With the recent introduction of VR technology into the cruise industry from Cruiseabout this week, we thought it fitting to pay our respects to the cruise forefathers who came before us.
The first ever cruise ship built exclusively for leisure travel was completed in 1900 and called the Prinzessin Victoria Luise.
It was designed by Albert Ballin, the general manager of Hamburg-America Line.
Prinzessin Victoria Luise circa 1990
However, it was the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (you may know them simply as P&O – did you catch their recent five ship spectacular in Sydney Harbour?) which actually operated the first leisure cruise service back in 1844, whisking passengers away from Southampton to the sunnier destinations of Gibraltar, Malta and Athens.
This makes P&O officially the oldest cruise line in the world.
During the next 50 years, P&O were true leaders in the industry, having built the first ship with a total steel superstructure in 1880 (the SS Ravenna) and the first ship to use electric lights – the SS Valetta, built in 1889.
Moving on, the swinging 60s were a turbulent time for the cruising industry, with the popularity of flying – thanks to the development of large passenger jet planes – becoming the default option for intercontinental travellers.
However, in the 70s, cruising became popular again as a leisure activity, with TV shows like the Love Boat romanticising cruise travel.
Cruising became so popular in the 70s and 80s, in fact, that not even the politics of the Cold War was enough to dissuade cruise hopefuls from the Soviet Union from hopping aboard a ship for a little sail at sea!
With cruising growing in Australia and around the world, we’re excited to see just what the cruising future holds.
