Why are cruise ships white?

[wakelover]

I know not all of them are (QM2 - Celebrity etc etc) but the majority are.

Anyone know why this is so?snacksmi

[Cruise Fairy]

I have been on Holland America's Zuiderdam and it was mostly black and it struck me how odd it looked docked alongside all the other white ships. It was beautiful inside but the outside is definitely less appealing. Maybe because white makes things look larger?

[silver1]

I have no idea, but I do prefer the look of the white ships I think they look much more striking somehow. Lots of cruiselines are using different colours now thoughsmilesmi

[millyman]

I don't know, but i much prefer a pure white gleaming shipsmilesmi

[chickh]

Hi all, I think it has something to do visability. how often do you spot a ship that is White before you see another. white paint is cheaper ?????.
Regards Chick

[sparkieplug24]

Wakie

Where on earth do you dream these things up. foxes_279

I had never thought about it before its probably got something to with past martime laws you know cargo ships are brown or whatever, navy ships are whatever colour grey i think and passenger carrying vessels are white maybe so they are easily identified in times of trouble.

Donna

[sueB]

Hi all, I think it has something to do visability. how often do you spot a ship that is White before you see another. white paint is cheaper ?????.
Regards Chick

Like the white paint is cheaper chickh24smi

Probably because it's easier to see the outbreak of rust on white so a quick slap of paint covers it up24smi24smi24smi

[chavvycruiser]

so iceburgs cant se em lolfoxes_27924smi24smi

[timespliters]

I will Pass on this one.

[wendylovescruising]

i think it may be cos the orange lifeboats will show up more easily against a white back round .. cant think of any other sensible answer smilesmi xx

[Starbright]

I think it's probably because they look more beautiful. Like Cruise Fairy, we've been on the Zuiderdam and whilst she's a wonderful ship I didn't think she looked so striking from the outside. All the Holland America ships are painted black (or is it very dark blue, not sure). It must be a tradition thing with them. It's the same with Cunard.

Anyway, I don't care what colour the ship is as long as I'm on board!

[silver1]

Anyway, I don't care what colour the ship is as long as I'm on board!

Oh I agree Starbrightsmilesmi