Cruising isn’t just about sun loungers and all-you-can-eat buffets. It all started with a pleasure ship in 1900, took off in the The Love Boat era and hasn’t stopped surprising us since. Think swimming pools in the Atlantic, ships with breweries, planetariums and itineraries that last almost a year. These are the cruise facts that are stranger, grander and more amazing than you might expect.
Click through this gallery to discover 19 incredible facts about cruise ships...
P&O Cruises holds the title of the world’s oldest cruise line, having launched its first leisure voyages in 1844 using converted mail steamers. But the true game-changer came in 1900, when Germany’s Prinzessin Victoria Luise set sail as the first ship built purely for pleasure.
Designed by Albert Ballin of the Hamburg-America Line, it boasted 120 all-first-class cabins and onboard perks like a gym, ballroom and even a darkroom – turning ocean travel into something entirely new.
In 1906, the RMS Adriatic became the first passenger ship to feature a swimming pool. Operated by the White Star Line, the pool was part of a suite of upscale amenities, marking a shift toward luxury-focused ocean travel.
By 1912, the RMS Titanic followed suit with its own heated saltwater pool (pictured). Though small by modern standards, the idea of swimming mid-Atlantic felt wildly extravagant and helped cement the Titanic’s reputation as the height of luxury.
Secrets of the Titanic: life on board the world's most famous ship
In 1922, Cunard’s Laconia made history by embarking on the world’s first-ever around-the-world cruise, setting sail from New York on an ambitious 130-day voyage. Designed as a leisurely journey for wealthy travellers, the itinerary included stops in 22 countries and marked a bold shift in the concept of sea travel.
When The Love Boat first hit TV screens in 1977, it pushed cruising into the mainstream. Running until 1986, the show, set aboard Princess Cruises’ Pacific Princess, made life at sea look glamorous, romantic and – crucially – attainable for everyday travellers.
The show's mix of exotic ports and onboard escapades helped fuel interest in cruises, and passenger numbers jumped from 500,000 in 1970 to five million by 1997 – underscoring the industry’s expansion during and after the show's run.
When Sovereign of the Seas set sail in 1988, it didn’t just break size records – it redefined what a cruise ship could be. Built by Royal Caribbean as the world’s first true megaship, it was a floating resort packed with never-before-seen features: a grand multi-deck atrium, a full-scale theatre and a wealth of dining and entertainment spaces.
At over 73,000 gross tons, it dwarfed its predecessors and signalled the start of cruising’s modern era – one where the ship itself became as much a part of the adventure as the destinations it visited.
If you’re looking for the ultimate slow travel experience, AmaWaterways 'Seven River Journey Through Europe' might just be it. The world’s longest river cruise, this 49-night epic sails through 15 countries aboard a single ship, the AmaMora.
Guests drift from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Giurgiu, Romania, along seven of Europe’s great rivers – including the Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main – with stops in storybook towns, grand capitals and tucked-away villages.
Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas currently holds the title of the largest cruise ship in the world. Launched in 2024, this megaship measures a staggering 1,198 feet (365m) – that’s longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.
Designed to carry over 7,600 passengers at full capacity, it’s not just long but massive in scale, featuring eight distinct neighbourhoods, seven pools and the largest waterpark at sea.
Some of today’s most extravagant suites are mind-boggling. Onboard Celebrity Ascent, the Iconic Suites cover nearly 5,000 square feet (464sqm) and include a Jacuzzi, cabana and panoramic views.
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite (pictured) is a two-storey playground – complete with a slide between floors and a private cinema – while the Regent Suite on Regent Seven Seas clocks in at over 4,400 square feet (409sqm), featuring a private spa, Steinway piano and a £160,000 ($200,000) bed.
Cruises now go far beyond simple sightseeing, with some lines offering truly exceptional experiences. Silversea Expeditions leads treks through Rwanda’s forests to track endangered mountain gorillas, while Azamara takes travellers into Borneo’s rainforest to observe wild orangutans.
For the adventurous, Poseidon Expeditions reaches the North Pole by icebreaker, while Celebrity Cruises takes guests dog sledding on a remote Alaskan glacier.
Scenic’s ultra-luxury ships offer something few travellers have ever experienced: the chance to explore the deep sea in submarines. These state-of-the-art crafts can dive to depths of 984 feet (300m) and feature rotating seats and wraparound windows that turn the ocean into a personal aquarium.
Depending on the itinerary, guests can descend beneath the waters of Antarctica, the Great Barrier Reef, the South Pacific and even the remote, wildlife-rich coast of South Georgia.
It's not just roller coasters that are hitting cruise ships' decks – some vessels feature observation capsules too. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships are home to the North Star, a glass-enclosed pod that lifts guests 300 feet (90m) above sea level.
Inspired by the capsules on the London Eye, this striking feature offers sweeping 360-degree views and holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship.
Read these incredible stories of history's most tragic ships
When it comes to pet-friendly cruising, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 sets the gold standard. It remains the only ocean liner offering dedicated onboard kennels, with 24 spaces that are so popular they often book out years in advance.
Facilities include a full-time kennel master who personally cares for each dog or cat, and an owner’s lounge where passengers can spend time with their four-legged companions. There’s even a fire hydrant from New York and a lamppost from Liverpool on the promenade deck to help pets feel at home.
Viking Cruises is known for offering more than just scenic voyages, and Viking Orion and Viking Jupiter take things a step further with their onboard planetariums. Known as the Explorers’ Dome, this circular theatre is the highest-definition planetarium at sea.
Guests can watch 3D films about space in stunning 7K resolution, or join resident astronomers for lectures and stargazing sessions. A stabilised Sky-Watcher telescope even streams live views of the night sky onto the dome, giving passengers a chance to explore the stars in real time.
Interior cabins on cruise ships don’t have to feel like windowless boxes anymore – at least not on Royal Caribbean. Select ships in the fleet now feature 'Virtual Balconies' – HD screens that stream real-time footage from cameras mounted outside the ship.
Complete with ambient sounds and a simulated railing, these floor-to-ceiling displays give guests a surprisingly realistic sense of what’s happening outside, offering a cost-effective upgrade for those staying inside.
Think cruises are just for the Caribbean? Think again. American Cruise Lines is the only operator offering overnight voyages along New York’s Hudson River. These round-trip sailings from Manhattan cruise past charming river towns and dramatic bluffs, with summer and fall foliage editions that feel straight out of a movie.
On the West Coast, you can swap skyscrapers for vineyards on their San Francisco Bay itinerary, which winds through California’s Napa and San Joaquin Rivers.
Some cruise ships bring the outdoors on board in spectacular fashion – Symphony of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, features a full-blown garden right in the middle of the ship.
Known as Central Park, this open-air oasis is home to over 20,000 real plants and trees, creating a tranquil escape that feels more like a city park than a floating resort. Winding pathways, quiet benches and upscale restaurants are nestled among the greenery, offering a peaceful contrast to the buzz of the pool decks above.
Some cruise ships don’t just serve beer – they brew it fresh at sea. Carnival’s Vista-class ships, including Carnival Vista (pictured), feature onboard breweries where small-batch craft beers are brewed right on the ship.
The brewhouses are located inside the ships’ RedFrog Pub, where guests can sip sea-inspired ales like the ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat or the Port Hoppin’ IPA, all made with ocean views.
Cruise ships may be surrounded by salt water, but they’re self-sufficient when it comes to fresh water. Most modern ships use onboard desalination systems to convert thousands of litres of seawater into clean, drinkable water every day.
This fresh water is used for everything from showers and laundry to drinking fountains and swimming pools. The process involves either reverse osmosis or flash evaporation, and ensures passengers have a supply of safe water throughout their journey.
Forget two-week holidays – some cruises now let you explore the world for nearly a year. Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise clocked in at 274 nights, taking guests to all seven continents and over 60 countries.
In 2025, Oceania Cruises is running a 200-night journey aboard Insignia (pictured), visiting 33 countries across six continents. MSC and Princess Cruises also offer trips over 100 days long, turning the idea of a floating home into a reality for adventurous travellers.