<P> P&O first introduced passenger cruising services in 1844 , advertising sea tours to destinations such as Gibraltar , Malta and Athens , sailing from Southampton . The forerunner of modern cruise holidays , these voyages were the first of their kind , and P&O Cruises has been recognised as the world 's oldest cruise line . The company later introduced round trips to destinations such as Alexandria and Constantinople . It underwent a period of rapid expansion in the latter half of the 19th century , commissioning larger and more luxurious ships to serve the steadily expanding market . Notable ships of the era include the SS Ravenna built in 1880 , which became the first ship to be built with a total steel superstructure , and the SS Valetta built in 1889 , which was the first ship to use electric lights . </P>
<P> P&O first introduced passenger cruising services in 1844 , advertising sea tours to destinations such as Gibraltar , Malta and Athens , sailing from Southampton . The forerunner of modern cruise holidays , these voyages were the first of their kind , and P&O Cruises has been recognised as the world 's oldest cruise line . The company later introduced round trips to destinations such as Alexandria and Constantinople . It underwent a period of rapid expansion in the latter half of the 19th century , commissioning larger and more luxurious ships to serve the steadily expanding market . Notable ships of the era include the SS Ravenna built in 1880 , which became the first ship to be built with a total steel superstructure , and the SS Valetta built in 1889 , which was the first ship to use electric lights . </P>
when did the first cruise ship set sail
when did the first cruise ship set sail
1844
1844