Superliners

Superliners are a class of exceptionally large passenger ships, typically exceeding 1,000 feet in length and with a gross tonnage of over 100,000 tons. These vessels are primarily designed for ocean liner service, a mode of transport that was once a dominant force in international travel but has largely been superseded by air travel. While the term "superliner" can be applied to various large passenger vessels, it is most famously associated with the golden age of ocean travel in the mid-20th century.

Iconic examples of superliners include ships like the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, which served as both luxury liners and troopships during wartime. The largest and most famous superliner ever built was the SS United States, which still holds the transatlantic speed record. These ships were characterized by their luxurious amenities, advanced engineering for their time, and their ability to carry thousands of passengers across vast oceans.

In the modern era, the term superliner is often used interchangeably with "mega cruise ship." However, a distinction can be made: superliners were primarily designed for point-to-point transportation, whereas modern mega cruise ships are designed for leisure and entertainment, offering a wide array of activities and amenities for passengers on vacation voyages. While the era of scheduled transatlantic superliner crossings has largely ended, the legacy of these magnificent vessels endures in maritime history.