For some people there is a fascination with the glamour of the days when ships with tall, raked smoke stacks were the only way to cross to the Americas. One in particular that had a 5-day career in 1912 holds a spell for many. Some museums and shipping magazines have a small area devoted to this fascinating and absorbing aspect of shipping. How often does the student or browser enthralled by the passenger ship have to deal with naval vessels and coastal craft, barges and navigation instruments? This Society is for those who want to go straight to the heart of  passenger ship story - and that includes ferries and excursion boats.

Some people develop romantic interests in the mail services to far-flung colonies, the regular services that linked countries and whole empires together. Some remember cargo liners that also carried passengers. Many members develop their interest in ships after working at sea. Older members will remember taking holidays on liners taking time off from voyages and doing summer cruises in the 1960s. Indeed, cruising and how it is changing is a key interest to hundreds of our members. The Society is for those interested in all passenger carrying vessels - from the age of sail right through to the present and what lies ahead.

The name of the Ocean Liner Society suggests a focus on ships that undertook line voyages, how they changed into cruising ships. There is only one ship in the world now that can be regarded as an Ocean Liner as the Queen Mary 2 regularly crosses the Atlantic Ocean to a timetable.  Whilst these are not forgotten, and there is usually one article in each magazine about the liners of old, the Society is also reviewing new cruise ships as they come into service as well as other vessels that carry passengers on canals, lakes and inland waterways. Of course, the ships that run 'line voyages' (that is transportation to a timetable) are the ferries that are still the key transportation method for those where water gets in the way of  getting to a destination. Based in Britain, the Society has links with learned and knowledgeable writers, researchers and has members all over the world. Whether you are fascinated the liners of old or the vessels carrying passengers and vehicles today through to cruise or adventure ships .... the Society has something for you.

Some want to get more out of cruise holidays or have a passion for other aspects of shipping (such as the celebrities or people who sailed to a new life in them) the Society can help you develop your interest.

The passenger ship is a developing invention, now embracing more sustainable technology. They have changed from an uncomfortable but necessary form of transportation to a highly developed leisure vehicle - almost a resort that moves at night. We are in exciting times as new tonnage is now being delivered which now outstrips the superlative statistics of the "golden age" some 90 years ago, but perhaps not as beautiful. For some of the Mid 20th Century beauties, see the gallery on the home page .

Please note: we do not employ seagoing staff and we regret we do not have the resources to undertake research into voyages and ship history for you.