The largest cruise ships in the world are Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships.
Think Star of the Seas, Icon of the Seas and the newest ship, Legend of the Seas. Another ship, Hero of the Seas, is on order and is due to launch in 2027.
The world’s biggest cruise ships carry thousands of people and have 20+ decks.
You might be wondering how long it would actually take to walk from one end to the other.
What Counts As “One End To The Other”?
My timings are from bow to stern (front to back).
Ships like Icon of the Seas are long but also very tall, and walking straight from front to back isn’t always possible.
Obstacles, stairs, and layout will affect timing.
The Straight-Line Walk (Best Case Scenario)
If you are walking along a clear promenade or outer deck, expect the walk to take around five minutes at a steady pace.
It can feel surprisingly quick if you get an uninterrupted run.
It takes approximately 4 to 5 minutes to walk 365 meters across the ship at a moderate pace.
In Real-Life Situations…
Depending on the time of day, you are likely to find crowds, people stopping and chatting, and others taking photos. This can block up narrow walkways.
You will probably have to detour around pools, bars, and venues to get from one end to the other.
If you want to reach a venue at the other end of the ship, you might have to walk up lots of stairs or wait around for lifts/elevators.
This adds significantly to the time taken.
How Big Is The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship?
At the time of writing (May 2026), Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship.
Icon of the Seas statistics at a glance: Gross Tonnage: 250,800 GTs – Height: 75.6m (248ft) – Length: 1,198 feet – Width: 213 feet – Passenger Maximum Capacity: 7,600 – 18 guest accessible decks.
So that is around:
- 541 Captain Hudson Plushies stacked on top of each other.
- Over 17 London double-decker buses in a pile.
- Around 151 Capybaras in a big stack.
- 12 Adult (6-metre) Giraffes standing on each other’s heads (if that were even possible!)
- Around one and a half times as high as the Colosseum in Rome.
For more silly statistics about the world’s largest ships, read this article next:
The world’s biggest ships compared-to-cars-buildings-and-even-capybaras
How Long Does It Really Take?
A quick walk with no interruptions should take you about 4 to 5 minutes.
At a normal walking pace with lots of other guests around, you are probably talking eight to ten minutes.
On a busy sea day, on a ship sailing at full capacity, it might take fifteen minutes!
Why It Feels Bigger Than It Is
It’s not just length, it’s layout
There are multiple decks, split spaces, and indoor and outdoor routes.
You’re often going up, down, and around, not just straight across.
Does It Feel Far When You’re Onboard?
It doesn’t usually feel like a long walk, there are things to see wherever you go.
It is unlikely you will need to get from the front to the back in a rush without stopping, so it never feels like a long trek.
Tips To Get Around Faster
Use mid-ship lifts/elevators, then you won’t have to walk as far. It won’t matter which end of the ship you want to go to, you will always be starting in the middle.
Learn which decks run straight through from front to back, and which ones are partially blocked by bars/pools, etc.
Walk outside when possible to avoid crowds in tight spaces.
Avoid peak times if you’re in a rush
What If You Have Limited Mobility?
You are going to be doing an awful lot of walking if you book one of the largest Icon-class ships.
Facebook groups and forums suggest that if you have limited mobility, you would be sensible to hire a mobility scooter.
Royal Caribbean say:
We provide complimentary wheelchairs for getting on and off the ship. If you would like to have a wheelchair or scooter during the cruise, you are welcome to bring your own or rent one from a company that provides wheelchairs and scooter rentals for cruises:
Royal Caribbean International
Have a look at what I thought of Symphony of the Seas in the video below. She was the sixth-largest cruise ship in the world when I sailed on her.
Before You Go
Have a look at what the world’s biggest ships are in the article below – they aren’t cruise ships!
The World’s Biggest Ship Isn’t a Cruise Ship – Illustrated Size Comparison
Find out why most cruise ships fly foreign flags here:
Almost All Cruise Ships Fly Foreign Flags – Here Are Three Reasons Why
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