Holland America Line’s Rotterdam – Port of San Diego/flickr Creative Commons
What is the difference between a boat and a ship? I like calling cruise liners boats, but should I be calling them ships? Most often, it’s the people who live and work on ships that get their feathers ruffled by hearing their vessel called a boat. There is no difference between a boat and a ship; at least, not officially. Unofficially, it’s generally accepted within mariner circles that anything larger than 60 feet in length is a “ship.” Since most cruise vessels exceed this figure by a considerable amount, they’re called ships, and anything less is a boat. Using “ship” instead of “boat” can be seen as a sign of respect towards mariners and the vessel itself, although one would not be incorrect to use “boat.”
Steve – on your defination of a “boat” versus “ship” – according to US
Coast Guard customs, not official in any way, a ship is defined as capable of carrying a boat on board. A boat cannot carry a ship.
Really like your site.
Gary – thanks for your comment! No matter how a ship or a boat is defined, if you board an ocean liner like today’s mega ships and call it a boat, you’re risking being tossed overboard by the crew!