The history of cruises began in the 19th century, when the British company P&O (later Princess Cruises) first offered tourists a vacation on board ships heading to Mediterranean destinations: then traveling by sea was a symbol of luxury and was available only to a select few.
With the advancement of technology and the advent of air travel, it seemed that the era of cruises was coming to an end. However, in 1972, Israeli entrepreneur Ted Erison came up with a radical new concept, making the ship itself the main attraction of the voyage – thus the idea of a new generation of cruise holidays was born, with the first Mardi Gras liner ushering in an era of mass cruise tourism with Miami as the unofficial capital of this destination. In the United States, cruises have become part of the national cultural heritage, which is confirmed by statistics: almost half of all cruise travelers are Americans.
Cruises as a reflection of cultural trends
The development of cruise holidays reflects changes in societal preferences and cultural aspirations: At a time when alcohol was banned in the U.S., "nowhere cruises" allowed Americans to enjoy freedom and fun on the high seas. The television series The Love Boat has been instrumental in popularizing cruises as the perfect way to spend a vacation by introducing viewers to a romantic and carefree lifestyle aboard a passenger liner. Due to its geographical location and historical connections, cruise travel has become popular in Europe, where some of the most innovative and unusual liners of our time are still produced today.
Costa Smeralda
The $950 million cost made the Costa Smeralda one of the most notable additions to the Costa Crociere fleet. Named after the picturesque region of Sardinia, this liner is imbued with the spirit of Italy in every detail: from design and materials to furniture, everything is made by Italian craftsmen. The Colosseum deserves special attention - a place for entertainment programs, the main pool with a spectacular glass roof and a museum where passengers can plunge into the world of Italian design and fashion of past decades. With dimensions of 337 meters and a height equal to 20 decks, Costa Smeralda can accommodate up to 6550 guests, offering them not only a water park and spa, but also many other luxury services and entertainment.
MSC World Europa
MSC World Europa is a $1.2 billion ship that brings together the sustainability of cruise travel. This liner impresses with its size: it has a length of 330 meters and 22 decks, accommodating more than 6700 passengers and 2000 crew members. In addition, MSC World Europa is considered the most environmentally friendly ship in the history of the company: on board there is a vegetable garden, from where the ship's restaurants get fresh vegetables and fruits, and a brewery, where guests can enjoy unique beers brewed right on the high seas. The liner runs on clean fuel sources, and the use of advanced eco-technologies emphasizes its status as the ship of the future. The interiors are designed in a futuristic style with an emphasis on LED lighting and geometric shapes, and the most striking attraction is the spiral slide with a length of 11 decks.
Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Jubilee, Carnival's newest ship, built last year at a cost of $950 million, is another majestic achievement in the cruise industry: it is 344 meters long and has a capacity of up to 8,500 people. On board there is everything you need even for the most demanding traveler: restaurants, bars, swimming pools, a spa, a theater and a club for evening entertainment. The sports complex on the upper deck, which combines a water park, places for team games and a rope park, deserves special attention. Adrenaline junkies can get a unique experience by riding a roller coaster right in the open sea air.
Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Viva, worth $850 million, is the epitome of an innovative approach to cruising holidays. The largest promenade deck among cruise ships in 2023, with an area of 4088 square meters, offers passengers unique views of the ocean, the sculpture garden and glass bridges over the water surface. Additionally, the liner is equipped with an outdoor three-level karting race track, water slides and an exclusive beach club with panoramic views and hot tubs.
VIP clients can enjoy privacy in a separate area with private elevators, lounges, restaurants and even a glass-walled sauna. With a modest length of 294 meters and a capacity of 3,200 passengers, it is smaller than other ships, but Norwegian Viva is definitely not inferior to them in terms of innovation and entertainment.
Icon of the Seas
In January 2024, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas set sail on its maiden voyage, marking a new era in the world of sea travel. The ship, worth over $2 billion, is considered the largest cruise ship to date, because in size it surpasses even the legendary Titanic by as much as 100 meters: the length of the Icon of the Seas reaches 365 meters, and its capacity is 7.6 thousand guests plus 2.5 thousand crew members.
The scale of the liner impresses not only with external parameters, but also with internal content: the upper deck offers visitors a unique amusement park, which includes six water slides, a rope park, a surfing simulator and many other attractions. But the variety of entertainment at Icon of the Seas is truly amazing: guests can enjoy ice skating, golfing, rock climbing, as well as try their luck at the casino. The amphitheater on the water deserves special attention - a spherical room with transparent walls and a water curtain more than 15 meters high.
