Cruise ships often get a bad rap for being environmentally unfriendly. However, the industry is always striving to make its ships not only more fun and exciting but also better for the environment.
Back in 2016, Royal Caribbean announced it would be building a new class of ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The first of these vessels, Icon of the Seas, debuted in January 2024. However, it was far from the first LNG-powered cruise ship at sea — nor was Royal Caribbean the first to pioneer this new type of fuel.
AIDA Cruises was the first cruise line to explore LNG technology with the launch of AIDAnova in 2018. She was followed by Costa Smeralda in 2019. It wasn't until 2021, when Carnival's Mardi Gras set sail, that North America had an LNG-powered cruise ship homeported from the region.
Royal Caribbean Group finally joined the party with Silver Nova in 2023. Since then, the company has launched five LNG-powered ships, ranging from smaller luxury vessels to the world's largest cruise ships. They have more on the way, too.
As environmental impact is one of the cruise industry's biggest complaints, the transition from diesel fuel to LNG is a great step toward a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future for Royal Caribbean.
What is liquefied natural gas?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is one of the cleanest fossil fuels that can be used by cruise ships today. LNG is a natural gas that has been liquefied at around -260°F, reducing its volume by around 600 times compared to its gaseous state, which makes the gas much easier to store and transport.
When ships are LNG-fueled, their carbon emissions can be reduced by around 30%. Additionally, sulfur emissions are reduced by nearly 100% and nitrogen oxide emissions by around 85%.
Outside of producing fewer emissions, ships powered by LNG will have less wear and tear on the engine, resulting in fewer repairs and lower maintenance costs. LNG fuel is also cheaper than low-sulfur fuel, allowing Royal Caribbean Group to decrease fuel costs with LNG-powered cruise ships.
LNG is utilized in conjunction with many of Royal Caribbean’s other energy-reducing technologies, such as air lubrication, which sends microscopic bubbles along the ship’s hull to reduce friction as it moves through the ocean, and advanced waste heat recovery systems, which turn waste heat into extra energy.
Royal Caribbean has stated that they believe LNG, along with other advanced technologies, will result in further reduced emissions, virtually zero sulfur dioxides and particulates, and a reduction in the production of nitrogen oxides.
What LNG-powered cruise ships are owned by Royal Caribbean?
Today, Royal Caribbean has six LNG-powered ships in operation, ranging from Silver Nova to Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Mein Schiff Relax, and Silver Ray. Additionally, Legend of the Seas, which is expected to debut in July 2026, will also run on LNG fuel.
Silver Nova was the first LNG-powered ship to be launched by the company. The luxury vessel debuted in 2023. Other sustainable features include a micro auto gasification system and shore power capability, which allows the ship to shut down its main generators at select ports and plug into the onshore energy supply.
Additionally, Silver Nova received an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) rating of approximately 25% better than applicable International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements, according to Meyer Werft.
One year later, Icon of the Seas set sail. The Icon Class vessel was the first LNG ship built for Royal Caribbean International. During her construction, one of the earliest additions was the ship’s LNG fuel tank, measuring 307 tons and 90 feet long. She was followed by Silver Ray (2024).
In July 2024, Utopia of the Seas, the cruise line's third LNG-powered ship (and the only Oasis Class vessel that is powered by LNG), hit the high seas. After Utopia, Mein Schiff Relax (2025) for TUI Cruises and Star of the Seas (2025) joined the growing fleet of LNG-powered vessels.
Royal Caribbean's next LNG cruise ship is set to join the fleet in July 2026. In another milestone, the debut of Legend of the Seas will be the first time Royal Caribbean operates an LNG-powered ship in Europe (Royal Caribbean Group, however, is not new to LNG cruising in the region — Silver Nova's inaugural season was spent in the Mediterranean).
So, to recap, these are the following LNG cruise ships owned by Royal Caribbean Group:
- Silver Nova, Silversea Cruises (2023)
- Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International (2024)
- Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International (2024)
- Silver Ray, Silversea Cruises (2024)
- Mein Schiff Relax, TUI Cruises (2025)
- Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International (2024)
- Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International (2026**)
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