In This Corner: A New Biggest Cruise Ship

The newest cruise ship to muscle its way to the “biggest” title enters the ring next Sunday, when it begins its first Western Caribbean voyage. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines says its Voyager of the Seas measures a record 142,000 tons, surpassing the next-biggest ship, the 109,000-ton Grand Princess from Princess Cruises.

The $500-million Voyager can carry up to 3,114 passengers (double occupancy)--also a record, the line says, beating 2,758 for Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Triumph and 2,600 for the Grand Princess. The ship claims other firsts as well: the high seas’ first rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink.

Athletes can also race around an in-line skating track or join more than 10 fitness classes. Of course, navigating the 14 passenger decks could be a workout in itself. Refueling stations include an outlet of the Johnny Rockets diner chain and about 10 other restaurants and dining rooms, plus pubs and bars.

There are also a 1,350-seat theater, a 10,000-square-foot spa, a casino and stores arrayed along a promenade down the ship’s spine. As of last week, there was still space on the ship’s maiden seven-day voyage, which departs from Miami and calls on Haiti’s north coast; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico. Fares are $1,999 to $6,999, double. Information: telephone (800) 327-6700.

Not surprisingly, a challenger is waiting in the wings. Last week, Cunard Line announced plans for an as-yet-unnamed “largest passenger vessel ever built” in 2003. At “more than 1,100 feet long,” it would exceed the 1,035 feet of Norwegian Cruise Line’s title-holder Norway (and also Voyager’s 1,012 feet). Cunard wouldn’t give a tonnage figure but claimed it would surpass Voyager’s.