Did the First Cruise Ship Sink?

By Alice Nichols

The first cruise ship is thought to have been the SS Savannah, which sailed from Georgia to New York in 1819. It was the first steamship to cross the Atlantic and is considered by many to be the world’s first cruise ship. The voyage was a commercial failure but the idea of recreational sea travel had been born.

The idea of leisurely cruising soon caught on and innovative ships were built with features specifically designed for passenger comfort. By 1844, regular weekly sailings between Liverpool and New York offered passengers a luxury experience with private cabins, fine dining, and even entertainment.

Cruise ships quickly became popular and with so many vessels traversing the oceans, it’s no surprise that some encountered tragedy. In 1852, the paddle steamer Royal Charter set sail from Liverpool for Australia before being caught in a storm off Anglesey and sinking with 459 passengers on board.

However, the SS Savannah was not one of the unfortunate ships that sank. Despite several close calls during its maiden voyage, it managed to complete its journey safely. It then made other trips around Europe before being laid up in 1821 due to financial difficulties.

So while there have certainly been sinking cruise ships over the years, thankfully, none can claim to be “the first” cruise ship that sank.

To conclude: Did The First Cruise Ship Sink? – No, the SS Savannah managed to complete its maiden voyage safely despite several close calls and went on to make other trips around Europe before being laid up in 1821 due to financial difficulties.