How Much of a Cruise Ship Is Below the Water?

By Alice Nichols

Cruise ships are designed to be able to safely navigate the waters of the world. But how much of a cruise ship is actually below the water line? While it may vary depending on the exact design of the ship, a large portion of most cruise ships are indeed submerged.

The exact percentage of a cruise ship that is below the water line will depend on many factors, including its size and shape. Generally though, most modern cruise ships will have between 25-30 percent of their total mass below the surface.

This includes both the hull and other components such as propellers and stabilizers. The larger a ship is, the more submerged it needs to be in order to achieve stability and buoyancy in heavy seas.

So what does this mean for passengers? Well, for one thing it means that there’s plenty of room for cargo and supplies below deck.

Most modern cruise ships have multiple levels beneath the water line that are used for storage and equipment maintenance. There’s also enough depth for these vessels to safely navigate shallow waters without running aground or causing damage to themselves or nearby sea life.

In addition, having so much of a cruise ship below the surface also helps keep passengers safe during rough seas. The deeper a vessel is submerged, the less likely it is to rock excessively in choppy waters or be at risk of capsizing due to strong waves or winds. This makes cruising not only more enjoyable but also much safer than it would otherwise be if large portions were exposed above water level.

All in all, while it may seem like most of a cruise ship lies above the surface, there’s actually quite a bit that’s hidden beneath its hull – often up to 30 percent! That’s why cruising can be such an enjoyable experience: thanks to all those parts that remain unseen but provide stability and safety during your voyage.

In conclusion, up to 30 percent of most modern cruise ships lie beneath the water line with components such as hulls and propellers helping provide stability and safety during voyages both day and night.