What Was the First Cruise Ship Line in America?

By Anna Duncan

The first cruise ship line in America has its roots in the mid-1800s. It was in 1858 that the Collins Line, owned by Edward Collins, began operating steamships between Liverpool and New York.

It was the first trans-Atlantic steamship line to offer regular service between the two cities. The Collins Line was a major success and remained so until its collapse in 1869.

In the same year, J.P. Morgan became president of the newly formed International Navigation Company (INC). INC was formed from a merger of several smaller shipping companies, including some of those formerly associated with the Collins Line. The company’s main focus was on trans-Atlantic passenger service and it quickly became one of the largest and most successful shipping lines in America.

In 1899, INC introduced its first cruise ships: SS Saint Louis and SS Havana. These twin ships were designed to accommodate up to 1,000 passengers each, making them the largest vessels of their kind at that time. They made numerous voyages between New York and Havana until they were retired in 1907.

INC continued to operate cruise ships throughout much of the 20th century under various names, including United States Lines (1919-1982), American Export Lines (1932-1975), American Hawaii Cruises (1971-1988), Crown Cruise Line (1988-1995) and Norwegian Cruise Line (1995). Each of these companies operated luxury liners for both leisure and business travelers.

Conclusion: The International Navigation Company (INC) was America’s first cruise ship line when it launched its first vessels – SS Saint Louis and SS Havana – in 1899. Since then many other companies have followed suit, offering luxury liners for both leisure and business travelers. Nevertheless, INC remains an important part of America’s maritime history as it pioneered what is now a multi-billion dollar industry.