7 Best Films Set on a Cruise Ship

When it comes to film choice opinion is often divided. Whether its action, comedy, horror, romance, fantasy or Sci-fi, people tend to have an opinion on which they prefer. Personally I am happy to watch any genre that has a decent story line, but that’s just me. One thing is for certain though, everybody loves a good film! How will I relate this to cruising I hear you shout out? Well, here is my countdown of a few classics which have featured a ship on the big screen….

7. Ghost Ship

Starring Gabriel Byrne and Julianna Margulies, Ghost Ship tells the tale of a rescue team who discover a passenger ship randomly floating around the seven seas. The ship has in fact been missing since 1962 and as they set sail on their new-found ship, they soon find out that things aren’t all as it seems. In case you couldn’t tell by the title, the ship is haunted and the group get trapped inside the haunted ship. Will they survive? Give it a watch and you’ll find out!

I give it a 5/10.

6. Out to Sea

This is a much more light-hearted cruise ship story. Charlie Gordon is a gambling man whose debt has spiralled out of control and in order to escape the loan sharks he comes up with a great idea to trick his brother in-law into boarding a cruise ship and pretend that they are dance hosts. As you can imagine, the film offers laughs all round and it is even set aboard and was even set on Holland America’s Westerdam!

I give it a 6/10.

5. The Poseidon Adventure

No, I’m not talking about the remake; I’m talking about the 1972 original disaster movie which often gets airplay at Christmastime. This gripping story tells the tale of an unlikely group of people who stick together through thick and thin to survive when a ginormous wave capsizes their ship. Follow Gene Hackman and an all-star 70’s cast in this adventure of friendship, loyalty and survival.

I give it a 7/10.

4. A Ship of Fools

Set in the 1930’s but actually made in 1965, this film follows the lives of a variety of different couples on a cruise ship. Michael Dunn acts somewhat as a narrator as he speaks to the audience first hand and carries the film throughout in order to secure a nomination for an Academy Award.  From an egotistical baseball player and a political activist, to a love-struck young couple and a persistent cruise ship doctor, this film is as diverse as its characters and definitely worth a watch.

4. 3.  Speed 2, Cruise Control

Ah the sequel to the extremely successful Speed, where Sandra Bullock takes on a terrorist, a bomb and a bus in the ultimate action-packed movie. But does the second do the originally any justice? Sandra Bullock is again cast for this film so that’s a good start. Annie and her boyfriend Alex played by Jason Patric (not sure what happened to Keanu Reeves) decide to go on a romantic cruise together. Of course all is not plain sailing for the loved-up couple as they find themselves taking on another terrorist who attempts to crash the ship into an oil tanker. This film has everything you need for a rainy day and for all you cruise nuts, it is even set on the Seabourn Legend!

I give it an 8/10

2. An Affair to Remember

Starring Carey Grant and Deborah Kerr, this 1950’s film is most definitely a classic. This film takes you back to the days of hopeless romantics and you come out the other side wishing that you lived in that era. The couple fall in love on a cruise ship and they agree to meet in six months’ time at the Empire States Building. Complications are of course put in place with them both being engaged to other people, but will destiny bring them together? Even if you aren’t a huge fan of old movies, I am sure Carey Grant will change your mind.

I give it a 9/10.

1. Titanic

There couldn’t be a countdown without this film could there really? Although it is a disaster movie, it’s one of the best films of all time and is truly deserving of its number one spot. Many directors have attempted to play out the story of the ill-fated Titanic on the big screen but no-one has been more successful than James Cameron. Starring an all-star cast including; Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates and Bill Paxton, this 1997 hit has everything you could want out of a film.

I give it a whopping 10/10!

Titanic photo by daveparker on Flickr.