Ocean Liners (Crossing and Cruising the Seven Seas)

Ocean liners, the biggest ships on earth, changed history. Ocean liners—majestic passenger ships—once sailed all the world's seas. The busiest route, known as the Atlantic Ferry, crossed the North Atlantic. The liners that sailed there played important roles in times of both peace and war. Ships such as England's Britannia, Holland's Statendam, and Germany's Amerika transported the rich and famous as well as millions of immigrants to North America. The Titanic, among the most famous of ocean liners, steamed into legend on the night of April 14, 1912, when it collided with an iceberg. Over time, airplanes changed the nature of travel. The last of the great ships turned to offering passengers the pleasures of cruising. Here's the fascinating story of ocean liners—their history, development, and culture—from the first great ocean liner to today's Freedom of the Seas, which carries more than four thousand passengers.