Today, we shall be comparing the modern cruise ship with the Edwardian ocean liner.

Yes, they ware intended for different markets. With the exception of the Queen Mary, ocean liners were designed to transport people from one country to another. Cruise ships are designed to provide a fun place to go during the holidays. But due to their similarities in construction, design, and evolution, I shall be comparing them together...

Safety

Modern cruise ships win on this one. Better lifeboat technologies, crew management, lifeboat drills, extensive planning, and watertight compartments ensure a modern cruise ship does not easily sink. SOLAS regulations have also ensured that modern cruise ships are safer than ever before.

6/10 Ocean liners
9/10 Cruise ships

Luxury

The old ocean liners definitley win on this catagory. You would be lucky to get hand-crafted ornate mahoghany walls and an ultra-large smoking room on today's cruise ships. Also, modern cruise ships imitate the interior of a shopping mall. With tons of shops, takeaway venues, noisy people, and flurescent lights. Balconies are cheaper though, with the sacrifice in style. Meanwhile, ocean liners are mirrored on the warm, relaxing, and enjoyable lifestyles of yesteryear.

9/10 Ocean liners
7/10 Cruise ships

Style

Once again, the ocean liners remain triumphant. The top-heavy look on today's modern cruise ships lag far behind the sleek, elegant lines of ocean liners. Modern cruise ships look like huge warehouses stacked onto each other, ocean liners look much better.

The interiors of ocean liners combine different styles from different periods, from medieval styles to then-considered modern styles. Passengers can choose which style of cabin they want, with a suitable price according to their option. The public areas fo the ship may be decorated in various styles depending on the ship-builder's preferences.

In short, modern ocean liners have bare walls and ugly exteriors. However, the design of modern ocean liners are also somewhat more practical. These may include easier access routes and shortcuts.

8/10 Ocean liners
5/10 Cruise ships

Options

Hard to decide, a clear indication that they are both meant for diffferent markets. An ocean-liner would have more "luxurious" options, such as a smoking room, bar, cinema, grand dining room, indoor gymnasium, turkish baths, card room, library, and reading room. Cruise ships would have different options, focusing more on "fun" than "luxury". These would include Internet cafes, takeaway shops, a cinema, small cheap restraunts, bars, night clubs, and discos. In other words, cruise ships would appeal to those who like to do things fast and cheap. It all depends on your preferences.

7/10 Ocean liners
7/10 Cruise ships

Cabins

Again, very similar. Most modern ocean liners have cabins which feature balconies. Many ocean liners do not feature balconies. All ships also offer window-accessible cabins at an extra cost. Modern cruise ships have smaller cabins, similar to the size of a second-class suite on the Titanic. In terms of aesthetic appeal, the cabins imitate that of third-class on the Titanic.

7/10 Ocean liners
8/10 Cruise ships

Food

Depends on the passenger's preferences. Cruise ships offer quick cheap meals to satisfy today's fast-paced lifestyle. Think of McDonalds, ice cream venues, and small cafes. Ocean liners offer extensive courses of rich expensive meals, complete with live music and waiters. These can take up to three hours to finish. The dining rooms are huge grandoise rooms and are suitable for friendly socializing.

The dining rooms of modern cruise ships are small and efficient. Luxury is almost non-existent. There's no live music here, only the latest songs from the ship's stereo or radio are available for listening. That is, if you like that sort of stuff. But keep in mind that you can also get the same thing from a cheap takeaway shop in the middle of the sprawling city.

8/10 Ocean liners
7/10 Cruise ships

Atmosphere

As I said a few paragraphs before, it all depends on your preferences. In short, ocean liners offer live music, natural lighting, and a rich formal atmosphere. Modern cruise ships offer cheap takeaway shops, stores, and artifical fluroescent lighting. If you're prefer an affordable, efficient, no-frills lifestyle then a cruise ship is the one for you. If you would rather prefer something more comfortable and relaxing, an ocean liner would be the better bet.

8/10 Ocean liners
7/10 Cruise ships

Other factors

For men, an ocean liner generally requires you to dress in appropriate formal-wear, such as a lounge suit. This may appeal to some people. However, this does not matter inside a cruise ship, as anything goes. Just don't turn up naked.

8/10 Ocean liners
8/10 Cruise ships

And totaled up, the scores are...

61/80 Ocean liners
58/10 Cruise ships

Gosh, that was closer than I expected!

that is an interesting aggragate of data. It came in handy.

Thanks for the feedback. I've never personally travelled on any ship before so I guess I don't have much to compare anything with.

Just saw this thread... what a curious post...

I have a few comments. I've been on several cruises, and I've been on a cruise liner (Elizabeth 2) for a tour, but not a cruise.

I disagree with some of your assessments.

Safety - I believe they are now the same, there are regulations today, especially after the sinking of the Titantic, that each ship must have enough space for all passengers on either liferafts or boats.

Luxury... you'd have to define luxury. The Oceanliners definitely have more mahogany and brass, but most Cruise ships have spas, several pools, and elegant dining as well. Just in more modern settings.

Style - I guess ocean liners have more 'style'. That just means less port windows and balcony suites. And the ONLY time you get to see your ship exterior is after disembarking or boarding. On a cruise, how often do you do that? I'm not sure this point matters. As for interiors, can't argue with that. Again, mahogany and brass.

Options - true, it depends on what you want. Many cruise ships have things like rock climbing walls, 'surfing' waves on deck, golf games in the ocean, etc. If you're old and like sitting around, ocean liners may offer more.

Cheap is debateable. Just looked up Cunard's Ocean Liner line: http://www.cunardline.com.au/onoffer.asp

They have a special on the Queen Elizabeth 2 - NY to LA, 14 nights from $3,089. That's CHEEP. What do you think hotel costs in EITHER LA or NY?

If you want to do a 14 day cruiseliner to the Orient, it starts at $3500.

So which ship type depends more on where you want to go, and what you want to do on the ship, not how much you are willing to spend.

Cabins - definitely the ambiance of ocean liner cabins are better.

Food - no way. Even on 3 day cruises, I've never seen a cruise ship not offer full formal 'Captain Dinners', and every nite of the week you CAN eat in the formal dining rooms which often are decorated with Ice sculptures, carved butter, etc. You can eat fast food if you want, most ships have 5-6 restaurants and you can choose to eat a quick buffet instead of a sit down, but you always have the option of the dressy sit down (unless you're on a really small cruise ship).

I think there's less of a difference today than there used to be in ALL categories including price.

A quick bahama tour can be one of the cheapest vacations you ever took, since transport, food and lodging are all included. Just book a 3-4 day one and find out for yourself.