What was the name of the first ship purpose-built for luxury cruising?

The first ship purpose-built for luxury cruising was Prinzessin Victoria Luise. The Hamburg-America Line vessel entered service in 1901 and is widely regarded as the first ship designed specifically for pleasure cruising rather than scheduled transportation.

German shipping entrepreneur Albert Ballin developed the idea after observing that passenger demand for transatlantic travel varied seasonally. He used ships for winter cruises to warmer destinations, creating a model that later became central to the cruise industry. Prinzessin Victoria Luise had a relatively small passenger capacity and emphasized private cabins, dining and leisure.

The ship was launched in 1900 and made her first cruise in January 1901. She was wrecked off Jamaica in 1906 after running aground. Earlier liners had carried passengers on cruises, but Prinzessin Victoria Luise is distinguished by her purpose-built design and dedicated luxury-cruise role.