How Fast Do Cruise Ships Go?

Have you ever wondered how fast cruise ships go? We have the answer!

When you’re on a cruise ship, which is essentially a large floating resort, you often forget the ship is moving.

No one takes a cruise to get from one destination to another in record time—cruising is supposed to be leisurely. However, at the end of the day, cruise ships need to get from port to port…so how fast is that exactly?

The very first thing to know about how fast cruise ships go is that their speed is not measured in mph (miles per hour) like a vehicle, instead ship speed is measured in knots.

What is a Knot in Nautical Terms?

According to NOAA, one knot represents 1 nautical mile per hour. And one nautical mile is the equivalent of 1.15 miles on land. The nautical mile measures distance and the knot measures speed. Easy enough.

When you’re on a cruise ship during a sea day, for example, the ship is usually sailing at “cruising speed”. This is a fuel-efficient and comfortable speed and what we usually think of when cruising. We know the ship is moving but it’s not going crazy fast and is often undetectable during calm seas.

On average, cruise ship cruising speed is about 20 knots per hour. 

How Fast is a Knot in Miles Per Hour?

With a nautical mile being approximately 1.15 miles, we can calculate an average cruise ship cruising speed of 20 knots to equal 23 mph. That’s not incredibly fast, which is why, along with the large size and weight of a cruise ship, it’s hard to feel like the ship is moving at all…which is a good thing!

How Fast Do Cruise Ships Go?

Cruising speed is pretty much the standard for cruise ships, this is normal operating speed. So for the sake of answering how fast cruise ships go, it’s around 23 mph, give or take. 

What is a Cruise Ships Top Speed?

Cruise ships do have a top speed, with the absolute fastest cruise ship, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, reaching 30 knots or 34.5 mph. It’s incredibly rare for a cruise ship to reach its top speed.

Knowing how fast cruise ships go is important because it keeps you informed as a traveler (and who doesn’t love random facts or an answer to a potential trivia question!?) and for apprehensive or new cruisers it gives a point of reference when sailing. Cruise ships are not moving incredibly fast—so enjoy your time at sea!