Is a Cruise Ship a Merchant Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

A cruise ship is an ocean-going vessel that is used for pleasure voyages, such as holiday cruises or sightseeing trips. It is a leisure vessel, meaning it is designed to provide a pleasant and comfortable experience for passengers. Merchant ships, on the other hand, are vessels that are used to transport goods and cargo from one point to another.

The two types of ships have some key differences that set them apart. To begin with, cruise ships are much larger than merchant ships and are designed with more amenities to accommodate passengers.

Cruise ships typically feature multiple restaurants, several bars and lounges, swimming pools, spas, fitness centers, and other recreational areas. Merchant ships carry less in terms of amenities and usually have smaller crew sizes as well.

Cruise ships also have much more advanced navigational systems compared to merchant vessels. This is because cruise ships need to adhere to strict safety regulations due to the presence of passengers aboard the vessel. Additionally, cruise ships have larger engines and more powerful propulsion systems than merchant vessels since they need to move faster in order to reach their destinations in a timely manner.

When it comes to functionality, cruise ships primarily operate on itineraries that take them from one port of call to another while providing entertainment and relaxation opportunities for passengers along the way. Merchant ships usually operate on specific routes that involve transporting cargo from one place to another without any stops in between for sightseeing or recreation activities.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is clear that there are significant differences between cruise ships and merchant vessels. Cruise ships are designed specifically for pleasure voyages while merchant vessels are intended for transporting goods from one point to another. Cruise ships offer a wide range of amenities for passengers while merchant vessels have fewer amenities but more powerful propulsion systems.