Before World War 2, the main means of international passenger travel was by sea. It was also the main means of getting post (letters, documents, parcels, etc) from one continent to another. Hence the name “mail ship”. After the war, with the rapid development of aircraft, sea travel was replaced by air travel. The main reasons for this were:

1. Jet travel is much faster and economical (cheaper);
2. Regional hostilities closed the Suez Canal which meant that vessels travelling eastwards had to take the long way round the Cape of Good Hope;
3. Passenger vessels, by their very nature, are labour intensive;
4. Good crews became increasingly difficult to find;
5. As a result of spiralling wage costs, operating costs increased considerably.

This did not, however, mean the demise of the passenger ship. Whilst the need to transport passengers over long distances from one place to another by sea ceased, shipping firms found that there was still a market for holiday cruises. To accommodate the new market, passenger ships were redesigned and developed into what could be termed mobile holiday resorts. The emphasis shifted from functionality to luxury. Cruise lines went to great lengths to cater for almost every conceivable need of the new type of passenger.

Design features.

1. The vessels became larger and more luxurious, carrying more passengers in greater comfort.
2. Since the “cargo” is self-propelled, there is no need for cranes or derricks. Passengers come aboard and go ashore via gangways.
3. The vessels are very expensive to build and maintain but they have a longer life than most other vessels.
4. Since the “cargo” comprises human beings, they require to carry far more fresh water than other commercial vessels.
5. To cater for the needs of passengers, they have far greater superstructure than other vessels and the internal space is divided into many compartments comprising cabins, recreational spaces, restaurants, cinemas, etc.
6. The communal spaces are usually located in the centre of the vessel where the movement is least.
7. The ships are fitted with stabilisers to reduce the movement of the vessel.
8. They are fitted with bow and stern thrusters to assist in berthing and turning the ship in small harbours.
9. As far as safety is concerned:
   • the ships are divided into a number of small watertight compartments to make them as unsinkable as possible;
   • non-flammable materials are used as much as possible in the construction of the interior of the vessels to reduce the fire hazard;
   • fire detection and drenching (sprinkler) systems are fitted throughout the vessels.
10. Whilst passenger vessels can move at a reasonable speed, there is no need for great speeds as was the case in the past.
11. Because of the “cargo”, passenger vessels produce a lot of dry waste (boxes, cartons, bottles, tins etc) and sewage. This can no longer be dumped at sea and provision has to be made to keep the litter and waste onboard until it can be off-loaded in port.

Passenger cruise ship Crystal Serenity.