As Lorraine was watching the ships come in out of the port (Galveston.com/cruisecam) recently, she was reminded of her now long-deceased grandfather.
“Papa” immigrated through Galveston as a young boy shortly before the 1900 storm. He later went to work on the Galveston Wharves (the port was quite busy during those years.) He used to take Lorraine to see the ships (or as she called them “boats”) – BIG MISTAKE!
“Those are SHIPS not boats” he corrected. How to tell the difference? Well, as Papa explained, “a ship can carry a boat, but a boat cannot carry a ship.”
Simple enough, right?
For years after, every time Lorraine would overhear a cruiser call the “ship” a “boat” she would imagine Papa turning over in his grave – LOL!
However, in today’s cruising world things are no longer quite so simple!
Let’s take Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas for example. She is a SHIP! But, then, so is Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas!
The difference? Well, Rhapsody's only 895 feet stem to stern – while Symphony’s length is nearly a HALF MILE – (WOW) – and given her size, she could easily carry her smaller sister.
Now for the question – does that now relegate Rhapsody to a “boat?” Or, does she remain a “ship” since she carries “life boats?”
It’s all becoming couriousier and couriousier - LOL!