Where are ships built? 13 of the biggest cruising questions answered

Where are cruise ships built?

While Asia is the epicentre of shipbuilding when it comes to cargo and container ships, and the biggest shipyard in the world is in South Korea, almost all cruise ships are still built in Europe. Most are retrofitted and refurbished in Europe, too.

Most cruise ships are constructed by one of four big shipbuilding companies. They are Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France, Fincantieri in Italy, Meyer Werft in Germany, and Meyer Turku in Finland.

Italy has the lion’s share. A few cruise ships are also built in Portugal and Croatia.

Europe has retained this niche shipbuilding market because it requires a wide variety of specialised workers and sophisticated technology and design knowledge.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, 97 per cent of all cruise ships are now built in Europe, with new orders totalling €57 billion ($102 billion) on the books.

However, this might change, as construction costs in Europe are high and China is eyeing up the cruise-ship market. The first large cruise ship built in China, Adora Magic City, launched in early 2024 and several more will follow.

Space in shipyards has to be booked years in advance, and it typically takes between two and three years to build a large cruise ship.

What is a crossing of the line ceremony?

This initiation rite for cruise passengers who have never crossed the equator or the Arctic Circle is celebrated on some cruise ships, more often big, budget English-speaking ones.

It originated centuries ago as a means of entertainment and a morale booster for sailors who spent many months on tiny ships that were often (near the equator) becalmed in the doldrums. On navy ships, it often became an unpleasant hazing ritual.

On a cruise ship, the crew might dress up as pantomime characters such as mermaids or pirates. One is likely to be Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, who presides over the ceremony and summons passengers to his court.

Singing and silliness are involved. A ship’s officer might be thrown into the swimming pool. Passengers are usually sprinkled with water, have eggs cracked on their heads, or are asked to kiss a (dead) fish.

Certificates are handed out as souvenirs to commemorate the crossing of the line.

Those who haven’t crossed the line before are referred to as pollywogs, an American term for tadpole – although a racist term in the South Pacific that ought to be avoided. Those who’ve already crossed the line are shellbacks, referring to turtles.

Can I get compensation for a change to my itinerary?

Cruise lines don’t like to make changes if they can possibly avoid them because they cost money and irritate customers. Most itineraries are organised far in advance and the logistics of changes are difficult.

However, minor changes can sometimes be made. A port might be skipped owing to bad weather, or one added because of a medical emergency, for example.

Very occasionally itineraries might be altered so significantly they effectively become entirely new itineraries, or they might be cancelled entirely.

That usually happens in advance of your cruise, and guests will be informed. Reasons might include an unstable political situation or severe weather conditions such as a cyclone.

The terms of your cruise contract almost certainly state that no compensation is due for changes, only cancellations. You’ll be refunded only for shore excursions and flights booked through the cruise line, and perhaps for port taxes and fees if another port is not visited instead.

That doesn’t mean some good will mightn’t be shown, ranging from onboard to future cruise credits, a full refund, or a complimentary cruise. There’s no guarantee, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Ultimately, your own travel insurance is your fall-back position, depending on its small print.

What’s the difference between a boat and a ship?

If you refer to your cruise ship as a boat, prepare to be corrected by fellow passengers. But challenge them to explain the difference, and you’ll have them floundering.

Historically, ships had three masts and full rigging, but modern definitions are vague. Some say ships are vessels over 60 metres long or that weigh at least 500 tonnes.

Others say boats have little or no machinery or navigational systems, no through-fitted decks, and don’t require large crews to operate them.

Yet others maintain ships sail in deep waters and are capable of crossing oceans, while boats stick to coastal waters and rivers.

As for yachts, nobody seems to know what they are. Luxurious motorised cruise ships? Small boats with sails? You decide.

How much food is consumed on a cruise ship?

Let’s jump right in and look at the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, which carries 7600 passengers and 2350 crew.

Times that by three meals a day and that’s a whopping 208,950 meals over a seven-day cruise, prepared by 425 chefs in 23 galleys or kitchens.

On top of that, a cruise ship doesn’t want to run out of food and has to account for wastage, so the answer to how much food is consumed on board is: a lot.

During a seven-day cruise, passengers and crew will devour about 16,000 kilograms of potatoes, 5500 kilograms of flour, 6800 kilograms of beef, 9000 kilograms of chicken, 450 kilograms of lettuce and 120,000 eggs – including the eggs required for cooking and baking. All up, about 30 tonnes of food will be loaded onto the ship at the start of a week-long cruise.

The food supply system is one of the marvels of modern organisation not only because of its scale but because, unlike in restaurants on land, cruise chefs create different menus every day across multiple venues. They also have the added challenge of satisfying customers who come back night after night, which is something we’d never do in a regular restaurant.

What’s with all the cruise-ship jargon?

The maritime world is like any other. Sailors like to think they’re members of a special club, and jargon both demonstrates their expertise and subtly excludes others.

Cruise passengers like to get in on the act and pretend they’re salty old seadogs who know the difference between starboard (right-hand side of a ship when facing forward) and port (left).

Then there’s aft, from an Old English word meaning behind. Hard to know where it begins; you could have an aft cabin nearly mid-ship. The stern is the most aft-ish place before you fall overboard.

Stern is derived either from an Old Norse word meaning steering, or an Old Frisian word meaning rudder. The adjective forward is used when describing cabin location.

The front of the ship is the bow, from Middle English boue or bend. The prow is that part of the ship most forward in the water.

If you’re looking for useful Scrabble words, consider transom (the flat, vertical part of a ship’s stern) and gunnel or gunwale, the top edge of a ship’s sides. The latter term comes from warships, where guns were fixed to wales, or wooden planking. Play that in Scrabble to annoy your competitors who think Wales is a disallowed proper noun.

How much can I splurge on a cruise?

I suppose you could commission your own cruise ship. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the world’s most expensive build to date at a cost of $US2 billion ($3.2 billion).

A more modestly sized and more luxurious ship might cost a mere €180 million ($305 million), the estimate for Silversea’s new ship Silver Ray.

The cost of the fanciest suites on luxury ships varies with season and destination but, for the world’s most expensive, budget about $11,000 a night with Regent Seven Seas.

The longer your itinerary, the cheaper the suite per night. A 2027 world cruise from Miami to New York over 140 days on Seven Seas Splendor will cost $1.25 million. That’s $9000 a night for the sprawling Regent Suite, which has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private spa with sauna and steam room, Steinway piano, and Picasso lithographs on the wall.

You can also spend a pretty penny on larger, supposedly more budget ships too. A top suite on Royal Caribbean goes for about $8500 a night.

Don’t forget to go wild on drinks. A bottle of 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc wine on Disney Fantasy has a rumoured price of $25,000. But if you have to ask…

Do cruise ships cater to special diets?

Yes, indeed. In fact, if you have dietary requirements, you’ll find cruising a relatively stress-free type of holiday.

Many cruise ships have vegetarian, vegan, celiac, low-carb, low-sugar, gluten-free and other special dishes on their menus. Even if not marked on menus, chefs can prepare dishes to order depending on personal needs, such as low salt.

Not all ships cater to everything, or do so only in certain restaurants, so you’d best enquire in advance.

As soon as you book, relay your needs to the cruise company, as some special foods – such as halal and kosher – need to be ordered well in advance. Once on board, speak to customer service to ensure your requirements have been noted.

Then connect with the head waiter in the main dining room. Each day, he or she will discuss the next day’s menu and ingredients with you, indicating what dishes might suit, or which can be modified.

Likewise, talk to the head waiter a day in advance if you’ve booked into a speciality restaurant.

Quite a bit of dietary information is indicated on the menu itself. You’ll have to be more wary in the buffet venue, especially as waiters might not be as well-informed about every dish.

Can I do laundry on a cruise ship?

For the most part yes, but some companies such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have no self-service laundry, and some such as Carnival and Holland America only have them on select ships, so check online.

On budget ships a washing-machine load costs about $US3 ($5) and the same for a dryer load. You’ll also have to pay for detergent unless you bring your own.

Most laundrettes have ironing boards and irons that you can use without charge. Ironing in your room is verboten.

All ships have valet laundry services, but prices are wince-inducing. You’ll pay $US30-$50 a bag or otherwise per item.

However, if you’ve booked into higher cabin or suite categories you may get some laundry (or all of it) included. It might also be a perk of longer or world cruises too.

Laundry rooms get busy on days at sea so you may have to wait for an empty machine. Be prompt in removing your items in consideration of others.

Laundrettes are complimentary on premium and luxury ships such as those of Azamara, Crystal, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic and Viking. Viking’s chairman Torstein Hagen once famously remarked that his guests would rather have a laundrette than a casino.

What’s the deal with booze on a cruise?

Generally, you can drink alcohol on a cruise if you’re over 21 when sailing in North America, the Caribbean or Persian Gulf; if you’re elsewhere, over 18. However, policies differ between cruise lines so check the small print. For example, some impose the 21-years-old rule everywhere, or some everywhere except Europe. Others require those over 18 but under 21 to be accompanied by a parent.

Passengers aren’t usually allowed to bring their own alcohol on board though some lines make an exception for two bottles of wine. Budget lines charge hefty corkage if the wine is consumed in a restaurant. Duty free is stored until you disembark. Security may inspect your soft-drinks and mouthwash bottles to ensure you aren’t smuggling gin and vodka on board.

You can purchase alcohol one drink at a time in bars and restaurants, or as part of a drinks package. Your cabin might have a minibar, and bottles of alcohol might also be available through an on-board shop.

Premium and luxury cruise lines are likely to include alcoholic beverages in your cruise fare, either at mealtimes or – on particularly upmarket lines – at any time. Azamara, Crystal, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking are examples.

What is a muster drill?

Maritime law requires a safety briefing for passengers and crew before a cruise ship’s departure or shortly thereafter.

The term muster derives from the assembly of troops for inspection or battle and comes from an Old French word that means appear. You can now muster anything from cattle to your energy.

The muster drill ensures passengers and crew know what to do and where to go during an emergency, where their life jackets can be found, and how to properly fit them.

Muster drills were once carried out in public lounges or on decks and some still are, but the COVID-19 pandemic saw the introduction of drills on cabin televisions or mobile devices.

Nevertheless, you’ll still have to briefly appear at your muster station to be sure you know where it’s located and how to get there. Some cruise lines now ask you to do this immediately on boarding.

The muster drill shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes and (quite rightly) you can’t get out of it, jet-lagged or not. Crew members tick off everyone’s name.

Pay close attention because every study shows that those who have thought through a plan of action have a far greater chance of survival during an emergency.

How long have cruise ships been around?

There are a few early precedents for cruise ships, such as the ship Francesco I, which sailed the Mediterranean in 1833 with a host of aristocratic passengers, the “sea tours” offered by P&O from 1844, and the liner Augusta Victoria in 1891, which took 241 passengers around the Mediterranean.

However, most ships that offered cruises were ocean liners normally used for passenger transportation from A to B, such as Southampton to New York. Transatlantic liners sometimes made cruises in the Mediterranean during winter.

The first purpose-designed cruise ship was Prinzessin Victoria Luise, launced in 1900, of the Hamburg America Line, which has now morphed into Hapag-Lloyd.

It was launched in 1900 and featured all first-class staterooms, a ballroom and dining room, library, art gallery and gymnasium. Its first cruise sailed from Hamburg to the West Indies and Venezuela, with excursions in each port. It usually spent the summer in the Baltic and Norway, and the winter in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

The world’s first cruise ship came to a sad end when it ran aground off Jamaica in 1906. All the passengers were rescued, but the captain retired to his cabin and shot himself. The ship could not be salvaged, but the modern cruise ship was born.

What cruises are best for food?

Hats off to the fare offered across all cruise lines, considering the challenges involved in creating thousands of daily meals at sea. On-board restaurants offer ever-growing choices from traditional Italian or French to inventive Peruvian and Korean, buffet abundance to fine dining, matched by sophisticated wine menus.

No matter what ship you’re on, you’ll find good food. Big budget ships have some impressive specialty restaurants, sometimes overseen by celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver on Royal Caribbean and Guy Fieri on Carnival Cruise Line.

Upgrade to premium cruise lines such as Viking, Azamara and Oceania and food quality and sophistication improves across the ship, although you’ll have fewer dining venues to choose from. Oceania is at the forefront in this category.

It will come as no surprise however that the best cuisine is found on luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

When it comes to expedition cruising, Ponant wins thanks to the French-influenced fine dining in its main restaurant, whose four-course menus are overseen by a company run by legendary Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse.

On rivers, foodies can’t go wrong with Uniworld, which provides excellent, regionally focused dining matched with wines from the vineyards it sails past.