Passenger sea travel took off in the 19th century, driven by transatlantic migration and the demand for larger, faster and more luxurious vessels. From Brunel’s steamships to record-breaking cruise liners, each generation has reimagined the possibilities of ocean travel. Here, we rank 15 of the world’s largest passenger ships and explore their impact on travel, technology and maritime innovation.

Read on to discover our ranking of the world's biggest passenger ships...