Cruising is a maritime activity that involves staying aboard a watercraft for extended periods of time when the vessel is traveling on water at a steady speed. Cruising generally refers to leisurely trips on yachts and luxury cruiseships, with durations varying from day-trips to months-long round-the-world voyages.
A cruising sailboat anchored in the San Blas Islands, in Panama.
'Canal barges in Belgium', an image from Robert Louis Stevenson's book, An Inland Voyage.
Cruisers can see traditional life in remote areas of the world; here, a Kuna paddles a dugout canoe in the San Blas Islands.
A motor yacht in Lorient, Bretagne, France
Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on tours known as "shore excursions". On "cruises to nowhere" or "nowhere voyages", some cruise ships make two- to three-night round trips without visiting any ports of call.
Wonder of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in service.
Icon of the Seas
Cruiseferry MS Galaxy at the port of Mariehamn, Åland, in February 2016
Cruise ships MSC Poesia, Vision of the Seas, and Mein Schiff Herz at Tallinn Passenger Port in Estonia
