The primary function of a passenger ship is to transport passengers, usually for either travel or pleasure. There are various types of passenger vessels, as follows:
Ferries – Used for short sea journeys and can usually take passengers and vehicles.
A ferry on the Mersey, and my favourite skyline
Ocean liners – Used to transport passengers and small amounts of cargo on deep sea journeys, these vessels were more popular in earlier times but have been largely replaced by air travel in the present day.
Cruise ships – Used for pleasure voyages.
Disaster can befall a passenger ship just as it can any other vessel. When a passenger vessel is involved in an incident the potential for disaster is larger due to the higher number of people on board a passenger vessel compared to freight vessels.