Resources on Small Cruise Ships

Small Cruise Ships

A cruise ship, or less commonly cruise liner or luxury liner, is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the amenities of the ship are considered an essential part of the experience.

Cruising has become a major part of the tourism industry, with millions of passengers each year as of 2006. The rapid growth of the industry has seen nine or more new-build ships catering to a North American clientele added every year since 2001.

The practice grew gradually out of the transatlantic crossing tradition, which despite the best efforts of engineers and sailors into the mid-20th century, rarely took less than about four days. In the competition for passengers, ocean liners added many luxuries — most famously seen in the Titanic, but also available in other ships — fine dining, well-appointed staterooms, and so forth.

Excerpt of "Cruise ship." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 30 May 2006, 05:57 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 31 May 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cruise_ship&oldid=55878206