ABSTRACT
In this introductory chapter, an overview of the elements of the cruise industry is presented to enable the reader to understand issues concerning the way the industry has grown and the types of cruise vacations that are available. In addition, by charting historical growth, a timeline is created which highlights milestones and can go some way to help explain why some of the developments have occurred. In its current state the market is dominated by cruise corporations and cruise brands, and the final part of this introductory chapter provides an overview of the economical realities that are a feature of the cruise business in this early part of the 21st century.
