasses the Journey Ocean areas, in addition to the teenager golf equipment, resembling Social100. The Journey Ocean house is for kids ages 3 to 11 (with kids additional damaged down into three age teams).


The teenager areas are for youths 12-17, and embody each indoor and out of doors spots the place they’ll have some autonomy, but in addition entry to structured programming.
Vitality Spa and Health
Lastly, one other self-explanatory neighborhood on Surprise of the Seas, the Vitality Spa and health neighborhood is dwelling to the spa and health heart.
Closing Phrases
Whereas Surprise of the Seas is probably not the most important cruise ship on this planet any longer, it’s nonetheless fairly massive and, when it first debuted in 2022, it was a game-changer for Royal Caribbean, introducing options just like the suite neighborhood and the Final Household Suite, which have now turn out to be staples.


In case you’re questioning for those who ought to take a cruise on Surprise of the Seas, there’s little or no purpose not to take action. The ship continues to be very new, it affords tons to do, a lot of house and near-endless facilities.
The one time you may not choose a Surprise of the Seas cruise, I feel, is likely to be, firstly, for those who’ve already sailed on an Oasis-class ship and now you need to benefit from the greatest and finest Royal Caribbean affords proper at this second — by which case, I’d say ebook a visit on an Icon-class vessel.
Then, secondly, for those who don’t fancy crusing with 1000’s of different vacationers, you may search for a smaller ship. That mentioned, many agree that crowds are a minimal concern and, more often than not, cruisers are given sufficient house to unfold out.
So, weigh the professionals and cons and determine if this ship is best for you. In case you do, there’ll be loads of room ready for you.

