could PASSENGER(not 'cruise') ships ever become viable again, VS airlines?

Good marketing does wonders

Anyway, it was just a suggestion. To theoretize (like we are now), without some concrete data is just plain silly (although I wasn't even thinking about comparing it or even putting it in the same category as air-travel)

 

50 pax wig

What could provide an alternative to airplanes is the likes of the South Korean WSH-500 50 pax hoverwing wig in recent sea trials. Somewhat cheaper; somewhat faster, point to point on short to middle range destinations and flying well below volcano ashes but at 10km high L/D equivalent efficiencies.

Luc

 

With all the Navy stuff traveling around , like subs for instance, maybe help the US budget by selling passage.

A fast boat down the east coast might work. A lot of people don't like to fly, and a boat might be an alternative to a train.

 

Not all travel is intercontinental. The economics behind exchanging one hour in air (plus 3 hours for connections to the airports) with 12 hours by ship is different, also for a business trip. Basically you exchange one night at home plus an early morning flight with an overnight cruise. New York to Chicago is difficult, but Stockholm to Helsinki is a different case and cost doesn't have to shift much before more passengers take a ship instead.

Erik