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Cinematic voyages: 20 unforgettable cruise ship movies.

Are you looking for inspiration to plan your first cruise ? Take a cinematic voyage with my pick of movies set on a cruise ship.

Not all of these cruise ship movies are masterpieces (although some are). A few are utter stinkers. However, each of them showcases aspects of life on the high seas.

Although I have indicated the availability of these films on Netflix and Amazon Prime there may be regional variations. Information here relates to the UK market in March 2024.

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

IN THIS ARTICLE

Classic Movies About Cruise Ships

Let’s start with the best movies about cruise ships, from films from Hollywood’s Golden Age to a science fiction classic.

Now, Voyager (1942)

Now, Voyager is not only one of the best movies set on a cruise ship but it is also one of my favourite films of all time. I blub like a baby each time I watch it.

Cowed by her domineering mother, middle-aged neurotic Boston heiress Charlotte Vale (a stupendous Bette Davis) takes a cruise after a restorative stay in a sanatorium. Whilst on board, she falls in love with the married Jerry (Paul Henreid).

The movie is famous for an iconic scene where Paul Henreid’s character lights two cigarettes and gives one to Bette Davis. 

A masterpiece of a movie.

• Running time: 1 hour 57 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score : 90%
• Available for streaming on Amazon Prime here .

An Affair to Remember (1957)

This melodrama directed by Leo McCarey and starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr is considered to be one of the most romantic films of all time.

Playboy Nickie (Grant) and Terry (Kerr) fall in love on a transatlantic cruise to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, they agree to meet in six months at the top of the Empire State Building. But will all go to plan?

An Affair to Remember was introduced to a new generation of cinema-goers when it was featured in the 1993 movie Sleepless in Seattle .

• Running time: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 65%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score : 87%
• Available for streaming on Amazon Prime here

Death on the Nile (1978)

Agatha Christie’s 1937 murder mystery has been adapted for the silver screen three times but the original film version is the best of the bunch (don’t go near Kenneth Branagh’s woeful 2022 remake).

Directed by John Guillermin, Death on the Nile was Peter Ustinov’s first appearance as Hercule Poirot and perhaps his best. Soon after Poirot boards a ship for a luxurious cruise down the Nile, a newlywed heiress is discovered murdered on board. Who is her murderer?

• Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score : 78%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score : 79%

The Fifth Element (1997)

Welcome to a cruise ship of the future.

For my money, Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element is up there with the best science fiction movies of all time. Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis giving one of his finest performances) is a 23rd-century cab driver who is unwittingly pulled into a search for a mysterious fifth element that will prevent an apocalyptic event.

Much of the action in the final third of the movie takes place on Fhloston Paradise, a space cruise ship patronised by the rich and powerful. This superliner features twelve swimming pools with two VIP pools, dozens of high-end restaurants and a concert hall.

A glimpse of the future of cruising? Minus the giant fireball of course.

• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score : 91%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90%

Disaster Movies Set on a Cruise Ship

The poseidon adventure (1972).

The 1970s was the decade for disaster movies featuring all-star ensemble casts and The Poseidon Adventure gets my vote as the best disaster film set on a cruise ship.

This multi-nominated movie – it went on to win two Oscars – centres on the ageing SS Poseidon on her final voyage from New York to Athens. After it is upended by a tsunami on New Year’s Day, it’s a race against time to bring the survivors to safety.

Spoiler alert; not many passengers make it.

• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 81%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score : 76%

Titanic (1997)

The Oscar-winning, multi-nominated Titanic is one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Directed by James Cameron and starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, this epic movie about one of the most famous cruise ships in history is also one of the most expensive movies ever made.

The sinking of the Titanic is viewed through the lens of a fictional relationship across the social divide between Rose (Winslet), and Jack (DiCaprio).

• Running time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 69%

A Night to Remember (1958)

Despite Titanic ’s many gongs, I far prefer this treatment of the sinking of the ill-fated cruise ship.

Filmed in a semi-documentary style, A Night to Remember sticks closely to the facts of the ship’s sinking, unimpeded by fictional sub-plots. This riveting film portrays the events of the fateful night of 15 th April 1912 from the perspective of the luxury liner’s second officer, Charles Lightoller (Kenneth More). 

• Running time : 2 hours 3 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100%

Cruise Ship Movies to Make You Laugh

Monkey business (1931).

Monkey Business was the Marx Brothers’ third feature comedy and takes place on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic to the USA.

Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo play four stowaways who are forced to work for a pair of feuding gangsters to evade capture by the ship’s crew. After the ship docks, the zany quartet become unlikely heroes when one of the gangsters kidnaps the other’s daughter.

• Running time: 1 hour 18 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84%
• Available for on DVD from Amazon Prime here

Out to Se a (1997)

Out to Sea is not Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon’s finest cinematic outing by any stretch of the imagination but it is a harmless bit of escapist fun.

Hunting for lonely women with hefty bank balances, Charlie (Matthau) coaxes his widower brother-in-law Herb (Lemmon) into working with him as a dance host on an all-expenses-paid luxury cruise. Under the watchful eye of the cruise director (played by Brent Spiner from Star Trek ), Charlie pursues wealthy socialite Liz (Dyan Cannon) and Herb unexpectedly falls for Vivian (Gloria DeHaven).

• Running time: 1 hour 49 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score : 36%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 52%

The Parent Trap (1998)

This romantic comedy directed and co-written by Nancy Meyers stars Lindsay Lohan playing the role of identical twins who discover their relationship when they are sent to the same summer camp. The twins then set to work trying to reunite their parents.

While much of The Parent Trap takes place on land, there are some scenes set aboard Cunard’s now-retired Queen Elizabeth 2 (they were actually filmed on  Queen Mary , which is docked in Long Beach, California).

• Running time : 2 hours 7 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 70%

Like Father (2018)

In this predictable rom-com, jilted bride Rachel (Kristen Bell) ends up on her honeymoon Caribbean cruise with her estranged father Harry (Kelsey Grammer).

Like Father is set aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas , so lovingly filmed that it feels like an infomercial at times.

• Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 46%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 47%
• Available for streaming on Netflix

Carry on Cruising (1962)

Carry on films are a guilty pleasure for me. Cinematic masterpieces they are not but they are silly fun from a more innocent time.

Carry on Cruising is very much in this mould.

Sid James plays Wellington Crowther, the captain of SS Happy Wanderer, who is forced to replace five absent crew members at short notice. Not only are these the most incompetent shipmates to set foot on deck, but the passengers are no picnic.

• Running time: 1 hour 29 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: N/A
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 51%

Musicals Set on Cruise Ships

Gentlemen prefer blondes (1953).

Shot in glorious Technicolor and featuring a razor-sharp screenplay, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is one of the best musical comedies set on the seven seas.

Showgirl Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) sets sail for Paris with her friend Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell), where she plans to marry her wealthy beau, Gus Esmond Jr. However, her plan is placed in jeopardy by the watchful eye of a private detective hired by Mr Esmund Sr. and by Lorelei’s love of diamonds.

• Running time: 1 hour 31 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 98%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83%

Royal Wedding (1951)

Do you fancy on-board entertainment Hollywood-style?

In the run-up to the wedding between the then Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, an American brother-and-sister song-and-dance team Tom (Fred Astaire) and Ellen Bowen (Jane Powell) set sail for London. Then love intervenes for both siblings.

• Running time: 1 hour 32 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92%

Shall We Dance? (1937)

Was there ever a more perfect recipe than Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers performing to the sublime music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin?

Set on a transatlantic sailing from Paris to New York, Shall We Dance? features Astaire as Pete “Petrov” Peters, a Russian ballet dancer, and Rogers as Linda Keene, a musical-comedy star. As a publicity stunt to prolong Linda’s career, her agent leaks to the press that the two performers are married. 

Will a fake marriage turn into the real thing?

This exhilarating musical features some of the greatest songs ever composed, including They Can’t Take That Away From Me and Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off.

• Rotten Tomatoes audience score : 84%

Romance on the High Seas (1948)

Starring Doris Day in her film debut and choreographed by Busby Berkeley, Romance on the High Seas is a farce with romantic misunderstandings at its heart. Georgia Garret (Day) is a nightclub singer who is hired to assume the identity of a socialite, Elvira Kent, on a cruise to Rio de Janeiro to allow Kent to remain at home to spy on her suspected unfaithful husband,

Filming locations for Romance on the High Seas included Rio de Janeiro and Cartegena in Colombia.

• Running time: 1 hour 39 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 61%
• Available to buy on Blu-Ray here

Dramatic Movies Set on a Cruise Ship

Ship of fools (1965).

This eclectic group of passengers on a cruise ship bound for pre-war Germany from Mexico represents a microcosm of 1930s society. Picking up eight Oscar nominations and directed by Stanley Kramer, Ship of Fools features a stellar ensemble cast including Vivien Leigh (in her final film role), Lee Marvin and George Segal.  

Although the action takes place almost entirely on an ocean liner, the movie was filmed on a soundstage at Paramount Studios.

• Running time : 2 hours 29 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 64%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score : 77%

Table for Five (1983)

In this poignant melodrama, divorced father J.P. Tannen (Jon Voight) takes his three children on a Mediterranean cruise in an attempt to reconnect with them. However, he quickly realises that this is not that easy and is faced with an impossible decision when he learns of a tragedy back home.

Partly filmed on MS Vistafjord (built for the now defunct Norwegian American Line ), shooting locations for Table for Five included Rome , Genoa, Haifa in Israel , Athens and Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt.

• Running time: 2 hours 2 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 67%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 59%
• Not currently for streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime or to buy on DVD or Blu-Ray

Speed 2 Cruise Control  (1997)

Keanu Reeves was wise to decline the lead role in this lame sequel to Speed . In his place, Jason Patric teamed up with Sandra Bullock as they battled to get all of the passengers on a Caribbean cruise to safety when disaster strikes.

Seabourn Legend was rented for six weeks to film the movies and its multiple filming locations were used including those in the USA, the Caribbean and France.

• Running time: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 4%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score : 16%

And the Award for the Worst Cruise Movie Ever Made Goes to …

Jack and jill (2011).

If you thought that Speed 2 Cruise Control  was bad, this is the cinematic turkey to beat all cinematic turkeys.

Improbably, Adam Sandler plays twins Jack and Jill who join their family on a cruise vacation. Jack and Jill is so unfunny and its plot so preposterous, that I don’t have the will to say any more about it.

This became the first film to sweep the board of the Razzies, winning in each category including Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Actor, Worst Actress, and Worst Screenplay. The cruise ship scenes were filmed aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas .

• Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 3%
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 36%

And that’s a wrap.

Whether you are looking for inspiration to plan a cruise or simply looking for recommendations for a sofa and popcorn night at home, I hope that this cruise ship movies list hits the spot.

Watch, dream and book that cruise.

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About Bridget

Bridget Coleman is a complete cinephile and has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

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Ten of the best disaster movies set at sea

Since those huge white letters were first hoisted up that hill, Hollywood has had an obsession with maritime disaster - and the new trailer for Craig Gillespie's The Finest Hours  looks to set to continue the damp craze.

The latest in a long list of danger-at-sea films, it tells the true story of the perilous 1952 rescue mission by the US Coastguard that saved dozens of lives.

Boasting impressive oceanic effects and suitably emotional dialogue, the Chris Pine-starring drama looks set to make waves at the cinema come 2016.

But The Finest Hours is just the latest in a wave (sorry) of films about beleaguered ship captains battling the elements, especially with the advent of realistic CGI giving directors the ability to cook up the perfect storm.

So how does it contend with the others? Let's have a look...

The Perfect Storm

Storm movies don't get more perfect than this. Based upon real events that saw the loss of a fishing boat and its entire crew in the so-called 'Perfect Storm' of 1991, this film doesn't pull any punches with its depiction of the crew's hopeless last hours inside the hurricane. 

Worth watching alone for that shot of the film's climactic wave.

Not a disaster movie  per se , but  Life of Pi 's defining moment is certainly the breathtaking shipwreck that sees the titular orphan stranded at sea with nothing for company but a hungry tiger.

At least the Germans seem to agree - the official German title of the film is Schiffbruch mit Tiger,  or "Shipwreck With Tiger".

The Poseidon Adventure

Long before 2006's lukewarm remake,  The Poseidon Adventure  had reigned supreme as the king of all shipwreck movies. After the cruise liner he is on is overturned by a rogue wave, unconvincing vicar Gene Hackman has to save the passengers from certain death.

One of the classic all-star disaster movies that boast the likes of  Earthquake  and  The Towering Inferno ,  The Poseidon Adventure  makes up for what it lacks in Oscar material with hammy dialogue and painfully dated special effects.

It goes without saying that the, well, titanic scale of this film is something that Hollywood has been trying to top ever since.

Still the 2nd highest-grossing movie of all time, this seabound-romance-cum-disaster-epic is also the 2nd ever film we cried at - after  Air Bud 2.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Before he butchered his credibility (and our ears) in  Les Miserables , Russell Crowe was a certified badass - just take a look at his pistol-toting captain in  Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

Crowe, somewhat unsurprisingly, plays both master and commander of a British warship during the Napoleonic wars - cue blasting cannons, raging storms and the most knuckle-biting amputation scene ever committed to the silver screen.

All is Lost

Featuring only one cast member,  All Is Lost  sees Robert Redford's yacht captain faring a one-man battle against a tropical storm.

It's a testament to Robert Redford that he can play an old lonely man in a raincoat, barely saying a word, and still be effortlessly cool.

K-19: The Widowmaker

With all the real-life tragedies at sea, it makes one wonder why we don't just stay on land. Harrison Ford stars as captain of the doomed submarine K-19, struggling to keep his crew alive after a radiation leak.

The film's title has been criticised, as the nickname 'Widowmaker' was actually dreamt up by movie execs and never used in real life. A producer has been since quoted as saying it was "one of their biggest mistakes".

White Squall

Another true story,  White Squall  follows a group of students and their captain as they battle the meteorological anomaly of the title, which is said to generate waves 20 feet high.

Although the tale it is based on is pretty impressive,  White Squall  isn't often included on the list of Ridley Scott's best. Mainly because it's quite rubbish.

In the Heart of the Sea

Although it hasn't been released yet,  In The Heart of the Sea  has already impressed us with Ron Howard at the helm and a cast including Chris Hemsworth and Cillian Murphy.

When a whaling ship is set adrift off the coast of New England, it's not just the elements that the crew have to brave - they'll also be facing off against the vengeful whale which inspired Herman Melville's  Moby Dick.  Our money's on the whale.

Of course if you fancy a blast from the past you could root for the original  Moby Dick,  where they decided to dismiss practical effect in favour of murdering real whales.

Anything for a good shot, eh?

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'Triangle of Sadness' and 9 More Must-See Boat Disaster Movies

"You're gonna need a bigger boat."

Movies love to weaponize the world around us, often turning everyday items and vehicles into killing machines capable of massive destruction. Final Destination has built a franchise around freak accidents , while other movies' plots center around the impact and aftermath of these incidents. Whether its planes, trains, or automobiles, film and television characters are never safe from an elaborate disaster sequence.

RELATED: 15 Great Thriller Movies That Will Make You Afraid of the Ocean

While the best disaster movies often subject their cast to accidents on an outrageous scale, not every movie about cursed voyages offers large-scale disaster. When looking at movies set on boats in particular, some of the most harrowing and disastrous trips involve little actual destruction. It is the feeling of isolation, being alone at sea that is the real fear, as all manner of dangers can reveal themselves when no one else is around to stop them. The most popular maritime disaster movie—many would call it the gold standard—is of course, Titanic , but there's so much more to be discovered.

1 'Triangle of Sadness' (2022)

A recent critical success that has found itself nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, Triangle of Sadness is a dark comedy that takes a bite out of high society . Set aboard a luxury cruise ship, the film follows an ensemble cast of characters comprised of guests and crew, each dealing with their own problems in their own self-absorbed way.

Needless to say things quickly escalate, and after a storm hits the ship, alongside another threat, the spoiled rich folk find themselves needing to fend for themselves for the first time. Those who are easily nauseated by bodily fluids might want to skip this one as the movie's most memorable sequence involves a literal fountain of excrement .

2 'All Is Lost' (2013)

A survival story based on one man's determination while stranded at sea, All Is Lost stars Robert Redford as its unnamed protagonist. The film opens with the man's boat flooding with water after colliding with a shipping container, and from there it follows his desperate attempts to stay alive as the situation grows increasingly dire.

Being the only actor in the film, everything relies on Redford's shoulders, and thankfully the veteran delivers one of the best performances of his career in his twilight years. It is a performance that relies on physical acting as only 51 words are spoken throughout the film, and Redford manages to endear himself to us despite being a mostly silent protagonist.

Watch on Peacock

3 'The Perfect Storm' (2000)

Released long before the age of infinite documentary shows that follow the lives of fishing crews, The Perfect Storm follows one such crew as they head out to bring in a much-needed haul during disastrous weather. It is not long before the shipmates find themselves in over their heads, as the very real risk of dying at sea presents itself.

Based on a creative non-fiction book of the same name, The Perfect Storm showcases the hazards that fishermen face as they try to make a living, asking if the potential spoils outweigh the constant danger. It is a basic story, but it is bolstered by a great cast that is led by George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg , and some impressive visual effects for the time.

4 'Project Wolf Hunting' (2022)

Pitched as Con Air on a boat, Project Wolf Hunting is set aboard a cargo ship that has been transformed to house prisoners as they are transported from the Philippines to South Korea. It does not take long for the prisoners to take control of the ship, but when a new threat emerges, the criminals and the police are soon forced to work together.

Another fine addition to the great horror scene in South Korea, Project Wolf Hunting is an extravaganza of gore. The halls of the ship are literally flooded with blood as guns and knives mutilate the cast, creating a must-watch for horror fans. The story also offers enough twists to keep viewers invested as the film's true villain shifts multiple times.

5 'Dead Calm' (1989)

A cult classic from Australia, Dead Calm follows married couple John ( Sam Neill ) and Rae Ingram ( Nicole Kidman ). After losing their son in an accident, the grieving parents vacation on their yacht to try and find some peace. They soon rescue Hughie ( Billy Zane ), a man stranded at sea who claims his ship sunk. Once aboard, however, Hughie reveals dark intentions as he brings harm to the couple.

Exploring the idea that sometimes the most dangerous things at sea are the people on board with you, Dead Calm is an effective thriller as it makes the most of its claustrophobic setting. All three leads deliver great performances, with Zane in particular proving effective as the sociopathic Hughie.

6 'Ghost Ship' (2002)

A classic of the early 2000s Blockbuster era, many children were first introduced to the horror genre after convincing their parents to rent Ghost Ship . The film follows a crew of salvagers as they board an abandoned cruise ship in search of treasure, instead only finding supernatural evil and a gruesome demise.

Despite some decent death scenes, Ghost Ship is a mostly forgettable haunted house movie at sea. Only the film's opening scene has kept it popular among genre fans, as its prologue involving the ship's guests being dismembered by a rogue wire cord is a notoriously gruesome moment that lives rent-free in gore hounds' heads.

7 'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972)

A classic of the disaster genre, The Poseidon Adventure follows the passengers of a cruise ship on New Year's Eve. When a rogue wave causes the large vessel to overturn and trap its occupants at the bottom, a small group of survivors attempts to reach the surface as they face all manner of dangers in the sinking ship.

One of the best examples of the disaster genre done right, The Poseidon Adventure works because of its exciting set-pieces, gradually growing tension, and a terrific ensemble cast. A remake simple dubbed Poseidon was released in 2006 and does a pretty good job of capturing the exhilarating spirit of the original.

8 'Deep Rising' (1998)

An underrated horror gem from the end of the 20th century, Deep Rising is set aboard a cruise ship after it is attacked by a strange underwater monster. When Captain Finnegan ( Treat Williams ) and his crew are hired to transport an armed squad of thieves to the ship, all they find are the remains of the dead passengers and the still-hungry creature.

Deep Rising copies classic action-horror films such as Aliens to create an enjoyable monster movie on the high seas. The creature in question is memorable as it is visually distinct from your average horror fare, and the film's entertaining script is bolstered by a cast of familiar faces including Famke Janssen and Djimon Hounsou .

9 'Triangle' (2009)

A mind-bending thriller that has remained popular in genre circles since release, Triangle follows Jess ( Melissa George ) as she joins her friends for a day trip on a yacht. After experiencing boat troubles, they climb aboard a nearby ship that is seemingly abandoned, except for the masked figure that is stalking them across its halls.

Triangle dips its toes into a few different genres across its duration, including horror, psychological thriller, and even science-fiction. To say anymore would ruin the surprises that it contains, but needless to say it features a well-crafted story that will have the viewer questioning everything they have seen as the characters try to escape this ghost ship.

Watch on Shudder Watch on Peacock Watch on Tubi

10 'Jaws' (1975)

The movie that ruined the ocean for mankind, Jaws ' scares are still just as effective almost fifty years later. Set in the peaceful seaside town of Amity, the community is soon shattered by the arrival of a great white shark that puts the residents on the menu and shows no mercy to any who dare to enter the water.

The real movie begins when our three heroes: police chief Brody, grizzled fisherman Quint, and marine biologist Hooper set sail to destroy the shark once and for all. Once holding the title of the highest-grossing movie of all time , Jaws is iconic as the three strangers bond at sea, risking their lives to exterminate one of Earth's deadliest killing machines, with their only safety net being the small fishing boat that could sink at any moment.

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• The Worst Cruise Ship Disasters
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The 40+ Best Lost At Sea Movies

The best lost at sea movies of all time chart a course through the uncharted territories of human endurance, capturing the imagination with tales of survival, isolation, and the indomitable human spirit. Set against the vast, unforgiving expanse of the ocean, these films weave narratives that are as deep and poignant as the waters they traverse. They invite viewers into stories where the sea is more than just a setting—it's a character, challenging the protagonists in ways both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Among these cinematic voyages, Cast Away stands out with its compelling portrayal of solitude and survival, anchored by Tom Hanks' unforgettable performance. Equally stirring, Adrift captivates with its harrowing true story of love and endurance against the merciless Pacific Ocean. These films, among others, beautifully navigate the tumultuous waters of hope, despair, and redemption, offering viewers an unforgettable journey into the heart of the human spirit.

This list wasn't cast adrift without direction; it was meticulously curated by a crew of movie experts who delved into the vast ocean of film to fish out the true pearls. From there, it was up to the watchers, those aficionados of the silver screen, to cast their votes and help steer this collection into the harbor of the must-watch, the best lost at sea movies of all time.

In this enthralling survival drama, director Robert Zemeckis captures the desperate struggle of Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), a FedEx employee who gets stranded on a remote island after a plane crash. As the narrative unfolds, the audience bears witness to Chuck's intense emotional journey as he seeks to stay alive in an unforgiving environment – from his frantic attempts to signal rescue, to his bond with the enigmatic volleyball Wilson. The film's gripping blend of isolation and existentialism makes it a quintessential tale of being lost at sea.

• Dig Deeper... Behind-The-Scenes Stories That Will Change The Way You Watch 'Cast Away'
• # 153 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 36 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies

Based on a harrowing true story, Adrift follows the lives of young couple Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin) as they embark on a sailing adventure across the Pacific Ocean. When they encounter a catastrophic hurricane, the pair must confront their own mortality and fight against all odds for survival. With its stunning visuals and exceptional performances, Adrift is a poignant and heart-wrenching take on love, loss, and resilience at sea.

James Cameron's epic disaster romance Titanic revisits the infamous sinking of the RMS Titanic, blending historical events with the fictional love story of upper-class Rose (Kate Winslet) and working-class Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio). The film's groundbreaking special effects and set design transport viewers into the heart of the disaster, while the compelling narrative keeps them hooked. Regarded as a cinematic masterpiece, Titanic remains a testament to the power of love amidst chaos and the indomitable human spirit.

• Dig Deeper... Weird But True Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Set Of 'Titanic'
• # 6 of 50 on The Biggest Movies Of The '90s, Ranked
• # 65 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

The Perfect Storm

Director Wolfgang Petersen brings Sebastian Junger's bestselling novel to life in The Perfect Storm , a thrilling drama about the ill-fated fishing vessel Andrea Gail and its crew during the “storm of the century.” Starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, the film's relentless action and palpable tension make it a must-watch for fans of high-seas adventure. The gripping storyline, bolstered by a talented ensemble cast, ensures that The Perfect Storm is a stormy voyage worth taking.

• Dig Deeper... Tragic Facts About The Perfect Storm, The Shipwreck Story No One Lived To Tell
• # 76 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
• # 6 of 58 on The Best Movies Based on Non-Fiction Books

All Is Lost

Robert Redford delivers a tour de force performance in J.C. Chandor's minimalist drama All Is Lost , playing an unnamed man who becomes stranded at sea after his sailboat collides with a shipping container. With virtually no dialogue, the film relies heavily on Redford's emotive acting and Chandor's masterful storytelling to convey the protagonist's desperation, resourcefulness, and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds. All Is Lost stands as a testament to the power of cinema to tell a compelling, human story with the barest of elements.

• # 177 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
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• # 36 of 50 on The 35+ Best Drama Movies About Survival

Captain Phillips

Paul Greengrass' thrilling biographical drama, Captain Phillips , recounts the incredible true story of the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking – the first American cargo ship hijacking in over 200 years. Tom Hanks delivers a powerful performance as the titular character, whose resourcefulness and bravery in the face of danger make him an unlikely hero. With its gripping narrative, stellar performances, and intense action, Captain Phillips is an enthralling portrayal of survival and human resilience in the open sea.

• # 170 of 190 on The Best Movies For Men
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Adapted from Yann Martel's novel, Ang Lee's visually stunning and spiritually resonant Life of Pi tells the extraordinary tale of Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma), a young Indian man who survives a shipwreck only to find himself sharing a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. As they embark on a fantastical journey through a captivating oceanic world filled with wonder, peril, and self-discovery, Lee seamlessly weaves elements of magical realism, religion, and philosophy into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Life of Pi 's breathtaking visuals and profound themes make it an essential viewing for anyone seeking solace or enlightenment in a sea of uncertainty.

• # 102 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
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In the Heart of the Sea

Ron Howard's visually striking and ambitious adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick's nonfiction book, In the Heart of the Sea , delves into the harrowing true story that inspired Herman Melville's classic novel, Moby Dick . The film chronicles the brutal journey of the whaling ship Essex as it encounters a monstrous sperm whale, leaving the crew stranded in a merciless ocean with dwindling resources and a terrifying foe. With its stellar cast – including Chris Hemsworth star performance – and captivating storytelling, In the Heart of the Sea is a chilling and visceral tale of survival and bravery in the face of insurmountable challenges.

• # 146 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
• # 182 of 190 on The Best Movies For Men
• # 9 of 15 on Movies You Shouldn’t Watch If You Have Thalassophobia

The Poseidon Adventure

A seminal disaster film from the 1970s, The Poseidon Adventure follows the struggle for survival aboard the SS Poseidon after the luxury liner capsizes due to a massive tidal wave. Directed by Ronald Neame and starring an all-star ensemble cast – including Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, and Shelley Winters – the film combines high-stakes action and gripping interpersonal drama, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. For fans of classic cinema and maritime thrillers, The Poseidon Adventure is a must-see.

• # 582 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
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Angelina Jolie's gripping biopic Unbroken tells the extraordinary true-story of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini (played by Jack O'Connell) and his unimaginable ordeal; from crashing into the Pacific Ocean during World War II to surviving 47 days adrift, only to be captured by the Japanese Navy. The film's powerful themes of perseverance, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit make it an inspiring and emotional watch. With its captivating narrative and standout performances, Unbroken is a compelling exploration of survival and redemption in the most trying of circumstances.

• # 117 of 262 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
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In this chilling horror film, a salvage crew discovers the derelict ocean liner, SS Antonia Graza, and quickly becomes entangled in a web of supernatural terror. Directed by Steve Beck, Ghost Ship masterfully blends elements of maritime adventure and spine-tingling horror to create a uniquely terrifying experience. With its eerie atmosphere, tight pacing, and compelling story, Ghost Ship is perfect for those in search of a thrilling, ghostly adventure at sea.

• # 99 of 396 on The Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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• # 9 of 31 on The 31 Scariest Ocean Horror Movies That'll Keep You On Dry Land

Loosely based on actual events, Open Water follows a couple left stranded in shark-infested waters after their scuba-diving excursion mistakenly leaves them behind. The film's gritty, low-budget approach captures the raw intensity of their struggle for survival, creating an unsettling sense of claustrophobia and dread. Directed by Chris Kentis, Open Water is a nerve-wracking, nail-biting thriller that serves as a sobering reminder of the perils of venturing into the unknown.

• # 53 of 126 on The 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
• # 41 of 57 on The Best Horror Movies Based On True Stories, Ranked
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The Finest Hours

Based on the incredible true story of the Coast Guard's daring rescue attempt during the 1952 New England nor'easter, The Finest Hours , directed by Craig Gillespie, captures the courageous efforts of four men who risked their lives to save more than 30 stranded sailors. Featuring an exceptional ensemble cast led by Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, this film expertly weaves together thrilling action sequences and poignant character moments to tell a timeless tale of heroism and sacrifice. The Finest Hours ' gripping narrative and emotional resonance make it an unforgettable maritime adventure.

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Based on a true story, The Reef follows a group of friends whose sailing trip takes a horrifying turn when their boat capsizes, leaving them at the mercy of a man-eating great white shark. Directed by Andrew Traucki, the film utilizes real shark footage to create a truly unnerving and authentic experience. With its relentless tension and harrowing depiction of survival, The Reef is a gripping and intense addition to the lost at sea genre.

• # 30 of 56 on The Best Vacation Horror Movies, Ranked By Fans
• # 8 of 31 on The 31 Scariest Ocean Horror Movies That'll Keep You On Dry Land
• # 25 of 45 on The Best Horror Movies About Deserted Islands

Satan's Triangle

This 1975 made-for-television horror film follows an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle. The survivors of a shipwreck are faced with supernatural occurrences and demonic forces that challenge their sanity and survival. With its eerie atmosphere and unique blend of horror and maritime adventure, Satan's Triangle remains a cult favorite for those seeking something beyond the typical lost at sea narrative.

The Shallows

In this tense and visually striking survival thriller, a young surfer named Nancy (Blake Lively) finds herself stranded on a rock just 200 yards from shore with a great white shark circling her. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, The Shallows is a tightly-paced, edge-of-your-seat experience that expertly combines beautiful cinematography with nerve-wracking suspense. As Nancy battles against time, the elements, and a formidable predator, The Shallows delivers a thrilling and visceral tale of resilience and determination.

• # 171 of 396 on The Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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The 2006 remake of the classic disaster film, Poseidon focuses on a group of passengers aboard a luxury cruise liner who must fight for their lives when the ship is capsized by a colossal wave. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, who also helmed The Perfect Storm , this film boasts a talented ensemble cast and impressive special effects. Though the remake may not hold the same classic status as its predecessor, Poseidon still delivers high-stakes action and suspense, making it an enjoyable addition to the lost at sea genre.

• # 90 of 114 on The Greatest Movie Remakes Of All Time
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The definitive cinematic adaptation of Herman Melville's classic novel, John Huston's 1956 film Moby Dick captures the obsessive quest of Captain Ahab (Gregory Peck) to seek vengeance on the great white whale that destroyed his ship and cost him his leg. With its stunning visuals, exceptional performances, and haunting score, this film dives deep into themes of obsession, revenge, and the unfathomable power of nature. Moby Dick is not only a timeless tale of maritime adventure but also a profound exploration of the human psyche.

• # 141 of 349 on The Best Movies Based On Books
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• # 21 of 56 on The 55+ Best Movies of 1956

Phillip Noyce's suspenseful thriller Dead Calm follows a grieving couple, played by Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman, as they seek solace on a sailing trip, only to encounter a psychotic man (Billy Zane) who has left a trail of destruction in his wake. As tensions rise and allegiances shift, the characters battle for survival in an increasingly dangerous game of cat and mouse. Dead Calm 's intense atmosphere, strong performances, and unpredictable twists make it an unforgettable addition to the lost at sea genre.

• # 32 of 83 on The Best Movies Of 1989, Ranked
• # 13 of 31 on The 31 Scariest Ocean Horror Movies That'll Keep You On Dry Land
• # 5 of 61 on The Greatest Australian Drama Films, Ranked

White Squall

Ridley Scott's nautical drama White Squall tells the true story of a group of teenage boys who embark on a six-month educational sailing expedition in the Caribbean, only to be caught in a devastating storm that tests their courage and unity. With its rich character development, breathtaking visuals, and heart-pounding action sequences, White Squall is both a thrilling high-seas adventure and a moving coming-of-age story that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.

• # 91 of 117 on The Best Movies Of 1996
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The inspiring true story of Thor Heyerdahl's daring 1947 expedition across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft comes to life in this award-winning film directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. With its engaging characters, stunning cinematography, and thrilling action, Kon-Tiki is both an exhilarating adventure and a testament to the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The film's rich historical context and captivating storytelling make it an essential viewing for fans of maritime cinema.

• # 56 of 277 on The Greatest Documentaries of All Time
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• # 12 of 15 on Movies You Shouldn’t Watch If You Have Thalassophobia

Open Water 2: Adrift

In this sequel to the chilling 2003 thriller, a group of friends on a yachting trip finds themselves stranded in shark-infested waters after neglecting to lower a ladder before diving into the ocean. As fear and desperation mount, the friends must confront their darkest fears and make life-altering decisions in their struggle for survival. Though lacking the raw intensity of its predecessor, Open Water 2: Adrift offers a suspenseful and nerve-wracking exploration of the human psyche in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In Wolfgang Petersen's taut and claustrophobic thriller, a German U-boat crew faces the perils of World War II below the surface while struggling to maintain their sanity within the confined space of their submarine. As the crew members are pushed to their breaking point, The Boat explores the psychological toll of warfare and the bonds forged amid adversity. With its authentic portrayal of life aboard a U-boat and its engaging character dynamics, this film remains a compelling and unique entry in the lost at sea category.

In this mind-bending horror-thriller, a group of friends finds themselves trapped in a time loop while stranded on a seemingly abandoned ocean liner. Directed by Christopher Smith, Triangle combines elements of psychological horror and maritime adventure to create a haunting and disorienting cinematic experience. With its eerie atmosphere, complex narrative structure, and chilling twists, Triangle is an unconventional and unforgettable addition to the lost at sea genre.

• # 5 of 26 on The Best Horror Movies About Time Travel
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The Guardian

In this gripping action-drama, Kevin Costner stars as a legendary Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer who takes on the challenge of training a young and reckless recruit, played by Ashton Kutcher. The film delves into the perilous world of search and rescue, showcasing the physical and emotional challenges faced by those sworn to protect lives at sea. Directed by Andrew Davis, The Guardian is an engaging and inspiring look at the sacrifices and bravery of those who risk it all in uncharted waters.

This inspiring documentary chronicles the remarkable journey of Laura Dekker, a 14-year-old sailor who sets out to become the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe solo. Directed by Jillian Schlesinger, Maidentrip captures the beauty, loneliness, and triumph of Dekker's incredible adventure with breathtaking cinematography and intimate personal footage. A testament to the power of determination and self-reliance, Maidentrip is a captivating and empowering look at the transformative potential of life at sea.

• # 49 of 52 on The Best Movies With A Little Girl Protagonist
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A Hijacking

Tobias Lindholm's tense and suspenseful drama A Hijacking follows the crew of a Danish cargo ship as they are taken hostage by Somali pirates, with the ship's cook serving as the primary focus of the story. As the tense negotiations between the ship owners and the pirates unfold, the film delves into themes of desperation, morality, and the human capacity for survival in extreme circumstances. A Hijacking 's realistic portrayal of modern-day piracy and its gripping narrative make it a must-watch addition to the lost at sea genre.

K-19: The Widowmaker

Based on the harrowing true story of a near nuclear disaster aboard a Soviet submarine in 1961, K-19: The Widowmaker stars Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson as naval officers whose bravery and ingenuity are pushed to the limit in their desperate race against time. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this suspenseful and emotionally charged film delves into themes of duty, honor, and the sacrifices made in the name of global security. With its gripping narrative, strong performances, and historical resonance, K-19: The Widowmaker is an engrossing addition to the lost at sea genre.

• # 91 of 152 on The Best Movies of 2002
• # 5 of 52 on The 50+ Best Submarine Movies
• # 6 of 15 on The Best Movies About The Soviet Union

Directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, this 1944 classic follows a group of survivors who find themselves confined to a small lifeboat after their ship is torpedoed during World War II. Hitchcock expertly manipulates the confined setting and tense character dynamics to create a suspenseful and engaging drama that explores themes of morality, survival, and the human capacity for cruelty and compassion in dire circumstances. A groundbreaking and thought-provoking entry in the lost at sea canon, Lifeboat remains an essential viewing for fans of the genre.

• # 212 of 253 on The 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
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Based on Peter Benchley's bestselling novel, this suspenseful thriller follows a vacationing couple, played by Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset, who uncover a shipwreck filled with valuable treasures and become entangled in a deadly game of greed and betrayal. Directed by Peter Yates, The Deep expertly blends underwater adventure, gripping suspense, and riveting character drama to create a thrilling high-stakes journey into the depths of human ambition and desire. With its memorable performances, lush cinematography, and pulse-pounding action, The Deep (1977) remains an enduring entry in the lost at sea genre.

• # 92 of 199 on The Best Movies Of The '70s, Ranked
• # 31 of 56 on The Best Vacation Horror Movies, Ranked By Fans
• # 16 of 31 on The 31 Scariest Ocean Horror Movies That'll Keep You On Dry Land
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In the middle of the ocean, no one can hear you scream.

29 Movies To Watch About Cruise Ships

The allure of cruise ships, opulent vessels sailing the open seas, has a magnetic pull, not only for travelers but also for filmmakers seeking captivating backdrops for their stories. In this cinematic voyage, we’ll delve into a broader selection of Movies To Watch About Cruise Ships that have set sail on the high seas of entertainment.

This collection of movies on cruise ships will give you a much-needed cruise fix between voyages. And live the cruise ship life through classic and modern movies with cruise ships as the main focus. Sit back and enjoy these ocean-fairing movies whilst planning your next voyage.

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Movies To Watch About Cruise Ships

1. the titanic 1997.

A film directed by James Cameron that tells the story of a young couple, Jack and Rose, who fall in love aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic during its maiden voyage. The ship hits an iceberg and sinks, leading to chaos and tragedy. The film alternates between the past and present as an elderly Rose recalls her experiences. The movie was a huge success, winning multiple Academy Awards and becoming a cultural phenomenon.

2. The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

A cinematic classic, this disaster film thrusts passengers into chaos when the S.S. Poseidon capsizes after being struck by a tidal wave. Their journey through the ship’s interior to reach safety forms the heart-pounding core of the story.

3. Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)

The sequel to the hit “Speed,” this film ups the ante by placing its action-packed events on a cruise ship . A rogue hacker takes control of the vessel, leaving the heroes with the daunting task of regaining control and averting disaster.

4. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018)

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” is an animated comedy film where Count Dracula and his monster friends go on a cruise vacation. Dracula falls for the ship’s captain, Ericka, unaware that she’s a descendant of a monster hunter. As their romance unfolds, secrets are revealed, leading to comedic chaos as they navigate mishaps and save their vacation from turning disastrous. The film combines humor, animation, and positive themes of acceptance.

5. Overboard (1987)

In this delightful romantic comedy, a wealthy heiress with amnesia is misled into believing she’s the wife of a working-class carpenter. The story takes a playful twist when the duo finds themselves on a luxury cruise, navigating not only the sea but also the waters of love.

6. Out to Sea” (1997)

This comedy duo Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, shines once again as they play dance hosts aboard a cruise ship. Their escapades and misadventures in this maritime setting create a perfect recipe for laughter and heartwarming moments.

7. Deep Rising (1998)

A unique blend of action and horror, “Deep Rising” takes a group of mercenaries to a hijacked cruise ship, only to find it infested with deadly creatures. The film’s suspense and adrenaline-pumping sequences keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

8. Monkey Business (1931)

A comedy film starring the Marx Brothers as stowaways on an ocean liner. Their irreverent and zany antics lead to chaos and confusion, involving gangsters and a young woman named Lucy. The film highlights the Marx Brothers’ signature rapid-fire wordplay and physical comedy, leaving a comedic legacy and showcasing their unique brand of humour

9. Virus (1999)

In a chilling twist, an alien force takes over a research ship, transforming it into a malevolent entity threatening humanity. The tense atmosphere and the survival struggle aboard the ship add layers of suspense to this sci-fi horror film.

10. An Affair to Remember (1957)

A romantic drama about Nickie and Terry, who meet on a cruise, despite both being engaged. They promise to reunite at the Empire State Building in six months if they still love each other. A tragic event separates them, but fate eventually brings them back together. The film explores themes of love, fate, and second chances, with an iconic Empire State Building scene. It’s a timeless tale of enduring romance and human connection.

11. Cruise Into Terror (1978)

A made-for-television horror film set on a cruise ship. When an ancient Egyptian curse is unleashed from a sarcophagus, passengers and crew members are haunted by supernatural events and mysterious deaths. The film combines horror and mystery elements within the unique backdrop of a luxury cruise, creating a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere.

12. The Last Voyage (1960)

A disaster film set on the S.S. Claridon, a luxury ocean liner that experiences an engine room explosion and fire. Passengers and crew, including the Webster family , must navigate chaos and peril as the ship sinks. The film captures tension and heroism amid the disaster and showcases the realistic portrayal of a ship’s demise.

13. Cruise (2018)

Set against the backdrop of a summer cruise, this drama explores the evolving relationship between two friends. As they sail through their vacation, unexpected emotions and challenges lead to introspection and growth.

14. Jack and Jill (2011)

The movie tells the story of Jack Sadelstein, a successful executive, and his identical twin sister Jill, both played by Adam Sandler. As part of their holiday adventure, they join a cruise on the Allure of the Seas, a groundbreaking ship by Royal Caribbean International . Onboard, a blend of sibling rivalry and comedic attempts to matchmake Jill with Al Pacino leads to hilarious chaos and calamity.

15. Carry on Cruising (1962)

A British comedy film set on a cruise ship, featuring Captain Crowther and his bumbling crew as they navigate a series of hilarious misadventures involving passengers. This film is part of the renowned “Carry On” film series, known for its slapstick humor and memorable ensemble cast.

16. Ship of Fools (1965)

A drama set on a German ocean liner in 1933. The film follows a diverse group of passengers from different backgrounds, each with their own stories and conflicts. Through their interactions, the movie delves into themes of prejudice, class divisions, and human nature, serving as a microcosm of society and reflecting the tensions of the era. The film’s ensemble cast and exploration of complex social issues have made it a notable entry in cinematic history.

17. Shall We Dance (1937)

A musical romantic comedy starring Fred Astaire as Petrov, a ballet dancer, and Ginger Rogers as Linda Keene, a musical comedy star. The film follows their mistaken identity as a married couple on a cruise ship, leading to romantic complications and charming dance routines, including the famous roller skating dance. The movie showcases the iconic partnership and dance skills of Astaire and Rogers in a lighthearted and entertaining story.

18. Open Water 2 (2006)

A psychological horror film about a group of friends who become stranded in the open ocean after jumping off their yacht for a swim and realising they can’t climb back aboard. Tensions rise as they confront their mistakes and struggle to survive while adrift at sea. The film explores their psychological and emotional turmoil in the face of their dire predicament.

19. Assault on a Queen (1966)

A heist film where criminals led by Mark Brittain (played by Frank Sinatra) plan to rob the luxury ocean liner S.S. Queen Mary using a refurbished submarine. The heist unfolds with tension and complications as the group faces unexpected obstacles and personal conflicts during the daring plan. The film’s unique premise and ocean liner setting make it a notable entry in the heist genre.

20. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

A musical comedy film following showgirl friends Lorelei and Dorothy as they embark on a cruise to Europe. Lorelei aims to marry a wealthy man while dealing with a missing diamond tiara, leading to comedic chaos and romantic escapades. The film is known for its iconic musical numbers, including Marilyn Monroe’s performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” and remains a classic in Hollywood musical history.

21. Like Father (2018)

A comedy-drama film about Rachel, a woman left at the altar, who ends up on her honeymoon cruise with her estranged father, Harry. As they navigate the challenges of reconnecting, the cruise becomes a personal growth and healing journey. The film combines humour and heartwarming moments, emphasising the importance of family connections and forgiveness.

22. Romance on the High Seas, a Comedy Cruise Movie (1948)

A musical romantic comedy about Elvira Kent, who sends a look-alike, Georgia Garrett, on a cruise to test her husband’s fidelity. The switch leads to comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglement, featuring musical performances. The film marked Doris Day’s debut and is a charming example of classic Hollywood musical comedies.

23. Legend of 1900 (1998)

A drama film about a pianist named 1900 who grows up on an ocean liner and becomes exceptionally skilled. When encouraged to leave the ship by a fellow musician, he faces a personal struggle between his love for music and his fear of the outside world. The film is known for its evocative storytelling, beautiful cinematography, and a memorable piano duel scene.

24. Murder Mystery (2019)

A comedy-mystery film starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. The story follows a couple on a European vacation who get caught up in a murder investigation during a family gathering on a super yacht. The film is known for its humor and the chemistry between the lead actors and found success on Netflix.

25. Bon Voyage! (1962)

A comedy-adventure film set during World War II, following the Willard family’s trip to Paris, which turns into an unexpected adventure involving espionage and intrigue. The film blendshumourr and suspense and features a talented cast, offering an entertaining take on wartime Europe.

26. Ghost Ship (2002)

In this supernatural horror film, salvage crew members discover a derelict Italian cruise liner that holds a dark secret. As they uncover the ship’s eerie history, they are drawn into a terrifying mystery.

27. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)

An animated comedy where the Chipmunks and Chipettes embark on a cruise that turns chaotic when they get shipwrecked on a deserted island. The film combines humor, music, and life lessons as they learn to survive and work together to find a way back home. It’s a family-friendly adventure within the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” film series.

28. The Parent Trap (1998)

Is a family comedy about identical twin sisters, Annie and Hallie, who meet at summer camp and decide to switch places to reunite their divorced parents. The film is known for its humour, heartwarming moments, and Lindsay Lohan’s dual role performance. It’s a beloved family classic that emphasises the importance of love and unity.

29. Triangle (2009)

A psychological horror film about a group of friends stranded on an abandoned ocean liner after a storm. As they face eerie events, one of them, Jess, experiences unsettling deja vu and realises they are caught in a twisted loop of time, leading to a mind-bending and suspenseful story. The film is known for its inventive storytelling and psychological horror elements.

Enjoy a Little Cruise Fix with these Fabulous Movies About Cruise Ships

There’s nothing like the real thing but the world of cruise ship movies is a captivating realm that offers a wide array of genres, from romance and comedy to disaster and horror.

These films transport us to the high seas, where adventures, mysteries, and emotions unfold against the backdrop of these magnificent vessels. Whether you’re seeking thrills, laughter, or romance, the movies set on cruise ships provide an engaging and immersive cinematic experience that lets you sail away from reality for a while.

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Donna and Sarah ( Cruising For All ) Sarah Christie and Donna Vallance are experienced travel writers and cruise enthusiasts specializing in cruising. They are passionate about exploring new destinations and have dedicated themselves to sharing their knowledge and insights with fellow travellers. They provide valuable information, tips, and recommendations for all cruisers. They strive to make cruising accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their interests, budgets, or accessibility needs. Their articles and reviews are well-researched, comprehensive, and written to help readers make informed decisions and have unforgettable cruise adventures.

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These Are The Cruise-Related Shows and Movies You Have to See

There are an estimated 34 films and 12 television shows that are set on cruise ships – and that likely doesn’t even include all the fictional depictions of cruise travel, let alone documentaries and reality TV programs from “The Bachelorette” to “The Real Love Boat” that have been filmed aboard.

From Titanic to The Love Boat to random shows that use the historic Cunard liner Queen Mary (permanently moored in Long Beach, CA) as a setpiece, this list of films and television shows, spanning multiple eras and genres, should be a perfect primer for anyone looking to vicariously set sail on the open seas.

On This Page

Where it all began: “the love boat” and “love boat: the next wave”, netflix tv originals: “1899” and “high seas”, the g.o.a.t.: “titanic”, classic and not-so-classic: “the poseidon adventure” and “poseidon”, netflix film originals: “in love and deep water,” “like father” and “yucatan”, non-netflix movies: “after the sunset,” “alvin and the chipmunks: chipwrecked” and “let them all talk”, the other side of the list: “jack and jill” and “speed 2: cruise control”, our favorite cruise comedy: out to sea, honorable mentions: “deep rising,” “ghost ship” and “legend of 1900”.

No discussion of cruise ships featured on celluloid can bypass “The Love Boat.” From 1977 to 1986, Captain Merrill Stubing — played by beloved character actor Gavin MacLeod — and his jolly crew shuttled guests on Princess Cruises ’ original Pacific Princess. The show introduced a whole generation to cruising and thus goes down as one of the most pivotal influences on the then-fledgling industry.

But did you know the program had a sequel?

Lesser known were two seasons of “Love Boat: The Next Wave” in 1998 and 1999, wherein Robert Urich was cast as Captain Jim Kennedy, master of Princess’ 1995-launched Sun Princess. Although less popular overall, the show did feature a reunion episode bringing the characters of Captain Stubing, Dr. Adam "Doc" Bricker, Isaac Washington, Vicki Stubing and Julie McCoy from the original program together again.

If you’re seeking “Lost” meets “Titanic,” Netflix’s singular season of the mysterious “1899” might just fit the bill. The fictional steamship Kerberos and its emigrant passengers get drawn into a Bermuda Triangle-esque, multilingual (German and English) period thriller.

Or in Spanish, dubbed in English, is “High Seas,” another mystery series — think concealed Nazi gold and curious onboard deaths — set on a fictitious 1940s ocean liner inspired by the SS Normandie and Cunard’s Queen Mary.

Just as “The Love Boat” is considered the quintessential cruise TV show, James Cameron’s 1997-blockbuster “Titanic” will probably be forever recognized as the most ubiquitous movie to depict an ocean liner.

Despite its disastrous outcome, the famed White Star Line vessel continues to inspire cruise travel to this day and was the catalyst for its modern safety provisions in the form of SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea).

While not all films about cruising are disaster movies, several are, especially “The Poseidon Adventure” and its 2006 remake “Poseidon.”

Narrowly based on the time a rogue wave did actually hit the RMS Queen Mary during a troop crossing in December 1942 but without the ship capsizing, the earlier picture dramatizes the fictional Poseidon completely flipping over. The classic even filmed parts on the aforementioned Cunarder.

Its remake, the 2006 "Poseidon” retells the story on a contemporary cruise ship, albeit in subpar fashion. Though the sets were inspired by Cunard's Queen Mary 2 , the film is let down by a weak script, middling acting and the rendering of the CGI ship that features misplaced lifeboats oriented in the wrong direction.

Look no further than Netflix for a collection of movies that take place on cruise ships. “In Love and Deep Water” is yet another recent foreign film (Japanese) dubbed in English, but this one is a romantic comedy set on MSC Cruises ’ contemporary MSC Bellissima .

Similarly aboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas is the dramedy “Like Father” starring Kelsey Grammer and Kristen Bell. And among the public spaces featured in the film is the ship’s signature FlowRider surf simulator.

Showcasing a ship that has since been scrapped is “Yucatan” aboard Pullmantur Cruises’ Sovereign, formerly Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas. Pullmantur was dedicated to the Spanish-speaking market, so this is one more comedy that is dubbed in English.

Back when it was named Radisson Seven Seas Cruises in 2004, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and its Seven Seas Navigator were highlighted in the Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek caper “After the Sunset", with the ship playing host to a diamond collection while docked in Nassau.

Then in 2011, the playful “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” partially showcased Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Dream before the family-friendly characters were cast overboard.

Even more recently, 2020’s “Let Them All Talk” starred Meryl Streep on Cunard’s iconic modern ocean liner, Queen Mary 2 . It’s the one film on this list that extensively displays the most actual ship-board venues, from the Queens Grill suite accommodations and restaurant to the Illuminations planetarium and G32 nightclub, as it was shot onboard an actual seven-day crossing.

Not every film set aboard a cruise ship is good. Two of the most lambasted films, “Jack and Jill” and “Speed 2: Cruise Control”, are perhaps more infamous than famous.

“Jack and Jill” takes place on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas , which is generally well presented but also tainted by the obnoxious male and female twin characters portrayed by Adam Sandler.

Flat-out making a mockery of the ship and brand, however, is “Speed 2: Cruise Control,” in which Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Legend (now Windstar Cruises ’ stretched Star Legend ) is hijacked by a crazed terrorist played by Willem Dafoe. Even the talents of Sandra Bullock and Dafoe aren’t enough to keep the film afloat as the floundering ship and its bumbling crew are shown in anything but their usual luxurious light.

The best-ever cruise film, in our humble opinion, is “Out to Sea,” which came out the same year as 1997’s “Titanic.”

In what is essentially “Grumpy Old Men” at sea, the comedic greats Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon embark on Holland America Line’s Westerdam of 1986 as dance hosts. Under the hilariously oppressive oversight of cruise director Gil Godwin (played by Brent Spiner), their antics play out on the since-retired and -scrapped ship , as well as, once again, the classic Queen Mary — now permanently docked in Long Beach, California — doubling as the Westerdam’s ballroom, casino, shops and more.

Sometimes missing from such lists but definitely worth mentioning are the horror films of “Deep Rising” and “Ghost Ship,” both of which feature excellent production design on a fictional cruise ship and ocean liner respectively – the latter even concluding with a shot of Norwegian Cruise Line ’s former 1993-built Norwegian Wind at Vancouver’s now defunct Ballantyne Pier.

And though set on a fictional ship and filmed on a soundstage, “Legend of 1900” is a lovely tale of a world-class pianist who has never known life outside of the ocean liner he was born on, complete with a beautiful score from composer Ennio Morricone.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

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Inside the epic 9-1-1 season 7 premiere: The shipwreck, the romances, the drama

Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, and more preview the cruise ship (and love-life) disasters ahead as the first-responder drama moves from Fox to ABC.

That’s the first word that comes to mind when Angela Bassett recalls the 14-hour days spent in a water tank for her latest 9-1-1 adventure.

Over the past six seasons, Bassett’s Los Angeles Police Department field sergeant Athena Grant has weathered an absolutely staggering number of calamities including, but by no means limited to: a tsunami , a citywide blackout , a 7.1 magnitude earthquake , and, yes, a blimp crash . This is in addition to surviving an attack by a serial rapist (who, it should be noted, also kidnapped her son) and then facing a mudslide caused by a dam break on her very first day back on the job.

That’s a lot, which makes it even more impressive when the star and executive producer tells Entertainment Weekly they wanted to do something “big and grand” for the opening disaster of season 7. “I think this might be our biggest,” adds EP Peter Krause , who also stars as fire captain Bobby Nash. "It's fun making these disaster movies for TV.”

Playing out over the first three episodes of the season, this latest disaster is a direct homage to 1972’s The Poseidon Adventure , with Bobby and Athena on their belated honeymoon cruise when pirates take control of the ship and things go topsy-turvy — literally.

“We have this giant bingo tumbler, and we're the bingo balls inside of it,” Krause says of shooting scenes in a rotating set called a roll room. Besting the one built for Christopher Nolan’s Inception , it’s the largest roll room ever constructed. Fitting for Fox’s highest-rated drama. Except that season 7 will actually air on ABC (starting March 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, before Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 ).

“It’s almost like a homecoming,” co-creator Tim Minear says of how Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox (the studio behind 9-1-1 ) but not the Fox network created a domino effect that ultimately led the series to Disney-owned ABC. “Our studio and network are tied together again.”

All involved speak kindly of their time on Fox, but ABC is treating 9-1-1 “like a first-year show,” says Minear, who will serve as sole showrunner for season 7, with previous co-showrunner Kristen Reidel remaining involved as an EP. “They're relaunching everything and they're super excited, really supportive. It's all shiny, and the enthusiasm is through the roof.”

Disney/Justin Stephens

One of the benefits of being the shiny new thing is, apparently, heated water tanks.

“The water was a nice, warm 93 degrees — but the weather outside wasn't, so you wanted to stay in the tank,” Bassett says of filming the season 7 extravaganza. “Just imagine a nice 14-hour bath.”

That bath is a far cry from the water tanks used during season 1. 

When 9-1-1 launched in 2018, the series was framed as Glee co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk ’s take on a procedural. Teaming with their American Horror Story EP Minear, they developed a story centered on the 118 fire station and other Los Angeles first responders. Bassett, Krause, and Connie Britton brought star wattage to the project, but the promised disaster spectacle was an equal draw.

The series’ first mini-disaster movie came in episode 4, when a plane crashed into the Pacific and Bobby led Hen ( Aisha Hinds ) and Buck ( Oliver Stark ) in rescue efforts that left the actors in far cooler water than Bassett and Krause are experiencing now.

“Aisha, Oliver, and I would huddle together in the luggage compartment of the plane [between takes],” Krause recalls of that December 2017 night shoot where temperatures dropped into the 20s. “I put a scarf in there, and we'd wrap it around our heads to stay warm.”

“We were up to our waist in freezing water, braving all of the elements,” Hinds confirms. “But I will tell you this: That experience set the bar for what this experience on the show would be. And so anytime we have to do the hard work, I’m always like, ‘But it's not the airplane. But it's not the airplane...’”

What's your emergency?

Minear says they originally planned to shoot the season 7 premiere on an actual cruise ship, “but cruise ship companies were like, ‘Well, does anything bad happen on the ship?’ And it's like, ‘Have you seen the show? It's not going to go real smooth.’”

Not that things are going swimmingly before the ship capsizes either.

“Obviously, they're on a honeymoon, but it's not like everything is smooth in their interior lives,” Minear says of where audiences will find Bobby and Athena at the start of the season premiere. “There are conflicts that maybe they haven't expressed to one another.”

Disney/Chris Willard

Those unspoken conflicts simmer beneath the surface as the couple literally get their sea legs, and run into some familiar faces — Lola (Romy Rosemont) and Norman ( Daniel Roebuck ) from a season 2 episode in which Lola stood topless above a freeway sign to get the attention of her distant husband — who are now cruise ship retirees.

From there, “I will just say there is a run where they are Nick and Nora ,” Minear says of Bobby and Athena, comparing them to the couple at the center of detective novel and movie series The Thin Man . “There’s a little bit of a mystery on that cruise ship, but also a chance for Peter and Angela to be a little funny together. I don’t think their chemistry has ever been better.”

But things don’t stay Thin for long. “By the time you get to the middle of episode 2, it's Titanic ,” he continues. “It's an epic love story between these two people who are meant to be together, who are facing possible death.”

“You can't take a fish out of water until you see the fish in the water. And in this case, we're taking the fish out of the water and putting it into even deeper water.”

— co-creator Tim Minear on delaying the big disaster until the end of the season 7 premiere

“I've been in and out of water all week,” Krause tells EW from set before rattling off his stunt badges of honor: “Yesterday, I was climbing around an upside-down world. We have an injured individual who was strapped to a roulette table in the casino, and then the ship turns over so he's hanging upside down and Bobby has to find a way to get him back down to safety. I've got a little cut on my leg, and some bruises and stuff. Your body pays the price, but it’s fun.”

ABC/ Youtube

What’s less fun is shooting up to five episodes at once as the 9-1-1 team races the clock. Speaking to EW on the final day of February, just two weeks before premiere night, Minear jokes(?) that he hasn’t slept in two days: “I may have to call 9-1-1 before the day is over,” he says with a laugh before detailing how they are still finishing cruise ship scenes for the first three episodes while also preparing to film episode 6.

“We’re not just logistically planning a cruise ship disaster — with its many complicated rigs and sets — we’re logistically planning a TV show,” Minear explains. “When I have my two stars separated from the other cast, out on a cruise ship, you have to come up with stories that can service the other group of characters that can film on separate stages. And, hopefully, by the time it's all put together, you won't really feel that people are separated. It's like planning the invasion of Normandy every week.”

Krause says it’s “been a dream” (wet)suiting up for battle with Bassett the past two months, but he’s also missed being a member of what he calls the “Firehouse Five.”

“We were all smiles when we finally got to work together the other day,” Krause says of reuniting with Bobby’s station 118 crew — Hen; Buck; Chimney ( Kenneth Choi ), who was recovering from a metal rod to the head during that season 1 plane crash; and Eddie ( Ryan Guzman ), who joined in season 2 . We’ll have to wait a few episodes to see the Firehouse Five back together, but the team is keeping busy on land while their captain is busy being a bingo ball at sea.

On the clock, Hen is serving as interim captain, but at home, she and Karen ( Tracie Thoms ) are taking another stab at expanding their family of three. (“It takes us on a very interesting path in the first few episodes, so I'm excited to see how the fans respond to our newest edition,” says Hinds.)

Meanwhile, Eddie and Buck are focused on romance — and not just with their potential new love interests, hardware store flirtation Marisol (Edy Ganem) and death doula Natalia (Annelise Cepero). Eddie’s son Christopher (Gavin McHugh) is dating, and the single dad will turn to his best friend for an assist. “It really is a moment of desperation for Eddie where he is like, ‘Oh my God, this is a new avenue that I'm not prepared for…. Who knows women? Oh, Buck does,’” says Guzman.

“It’s been such a beautiful thing to explore Buck’s relationship with Christopher because we've seen him grow up,” adds Stark. “When [Christopher] joined the show, he was a kid, and now he's not. He's a teenager, and there are things that he's going to be thinking about and feeling that are brand new to him. Buck is in a good position to be there for him in a way that maybe his own father can't because he’s had a lot of relationship experience — some successful, some very unsuccessful.”

And which category does Buck’s relationship with Natalia fall in? “That is addressed pretty early on,” Stark teases. “He's just looking for his happiness, and he's willing to put himself out there again and be open to feeling things. He just wants to be happy.”

Luckily, there’s nothing up in the air about where Chimney stands with his finaceé Maddie ( Jennifer Love Hewitt , who replaced Britton as the show’s main 9-1-1 dispatcher at the start of season 2).

"The wedding is happening!” Hewitt promises. But don’t expect it to take over Madney’s lives. “You will hear little bits about it, but honestly the emergencies are massive and exciting from the start — so being first responders keeps them busier than wedding planning,” she explains. “But we know the audience is waiting for these two to get hitched, and they won’t have to wait long.”

Before the ceremony, Choi teases some “pre-wedding celebrations” to come in episode 6: “And in 9-1-1 fashion, especially when it comes to Chimney, things may go awry. I think it's going to be a lot of fun, and it may involve some of the 118 players…”

Whatever bachelor party shenanigans ensue, Minear is excited to plan a “different” kind of wedding as a capstone to this 10-episode season (shorter than usual due to last year’s writers’ and actors’ strikes).

“Kenny and Jennifer just have amazing chemistry together, made for a rom-com,” the showrunner says. “But they are both incredible dramatic actors as well. And finding an interesting way into their wedding has been a lot of fun because I had just come off [spinoff 9-1-1: Lone Star ] where I had done the big wedding between TK and Carlos . I didn't want to do that again. So I think I came up with something different, and I think it's going to be incredible.”

Speaking of Lone Star , “overlap” between the 9-1-1 shows may be “baked in the cake,” but Minear confirms there won’t be a crossover with the Austin-based sister series this season. That said, former 118ers Tommy Kinard (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) and Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody) will pop up, as well as Buck and Maddie’s parents ( Gregory Harrison and Dee Wallace ). “And we are doing kind of a crossover on 9-1-1 ,” Minear teases. “But it's not with Lone Star .” (When pressed for more details, the co-creator slyly muses, “Is it The Rookie ?... Probably not, since I just said The Rookie .”)

So no Lone Star crossover, but we will get the series’ 100th episode — something that crept up on the 9-1-1 team.

It was the day of that aforementioned Firehouse Five reunion and “a couple hours in, we realized ‘Oh, this is the 100th episode!’” recalls Choi. “So all day we were super grateful and super thankful as to how far we've come. And I think it's a testament to the fans of the show. They've kept us on the top of the chart.”

“A lot of casts say, ‘Oh, we all love each other,' because you're supposed to say that, but we all genuinely love one another. It's kind of sickening and gross.”

—Chimney actor Kenneth Choi

“It is beautiful to see how they resonate with the stories, the characters, and the emergencies,” adds Hinds, who officially celebrated the 100th with the cast and crew on set yesterday (with cake!). “But underneath it all, Tim has written characters who do have their own personal struggles ,” Krause notes. “And the language of the show keeps growing, and the storytelling real estate keeps expanding. We do rom-com. We do thriller. We do action. We do horror. We do comedy. Until the scripts come in, we never know what we are going to do. It’s fun.”

It’s that diversity that keeps Bassett coming back season after season.

“As long as the stories keep coming and we keep delving into relationships and family matters — the extended family, the added family, divorce, kids, the empty nest, racial issues, marital issues, adoption, trying to have a child, LGBTQ issues…” she says, “there are so many life issues that we use as inspiration along with the headlines and stories that also inform us. So perhaps we can go on for quite a bit longer, because people surprise you.”

Maybe she has another 100 episodes in her — let’s just hope the water stays warm.

Sign up for  Entertainment Weekly 's free daily newsletter   to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

• Exclusive first preview of  9-1-1  season 7: 'I'm on a cruise ship, there was an explosion'
• 9-1-1 's Oliver Stark on season 6 finale, Buck's new romance, Lucy's return, and that couch
• 9-1-1: Lone Star  deleted scene: Carlos and TK cut their wedding cake — and do exactly what you expect

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Tangled in Steel With No Way Out: How the Crew Stuck in Baltimore Is Faring

Twenty-two seafarers from India find themselves not only trapped in the ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but also in an unexpected spotlight.

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By Eduardo Medina

Reporting from Baltimore

Even from miles away, the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is a jarring visual: Chunks of steel jut above the water like metallic icebergs. Twisted gray beams protrude in crooked positions. From a park near Fort McHenry, visitors can see the giant cargo ship that struck the bridge and remains lodged in the wreckage.

Less visible, however, are the 22 crew members from India who have remained on the ship, named the Dali, since the disaster on Tuesday.

Little is publicly known about them other than that they are seafarers who embarked on a journey aboard the 985-foot-long cargo ship that was on its way to Sri Lanka, carrying 4,700 shipping containers, when it lost power and struck the Key Bridge, causing the structure to collapse.

Since the accident, which killed six construction workers, the crew members have found themselves in an unexpected spotlight. While keeping the ship operable, they are answering a deluge of questions from officials investigating the nighttime catastrophe, as the evidence of what occurred lies around them in mangled ruins stretching across the bow and deck.

While officials investigate what could have caused the tragedy, another question has emerged this week: What could the crew members, who have limited access to the outside world, be going through right now?

“They must feel this weight of responsibility that they couldn’t stop it from happening,” said Joshua Messick, the executive director of the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center , a religious nonprofit that seeks to protect the rights of mariners.

Even so, officials have praised the crew’s swift mayday message that was transmitted over the radio as the ship lost power on Tuesday. Before the Dali struck the bridge, traveling at a rapid eight knots, the mayday call helped police officers stop traffic from heading onto the bridge, most likely saving many lives, the authorities said. A local harbor pilot with more than 10 years of experience was onboard, as well as an apprentice pilot in training.

As the ship remains stuck in the Port of Baltimore, where it may remain for weeks, the lives of the crew members have entered an uncertain phase. But one thing is certain: They will no longer cruise through the sea around South Africa toward their destination in Sri Lanka anytime soon.

But they are not going to imminently dock at the port either, as they must wait for enough debris to be cleared to free the ship and reopen the channel to one of the busiest ports in the United States. On Saturday, the governor of Maryland said officials planned to remove the first piece of the debris.

So, for now, crew members are most likely working a grueling schedule to maintain the ship that is similar to the one they would be if they were out at sea. The difference, though, is that they are in an immobile state as the eyes of the world fixate on them, experts said.

“The captain of the vessel and the crew have a duty to the ship,” said Stephen Frailey, a partner at Pacific Maritime Group, which helps with marine salvage and wreck removal.

According to Chris James, who works for a consulting firm assisting the ship’s management company, Synergy Marine, the crew members have ample supplies of food and water, as well as plenty of fuel to keep the generators going. Indeed, when Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, went onboard the ship this week, she observed the cook cooking. “It smelled very good,” she said.

But there is still no exact timeline for when the ship might be extracted from the wreckage, Mr. James said. Once the N.T.S.B. and the Coast Guard finish their investigations, he said, “we’ll look at potentially swapping the crew out and getting them home.”

India, the home country of the crew members, is one of the world’s largest hubs for seafarers, according to John A. Konrad, a ship captain and the chief executive of gCaptain, a maritime and offshore industry news website. Though Indian captains and engineers are paid less than their American counterparts, Mr. Konrad said, they make a decent living when they work for three or more months out of the year at sea.

Working on a cargo ship, he said, is a 24-hour ordeal with no weekends off: Every day, decks are checked for maintenance and safety, cooks and cleaners serve the other members, and workers in the engine room keep things on track.

Cargo ship crew members do have some leisurely activities available to them onboard, though, such as video game breaks in cabins, workouts in gyms, table tennis sessions and movie nights. The Dali crew has at least a TV, magazines and books onboard, said Andrew Middleton, who runs Apostleship of the Sea, a program that ministers to sailors coming through the port.

Clistan Joy Sequeira, an Indian seafarer who was not on the Dali but who docked in Baltimore from another cargo ship on Friday, said in an interview that he feared the repercussions that the bridge collapse could have on his industry and his country.

“I’m scared that because this crew is Indian, our international image will suffer,” said Mr. Sequeira, 31. “Maybe we lose jobs.”

Some in Baltimore’s port community have had some contact with the Dali crew, albeit brief, through third parties or WhatsApp. Mr. Messick said he sent the crew two Wi-Fi hot spots on Friday because they did not have internet onboard.

Mr. Middleton said he had been keeping in touch with two crew members, reminding them that “we’re here for them.”

“When I’ve asked how they’re doing, their answers range from ‘good’ to ‘great,’” he said. “So, by their own accounts, they’re OK.”

Mr. Messick said he had also sent a care package to the crew through a salvage company helping with operations. In the package were candy, home-baked muffins from a concerned local and thank-you cards from children.

With so many questions still unanswered about the crew members’ next steps, Mr. Messick said he was eager to provide them with trauma care and emotional support. On Friday, he wrote a letter to the captain, which was delivered by another vessel.

“We’re here to support you,” it read.

Mike Baker contributed reporting.

Eduardo Medina is a Times reporter covering the South. An Alabama native, he is now based in Durham, N.C. More about Eduardo Medina

An 80-year-old had a stroke during a Norwegian cruise excursion. After the ship left her behind on an African island, her family tracked her journey home using an Apple AirTag.

• Julie Lenkoff had a stroke during a Norwegian cruise-sponsored tour on an African island, her son-in-law said.
• The cruise continued sailing, and the tour company said they left her with other stranded cruisers.
• The family said Norwegian failed to contact them while Lenkoff was abroad. They used an AirTag to track her journey home.

It wasn't a surprise to Julie Lenkoff's family that she was going on another cruise.

The 80-year-old has visited 120 countries, speaks 10 languages, and has been on countless cruises. Lenkoff is an experienced traveler, so no one batted an eye when she boarded a 21-day Norwegian cruise along the coast of Africa by herself on March 20, Kurt Gies, Lenkoff's son-in-law, told Business Insider.

But her family was shocked when another cruise passenger phoned Lenkoff's daughter, Lana Gies, to tell her they were with Lenkoff, Kurt said. She had been released from a hospital, could hardly speak, was losing her vision, and was on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Kurt told BI Lenkoff had a stroke during a cruise-sponsored excursion and that the tour operator and cruise company left her at a hospital, where she was later discharged and left to figure out her own way home.

Kurt said a group of stranded tourists helped Lenkoff return to the US, where she remains in serious condition at the Stanford Medical Center.

"We had the means, the technology, and the ability to navigate this massive network to get her home," Kurt said. "I can only imagine if a family didn't or if that person was truly by themselves. What would've happened?"

The family says they have other stranded cruisers to thank for Lenkoff's return

On March 27, day eight of the Norwegian cruise, passengers disembarked the ship to explore São Tomé and Príncipe.

Kurt said Lenkoff joined a cruise-sponsored excursion with the tour company Navetur Equatour. During the tour, she passed out and fell, Diogo Beirão, the chief operating officer of the tour company, confirmed to BI. When Lenkoff regained consciousness, he said she couldn't speak English and had lost feeling in the right side of her body.

At the time, Beirão said the main concern was if Lenkoff had broken a bone or experienced a concussion. Kurt said doctors in the US later confirmed that Lenkoff had a stroke.

Beirão told BI that his tour guides brought Lenkoff back to the dock, where he says a nurse from the Norwegian cruise evaluated her on the pier.

In a statement sent to BI, a Norwegian cruise representative said that "on March 27, 2024, an 80-year-old woman was medically disembarked after being evaluated by our onboard medical team, who thought it best that she receive further assessment and treatment as needed from a local hospital."

Beirão said Lenkoff was transported to the closest hospital, which was "not very comfortable" because it "had no private rooms, just curtains." However, Beirão said he believes it was the right decision not to let her reboard the cruise.

Kurt said Norwegian brought Lenkoff the belongings from her room; however, her credit cards and cash were lost. He added that the tour company later found the missing wallet in a tour van, which was brought to Lenkoff more than 24 hours after she was released from the hospital.

Kurt said he and the rest of Lenkoff's family had no idea this was happening since Norwegian hadn't contacted them.

Meanwhile, a group of eight people were on a separate, private tour of São Tomé and Príncipe. BI previously reported that the tour ran into issues, and the group missed the ship's boarding deadline .

The group was stranded on the island without cash or medications and with one working credit card, which passengers Jill and Jay Campbell owned. The group found a hotel, contacted the closest American consulate, and planned to meet the ship at its next port in the Gambia.

As all this was happening, Kurt said, Lenkoff was released from the hospital.

Beirão said he was unaware that Lenkoff had a stroke, but he visited her at the hospital, and "she was not totally functional" but "could speak very well." While Lenkoff could communicate, Beirão said she often forgot what she was trying to say mid-sentence.

In Norwegian's statement, the representative said: "We attempted to call the guest several times, and as we were unable to reach her, we worked directly with our port agent in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, to receive updates about the guest."

"In instances such as these," the statement continued, "as the guest was released from the hospital and in a coherent state, our protocol is to contact the guest directly, as we would not have the authority to share any medical details with anyone else without their expressed consent."

Kurt said there are no phone or WhatsApp records of Norwegian reaching out on her cellphone, and he believes that family members should've been contacted in this instance since the company could not reach Lenkoff to confirm she was in a coherent state.

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After being discharged, Kurt said the tour company connected the Americans with Lenkoff.

"You have people figuring out how they're getting off this island, and they're given the responsibility to take care of an 80-year-old woman who just had a stroke," Kurt said.

At the time, Lenkoff had no way to pay for anything, so the Campbells provided Lenkoff with food and a place to sleep, Kurt said.

"I truly believe sometimes we're put in certain places for a reason, and I believe we were put in this place for the 80-year-old woman who was left alone. God forbid what would have happened to that lady if we were not here," Jay Campbell told North Carolina's WRAL .

Kurt said Lenkoff was still having trouble speaking and had started to lose her vision.

Using Lenkoff's phone, Jill Campbell called Lenkoff's daughter to tell her what happened. Around the same time, the American consulate called, though Kurt said the family was unsure how the consulate learned about Lenkoff's state.

Kurt said he and Lana attempted to reach Norwegian multiple times but couldn't connect with anyone at the company.

"It was decided that we need to get Julie off that island," he said. "No one at Norwegian was going to take responsibility for it."

The Norwegian representative told BI Lenkoff had been "escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, and then put in the care of airport staff to continue her journey to the United States, where she has now made a safe return."

Kurt said all of Lenkoff's travel arrangements were "made by her family" and that it wasn't Norwegian who escorted her, adding that the "airlines took responsibility for ensuring she got safely on each plane segment during her journey home."

He said Lenkoff flew to Lisbon, then to Toronto, and finally to San Francisco.

Thankfully, he said, Lana had sent her mom with an Apple AirTag so the family could watch Lenkoff make the trip back to the US.

The Apple product has become popular for tracking everything from missing suitcases to lost golfing equipment and a magician's sound equipment . Some parents are even using them to keep track of their children . According to Benzinga , Apple sold $1 billion worth of Airtags within two years of releasing the tracking device.

Kurt said he and Lana used the AirTag to follow Lenkoff in Lisbon as she reached her next gate.

"We were able to track her movement across the world as she was coming home, and that was a huge relief for us," he said.

Once Lenkoff arrived in California, Kurt said she was medically evacuated to the Stanford Medical Center.

"They pull her out on a gurney and this huge smile comes across her face as she sees her daughter for the first time," he told BI.

Today, Lenkoff is in critical condition

Since arriving at the hospital in California, Kurt told BI that Lenkoff has undergone numerous tests and scans. He said doctors believe she may have also had a heart attack, and while she was at the Stanford Medical Center, she experienced a second stroke.

Kurt said Lenkoff remains in a serious condition.

Meanwhile, the Gieses have continued to try to reach Norwegian. Kurt said two junior staffers have reached out to learn more about what happened, but he said no one from the cruise line had taken responsibility for not contacting Lenkoff's emergency contacts.

Kurt said the experience has taught him and his family that they should not rely on cruise companies to keep passengers safe.

Kurt heard from the Campbells that the group made it back on the ship on Wednesday. When everyone is healthy and back in the US, he said they plan to meet with the Campbells to thank them.

"We truly believe that our mother would've died had she been left to her own devices," Kurt said. "The Campbells are now members of our family. They are the true heroes of this story."

Do you have an experience to share about cruising? Business Insider would like to hear from you. Email [email protected] .

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‘Nothing of the size of the ship that hit the bridge in Baltimore’: How the Tobin is different from the Francis Scott Key

Since last week’s collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore, people around Boston have wondered: Could it happen here? But a recent visit with the US Coast Guard and conversations with local transportation officials make it clear they think there’s little chance of a similar disaster in Boston.

What about the Tobin Bridge, for example?

While there’s plenty of traffic on the Tobin, which connects Charlestown and Chelsea, there’s very little under it on the Mystic River. It’s not like Baltimore, where massive container ships routinely passed under the Key Bridge until one such ship slammed into a bridge support on Mar. 26, killing six people and destroying the bridge.

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Any similar accident with the Tobin would strike down a vital highway connection as well as one of the city’s most familiar landmarks. The 74-year-old double-decker bridge, recently inspected for safety, according to Governor Maura Healey, is the biggest in New England — over two miles long, with 135 feet of clearance between its lower deck and the river below, plenty of room for large cargo vessels. The Tobin is considered “structurally deficient” by the state and is slated for repairs over the next few years.

But when a Coast Guard patrol boat ferried a group of Globe journalists under the Tobin Bridge last Friday, the waterway was almost entirely clear. It was a misty, blustery day, and the harbor water was so cold that the Coast Guard insisted their guests wear full-body survivor suits. The pleasure boats that decorate the harbor in the summertime were nowhere to be seen, and there were no container-carrying giants.

That’s pretty much the norm these days, according to Jonathan Gulliver, state highway administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. “Very rare that you get anything of substantial size” passing under the Tobin, he said. “Nothing of the size of the ship that hit the bridge in Baltimore.”

The Port of Boston‘s Conley Container Terminal handles about 20 large container ships each month, said Massport spokesperson Jennifer Mehigan. But none of these get anywhere near the Tobin or any other local bridge as they enter or depart the port. The same goes for the dozens of cruise ships that call at the Flynn Cruiseport between March and November.

The handful of large ships that pass under the Tobin Bridge include liquefied natural gas tankers bound for the fuel terminal in Everett. But Gulliver said LNG tanker shipments are few and far between. Constellation Energy, which operates the fuel terminal, said eight ships made deliveries in 2023, and four during the first quarter of 2024. A company spokesman said that deliveries mainly occur in the winter months. But there was no tanker at the terminal during last week’s tour.

Nor was there any sign of the giant ships that pass under the Tobin to deliver thousands of cars to the Boston Autoport in Charlestown. While Baltimore is the nation’s leading seaport for automotive traffic and handled over 847,000 vehicle imports and exports last year, traffic at Boston’s Autoport is much lighter. The port handled just 30,000 cars in 2023.

All told, about 60 big ships passed under the Tobin last year, according to the Coast Guard.

During Friday’s tour, the only large ship nearby was offloading rock salt on the other side of the McArdle Bridge, a drawbridge that provides access to Chelsea Creek. This bridge, which connects East Boston to Chelsea, carries about 24,000 vehicles per day, compared to about 87,000 for the Tobin. The McArdle sees a lot more ship traffic than the Tobin. The Coast Guard said the bridge was raised for about 225 ships carrying bulk commodities, chemicals, and petroleum products last year.

A key factor that makes a collision unlikely here is that the Port of Boston, unlike Baltimore, requires the use of at least one tugboat for any ship of more than 350 tons.

“It’s not a federal requirement,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Bradley Peifer, chief of the prevention department at US Coast Guard Sector Boston, “but this industry, this community, has thought it’s important enough to have a tug alongside.” This includes all the vessels that pass under the Tobin and McArdle bridges, as well as the many container and cruise ships that never approach them.

In Baltimore, ships would leave and enter the harbor under their own power, with no tug on hand to provide emergency assistance. This policy left the giant container ship Dali helpless when it experienced a power failure, went out of control, and struck the Key Bridge pier.

Even if such an accident happened at the Tobin Bridge, the result wouldn’t be as catastrophic as the Baltimore disaster, according to Erin Bell, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of New Hampshire.

That’s because the Tobin Bridge uses a cantilever truss design, instead of the continuous truss of the Key Bridge. In a continuous truss, the entire weight of the bridge deck is shared across all the support piers. It’s a strong and reliable design, Bell said. But if just one bridge support fails, the bridge becomes unbalanced, and the entire structure collapses.

But with a cantilever bridge like the Tobin, each pier supports a separate section of the bridge deck which is centered above the pier and extends beyond it. “They don’t rely on each other,” said Bell. “If you lose one half, the other half stays.”

Bell offered one more reason to rest easy about the Tobin Bridge. She said that because its support piers are far outside the shipping channel and in relatively shallow water, a large ship’s hull would probably grind to a halt on the river bottom before it could hit the pier.

MassDOT’s Gulliver agreed. “Before a ship could even get to it,” he said, “they would run aground.”

Hiawatha Bray can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @GlobeTechLab .

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