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First Scheduled Trans-Atlantic Service Launched
Black Ball Line operated scheduled services between Liverpool, England and New York ports which began in 1818. They were one of the first Sail/Steam powered packet ships. -
P&O Is Founded
In 1837, the company won a contract from the Government to deliver mail to the Iberian Peninsula. -
Cunard Line Is Founded
The Cunard Line is a cruise line based in Carnival house at Southampton, England and is operated by Carnival UK, founded as a British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. Is a company by Samual Cunard, Sir George Burns and Robert Napier. -
Cows Travel On Board
Britannia, a cruise ship operated by Cunard left Liverpool with cows on board to provide a fresh supply of milk to passengers. -
P&O Introduced First Leisure Cruises
In the year 1844, PO expanded into leisure cruising and began offering sailings from the UK to the Mediterranean. They also first introduced passenger services with leisure cruising from Southampton to the Mediterranean, they were the first of these voyages and the forerunner of modern cruise holidays.
(Customer Type Demand)These were originally aimed at those with high levels of wealth (Royalty, Nobles and Senior Government/Business Officals. -
First Cruise Between New York And Europe
The Ship, known as the Quaker City, was the first cruise departed from New York to Europe. -
First 100% Steel Structured Ship
PO launched the ship Ravenna, which is the first to be constructed with a 100% steel superstructure.
(Technological Development) This marked the first time a ship had been designed using 100% steel. This created a more solid structure compared to traditional wood. -
Electric Lights
The first ship to have electric lights is launched called SS Valetta.
(Technological Development) -
First Ship Exclusively For Cruising Launched
The first ship that was built exclusively for luxury cruising was the Prinzessin Victoria Luise of Germany. This was the worlds first purpose-built cruise ship, built in Germany and launched 1900 for Hamburg America Line. Most of her cruises were from Hoboken, New jersey to Carribean. Also cruised Meditterian and Black Sea. -
Titanic Sinks
The Titanic was a British ocean liner, sank early in early hours of 15th April 1912 from an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York. Out of 2,224 passengers who were on board, 1,500 died. It's known as the deadliest peacetime sinkings of a single ship. -
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Glamour Of Cruising
Between 1920 and 1940, they were considered the most glamorous for passengers seeking to cross the Atlantic. The ships catered to the rich and famous, they were able to enjoy the luxurious on board surroundings.
(Customer Type Demand)
(Social Economic Changes) -
Cruise Lines Merge
White Star Line merge with their main rival Cunard Line. The Line would remain as a single company until 2005 when it was merged into Carnival Corporation plc.
(Integration) -
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World War 2
Many cruise ships were used to transport troops heading to war. Cruises and transatlantic sailing come to an abrupt end. Many ocean liners were destroyed during the war. -
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Ten Pound Poms
Between these years, over 1 million people paid a fare of £10 for passengers to get to Australia, giving them the name Ten Pound Poms. The majority of these travelled with PO.
(Social Economic Changes) -
Growth Of Air Travel
Large passenger jet aircraft were introduced, with travellers switching from ships to planes. This caused a rapid decline in passenger numbers. -
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Increasing The Appeal
Emphasis began to be placed on the entertainment aspect, travelling on a cruise through the 1960's. Lines attempted to appeal to passengers who hadn't sailed on board transatlantic vessels between 1920 and 1940.
(Social Economic Changes)
(Technological advances)
(Changes in Customer Type Demand) -
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Growth Of Cruise Lines
During this period several major cruise lines were founded including Princess Cruises (1965), Norwegian Cruise line (1966), Royal Caribbean (1968), MSC (1970), Carnival Cruises (1989) and Silversea (1994). These increased the number of cruise lines available, each one offers a wide range of products and services to demand more customers -
Love Boat Launches On TV
A US romantic-comedy show launched and set on a MS Pacific Princess and this helped to attract more people in going on cruise holidays.
(Customer Type And Demand) -
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More New Cruise Lines Emerge
Several new cruises lines were merged including Celebrity Cruises (1989), Disney Cruise Line (1995), Regent seven sea (1990) and Silversea (1994). This also expanded the amount of customers wanting to go on cruise holidays.
(Customer Type Demand) -
Thomson (TUI) Restart Their Cruise Line
Thomson restarted their cruise line called the Sun Cruises. It was rebranded Thomson cruises shortly after, before being rebranded again in 2017 as Marella cruises.
(Tour Operator Integration) -
Growth Of Large Corporations
Cunard was purchased by Carnival corporation in 1998, increasing the number of cruise lines they own. Royal Caribbean also continues to expand and introduce new cruise lines.
(Integration) -
Internet At Sea
The first cruise ship to have internet at sea launched in 1999. Norwegian sky becomes the first cruise ship to offer an Internet Cafe with paid pay-as-you-go internet access.
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Carnival Corporation Acquire P&O Cruises
PO Cruises were acquired by Carnival Corporation in 2003.
(Integration) -
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Launch Of The Three Queens
Cunard launched three new ships which are known as the 'three queens'. Queen Mary 2 (2004), Queen Victoria (2007) and Queen Elizabeth (2010).
(Technological Advances) -
Oasis Of The Seas Launches
Launched as the Oasis Of The Sea known as Royal Caribbean's first Oasis class ship. Debuted in 2009, these include neighbourhood concepts (Central park), Outdoor Aqua Theatre, Boardwalk light shows and capacity record.
(Technological Advances) -
Costa Concordia Sinks
The Costa Concordia sinks after hitting an underwater rock near the Island Isola del Giglio. The ships captain, Francesco Shettino was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison. The ship flooded, cutting power and engines. The accident raised concerns. -
Virgin Group Announce Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages is announced and plans to offer adult only cruises. Their first cruise ship, Scarlet lady, was launched in 2021.
(Customer Type Demand)
(Tour Operator Integration) -
P&O Launch Britannia
This launch became the largest vessel created for the British market. This includes Britain's first cookery school at sea and cutting-edge entertainment.
(Technological Development)
(Customer Type Demand) -
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Covid-19 Pandemic
The global cruise industry collapses as governments around the world introduce travel restrictions. In 2020, diamond Princess was quarantined off Japan for 2 weeks until passengers and crew were evacuated. 712 people were infected with Covid-19.
Nearly 30 cruise ships were scrapped during the Covid-19 pandemic and some cruise lines went into administration.
(Social Economic Changes) -
Icon Of The Sea's Set Sail
Royal Caribbean launch icon of the sea's, which becomes the worlds largest cruise ship capable of carrying a maximum of 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew. It includes the largest swim-up bar at sea, ice-skating and the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
(Technological Advances)