In the beginning, cruising was a means of intercontinental transportation. Ships were used to transport explorers, migrants, cargo, mail, and merchants–strictly point-to-point transportation. As you know, today, cruising has become synonymous with travel, vacation, and leisure.
Intercontinental transportation began to move toward leisure cruising in 1844 when Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (later known as P&O Cruises) advertised leisure cruises to the Mediterranean. The idea of leisure cruising was revolutionary–see the world from the comfort of a ship.
By the early 20th century, cruising had gained attention and was becoming a popular and comfortable way to travel. The very first ship built for luxury travel arrived in 1900. The German Hamburg-America Line made maritime history with the debut of the Prinzessin Victoria Luise. However, Cunard was the leader during this era with the launch of Queen Mary in 1936 and Queen Elizabeth in 1940, ships which would become some of the world’s most famous luxury ocean liners. These transatlantic ocean liners became a symbol of affluence while still transporting immigrants to the Americas.
World War II began to reshape cruising again as the ocean liners were repurposed to transport supplies and troops during this time. Due to war and other economic factors, many ships were lost, and leisure cruising became less popular.
The mid-20th century brought commercial airplanes. They were faster, more convenient, and becoming more affordable. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean could happen in hours instead of days or weeks. Intercontinental transport–the original purpose of ships–was no longer needed.
Shipping companies had to make a shift–cruising solely for pleasure. Cruise lines began selling the journey instead of transportation, offering floating resorts and fun experiences. The SS Oceanic was the leader. The ship was designed from the keel up at the Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico in Monfalcone, Italy, and debuted in 1965 as a cruise ship complete with outdoor pools, lounges, and air conditioning in the cabins. It featured a retractable pool roof called the Magrodome and became known as the “Ship of Tomorrow.”
From this point on, cruising was no longer just for the wealthy; middle-class families looking for a fun and adventurous vacation could cruise. The atmosphere onboard was more relaxed. All passengers could now enjoy the entertainment, the shuffleboard, the shows, and the theme nights.
The late 1970’s brought another twist, making cruising even more popular–The Love Boat. The show was set aboard a Princess Cruises vessel, Pacific Princess, and suddenly cruising was seen as a romantic, fun, and exotic option that was attainable for everyone.
Cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line began to build fleets that were all about fun and family. They had movie theaters, casinos, dance floors, dining rooms, and more. The cruise lines formed alliances with the airlines and began to headquarter in port cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Cruising was all about a round-trip vacation where you only had to unpack once.
Today, we have floating cities being launched by the same cruise giants of the 60’s and 70’s, along with others. These revolutionary vessels feature onboard waterparks, Broadway-style shows, ice skating rinks, high-tech casinos, multiple pools, and so much more. They will take passengers all over the world to some of the most famous and sought-after destinations imaginable. Cruise lines even have their own private destinations for passengers to enjoy.
Guests can choose a small expedition cruise or a mega ship with more than 6,000 passengers. Passengers can choose a trans-Atlantic cruise or a round-trip 3-day cruise in the Caribbean. Take the family, travel alone, or take an adults-only cruise. There are budget cruise lines, high-end luxury cruise lines, and everything in between.
Once it began, the magic of cruising has never been lost, just transformed into the experience cruisers enjoy today.