Water transport

Unlike aviation, transport over land or water has developed since the dawn of civilization. Until the nineteenth century; animal or even human muscle was the motive power for vehicles, and this, together with the primitive state of the roads, explains why water transport was used wherever possible. Even today the 'freedom of the high seas' is internationally respected.

A distinction must be made between the long-haul or line routes plied by shipping and the short sea routes especially those of Europe and the Mediterranean, where ferries provide vital links in the international movement of travellers by road and rail. Cruising needs a separate category here since it is essentially water-borne tourism rather than a point-to-point voyage.

Sea travel is normally on a ferry, and the journey is called a crossing, but you can have a holiday on the sea if you go on a cruise. For some people a luxury cruise is the holiday of a lifetime [one you will always remember]. You may decide to book a berth in a shared cabin [a bed in a cabin with other people], or to have a single or double cabin. For more money, you can often get a deluxe cabin, perhaps on the upper deck [the higher part of the ship, which is often bigger and more comfortable]. Cruises often go to exotic [unusual or exciting] islands where you can get away from it all [escape your daily life and routines].

The world pattern of shipping routes

Passenger traffic on the short sea routes is increasing rapidly throughout Western Europe largely as the result of the popularity of motoring holidays and the growth of trade between the countries of the EC. The introduction of roll-on roll-off facilities has enabled the ports to handle a much greater volume of cars, coaches, and trucks, and most ferries now operate throughout the year with greatly improved standards of comfort and service. With the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 many cross-Channel ferry companies are moving their investment into the Western English Channel.

Cruising represents a purely leisure-based use of sea transport. The chartering and operation of ships for inclusive tours began in the 1860s and reached its heyday in the 1920s. Typically, such cruises lasted for several months and catered exclusively for upper-income groups with abundant leisure and wealth. The sea voyage, often undertaken for health reasons, was more important than the places visited. In the post-war period, cruising again increased in popularity and has helped to offset the great decline in scheduled services offered by the passenger liner. Since the 1950s shipping lines have diversified into cruising, although this has not always been an easy transition, as the ships were often unsuitable.

The introduction of fly-cruising 1960s was important as it allowed the cruise ship to be based in a port in the cruising region. Cruise ships have become smaller as few ports of call can accommodate 30 000-ton passenger liners. Increasingly, with the development of themed, special-interest cruises with sports and activities, ships are designed with a great deal of open deck space for warm-water voyages. The cruise market has proved resistant to recession with a loyal, repeat market.

The Caribbean is the most popular cruising. Its popularity is based on its position close to the American cruise market the largest in the world); its ideal climate and island scenery; and the wide choice of shore excursions. Cruise ships operate out of San Juan, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Barbados and Miami.

The two other main cruising regions are the Mediterranean and the Far East/Pacific. Cruising in the Mediterranean is dominated by the North European market. There are many ports of great cultural, historic, and natural interest which can be visited. Areas for summer cruises include the Baltic and Norwegian coast in northern Europe and British Columbia and Alaska in North America.

In Finland and Russia the Baltic seaports are kept open during most winters at considerable cost by fleets of icebreakers. Russia is at a disadvantage in having few ice-free ports and even these, such as Murmansk, are located far from the main centers of population However, in summer, sea-going vessels can penetrate great distances inland by using the very extensive system of rivers and canals.