50 Insane Facts About Cruise Ships You Didn’t Know

Summary

This video shares fascinating facts about cruise ships, covering both historical and modern aspects. From the Church of Scientology owning a luxury cruise ship to the tragic SS Eastland disaster, it delves into the quirks and surprises of cruising. The video also explores the environmental impact of cruises, with companies aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Other unique facts include magnetic walls for hanging notes, the existence of nudist cruises, and the average age of cruise passengers being 46.7 years. The video ends by answering when a boat becomes a ship—at 60 feet.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cruise ships can be incredibly luxurious, with guests paying significant amounts for premium experiences.
• 😀 Early cruise ships carried cows on board to provide fresh milk and as an emergency food supply.
• 😀 The Church of Scientology owns a cruise ship, The Freewinds, which is used for religious retreats in the Caribbean.
• 😀 Cruise ship captains earn an average salary of around $96,000 a year, but crew members earn significantly less, around $26,000 to $55,000.
• 😀 Safety equipment like lifeboats contributed to the downfall of the SS Eastland in 1915, which led to the deaths of 844 people.
• 😀 The Prinzessin Victoria Luise, launched in 1900, is considered the first true cruise ship, offering luxury travel between ports.
• 😀 Miami is known as the cruise capital of the world, with four major cruise ports in Florida.
• 😀 Cruises significantly increase your carbon footprint, with environmental impacts including ocean pollution and sewage disposal.
• 😀 Many cruise companies aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by adopting clean fuels and sustainable practices.
• 😀 Magnet collections can stick to cruise ship walls because of the metal behind the fabric or drywall, allowing for a unique way to hang notes.
• 😀 Some cruise lines offer nudist cruises, allowing guests to be completely naked in designated areas, such as a topless pool or deck.

Q & A

Why were cows brought aboard early cruise ships?

Cows were brought aboard early cruise ships to provide fresh milk for passengers and serve as a backup food supply in case the ship became stranded.

What is The Freewinds, and who owns it?

The Freewinds is a 440-foot cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology. It primarily sails around the Caribbean and is used for religious retreats.

What are some of the financial realities for cruise workers?

Cruise workers, except the captain, earn considerably less, with salaries ranging from $26,000 to $55,000 annually. They also send money back home to their families and don't pay for meals or housing.

What led to the sinking of the SS Eastland in 1915?

The SS Eastland capsized in 1915 due to the extra weight of lifeboats and rafts that were added for safety, which caused the ship to roll over and result in 844 fatalities.

What is considered the first cruise ship?

The Prinzessin Victoria Luise, built in 1900, is considered the first cruise ship. It allowed passengers to travel luxuriously from port to port, much like a floating hotel.

Why is Miami known as the cruise capital of the world?

Miami is called the cruise capital of the world because it has four major cruise ports, more cruises depart from Florida than anywhere else globally.

What is the environmental impact of cruising?

Cruising significantly raises one's carbon footprint, with reports stating it is about three times higher than land-based travel. Additionally, cruise ships contribute to ocean pollution through leakage and sewage disposal.

What are some of the steps cruise companies are taking to reduce emissions?

Cruise companies are working toward net-zero emissions by 2050. Some are building wind turbines and solar farms to offset carbon emissions, while others are transitioning to cleaner fuels like liquid natural gas and hydrogen fuel cells.

How can you use magnets on a cruise ship?

Magnets can be used on cruise ship walls to hang notes or reminders because the walls are often made with metal behind the fabric or drywall.

What is a nudist cruise, and what does it involve?

A nudist cruise is a type of cruise where passengers can choose to go around the ship naked, with some cruise lines offering designated topless pool areas or deck spaces for nudists.