The Story of Cruise Ships Throughout History

Cruises today are a luxurious way for travellers to reach some of the most popular destinations around the world. This wasn’t always the case, however, as the first cruises were considered an option for the upper classes, and anyone who couldn’t afford the full ticket would ride below deck, and would have to bring their own food and necessities with them. The good news is that over the years cruise holidays have completely changed, and are now an accessible and attractive option for anyone keen to travel.



Between 1900 and 1920 taking a cruise was seen as a leisurely endeavour, rather than a simple means of transport. To go on a cruise was a great way to improve one’s health and as demand soared, the style of cruise ships changed. Electric lighting, live entertainment, viewing decks and comfortable cabins made the experience a pleasurable one. The grand "superliner" cruise ships were luxurious affairs, and popular with anyone who could afford the ticket. Accommodation on board was spacious and opulent, and every detail was aimed to cater for the wealthy on-board clientele. The cruise ships of this era emphasized passenger comfort and design over speed, which resulted in more stable ocean liners better able to withstand stormy seas and weather extremes. The White Star line introduced some of the most luxurious ships ever built, such as the Olympic and the Titanic, which offered tennis courts, swimming pools and other amenities.



The following twenty years saw cruise ships really come into the spotlight. The "golden age of cruise travel" heralded media interest in cruises and celebrities of the day would travel this way to all kinds of destinations. The ships also catered to wealthy American tourists interested in visiting Europe. These well-to-do tourists almost completely replaced the immigrant passengers that once travelled across the Atlantic on the cruise ships.



Between 1940 and 1960 World War II turned the world upside down and understandably cruise travel almost ground to halt. The great passenger ships were turned into warships to carry soldiers, and the companies who build the cruise liners were focused on creating necessary military transportation instead. Meanwhile, cruise companies in Europe were hugely popular with refugees fleeing to America, and ironically the cruise business there was therefore booming. These same European cruise lines continued to get all of the cruising business even after the end of the war, which led the U.S. government to subsidize the building of cruise liners. Towards the end of this time period, as air travel became increasingly popular, bankruptcies became common in the passenger cruise industry.



During the sixties the "pleasure cruise" era began, bringing in all manner of routes which included places like Jamaica and Mexico, with the focus being on leisurely all inclusive holidays. Replacing the formal, "dress for dinner" atmosphere that marked the early days of cruising, these new "fun ships" created a more casual, laid-back environment that appealed to people with all kinds of budgets.



Today cruise ships are not unlike floating holiday resorts, with the focus on the comfort and entertainment of passengers. The variety of facilities and activities on board is extensive enough to ensure everyone on board can be happily occupied during the journey, and itineraries now cover practically anywhere in the world. Cruises have shown passengers that it’s not just about the destination; the journey getting there can be just as much fun.