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Abstract
Miller,
W. H. "The US
cruise ship
industry," Journal
of Geography, 1985, 84:5,
199-204
An
analysis is made of the pattern, forms, and functions of the US cruise
ship
industry, highlighting that: (1) the role of the USA in this industry
is that
of a consumer, not a provider; (2) the cruise
ship industry has developed into very
big
business only in the last
20-25 years; (3) there are major differences between the old ocean
liner and
the new cruise ship businesses (ship design, on-board facilities, ports
of
call, seasonality and shore excursions); (4) cruise ships sailing out
of US
ports in 1982/83 directly employed about 20 000 crew members; (5)
although
itineraries vary, 11 major cruise regions or routes can be recognized;
(6) 3
categories of ports of call may be recognized based on the functions
they
perform (terminals, semiterminals and visits); (7) the major US
seaports in the
cruise ship
business; and (8) the industry's future prospects which are encouraging.
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