Cruise Ships vs. Ocean Liners Today, we shall be comparing the modern cruise ship with the Edwardian ocean liner. Yes, they ware intended for different markets. With the exception of the Queen Mary, ocean liners were designed to transport people from one country to another. Cruise ships are designed to provide a fun place to go during the holidays. But due to their similarities in construction, design, and evolution, I shall be comparing them together... Safety Modern cruise ships win on this one. Better lifeboat technologies, crew management, lifeboat drills, extensive planning, and watertight compartments ensure a modern cruise ship does not easily sink. SOLAS regulations have also ensured that modern cruise ships are safer than ever before. 6/10 Ocean liners 9/10 Cruise ships Luxury The old ocean liners definitley win on this catagory. You would be lucky to get hand-crafted ornate mahoghany walls and an ultra-large smoking room on today's cruise ships. Also, modern cruise ships imitate the interior of a shopping mall. With tons of shops, takeaway venues, noisy people, and flurescent lights. Balconies are cheaper though, with the sacrifice in style. Meanwhile, ocean liners are mirrored on the warm, relaxing, and enjoyable lifestyles of yesteryear. 9/10 Ocean liners 7/10 Cruise ships Style Once again, the ocean liners remain triumphant. The top-heavy look on today's modern cruise ships lag far behind the sleek, elegant lines of ocean liners. Modern cruise ships look like huge warehouses stacked onto each other, ocean liners look much better. The interiors of ocean liners combine different styles from different periods, from medieval styles to then-considered modern styles. Passengers can choose which style of cabin they want, with a suitable price according to their option. The public areas fo the ship may be decorated in various styles depending on the ship-builder's preferences. In short, modern ocean liners have bare walls and ugly exteriors. However, the design of modern ocean liners are also somewhat more practical. These may include easier access routes and shortcuts. 8/10 Ocean liners 5/10 Cruise ships Options Hard to decide, a clear indication that they are both meant for diffferent markets. An ocean-liner would have more "luxurious" options, such as a smoking room, bar, cinema, grand dining room, indoor gymnasium, turkish baths, card room, library, and reading room. Cruise ships would have different options, focusing more on "fun" than "luxury". These would include Internet cafes, takeaway shops, a cinema, small cheap restraunts, bars, night clubs, and discos. In other words, cruise ships would appeal to those who like to do things fast and cheap. It all depends on your preferences. 7/10 Ocean liners 7/10 Cruise ships Cabins Again, very similar. Most modern ocean liners have cabins which feature balconies. Many ocean liners do not feature balconies. All ships also offer window-accessible cabins at an extra cost. Modern cruise ships have smaller cabins, similar to the size of a second-class suite on the Titanic. In terms of aesthetic appeal, the cabins imitate that of third-class on the Titanic. 7/10 Ocean liners 8/10 Cruise ships Food Depends on the passenger's preferences. Cruise ships offer quick cheap meals to satisfy today's fast-paced lifestyle. Think of McDonalds, ice cream venues, and small cafes. Ocean liners offer extensive courses of rich expensive meals, complete with live music and waiters. These can take up to three hours to finish. The dining rooms are huge grandoise rooms and are suitable for friendly socializing. The dining rooms of modern cruise ships are small and efficient. Luxury is almost non-existent. There's no live music here, only the latest songs from the ship's stereo or radio are available for listening. That is, if you like that sort of stuff. But keep in mind that you can also get the same thing from a cheap takeaway shop in the middle of the sprawling city. 8/10 Ocean liners 7/10 Cruise ships Atmosphere As I said a few paragraphs before, it all depends on your preferences. In short, ocean liners offer live music, natural lighting, and a rich formal atmosphere. Modern cruise ships offer cheap takeaway shops, stores, and artifical fluroescent lighting. If you're prefer an affordable, efficient, no-frills lifestyle then a cruise ship is the one for you. If you would rather prefer something more comfortable and relaxing, an ocean liner would be the better bet. 8/10 Ocean liners 7/10 Cruise ships Other factors For men, an ocean liner generally requires you to dress in appropriate formal-wear, such as a lounge suit. This may appeal to some people. However, this does not matter inside a cruise ship, as anything goes. Just don't turn up naked. 8/10 Ocean liners 8/10 Cruise ships And totaled up, the scores are... 61/80 Ocean liners 58/10 Cruise ships Gosh, that was closer than I expected!
Mildly random, but OK, I'll bite. This is my favorite subject If you don't mind me disputing you.... I must disagree in a few respects. First understand that I love the ocean liners, but keep this in mind.... The smaller cabins found on cruise ships can be very small, much like a stateroom on Titanic may have been. But these ships are generally the older ones that were later converted into cruise ships, which were originally ocean liners. Most new ships today have rooms that are far larger than all but Titanic's Millionaire Suites. Oh--Titanic's second class didn't have suites, rather, they had berths and staterooms. In terms of style, it was only toward the beginning of the century that a variety of styles were used. Toward the 1930s, it became more common to put a ship in entirely one theme (during this time period, Art Deco). However, later in the century, someone decided to throw together different styles again and didn't do it so well. The company became known as Carnival Cruiselines As far as lighting is concerned, fluorescent lamps were worked into the Queen Mary's indirect lighting scheme. One final thing to remember... in Ocean Liners of the day, such as Titanic, most of the cabins didn't even have a private bathroom. Thus, even the best and most expensive accomodation of the day sometimes would barely meet a decent hotel by today's standards. Just my take on it, John
Thanks for the feedback. I've never personally travelled on any ship before so I guess I don't have much to compare anything with.
LOL, that's OK. I've never traveled shipboard either. But I want to Actually, I intend to pursue a career in ship design when I get out of college. The only reason I know about this is because I've spent the past three or four years researching ships... lol -John
I would though have to disagree on the safety of most modern day cruise ships. Take example would be the Carnival Destiny. A ship of her size has several dozen compartments (i think in the 20s) however she could only have two compartments flooded before she would list and/or sink. That's far less than what the Titanic could do.
