A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way. Transportation is not the prime purpose, as cruise ships operate mostly on routes that return passengers to their originating port, so the ports of call are usually in a specified region of a continent.

Cruise ships are organized much like floating hotels, with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the usual ship's crew. It is not uncommon for the most luxurious ships to have more crew and staff than passengers.

On-board Facilities
Most modern cruise ships feature the following facilities:
Casino - Only open when the ship is at sea
Spa
Fitness center
Shops - Only open when ship is at sea
Library
Theatre with Broadway style shows
Cinema
Indoor and/or outdoor swimming pool
Hot tub
Buffet restaurant
Lounges
Gym
Clubs

Security
Cruise ships have various security measures including LRADs to deter pirates, as well as CCTV, metal detectors and x-rays to prevent weapons and contraband onboard.