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Introduction
A cruise ship is a passenger ship used for recreational and leisure voyages, in which the journey
itself and the onboard amenities, attractions, activities and entertainment options are integrant part of
the cruise experience.

The rapid growth and specialization process experienced by the cruise industry in the last decades
has also affected the design and general aesthetics, materials, size and overall onboard functionalities,
equipment and amenities of modern cruise ships and recreational vessels to satisfy a clientele more and
more numerous and sensitive to quality, who demands the most diversified services with assurance of
satisfaction and excellence, while providing solutions to the growing concerns about the cruise industry’s
environmental impact on marine and coastal communities and ecosystems.

Nowadays, every continent and region on Earth can be visited onboard a cruise or recreational ship,
including the most exotic, faraway places and secluded destinations.

In the same way, and along the last years, a good number of vessels managed by companies and
organizations unrelated to the cruise industry have been redesigned or adapted to offer cruise services to
passengers looking for unconventional experiences.

Different Types of Water Transportation

There are many types of water transport, including barges, ships, ferries, tug boats, rigs and sailboats. 

 Vessels used for water transport may serve several purposes, but they are primarily used to move people
and goods across bodies of water such as oceans, lakes, canals and rivers.

 Water transport ships vary widely in size and carrying capacity; some may seat two or three people,
while others carry large quantities of oil and other consumer products.

 Water transport is commonly used by the maritime industry, which includes several sub-categories.

 Freight and cargo transportation, passenger boats such as charters and ferries, and commercial fishing
are all categories within the maritime industry, and rely on watercraft for water transportation.

 Some water vessels carry only people, and others transport primarily cargo, while others transport both.
Ferries, for instance, might carry people and luggage, possibly even cars, to their destinations.
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 Fishing boats bring fishermen and women out to open waters to fish, and typically have storage capacity
to bring back catch.

 Some water transport vessels also process materials and goods in addition to moving them from one
place to the next. An example is catcher-processing fishing ships, which prepare fish and seafood for
sale on the market at their final destination.

The different types of vessels and ships designed to provide cruise and excursion services in seas, oceans, rivers
and lakes all around the world.

Mainstream Cruise Ship

The most common and known type of cruise ship, marketed to suit the
needs of the majority of passengers, with all sorts of standard resort
features.

Mega Cruise Ship

A mega cruise ships are able to accommodate more than 5,000
persons, and they are currently the largest and more sophisticated
vessels in the world.

Ocean Cruise Ship

Ocean cruise ships are built to the most exacting standards to withstand
the harsh conditions of ocean voyages in long and world cruises.

Luxury Cruise Ship

Luxury cruise ships are equipped with the most sophisticated and
technologically advanced nautical systems, high standard
features and luxurious comforts.

Small Cruise Ship

Cruise ships with a capacity up to a few hundred passengers onboard,
offering more intimate and relaxing experiences in less familiar
destinations.
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Adventure Cruise Ship

Adventure cruise ships are designed and equipped to provide services that
include visits of remote destinations, most commonly inaccessible to larger
vessels.

Expedition Cruise Ship

Specially designed ships, or adapted research or icebreaker vessels,
operated by specialized companies to offer their customers an
exclusive experience in remote destinations.

River Cruise Ship

River cruise ships have a capacity for no more than a few hundred
passengers, and are specially designed to navigate rivers and inland
waterways.

Cruise and Ferry Safety

Passenger ships must comply with all relevant IMO (International Maritime Organization) standards,
including safety regulations and requirements for the prevention of pollution from ships.

The Titanic disaster of 1912 led to the first SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) treaty being adopted and there
have been many revisions to regulations since then, both in response to major incidents and as a result of a pro-
active approach to keeping the regulations up-to-date.

The SOLAS treaty applies to passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers on international voyages.
But IMO has also been working with countries to address the safety of so-called non-SOLAS ships, including
developing model legislation and guidance. 

Enhancing Passenger Ships' Environmental Performance

Cruise ships today can carry more than 5,000 passengers and crew. All passenger ships must comply with
IMO MARPOL regulations for the prevention of pollution from ships.

For cruise ships,

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(MARPOL  Annex V) the correct disposal of garbage and

(MARPOL  Annex IV) treatment of sewage is vitally important.

(MARPOL  Annex VI) Passenger ships must also comply with all relevant energy efficiency and air pollution
requirements.

Training for Seafarers and Other Personnel Onboard Passenger Ships

Seafarers and other personnel on board passenger ships have a role to play in ensuring passenger safety.
IMO regulations in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers (STCW) and its related STCW Code require seafarers and other personnel working on passenger ships to
have specific safety and emergency training.

Persons with designated responsibility for the safety of passengers in emergency situations must
complete approved training in crisis management and human behavior.

Crew responsible for embarking and disembarking passengers, for loading, discharging or securing cargo,
or for closing hull openings on board ro-ro passenger ships, must complete approved training in passenger
safety, cargo safety and hull integrity.

Domestic Ferry Safety

Domestic ferry operations play a crucial role in the movement of people and goods in the region and
sometimes represent the only possible or reasonably affordable means of transport. While the regulations for
passenger ship safety in IMO's International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) do not generally
apply to passenger ships on domestic voyages, but many countries base their regulations on the IMO standards. 

IMO has issued a set of GlobalReg standards, a comprehensive modular set of standards comprising
harmonized regulations and model national legislation applicable to non-convention ships.

Maritime Industry Authority

The Philippines' Maritime Industry Authority, abbreviated as MARINA, is an agency of the Philippine
government under the Department of Transportation responsible for integrating the development, promotion and
regulation of the maritime industry in the Philippines.

Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is an armed and uniformed service tasked primarily with enforcing
laws within Philippine waters, conducting maritime security operations, safeguarding life and property at sea, and
protecting marine environment and resources; similar to coast guards around the world. The Coast Guard also
serves as an attached service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in wartime.

Top Cruise in the World

BIGGEST CRUISE SHIPS IN THE WORLD

The international cruise industry is expanding rapidly. It shows no signs of slowing down
anytime in the near future. The world will be witnessing some of the largest and most technologically
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advanced cruise ships in the year 2019. Here we have a list of the world’s largest cruise ships, ranked
in terms of their gross tonnage and passenger capacity, among others in 2019.

10. Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of the 168,028-gross-ton Norwegian Bliss in April 2018. Norwegian
Bliss, the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history, is the first
cruise ship specifically designed with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruising experience.

Norwegian Bliss offers guests a choice of excitement and relaxation with the many onboard activities and
restful areas. From a race track and multi-loop water slide to the incredible Mandara Spa with its soothing Thermal
Suite, Norwegian Bliss has it all. Add to that over 19 different included and specialty dining options to tempt any
taste buds and a diverse selection of entertainment across several genres and venues.

9. Ovation of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruises’ third Quantum-class ship, Ovation of the Seas, was launched in February
2016 and entered service on 14 April 2016. 

Featuring 16 passenger decks, the Meyer Weft-built vessel can accommodate a maximum of 4,905 guests
in 2,090 staterooms. Aboard Ovation of the Seas, in addition to North Star, the ship hosts a lounge with a bar and
dance floor, SeaPlex multifunctional venue, whirlpools, H2O Zone kids’ water park, a casino and a 220ft outdoor
poolside movie screen, among others.

8. Anthem of the Seas

The Anthem of the Seas, a sister vessel of Quantum of the Seas, has a gross tonnage of 168,666 and
measures 348m in length and has a maximum beam of 49.4m.

With 20 passenger-accessible decks, Anthem of the Seas can serve up to 4,905 passengers at a time,

offering 1,570 balcony staterooms, 147 ocean-view staterooms, and 373 inside staterooms.

7. Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas is the first of three cruise ships in the Quantum-Class. The 168,666
GT cruise ship was constructed by Meyer Werft and made its inaugural journey from New Jersey in November
2014.
With 16 passenger decks, Quantum of the Seas can house a total of 4,180 passengers in double
occupancy, while the maximum guests the vessel can serve is 4905.

6. MSC Meraviglia
MSC Meraviglia is 315 metres long, 43 metres wide and 65 metres high, measuring 171,598 GRT. Since
she came into service in June 2017, MSC Meraviglia has been making waves in the cruise and tourism industry and
has been collecting prestigious awards for her superior product. The ship is now also awarded for her state-of-
the-art Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) management.

5. AIDA Nova
AIDAnova by AIDA Cruises is world’s first cruise ship that can be powered at sea and in port by liquefied
natural gas (LNG). The AIDAnova has over 2,600 passenger cabins, with a gross tonnage of about 183,900 GT, a
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length of 337 metres and a width of 42 metres. AIDAnova is the first ship of the so-called Helios class that MEYER
WERFT builds for the cruise line AIDA CRUISES.

4. Oasis of the Seas

The first vessel in the Oasis-class cruise ships of Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas, was the largest cruise
ship when it entered the service in 2009. 

With 16 passenger decks, the vessel has the capacity to accommodate 5,400 passengers at double
occupancy and serve a maximum 6,296 passengers. For its guests, Oasis of the Seas will offer options from two-
story loft suites and luxury suites with balconies.

3. Allure of the Seas

Another 362m-long Oasis-class cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, stands third after her sister vessel on the
list. Built at the STX Europe shipyards in Turku, Finland, Allure of the Seas is the second Royal Caribbean cruise
ship in the Oasis-class series. Delivered in October 2010, Allure of the Seas has the capacity to house 5,400
passengers at double occupancy.

2. Harmony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-Class vessel, Harmony of the Seas, is currently the world’s second-biggest cruise
ship. Built by STX France at its Saint-Nazaire shipyard, the third vessel in the series, Harmony of the Seas, was
delivered in May 2016.

Features 2,747 staterooms with virtual balconies, this biggest vessel is capable of accommodating 5,479
guests at double occupancy.

1. Symphony of the Seas

The 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Symphony of the Seas is currently the world’s largest cruise ship.
It is termed as the ultimate family’s vacation destination with bold lineup of energy-filled, heart-pumping
experiences.

References:
http://www.windrosenetwork.com/The-Cruise-Industry-Types-of-Cruise-Ships
https://www.reference.com/vehicles/types-water-transport-44d2516683b2e066
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/passengership/Pages/default.aspx
https://travel.usnews.com/cruises/best-cruise-lines-for-the-money/
https://www.marineinsight.com/know-more/top-10-largest-cruise-ships-2017/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_Industry_Authority
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Coast_Guard