Passenger ship
A passenger ship is designed to carry people by sea. Passenger accommodation, access, and safety arrangements are central to its operation. In the SOLAS convention, a ship carrying more than 12 passengers is a passenger ship. Its service can vary from a ferry to an excursion or cruise voyage.
Ro-pax ships and cruise passenger ships are more specific passenger-vessel designs. A broad passenger-ship label alone does not identify the vessel’s exact service.