Some of the world's most massive and technologically advanced ships sail through this entry in the Feats of 21st-Century Engineering series (7 titles), with cruise ships, tankers, container ships, and military ships each getting their own chapter. First, however, the basic design and construction process is outlined, in addition to a brief account of the science of floatation. A clear connection is drawn between a ship's design and its purpose. For instance, passenger ships, such as cruise ships, will have different needs than cargo vessels, like oil tankers. Examples of actual ships buoy the main text, as do impressive statistics that range from ship size and capacity to the number of crew members needed to run them. The final chapter addresses ecofriendly design and future technological applications, including the use of robotics.