What Is Difference Between Ocean Liner and Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

When it comes to traveling by sea, it is important to know the difference between an ocean liner and a cruise ship. Both are large vessels that travel across the ocean, but they are designed for different purposes.

Ocean liners are designed for transporting passengers and cargo over long distances. Cruise ships, on the other hand, are designed primarily for pleasure cruises, with entertainment, recreation, and leisure activities being their main focus.

Design: The biggest design difference between an ocean liner and a cruise ship is their size. Ocean liners tend to be larger than cruise ships, often carrying several thousand passengers as well as cargo.

Cruise ships usually carry fewer passengers and less cargo. Cruises ships also tend to have more decks than ocean liners, allowing for more recreational activities such as swimming pools and theatres.

Amenities: Another difference between an ocean liner and a cruise ship is the type of amenities offered. Ocean liners offer basic amenities such as meals and sleeping quarters but often lack the extra amenities that can be found on a modern cruise ship such as casinos, spas, and live performances.

Speed: Ocean liners typically have higher top speeds than cruise ships due to their larger size and power.

Cruise ships tend to take longer routes in order to accommodate passenger activities or sightseeing stops along the way.

Conclusion: The main differences between an ocean liner and a cruise ship come down to their design, amenities, and speed. Ocean liners are larger vessels designed specifically for long distance travel while cruise ships are smaller vessels designed primarily for pleasure cruises with additional entertainment activities onboard. In addition, ocean liners typically have higher top speeds than cruise ships due to their larger size and power.