Ships are some of the most fascinating and majestic creations of mankind. Their size, stories, and place in history can keep travel fans and history buffs entertained for hours. If you want to see some of the most splendid, exciting, and historic ships, here are some that you really should consider visiting.
Mayflower II, Massachusetts, USA
Arguably the most iconic ship in American history, The Mayflower carried pilgrims from England to what would become the United States in 1620. While the original ship is long gone, her replica, The Mayflower II sailed from England to the US in 1957 and was restored to her original glory in 2020.
HMS Victory, Portsmouth, England, UK
The HMS Victory was once the flagship of the British fleet. The ship was launched in 1765. In 1805, it led the the defeat of the French and Spanish forces at Trafalgar and eventually served in the War of American Independence. Still a commissioned warship, she belongs to the National Museum of the Navy and can be visited at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.
USS Wisconsin, Virginia, USA
One of the United States’ largest warships, built in 1941, the USS Wisconsin, saw action in both World War II and Korea. Now you can visit the ship and tour the outer deck, the galley, and the library. You can also schedule more in depth tours as well as overnight visits. The ship is docked in Norfolk, Virginia, home to the world’s largest naval base.
HMS Belfast, London, England, UK
A battle cruiser from the Second World War, the HMS Belfast was in service for more than 25 years and is the last remaining ship of her kind. She has been open to the public since 1971 and sits moored between the London Bridge and the Tower Bridge on the Thames River. You can explore her decks and check out the exhibits onboard as the ship is open daily.
RRS Discovery, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Now standing where she was built, the last three-masted wooden ship to be built in the UK, the RSS Discovery was first launched in 1901. The RSS Discovery carried the first British crew to explore the Antarctic. The ship is part of the Discovery Point visitor center which is home to films, galleries, and artifacts of the ship.
USS Midway, San Diego, California, USA
Until 1955, the USS Midway was the largest ship in the world and it was used as an aircraft carrier that provided a floating runway for the US military. The ship served in the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. It has since been made over into a museum and can be visited in downtown San Diego along with more than 30 restored aircraft.
Vasa, Stockholm, Sweden
The Vasa was a Swedish warship from the early 1600s. She sank just a few meters into her maiden voyage in 1628 and was not recovered until 1961. Amazingly, she was salvaged with a fully intact hull and can now be seen at The Vasa Museum in the Royal National City Park on Djurgarden Island in Stockholm.
Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith, Scotland, UK
Nearly half a million people visit The Royal Yacht Britannia in Scotland every year. The ship was Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite ship and was a floating royal palace until it was taken out of service in 1997. Not only can you visit and tour this masterpiece, but you can have tea just like the Queen in the Royal Deck Tearoom.
USS Constitution, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Part of the founding of the original United States naval fleet the USS Constitution was commissioned in 1794 and launched in 1797. She defeated four enemy ships in the War of 1812. She can now be seen at Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard where she also has her own museum.
Golden Hind, London and Brixham, Devon, England, UK
A representation of Britain’s seafaring history, the Golden Hind carried the first English expedition to travel around the world. When the ship returned from its maiden voyage, it had enough spoils to pay the British national debt. While the original ship from the late 1500s is lost to time, there is a full-size replica of the ship in London and another in Brixham.
Mary Rose, Portsmouth, England, UK
King Henry VIII’s favorite warship, Mary Rose launched in 1511 and was lost during the Battle of Solent. She was raised in 1982 and encapsulated in the museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which also contains 19,000 other naval artifacts. Visitors can see the lower and main decks as well as enjoy a guided tour.
Mikasa, Yokosuka, Japan
The world’s only surviving pre-dreadnought battleship is the Japanese Imperial Navy’s Mikasa. She was built in England in 1900 and served in the Japanese-Russo War. She now serves as a museum ship in Yokosuka. Visitors can explore the decks, the bridge, the living quarters, and even the main artillery.
SS Great Britain, Bristol, England, UK
The SS Great Britain was a passenger steamship in the 1800s that carried passengers from Bristol to New York. Her transatlantic service would influence travel and shipping for decades to come. She was restored in 1970 and is now a museum that sits in Bristol’s historic harbor. Visitors can tour passenger cabins and dining halls, as well as her decks.
Museum of the Viking Age, Oslo, Norway
The Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune will be housed at the Museum of the Viking Age (formerly the Viking Ship Museum). The ships were brought to land as burial mounds sometime before 1000 AD. While the trio may not be the largest ships, their age makes them intriguing and the artifacts housed with them are a fascinating discovery as well.
Queen Mary, Long Beach, California, USA
The height of luxury and technology at the time of her launch, this gem of the Cunard Line was a favorite of Hollywood stars and British Royalty. The Queen Mary was her line’s flagship vessel until she was retired in 1967. You can now visit her moored in Los Angeles’ Long Beach as a hotel and tourist attraction.
QE2, Dubai, UAE
Launched in 1969, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) made more than 800 Atlantic crossings, 25 trips around the world, and spent almost four decades at sea. She even served as a troop ship during the Falklands War. She now belongs to the government of Dubai and operates as a luxury hotel where you can still see some of her original rooms and artifacts on display.
Cutty Sark, London, England, UK
The Cutty Sark was the fastest, and the last tea clipper built in Britain. Most of her time on the seas was as a cargo ship and she sailed the distance to the moon more than four times. She now belongs to the Royal Museums Greenwich in London where she has been on display since 1957. You can still visit her wheel, hull, and captain’s table.
USS Missouri, Hawaii, USA
The USS Missouri has some of the largest naval guns ever built and some of the largest to ever be fired in war. This is the ship where the Japanese surrendered to American forces at the end of World War II. It also starred in the movie Battleship (2012). The ship is still able to be toured and has special commemorative military events throughout the year.
The Titanic, Branson, Missouri, USA
Everyone knows the story of the sinking of the Titanic and to visit the wreck site will put quite a hole in your budget! However, the groundwork has been laid for you and you can check out permanent Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, MO, and Pigeon Forge, TN. Both museums also contain an exact replica of Titanic’s hand-crafted Grand Staircase.
LST-325 Memorial Landing Ship, Evansville, Indiana, USA
The LST-325 Memorial Landing Ship is the last fully operational Landing Ship Tank from WWII. Among her fascinating history, she served as part of Force “B”, the backup force for the troops going ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day. She can be viewed and toured in Evansville, Indiana throughout most of the year, but in the fall she makes her own tour of the United States inland rivers.
For more travel tips and hacks, visit our website and explore our resources to enhance your next adventure.