Have you ever incorrectly called a "cruise ship" a "boat" just to be corrected by a nearby naval enthusiast? You aren't alone. Many believe "cruise ships" and "boats" are synonymous and can be used interchangeably.
The difference isn't just a matter of terminology. It's about respecting the vessel's size, design, and purpose. Cruise ships, for example, are massive, multi-deck engineering marvels capable of carrying thousands of passengers and crew. They're decked out with restaurants, pools, theaters, and more, all meant to keep the guests entertained during their voyage.
Cruise ships are also propelled by multiple engines, whereas boats, like rowboats and motorboats, are powered by smaller engines or even human effort. Allure of the Seas, for example, has six engines, as well as tunnel thrusters, stabilizers, gas turbines, wastewater treatment systems, and large galleys to cook for the thousands of crew and passengers onboard.
Read more: Top 25 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World
Additionally, many naval enthusiasts argue that "boats" can easily be carried or transported by a larger vessel, like a cruise ship. For example, numerous lifeboats are stored on cruise ships. As such, the cruise ship itself, with its expansive decks and amenities, is too large to be considered a boat since it cannot fit inside another vessel.
The difference in purpose and activity is also notable. Boats are typically used for activities like fishing or sailing on the top decks. Meanwhile, cruise ships are designed for leisure. While cruise ships have expansive lido decks with pools, water slides, and more, there's equally as much to do inside. During a cruise, guests eat in the Main Dining Room, watch original production shows in the theater, attend trivia sessions, grab a drink at one of the many bars, play bingo, and more.
Some definitions require a vessel to weigh over 500 tons to be considered a ship. Today, most new-builds measure over 100,000 tons, whereas the average medium sailboat weighs around 2 or 3 tons.
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The crew on cruise ships and boats also operates differently. Ships are manned at all times, even when docked. For example, even when a cruise ship is in drydock, the remaining crew assists shipyard workers with things like catering, cleaning, and security.
Boats are only manned when in operation, so when docked, the crew disembarks and leaves the boat unoccupied. Unlike cruise ships, which are operational year-round, boats can sometimes be left for long periods of time between uses. Moreover, ships have more crew, with some cruise ships having upwards of 1,000 or 2,000 crew members onboard, including cabin stewards, bartenders, musicians, chefs, servers, and more.
Cruise ships also are built to sail in the open ocean. A transatlantic voyage, for example, may sail from Florida to Italy or Spain. Conversely, boats are typically designed for shorter trips that stay closer to the shore and are built to handle calmer, more predictable waters. There also aren't private rooms for each passenger on a boat, with cruise ships featuring lavish cabins that are sometimes two or three decks!
Another way to differentiate a ship from a boat is by observing the direction it leans when it turns. According to The Maritime Post, "A U.S. Navy rule of thumb is that ships lean towards the outside of a sharp turn, while boats lean towards the inside...If the hull force is greater than the rudder force, the vessel leans outwards, otherwise it leans inwards."
That said, there's no internationally accepted definition of a boat versus a cruise ship. Some people still use "boat" and "ship" interchangeably, but there’s one exception: submarines. While they should be considered ships, they are called boats because of their history.
Early submarines were transported aboard ships, so they were originally called "boats." As they grew in size, the name stuck, and they continue to be called boats to this day.
While it isn't the end of the world to accidentally mix up "boat" and "ship," the next time you board a cruise ship, remember you're vacationing on something larger, more complex, and more purpose-built than any boat!
Read more: How the world's biggest cruise ships shrink to fit under bridges
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
