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Ocean liner

Ocean liners are the principle form of intercontinental transport - fast vessels which travels a scheduled route between two ports. As they make a single, direct crossing to a strict schedule, liners are designed to bear the force of storms and rough seas, which they are unable to divert around. As such they are high-sided to protect against high waves, with a thick hull and deep draft for added stability, and a long bow to cut through waves. Many feature an enclosed promenade, to allow passengers to exercise in inclement weather. Modern liners have three or more steam or phykoleum engines, and are capable of speeds of 20-25 knots (35-40 kph). The fastest liner currently sailing is the SS Maslibah, a quad-engined mail liner which has been recorded at a top speed of 27 knots (50 kph), and sails between Montespinho, in North Ewura and Najrah in Ophoné.

Passenger liners

The marketing around passenger liners likens them to floating hotels, designed to make the long sea voyage as comfortable as possible. In reality, with the exception of lines offering "first class" accomodation, liners are often designed to maximiise passenger capacity, with small, sometimes cramped cabins with shared familities and few luxury amenities. In response to overcrowding on early lineres, many port authorities have regualtions governing the minimum berth space per person. In adddition to people, passengers liners also carry mail and small cargo.

Cargo and mail

The term 'ocean liner' is often used interchangeably with 'passenger liner', but the class includes dedicated cargo and mail liners. Mail carried by liner is now colloquially known as 'sea mail' to differentiate it from the far more expensive 'air mail'. Cargo liners are used to transport bulky, heavy, high-value items such as bullion, and high-risk items like arcane relics and materials whose technological interaction are unknown or which may interfere with the operation of aircraft.