A US cruise line is to allow friends and family of passengers on board its ships ahead of departure, reincarnating an old tradition.

Before the tightening of security regulations, passengers on board grand cruise liners were normally allowed to bring families and friends on board to show off the ship before setting sail.

The Disney Cruise Line has unveiled new images of its forthcoming vessel, the Disney Dream.

Scheduled to launch on January 26, 2011, the Dream is the first of two new liners under construction for Disney.

She will be captained by Captain Tom Forberg, pictured above. Booking will be available from November 9.

Royal Caribbean claims that Oasis of the Seas is the most technologically advanced vessel in the world.

Children can wear a tag that sends their location, so that parents can pinpoint exactly where their child is on board the 16-deck, 225,282-ton monster.

The information is sent to “Royal Connect” branded smartphones rented to parents for a reported $17.50 a day.

This year has seen the launches of several new ocean-going passenger ships, defying the weakened economic climate with new levels of luxury such as an on-board circus, a 4D cinema and an “aquatheater.”

Construction is about to begin on “Utopia,” a 971-foot cruise ship that aims to be “the most luxurious in the world.”

Samsung Heavy Industries has won the $1.1 billion order from Utopia Residences, a U.S.-based cruise operator, to build the luxury cruise vessel.

The 15-deck ship will have 200 private residences and 200 hotel rooms, along with the requisite restaurants, private clubs, a spa, casino, night club and swimming pools.

The world’s biggest and most expensive cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, was recently handed over to the Royal Caribbean cruiseline in Finland.

The vessel, worth 900 million euros (1.3 billion dollars), can accomodate up to 6,360 passengers and 2,160 crew members.

The cruise ship features a variety of traditional and new activities including swimming pools, a casino, pool surfing and a zip line above the boardwalk.