World’s Biggest Cruise Ship Clears Danish Bridge By 30 Centimetres

Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-vessel, Legend of the Seas, squeezed beneath Denmark’s iconic Great Belt Bridge with a razor-thin clearance of just 30 cm.

Footage of the crossing, released by Royal Caribbean, has gone viral, capturing the dramatic moment the world’s largest cruise ship slid under the massive steel-and-concrete structure.

Onlookers from the shore said that it seemed the vessel’s upper decks and Aquadome could touch the bridge at any moment.

While Royal Carribean cruise ships like Icon of the Seas and Allure of the Seas have undertaken similar crossings in the past, this one was unique because a 30 cm margin leaves no room for any mistakes.

Onshore staff continued to monitor wind, waves and tidal conditions till the ship passed from beneath the bridge.

The Great Belt Bridge links the Danish islands of Zealand and Funen, offering a clearance of roughly 65 m. However, Legend of the Seas stands at 70 m above the waterline.

The crew folded the ship’s retractable funnels to reduce its height from the top deck and filled the ballast tanks with water so it would sit lower in the water while calculating the perfect speed needed for this manoeuvre.

Legend of the Seas is the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Icon Class.

Built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the massive 250,800-gross-ton vessel stretches 1,198 feet in length and can accommodate up to 5,610 passengers at double occupancy.

Marketed as a “floating vacation district,” the ship boasts 8 distinct neighbourhoods, 7 pools, 28 dining options, and a waterpark.

It is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and has advanced waste heat recovery systems and shore-power connection capabilities.

This transit also shows the increasing logistical challenges modern cruise ships present for existing ports, shipyards, and bridges.

Legend of the Seas is now sailing toward Cádiz, Spain, for final technical adjustments and sea trials.