1912 cruise ships

• Insider Reviews
• Tech Buying Guides
• Personal Finance
• Insider Explainers
• Sustainability
• United States
• International
• Deutschland & Österreich
• South Africa

• Home ›
• Slideshows ›
• miscellaneous »

Inside the Titanic II, a close replica of the 1912 Titanic cruise liner that could set sail in 2022

The rms titanic was the largest passenger ship of its time in the early 1900s, and the titanic's builders called it "unsinkable.".

Source: CNN

The ocean liner spanned 882 feet in length and was 106 feet wide.

Compare that to the largest cruise ship today, and it's dwarfed in comparison. The Royal Caribbean's gargantuan "floating city" Symphony of the Seas runs 1,188 feet in length and spans 215 feet across at its widest part.

Source: Cruise Mapper

On April 10, 1912, the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, across the Atlantic Ocean to New York with 2,200 passengers and crew aboard.

But five days later, the ship hit an iceberg, its jagged underwater edges slicing a gash in the side of the Titanic and causing it to sink in less than three hours. About 1,500 people perished in the catastrophe.

The shipwreck has since gone down in history and in popular culture as one of the most famous and tragic disasters on the seas.

Source: CNET

It was further immortalized by James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic" starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Source: IMDb

But now, an Australian businessman is recreating the famed Titanic — and the new ship could set sail across the Atlantic by 2022 for 2,400 passengers.

Source: Business Insider

Dubbed the Titanic ll, the new vessel will be a close replica of the original Titanic, right down to the architecture, cabin layout, class categories, restaurants, dining rooms, and length.

The reimagining of the infamous ship is thanks to Clive Palmer, who shelled out $500 million for the project.

The project was initially announced in 2013 but suffered a series of financial setbacks.

But now, the Titanic ll is on track to set sail in 2022, thanks to Palmer and his company Blue Star Line ...

... which is a nod to company behind the original Titanic vessel, White Star Line.

"We want to recreate, in Titanic ll, the whole experience, the wonder that was in Titanic, and I think we can do that," Palmer said in a Blue Star Line interview.

Source: Titanic 2 - Blue Star Line

The ship would sail along the same route as its sunken predecessor, from Southampton, England, to New York, which is about an 11-hour trip if you travel by plane.

Here's how sailing aboard the Titanic ll will compare to the original 1912 cruise liner.

The new ship will feature First, Second, and Third Class cabins.

Source: Blue Star Line

Ticket prices for the Titanic II are not yet available. But for comparison, a ride aboard the original Titanic cost between $350 for a bunk bed in a third-class cabin to $100,000 for a premium first-class cabin in today's dollars.

Source: Cheat Sheet

This is what a second-class cabin aboard the Titanic looked like ...

... and this is what a second-class cabin aboard the Titanic ll could look like.

A sofa would be on one end with two bunked beds on the other. A vanity would sit in between.

Below is where a first class passenger aboard the Titanic in 1912 stayed.

The first class cabins were spacious and were the priciest accommodations, so more affluent and prominent figures resided in these quarters.

Passengers who purchase first class tickets aboard the Titanic ll would have something similar.

A canopied bed, vanity, and a desk would be included.

There was a reception area for the first class passengers aboard the Titanic in 1912.

The iconic Titanic staircase was also located in this first-class section.

And yes, the new ship would feature a replica of the grand Titanic staircase beneath a domed skylight.

No word yet if a meet-and-greet with DiCaprio or Winslet is included at the bottom, though.

But if it's not, you could still re-live the decadence of that time period ...

... because each passenger aboard the Titanic ll would be given outfits circa 1912 to truly immerse themselves in that cultural era.

Ladies would receive bustles for their dresses, and men would be able to wear tuxedoes, according to Palmer.

A heated pool was installed on the original Titanic. It was the second pool of its kind, the first being constructed on the vessel's sister ship, Olympic.

Source: National Museums of Northern Ireland

The Titanic ll would have a similar pool, porthole windows included.

Though its size may be a little small for the Titanic ll's future 2,400 passengers.

The 1912 Titanic also came outfitted with a gym.

The gym had an electric camel, an electric horse, and cycling and rowing machines, all of which would be included in the new vessel.

Though 21st century gym-goers would likely prefer to don yoga pants en lieu of corsets and floor-length dresses.

A squash, or racquetball, court will also be available to passengers aboard the Titanic ll. Passengers aboard the original Titanic could play racquetball for two shillings, or 50 cents, an hour.

Source: Blue Star Line , National Museums of Northern Island

First class male passengers had access to a smoke room aboard the Titanic in 1912.

There would also be one aboard the Titanic ll.

The original smoke room was reserved only for men. It's not yet clear if the smoking room aboard the Titanic ll will have the same restrictions.

The Titanic's designer, Thomas Andrews, is said to have been last seen in the smoke room. James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic" reflects that and alludes that this is where Andrews went down with the ship.

Source: Smithsonian Mag

For four shillings, or $1, first class passengers had access to Turkish Bath suites, which included cooling rooms, temperature rooms, steam rooms, and more.

The Titanic ll would have the same features.

The Moorish-style amenities would be available for guests to enjoy.

A grand first class dining room on the original Titanic featured arched doorways and spacious armchairs.

The same room would be included in the Titanic ll.

The menu is not yet available, but if it's anything like the menu aboard the original Titanic, first class passengers will be treated to courses like lamb with mint sauce and filet mignon.

Source: Titanic Facts

Third class passengers dined in a room more like this, a third class dining hall onboard the RMS Olympic, the Titanic's sister ship.

The third class dining room on the Titanic ll would look similar.

Long dinner tables will fill the space.

The luxurious Cafe Parisien aboard the Titanic was popular with young first class passengers, despite its short lifetime.

Source: Cafe Parisien

A replica would be featured in the Titanic ll.

The cafe was located on the side of the ship, with views of the sea from the windows.

The new Titanic would have a Marconi room, which was used as a means to communicate with the outside world while afloat.

A bridge would also be included ...

... except this time around, modern 21st century technology like radar will be used to navigate the seas.

Modern safety and navigation systems are just one of the ship's upgrades from its predecessor — the Titanic ll would feature a sturdier welded hull instead of a riveted one.

And, most importantly, the Titanic ll will have enough life jackets and lifeboats for every person onboard.

The original Titanic was famously equipped with just 20 lifeboats — enough for only one third of the ship's occupants.

The Titanic ll will have a new safety deck to hold the appropriate number of lifeboats.

It will have the same maximum speed as its predecessor of 24 knots and would feature a larger rudder and a modern diesel engine instead of steam boilers.

And an additional deck would also be constructed that looks over the bow, a feature the original Titanic did not have that could have helped conductors spot the iceberg it was speeding toward.

The Titanic ll may just be the world class luxury ocean liner that its predecessor was designed to be.

• RIL cash flows
• Charlie Munger
• Feedbank IPO allotment
• Tata IPO allotment
• Most generous retirement plans
• Broadcom lays off
• Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
• Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
• Nestle Sept 2023 report
• India Equity Market
• Best printers for Home
• Best Mixer Grinder
• Best wired Earphones
• Best 43 Inch TV in India
• Best Wi Fi Routers
• Best Vacuum Cleaner
• Best Home Theatre in India
• Smart Watch under 5000
• Best Laptops for Education
• Best Laptop for Students

• Advertising
• Write for Us
• Privacy Policy
• Policy News
• Personal Finance News
• Mobile News
• Business News
• Ecommerce News
• Startups News
• Stock Market News
• Finance News
• Entertainment News
• Economy News
• Careers News
• International News
• Politics News
• Education News
• Advertising News
• Health News
• Science News
• Retail News
• Sports News
• Personalities News
• Corporates News
• Environment News
• Top 10 Richest people
• Top 10 Largest Economies
• Lucky Color for 2023
• How to check pan and Aadhaar
• Deleted Whatsapp Messages
• How to restore deleted messages
• 10 types of Drinks
• Instagram Sad Face Filter
• Unlimited Wifi Plans
• Recover Whatsapp Messages
• Google Meet
• Check Balance in SBI
• How to check Vodafone Balance
• Transfer Whatsapp Message
• NSE Bank Holidays
• Dual Whatsapp on Single phone
• Phone is hacked or Not
• How to Port Airtel to Jio
• Window 10 Screenshot

Copyright © 2024 . Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.

Inside the Titanic II, a close replica of the 1912 Titanic cruise liner that could set sail in 2022

• An Australian businessman has undertaken a $500 million project building a replica of the ill-fated 1912 Titanic cruise ship.
• Announced in 2012, the design of the vessel, dubbed Titanic ll , will be a close replica of the original — down to the dimensions, architecture, and the layout.
• The ship will be able to accommodate 2,400 passengers and will feature modern day navigation technology and safety systems, including an adequate number of lifeboats and life jackets for passengers. 
• Ticket prices are not yet available, but the ship could set sail as soon as 2022, USA Today reports.
• In February 2020, the Titanic II Facebook page announced that more information would be coming later this year, advising fans to "stay tuned."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories

The story of the Titanic is one that has intrigued many for years — and for those who are most entranced, there may soon be a way to experience the wonder of one of the most luxurious cruise liners in the world.

By 2022, a new ship modeled after the Titanic could set sail for 2,400 passengers, thanks to Australian businessman Clive Palmer, who shelled out $500 million for the project.

While information has been limited, this February, the ship's Facebook page declared more information would be announced later this year, advising fans to "stay tuned for more details."

The Titanic ll, though outfitted with 21st-century navigation and safety technology, will be a close replica of the original vessel.

Here's how sailing aboard the Titanic ll will compare to how passengers aboard the Titanic in 1912 traveled.

The RMS Titanic was the largest passenger ship of its time in the early 1900s, and the Titanic's builders called it "unsinkable."

Source: CNN

The ocean liner spanned 882 feet in length and was 106 feet wide.

Compare that to the largest cruise ship today, and it's dwarfed in comparison. The Royal Caribbean's gargantuan "floating city" Symphony of the Seas runs 1,188 feet in length and spans 215 feet across at its widest part.

Source: Cruise Mapper

On April 10, 1912, the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, across the Atlantic Ocean to New York with 2,200 passengers and crew aboard.

But five days later, the ship hit an iceberg, its jagged underwater edges slicing a gash in the side of the Titanic and causing it to sink in less than three hours. About 1,500 people perished in the catastrophe.

The shipwreck has since gone down in history and in popular culture as one of the most famous and tragic disasters on the seas.

Source: CNET

It was further immortalized by James Cameron's 1997 film, "Titanic," starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Source: IMDb

But now, an Australian businessman is recreating the famed Titanic — and the new ship could set sail across the Atlantic by 2022 for 2,400 passengers.

Source: Business Insider

Dubbed the Titanic ll, the new vessel will be a close replica of the original Titanic, right down to the architecture, cabin layout, class categories, restaurants, and dining rooms. The length will almost be exactly the same, just a few meters wider for additional stability.

The reimagining of the infamous ship is thanks to Clive Palmer, who shelled out $500 million for the project.

The project was initially announced in 2013 but suffered a series of financial setbacks.

But now, the Titanic ll is on track to set sail in 2022, thanks to Palmer and his company Blue Star Line ...

... which is a nod to the company behind the original Titanic vessel, White Star Line.

"We want to recreate, in Titanic ll, the whole experience, the wonder that was in Titanic, and I think we can do that," Palmer said in a Blue Star Line interview.

Source: Titanic 2 - Blue Star Line

The ship would sail along the same route as its sunken predecessor, from Southampton, England, to New York, which is about an 8-hour trip if you travel by plane.

Here's how sailing aboard the Titanic ll will compare to the original 1912 cruise liner.

The new ship will feature First, Second, and Third Class cabins.

Source: Blue Star Line

Ticket prices for the Titanic II are not yet available. But for comparison, a ride aboard the original Titanic cost between $350 for a bunk bed in a third-class cabin to $100,000 for a premium first-class cabin in today's dollars.

Source: Cheat Sheet

The first-class cabins were spacious and were the priciest accommodations, so more affluent and prominent figures resided in these quarters.

This is what a different-sized cabin aboard the Titanic looked like.

Here is a recreation of what a third-class cabin aboard the Titanic could have looked like.

Here is a rendering of what a third-class cabin aboard the Titanic II could look like. A sofa would be on one end with two bunk beds on the other. A vanity would sit in between.

Passengers who purchase first-class tickets aboard the Titanic ll will have something similar.

A canopied bed, vanity, and a desk would be included.

There was a reception area for the first class passengers aboard the Titanic in 1912.

The iconic Titanic staircase was also located in this first-class section.

And yes, the new ship is to feature a replica of the grand Titanic staircase beneath a domed skylight.

No word yet if a meet-and-greet with DiCaprio or Winslet is included at the bottom, though.

But if it's not, you could still re-live the decadence of that time period ...

... because each passenger aboard the Titanic ll would be given outfits circa 1912 to truly immerse themselves in that cultural era.

Ladies would receive bustles for their dresses, and men would be able to wear tuxedos, according to Palmer.

A heated pool was installed on the original Titanic. It was the second pool of its kind, the first being constructed on the vessel's sister ship, Olympic.

Source: National Museums of Northern Ireland

The Titanic ll would have a similar pool, porthole windows included ...

... though its size may be a little small for the Titanic ll's future 2,400 passengers.

The 1912 Titanic also came outfitted with a gym.

The gym had an electric camel, an electric horse, and cycling and rowing machines, all of which would be included in the new vessel.

Though 21st-century gym-goers would likely prefer to don yoga pants en lieu of corsets and floor-length dresses.

A squash, or racquetball, court will also be available to passengers aboard the Titanic ll. Passengers aboard the original Titanic could play racquetball for two shillings, or 50 cents, an hour.

Source: Blue Star Line , National Museums of Northern Island

First-class male passengers had access to a smoke room aboard the Titanic in 1912.

There would also be one aboard the Titanic ll.

The original smoke room was reserved only for men. It's not yet clear if the smoking room aboard the Titanic ll will have the same restrictions.

The Titanic's designer, Thomas Andrews, is said to have been last seen in the smoke room. James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic" reflects that and alludes that this is where Andrews went down with the ship.

Source: Smithsonian Mag

For four shillings, or $1, first-class passengers had access to Turkish Bath suites, which included cooling rooms, temperature rooms, steam rooms, and more.

The Titanic ll would have the same features.

The Moorish-style amenities would be available for guests to enjoy.

A grand first-class dining room on the original Titanic featured arched doorways and spacious armchairs.

The same room would be included in the Titanic ll.

The menu is not yet available, but if it's anything like the menu aboard the original Titanic, first-class passengers will be treated to courses like lamb with mint sauce and filet mignon.

Source: Titanic Facts

Third-class passengers dined in a room more like this, a third-class dining hall onboard the RMS Olympic, the Titanic's sister ship.

The third-class dining room on the Titanic ll would look similar.

Long dinner tables will fill the space.

The luxurious Café Parisien aboard the Titanic was popular with young first-class passengers.

Source: Cafe Parisien

A replica would be featured in the Titanic ll.

The cafe was located on the side of the ship, with views of the sea from the windows.

The new Titanic would have a Marconi room, which was used as a means to communicate with the outside world while afloat.

A bridge would also be included ...

... except this time around, 21st-century technology like radar will be used to navigate the seas.

Modern safety and navigation systems are just one of the ship's upgrades from its predecessor — the Titanic ll will feature a sturdier welded hull instead of a riveted one.

And, most importantly, the Titanic ll will have enough life jackets and lifeboats for every person on board.

The original Titanic was famously equipped with just 20 lifeboats — enough for only one-third of the ship's occupants.

The Titanic ll will have a new safety deck to hold the appropriate number of lifeboats.

It will have the same maximum speed as its predecessor of 24 knots and will feature a larger rudder and a modern diesel engine instead of steam boilers.

And an additional deck will look over the bow, a feature the original Titanic did not have that could have helped conductors spot the iceberg it was speeding toward.

The Titanic ll may just be the world-class luxury ocean liner that its predecessor was designed to be.

• The Titanic is slowly but surely disappearing — here's what the wreck looks like now
• 42 secrets you never knew about the Titanic and the people aboard it
• A floating nuclear plant in Russia features a gym, bar, and pool. An expert calls it 'Chernobyl on ice.'
• Turns out Rose's life raft wasn't a door in 'Titanic'— and sorry, but Jack would've drowned anyway

• Main content

RMS Olympic

In 1908 the White Star Line officially placed an order with Harland and Wolf to construct two new liners, larger than any liners yet in existence. These two ships were to be built side by side on massive newly built slipways, measuring 840ft by 270ft wide and up to 228ft high. These two ‘sister ships’ were to be called Olympic and Titanic, and were later to be joined by a third sister ship, Britannic.

Construction of Olympic started first, with her first keel plate being laid at Harland and Wolff, Belfast on 16th December 1908. Painted white for the benefit of photographers, Olympic was launched on Thursday 20th October 1910. After her launching, Olympic was towed to her fitting out basin, where installation of her heavy machinery and fitting of her luxury interiors began.

Following her completion, Olympic started her sea trials on 29th May 1911; after successfully completing them, she then left Belfast bound for Liverpool – her home port – on 31st May 1911 – on the very same day as her younger sister ship Titanic was launched. After spending a day in Liverpool open to the public, Olympic sailed to Southampton, where she arrived on 3rd June, to be made ready for her maiden voyage.

Olympic’s maiden voyage started from Southampton on 14th June 1911; Just like Titanic on her maiden voyage less than a year later, Olympic was under the command of Captain EJ Smith, and also had aboard J Bruce Ismay, the Managing Director of the White Star Line; Thomas Andrews, of Harland and Wolf, and many members of crew who would later serve on Titanic.

Olympic arrived in New York on 21 June, after a successful crossing; although, while docking in New York a tug boat, OL Hallenbach, was damaged after Olympic’s propeller caused the tug boat to be pulled into the side of the ship.

On 20th September 1911, while in the Solent, shortly after leaving Southampton at the start of her planned fifth voyage to New York, the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Hawke smashed into the side of Olympic, causing serious damage to both ships. HMS Hawke suffered a badly smashed bow, while Olympic had two gashes to her starboard side, one above and one bellow the water line; both ships were able to steam back to port, and Olympic’s voyage had to be cancelled. Despite the damage no one was seriously hurt, and following two weeks of temporary repairs Olympic returned to Belfast for repairs; which resulted in both Titanic’s completion and maiden voyage being delayed. The Olympic returned to service on 30th November 1911.

While on a voyage from New York to Southampton, on 24th February 1912, Olympic lost a propeller blade after hitting a submerged object in the Atlantic; Olympic was able to continue, however, upon her return Olympic had to return to Belfast, where she was repaired by workers working on Titanic; while at Belfast Olympic and Titanic where together for the last time. When leaving Belfast on 4th March, Olympic hit the bottom, and had to be inspected by divers, who found the ship to be undamaged.

At 11.40pm on 14th April 1912, while Olympic was sailing from New York to Southampton, Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank at 2.20am, with the loss of over 1500 lives. Titanic’s wireless distress signals could be heard by Olympic, but being over 500 miles away, Olympic was not able to help.

Upon Olympic’s return to Southampton following the Titanic disaster, Olympic was loaded with extra collapsible lifeboats; this however, was not considered to be good enough by the majority of the ships boiler-room crew, who just before Olympic was supposed to leave Southampton for New York on 24th April 1912, went on strike, causing the voyage to be delayed.

The next day, while Olympic was anchored off Spithead, the lifeboats were inspected and considered to be satisfactory, however, the strikers refused to return to the ship unless the few crew who refused to strike were removed from the ship; White Star refused to dismiss the ‘loyal men’ and were forced to find a replacement crew to replace the strikers; this then caused a further 53 members of Olympic’s crew to desert the ship on the tender that brought the replacements aboard, out of fear that the replacements were inexperienced. Following efforts to resolve the situation – including the Royal Navy trying to get the deserters to return, Olympic’s voyage was cancelled.

On 4th May 1912, the 53 crew members from Olympic who deserted on 25th April, were found guilty of refusing to comply with the captains orders, at Portsmouth Police court; however, the charges were dismissed, and they were not punished, as it was considered that they were unnerved by the Titanic disaster and would not normally have acted in such a way.

While leaving New York, on 6th July 1912, Olympic lost control of her steering gear, resulting in an hour and a half delay. After signalling that she was not under control, repair work started, before Olympic went aground on a mud bank, although, fortunately she was was able to free herself. Olympic was then towed to deeper water, where the repairs were completed.

Nearly 6 months after the Titanic disaster, and having been temporarily withdrawn from service, Olympic arrived back at Harland and Wolff, Belfast on 10th October 1912 to be modified following lessons learned from the Titanic disaster. Modifications included making her watertight bulkheads higher, having considerably more lifeboats fitted and a double skin added. As well as these modifications, the opportunity was also taken to add features present on Titanic that were missing from Olympic, such as the Café Parisian. Olympic returned to service on 2nd April 1913.

On 7th February 1914, while passengers were having lunch in the dining room, a huge wave suddenly swamped the room causing some windows to break, and passengers to get drenched, twelve passengers also had to be treated by the ships surgeon as a result of flying glass.

Following the outbreak of the First World War, Olympic initially continued to be used for passenger service, although it was planned that Olympic would be laid up. But instead of sailing to and from Southampton, Liverpool was used instead.

On what was planned to be her last voyage before being laid up – while returning from New York on 27th October 1914, Olympic come to the rescue of HMS Audacious, a British battleship that had struck a mine. Olympic rescued the crew and unsuccessfully attempted to tow the ship to safety, before HMS Audacious unfortunately sank. Upon her return Olympic was sent to Belfast where she was laid up.

In September 1915, Olympic was requisitioned for use as a troopship; Olympic was quickly made ready war service and was painted in dazzle paint, to make it harder for the enemy to target her. Due to the fact that Olympic’s Captain, Captain Haddock, was unable to be released from his war time duties, Captain Bertram Hayes was given command of the ship.

On 24th September 1915, Olympic departed Liverpool for Mudros, on her first voyage as a troop transport, onboard were around 6,000 troops. During that voyage, on 1st October, Olympic rescued 34 survivors from Provincia, a French steamer that had been hit by an Austrian submarine. After the rescue, a submarine was spotted and evaded by Olympic.

While in the eastern Mediterranean on 23rd February 1916, Olympic was attacked by a German U-boat, fortunately the torpedo fired from the submarine failed to hit the ship and Olympic escaped undamaged. On 28th February 1918 Olympic was again unsuccessfully attacked, this time from gunfire coming from a German submarine.

On 12th May 1918, one of the most exciting parts of Olympic’s career took place, when Olympic purposely rammed and sunk the German submarine U-103, which had been trying to torpedo Olympic. The survivors from the submarine were rescued by USS Davis.

After a very successful career as a troopship, Olympic ended her war(/post war) duties on 21st July 1919, when she completed her last voyage as a troopship. Olympic then went to Belfast, where she was made ready to resume her passenger service, and at the same time the opportunity was taken to convert her from being a coal powered ship to being an oil powered ship. Olympic restarted her Southampton to New York service on 25th June 1920.

Captain Bertram Hayes, who had commanded Olympic since 1915, started his last voyage as captain of Olympic, from Southampton, on 21st December 1921. Captain Hayes was transferred to White Star’s new flag ship, Majestic (II). Captain Alexander Hambleton was given the role as Olympic’s new commander.

While departing New York on 22nd March 1924, Olympic collided with Fort St. George, of the Furness Bermuda Line, by accidentally backing into the smaller ship. Fort St George sustained considerable damage which meant her sailing had to be cancelled, Olympic was initially thought to only have minor damage and was able to continue, although, later it was discovered that Olympic’s stern frame was so badly damaged that it had to be replaced. It was found that the collision was the fault of Fort St. George.

At 3.30pm on 18 November 1929, Olympic was confronted with a violent tremor and continuously shaken for 2 minutes, despite this no damage was sustained, and it was later confirmed that the cause was the Grand Banks Earthquake.

During various refits in the later part of her career, Olympic received modernisations such as extra private toilets and bath rooms, a dance floor in her dining room and a make shift cinema in her lounge; one refit in early 1933 saw Olympic have substantial improvements made to her engines.

In heavy fog on 15th May 1934, Olympic was responsible for the worst incident in her career, when she smashed into the side of the Nantucket lightship, cutting the lightship in half. Of the lightships eleven crew members, only four survived.

Following the merger of the Cunard Line and the White Star Line, Olympic become part of the Cunard White Star fleet, and flew both the Cunard and White Star flag, with the White Star flag on top of Cunard’s. Although, by this time, despite Olympic being capable of continuing, her days were numbered, Olympic was now becoming an old ship in a fleet that was being greatly reduced, in difficult financial times.

Olympic left Southampton for her last transatlantic voyage on 27th March 1935. This would be the last time that Olympic would make the journey that her and her sister ships, Titanic and Britannic, were intended for. Unlike the short careers of her two sisters, Olympic enjoyed a successful career and fulfilled her purpose. Olympic departed New York for the final time on 5th April 1935. Upon her return to Britain, Olympic was laid up in Southampton.

On 10th September 1935, Olympic was sold to Sir John Jarvis, who then immediately resold her to Thomas W Ward ship breakers, to be broken up for scrap at Jarrow, UK. Sir John Jarvis’s reason for buying Olympic was so that by her being broken up at Jarrow it would provide jobs to help reduce unemployment.

Olympic left Southampton for the very last time on 11th October 1935, under the command of Captain Vaughn; as she was leaving, Olympic received salutes from other ships sounding their whistles. She arrived at Jarrow on 13th October.

At Jarrow, Olympic was stripped and broken up as far as the waterline, before being towed to Inverkeithing, Scotland, UK, on 19th September 1937, for final demolition. Many of Olympic’s fixtures and fittings were auctioned off, and some can be seen today in places such as the SeaCity Museum in Southampton, UK and the White Swan in Alnwick, UK.

White Star History Home Page Site Map Titanic Pages

Copyright © 2007-2013 White Star History. All rights reserved.

Leisure and Luxury in 1912: A Look Back in Scientific American 's Archives

In the new century, with a booming economy, a burgeoning middle class enjoyed the fruits of science and technology for life, work and leisure

• ARTIFICIAL SURF: The “International Hygiene Exposition” in Dresden had a swimming pool with artificial waves. It looks like great fun but our more puritanical editors felt the need to justify a visit by concluding, “persons may derive benefit from the massage effected by the moving water.”... Scientific American, July 27, 1912
• CRUISE SHIPS: A novel idea: just being on a boat, stopping off at interesting places around the world, just for fun. The Prinzessin Victoria Luise is considered to be the first ship purpose-built just for pleasure cruising... Scientific American, February 10, 1912
• TRAVEL AND PHOTOGRAPHY: A growing number of people had enough disposable income to spend on travel, cameras and film. Thus began the great tourist tradition of standing around ignoring the delightful scenery while fiddling with your camera... Scientific American, February 17, 1912 and June 15, 1912
• CIVILIZED TRAVEL: Travel was becoming more like a luxury hotel and less like steerage. (A century later that trend seems to be reversing.) Such advertisements encouraged family travel just for the fun of it--as well as dragging the kids to see the widely flung relatives... Scientific American, April 20, 1912
• Advertisement
• CAMPING: This advertisement appeared 58 years after Henry David Thoreau wrote about his life at Walden Pond. The star is Wilderness, but (as with Thoreau) one easily within reach of “palatial trains” and “good hotels.”... Scientific American, June 1, 1912
• LUXURY CARRIAGE: The cachet of the upper crust, without the expensive chauffeur. The advertisement says this battery-driven “society car” goes “faster than you will want to drive.” A top speed of only 20 m.p.h... Scientific American, November 16, 1912
• DRIVE FOR FUN: This message from 1912 is not only selling an internal-combustion car but also a lifestyle ideal: a pleasant ride in the country with your fashionably dressed friends and family (without any old-fashioned mechanical rudeness)... Scientific American, May 18, 1912
• RACING BOATS: Power boats for racing “may well be called a ‘rich man’s toy.’” The article noted, however, the trickle-down effect when millionaires pushed the science and art of boatbuilding... Scientific American, January 6, 1912
• BILLIARDS AT HOME: Privacy was becoming more widespread. This new reality gave people a chance to play games in the private space of their own homes. Scientific American, December 7, 1912
• HYGIENIC LIVING: This advertisement may imply that being a model middle class citizen in 1912 means having the opportunity, perhaps even the duty, of taking care of yourself in a way that your parents did not or could not... Scientific American, November 9, 1912

The new century brought a booming economy and a burgeoning middle class to the Western world. Their increasing wealth harnessed the fruits of science and technology to enhance life, work and leisure time.

» View the technology of leisure and luxury slide show

Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter.

Support science journalism.

Thanks for reading Scientific American. Knowledge awaits.

Already a subscriber? Sign in.

Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue.

See Subscription Options

Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription.

You may cancel at any time.

The Evolution of the Lifeboat

By Alexander George

Lifeboats have evolved from simple vessels launched from shore to double-decker mini-ships that carry hundreds of people. But their function—a last line of defense against the sea—remains unchanged

First Lifeboats

In 1789, a ship ran aground off the coast of England, and the crew died within sight of shore. The tragedy inspired local businessmen to create the Original, a 30-foot double-ended boat with ten oars that could be used as a rescue vessel. Cork in the hull prevented capsizing. It had one major drawback: It was useful only in accidents that occurred near shore. The Original did, however, save countless lives and inspire the onboard lifeboats that were put into use about a century later.

Though there were only half as many lifeboats on board as were needed, those on the Titanic were swift and could carry 65 passengers. They were lowered with a pulley system much like the one used today (the davits remain basically unchanged). Unfortunately, the 70-foot drop off the side of the ship so terrified passengers and crew that boats were lowered sparsely loaded in hopes that additional passengers could walk the sea-level gangplank onto them. That’s not what happened. Now, we know better.

Modern-day lifeboats look gargantuan and invincible compared with their antecedents. Lifeboats on large cruise ships can hold up to 250 passengers inside an enclosed deck, and some even have two levels. No need to row to safety, either: The diesel engines follow coordinates set by onboard GPS, sonar, and weather data, all while delivering coordinates to rescue vessels. The hulls on today’s lifeboats, just as on the Original, are designed to automatically right the craft in rough seas.

Illustrations by Remie Geoffroi

4 Ways the ‘Titanic' Changed Maritime Safety

By cailey lindberg | apr 20, 2022.

The maiden voyage of the Titanic was a tragedy that shook the world. More than 1500 people lost their lives on April 15, 1912—a sorrowful end for a luxury liner once believed to be virtually unsinkable .

The suffering and distress of all of those aboard inspired lawmakers to take action, and several new regulations were put into place to keep passengers safe when sailing the high seas, including the Radio Act of 1912 and the first version of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty . Here, we’ll examine how some of the new maritime laws imposed helped prevent a catastrophe of this magnitude from happening again. 

1. Ships are now required to provide enough lifeboats for all passengers.

One of the defining tragedies of the Titanic sinking was that there were not enough lifeboats for all of the approximately 2200 people aboard, and only 705 were saved. While the ship could have fit 64 lifeboats in total , there were only 20 on it. These vessels still could have accommodated about a third of the individuals on board (roughly 1178 people), had the " women and children first " principle not been strictly enforced. But perhaps the most shocking part of all? That was four more lifeboats than were legally required. At the time, the number of mandated lifeboats on a liner was determined by a ship's gross tonnage, not the number of passengers it carried. Under the UK's Board of Trade , British ships weighing greater than 10,000 tons were only required to carry a minimum of 16 lifeboats. (The Titanic , for reference, had a gross tonnage of 46,328 and could displace between 52,000 and 66,000 tons of water.) Following the tragedy, there were limitation of liability hearings in both the  United States and the UK, and it was recommended that ships carry enough lifeboats to accommodate all passengers and crew members aboard. With the creation of the first SOLAS treaty in 1914, this became an international standard.

2. Radio waves were more firmly regulated—and ships now have 24-hour radio watches.

Another factor that contributed to the Titanic disaster was that radio signals were unregulated at the time. Chief telegraphist Jack Phillips sent a CQD Morse code distress call (the standard distress signal used by Marconi operators, the telegraph company that Phillips worked for; later, he used SOS , which was still relatively new at the time) after the ship struck an iceberg at 11:40 p.m. on April 14, 1912. The CQD call was heard by a Newfoundland telegraph station , however, the airwaves were clogged by radio noise, which was caused by amateur operators on the East Coast in the United States, and by personal telegrams still being sent to the ship that were intended for passengers. Compounding this, the wireless radio operator of the SS Californian , a merchant vessel about 10 miles away from the Titanic , had gone to bed , so the sinking liner's urgent calls for help went unanswered. The Radio Act of 1912 changed passengers' safety at sea in very significant ways. The U.S. law placed restrictions on the use of long-wave frequencies, requiring radio operators to be licensed. The U.S., which by 1912 had yet to formally adopt SOS as the international distress signal, began using it officially. Per the SOLAS treaty of 1914 , ships were required to have a wireless radio operator on watch at all times. Distress signals were also given priority over airwaves, and with the Communications Act of 1934 , a separate radio frequency was established for them.

3. The International Ice Patrol was formed.

The Titanic' s demise led to the first International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea in London in 1913, with the original treaty going into effect on January 20, 1914. The initial SOLAS, as it would come to be known (it was later amended and updated in 1929, 1948, 1960, and 1974, respectively), instituted a number of important maritime regulations, including 24-hour radio watches and the number of lifeboats required on ships. Additionally, it mandated that all crew members be drilled on how to properly load and deploy lifeboats. Another entity that it established was the International Ice Patrol , which was created to locate and warn ships of dangerous icebergs in the North Atlantic, around the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. It's still in existence today, and tracks about 1000 icebergs each year. Since the patrol’s inception , no lives have been lost within its surveillance area as a result of iceberg collisions.

4. Ships are now designed with safety in mind.

While many considered the Titanic “unsinkable,” it was completely the opposite. The liner featured a double bottom and 16 watertight compartments, which were outfitted with watertight doors that were electric and could all be closed at the same time or one by one using a switch on the ship's bridge. While they were watertight, the walls of each bulkhead were only a few feet above sea line, so it was easy for the water to spill over and cause the ship to plunge forward.  Following the calamity, many fundamental design changes to ships were made. The White Star Line, which owned and operated the Titanic , modified the designs of sister ships the RMS Olympic and RMS Britannic so that the double bottoms were extended above the waterline, resulting in double hulls. This meant that if the hulls were punctured—be it by an iceberg or a collision of some other kind—water would be less likely to pour into the watertight compartments. Another significant change to ship design after the sinking of the Titanic was bringing the bulkheads higher above the waterline, so that each compartment would truly be watertight. 

There are still secrets to be found on Titanic. These graphics explore them

It sank 112 years ago Monday, but our obsession with the RMS Titanic continues.

History's most famous ship slipped beneath the North Atlantic at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912 , but we continue to explore its maiden voyage, iceberg, sinking and undersea decay through a seemingly endless stream of photographs, books , documentaries and movies , and museum exhibits.

Fascination has led to tragedy. A submersible carrying five passengers to view the Titanic imploded near the wreck , killing all aboard, in June 2023.

It also has brought technological advances. In May 2023, a new type of digital scanning, using multiple images, gave us a three-dimensional view of the ship as it would look if it were lifted out of the water .

Why are people drawn to Titanic?

"There isn’t a simple answer," says Karen Kamuda, president of the Titanic Historical Society , which operates the Titanic Museum in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts.

Those who join the society are of "all ages and occupations, and their interests are multivariable," Kamuda says. Aside from their fascination with Titanic and its passengers and crew, their curiosity might include the sister ships Olympic and Britannic, the White Star Line, artifacts, and TV and movies.

"James Cameron’s 1997 film, ' Titanic ,' opened up a brand-new interest," Kamuda says. "The internet has helped spread the story worldwide."

Here are a few things you may not know about Titanic:

Titanic traveled less than 3,000 miles

Titanic was built at the Harland & Wolff shipbuilding company in Belfast, Ireland. After outfitting and sea trials, the ship left port for her maiden voyage.

From Belfast to the fatal iceberg strike, Titanic traveled about 2,555 nautical miles, or 2,940 land miles:

April 2, 1912 | 8 p.m.: Titanic leaves Belfast, sails to Southhampton, England (577 nm).

April 10, 1912 | noon: Titanic leaves Southhampton, sails to Cherbourg, France (88 nm).

April 10, 1912 | 8:10 p.m.: Titanic leaves Cherbourg, sails to Queenstown ( now known as Cobh ), Ireland (341 nm).

April 11, 1912 | 1:30 p.m.: Titanic leaves Queenstown for New York.

April 14, 1912 | 11:40 p.m.: Titanic strikes iceberg 1,549 nm from Queenstown.

April 15, 1912 | 2:20 a.m.: Titanic sinks about 400 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada.

Titanic's lifeboats were not filled to capacity

15-ton piece of wreckage recovered.

The largest piece of wreckage recovered from Titanic, above, is a 15-ton section of the hull measuring 26 feet by 12 feet. It's on display at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas

The hull section was part of the starboard side of the ship , between the third and fourth funnels. It was lifted to the surface in 1998.

Museums keep Titanic's memory alive

A  number of museums offer visitors a look at hundreds of objects recovered from the wreck site. Here are a few:

And if you can't get to a Titanic museum, a traveling exhibit, Titanic. The Exhibition , with 200 items, may be coming to you after it leaves New York.

Thousands of artifacts have been salvaged

Titanic was much smaller than today's cruise ships, want to learn more about titanic.

Historical associations are a good source of information.

• Titanic Historical Society:  https://titanichistoricalsociety.org/
• Titanic International Society:   https://titanicinternationalsociety.org/
• Belfast Titanic Society:   https://www.belfast-titanic.com/
• British Titanic Society:   https://www.britishtitanicsociety.com/

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Titanic Historical Society; titanicfacts.net; titanicuniverse.com; National Geographic; encyclopedia-titanica.org

See the Seeandbee: The luxury Cleveland steamship transformed into aircraft carrier for World War II

• Updated: Nov. 11, 2019, 6:14 a.m. |
• Published: Nov. 11, 2019, 5:00 a.m.
• Laura Johnston, cleveland.com

Collection of the Great Lakes Historical Society

The SeeandBee was the flagship of the C&B

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Seeandbee was once the largest and most expensive sidewheel steamship on the Great Lakes, entertaining travelers between Cleveland and Buffalo. But during World War II she was transformed into an aircraft carrier, helping to train thousands of U.S. Navy pilots, including future President George H. W. Bush.

Built in 1912, the ship was the star of the Cleveland and Buffalo Transit Co. fleet . That's how it got its name – the C and B. The ship docked at the East 9th Street Pier, which the company built with the Detroit & Cleveland Line. In exchange, the city built build a bridge over the railroad tracks and provide a streetcar to the pier.

The Seeandbee was 500 feet long, built of 6,400 tons of steel and featuring four decks that could hold 1,500 passengers. The design was much lauded, with a mahogany lobby, elegant ballroom and a bevy of private parlors and saloons. And to show it off the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce chartered the inaugural trip and hosted a reception for the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce.

On Veteran’s Day, see the transformation from luxury cruise ship to the U.S.S. Wolverine. 

A greater need

The ship cruised for years between the two cities, as well as special trips to ports such as Detroit. In 1939, the company liquidated and sold the ship to the Chicago-based C&B Transit Co. for short excursions. Two years later, the U.S. Navy bought the Seeandbee for $756,000 (an audacious amount the U.S. Department of Justice later filed a lawsuit over).

The Navy needed to train new pilots during World War II, but couldn’t spare a combat ship.

So the American Shipbuilding Co. in Cleveland stripped the ship down to the basics. It was then towed to Buffalo, where 1,200 people worked around the clock to remove the upper decks and make her into an aircraft carrier.

Transformation to the Wolverine

She was renamed the Wolverine, in honor of Michigan. And she and her sister ship, the U.S.S. Sable, were nicknamed the “Corn Belt Fleet.” They were the only Navy ships that used coal for fuel and were propelled by a sidewheel.

The ships didn’t have elevators or space to store damaged planes. But by May 1943, 7,000 successful landings had been made on Wolverine, which docked at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

Those landings included flights by Bush, who trained as a Navy pilot.

After the war, the Wolverine was decommissioned, and in December 1947 was sold for scrap . Her parts were broken up in Cleveland.

A Navy ship

For more history on the Great Lakes:

Shipwreck of Margaret Olwill discovered in Lake Erie, 118 years after sinking off Lorain

Tashmoo v. City of Erie in the grandest steamboat race in the history of American navigation

Vintage and modern views of Lakeside Chautauqua

Serving nostalgia on the Geneva-on-the-Lake Summer Fun Trail

For more Lake Erie news, follow RocktheLake on Facebook.

A voyage on the Seeandbee

Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement , and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 12/31/2023).

© 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved ( About Us ). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.

YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is available here .

What is the largest cruise ship in the world?

Does size really matter? The cruise industry thinks so. For more than a century, cruise lines have competed to claim the title of world's largest cruise ship.

When it set sail in 1912, the ill-fated Titanic was the largest and grandest passenger vessel of its time. But, as of 2009, when Royal Caribbean debuted its first Oasis-class ship , the superlative applies to vessels more than five times Titanic's size.

So, what is the largest cruise ship in the world? At the time of publication, it's Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas . At 250,800 gross registered tons and carrying up to 7,600 passengers (plus 2,350 crew members), it's a true behemoth. It boasts eight neighborhoods that feature everything from water slides, an indoor AquaTheater, a carousel and an adults-only sun deck to lavish suites, retail shops, thousands of live plants and more than two dozen bars and restaurants.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

But where do other cruise ships fall? Here's a quick rundown of the world's biggest cruise ships by gross registered tons and maximum passenger capacity. Unsurprisingly, Royal Caribbean's Icon Class and Oasis Class dominate the top five in both categories. Perhaps more surprisingly, only two other lines join it on the winner's podium.

Note: This article excludes ships from lines like Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and Aida, which do not cater to the North American market.

Biggest cruise ships by tonnage

• Icon of the Seas: 250,800 GRT
• Wonder of the Seas: 236,857 GRT
• Symphony of the Seas: 228,081 GRT
• Harmony of the Seas: 226,963 GRT
• Oasis of the Seas: 226,838 GRT
• Allure of the Seas: 225,282 GRT
• MSC World Europa: 205,700 GRT
• Carnival Celebration: 183,521 GRT
• Carnival Jubilee: 183,521 GRT
• MSC Grandiosa: 181,541 GRT
• MSC Virtuosa: 181,541 GRT
• Carnival's Mardi Gras: 180,000 GRT

Biggest cruise ships by passenger capacity

• Icon of the Seas: 7,600 passengers
• Wonder of the Seas: 6,988 passengers
• Allure of the Seas: 6,780 passengers
• Oasis of the Seas: 6,771 passengers
• MSC World Europa: 6,762 passengers
• Harmony of the Seas: 6,687 passengers
• Symphony of the Seas: 6,680 passengers
• Carnival's Mardi Gras: 6,631 passengers
• Carnival Celebration: 6,631 passengers
• Carnival Jubilee: 6,631 passengers
• MSC Grandiosa: 6,334 passengers
• MSC Virtuosa: 6,334 passengers
• MSC Bellissima: 5,686 passengers

What is the biggest cruise ship in the world today (2024)?

Currently, the largest cruise ship in the world by both tonnage and passenger capacity is Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas .

What cruise ship is 5 times bigger than Titanic?

All of the ships in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class and Icon Class are at least five times larger than Titanic was.

What is the largest cruise ship capacity?

Icon of the Seas can hold up to 7,600 guests at capacity or 5,610 guests on a double occupancy basis (two people per cabin). The ship also employs more than 2,300 crew members.

Got more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

How Do Cruise Ships Float?

I f you're lucky enough to have taken cruises over the past several decades, you've probably noticed a trend: Everything has gotten a whole lot bigger. That's especially true of cruise ships. In 1912, the Titanic was the hugest ship ever built; in 2022, Royal Caribbean International launched the Wonder of the Seas , the world's largest cruise ship . It might seem as unbelievable as the answer to how high airplanes fly , but the Wonder of the Seas clocks in at a whopping 236,857 gross tons—that's five times the size of the Titanic . With 18 decks, four pools, several waterslides and eight "neighborhoods" (to help the nearly 7,000 people on board navigate), you might wonder: How do cruise ships float?

You'd have good reason to puzzle over the science. Every ship on the best cruise lines weighs more than 100,000 gross tons, after all. (For context, consider that the Titanic weighed around 58,000 tons.) That's a lot more room for pools, lodging, entertainment and even hidden cruise ship features .

For the crew, making such a huge vessel sail efficiently doesn't just require a knowledge of cruise ship code words  or an understanding of the things guests can't do on cruises anymore . It also requires something most of us left behind in high school: a basic understanding of elementary physics.

But you don't have to own a lab coat to understand how a ship the size of an apartment building doesn't sink to the bottom of the sea. Our super-simple explainer will teach you the basics, so get comfortable and get ready to learn a little science. In fact, go ahead and sink into a relaxing bubble bath as you learn about the science behind buoyancy.

Get Reader's Digest ’s   Read Up newsletter for more knowledge, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

How do cruise ships float?

In the simplest terms, ships float because their weight is less than the weight of the water they displace.

If you've ever carried a bucket of water, you know that water is incredibly dense—that's why it feels so heavy. Cruise ships may be huge, but the ocean is much, much bigger. The U-shaped hull of a cruise ship displaces thousands of tons of water, pushing it down and to the sides, but the ship doesn't sink because the density of the water pushes back against the ship, keeping it afloat.

Let's break it down further: Whether you're on a singles cruise or a family-friendly voyage, your ship is likely heavy with engines, decks, rooms, buffets, people and hot tubs. But it's also full of air, which is much less dense than water. In other words, the total density of the ship is less than the density of the ocean waves.

It's the same reason you can float in the ocean but sink in the bath. See, we told you a bubble bath would help! It's not just a place to ponder interesting facts or questions like, " Have cruises recovered from the pandemic? " According to mathematics legend, the principle of buoyancy was actually worked out in a bathtub.

What is Archimedes' principle?

You may have heard the story: A smart guy in ancient Greece is struggling with a math problem, takes a bath, figures out the answer and leaps out of the bath, yelling "Eureka!" That's ancient Greek for "I've found it," not "I forgot my robe!" (Coincidentally, that's also what we yelled when we found a great deal on a Disney cruise .)

What that ancient Greek guy—Archimedes—figured out was that as he sank into the water, the water rose, becoming displaced. Therefore, if he could measure the displaced water, he would have an accurate measure of the volume of his body. This became known as Archimedes' principle.

He used the principle to figure out if a goldsmith was cutting his gold with a less-dense metal, such as silver (as the story goes). But you can use it to understand buoyancy.

In order for your body or even a giant cruise ship to float, the downward force of the object on the water needs to be less than the upward force of the water pushing back against the object. According to NASA, Archimedes' principle states that the buoyant force (the differences between the upward and downward forces) on an object in water is equal to the weight of the water the object displaces.

Think about a toy boat: It floats because the volume of water it displaces is tiny compared to the volume of water in the bath. Now imagine that boat is a cruise ship, and the bath is the ocean. That's why you can watch an ice-skating show on an adults-only cruise in the middle of the Caribbean or scale a rock-climbing wall as your ship sails around Europe. Thanks, Archimedes!

What else helps cruise ships float?

Motion and materials also go a long way toward helping cruise ships float. As the ship moves forward, it pushes water away from itself (displacement again!). Like a pendulum, the water returns to fill up the displaced space, and that force pushing upward also helps to keep the ship afloat.

The choice of materials is also incredibly important. These days, all ships—from family cruises to all-inclusive cruises —are made of extra-strength steel. For starters, this provides better protection against icebergs. (The Titanic sank because an iceberg ripped a hole in its side, causing it to take on water, which increased its density and, well, you know the rest.) Plus, extra-strength steel is denser than water, so it can withstand the enormous pressure of the ocean.

Cruise ships also usually include a double hull—a hull within a hull. This is an additional layer of protection and definitely why you're much more likely to read about themed cruises than cruise disasters these days.

In short, if you're wondering "how do cruise ships float?" you'll find buoyancy, materials and motion together in the answer.

Why don't cruise ships tip over?

OK, so we've covered buoyancy and learned how cruise ships float, but there are still a few mysteries to solve. (Like, what are those white balls on cruise ships ?) Cruise ships may have as little as 30 feet of the ship below the water, with more than 200 feet sitting above it. It's windy out there on the open ocean! Forget the "how do cruise ships float?" question. How come they don't tip over?

Again, it comes down to science and design. If you've played Jenga, you know that the second your tower gets top-heavy, it's only a matter of time until it's tumbling down. That's because a low center of gravity is your best insurance. Cruise ships keep their heaviest equipment—fuel tanks, engines, machinery and freshwater tanks—in the lowest part of the ship for just that reason. The upper parts of the ship tend to be much more open, which also allows wind to pass through.

Cruise ship stability is also dependent on the shape of the hull. Fast boats tend to have a V-shaped hull to cut through the waves, while cruise ships have a U-shaped hull. The rounded bottom of the ship may cause it to move through the water more slowly, but it also limits rocking and motion. This is a good thing, as anyone prone to seasickness will tell you.

By now, you should be able to answer "how do cruise ships float?" like a modern Archimedes. That means it's time to book your next sea-going adventure! Check out our comprehensive guide on what to pack for a cruise , and you'll be the most prepared passenger on deck.

• Royal Caribbean Blog : "Comparing Titanic vs. biggest cruise ship in the world"
• What Things Weigh : "Weight of Cruise Ship"
• Let's Talk Science : "Why do ships float?"
• Scientific American : "Fact or Fiction? Archimedes Coined the Term 'Eureka!' in the Bath"
• NASA : "Buoyancy: Archimedes Principle"
• How Stuff Works : "How Cruise Ships Work"

The post How Do Cruise Ships Float? appeared first on Reader's Digest .