The cruise ship industry is one of extremes, where everything is outsized. Since the early 2000s, passenger numbers have surged to 35 million in 2024. Shipowners are locked in a race for scale, each new vessel bigger, more advanced, and packed with ever more spectacular attractions - names like Icon of the Seas or World America set new global benchmarks.
Shipyards must constantly push engineering limits, delivering highly optimized ships under tight deadlines, where delays can cost millions per week. France stands out with Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, one of Europe’s largest yards. At peak activity, up to 10,000 people work simultaneously to build several ships a year, including the Celebrity Xcel, delivered in 2025.
