Cruise lines and cruise ships have widely been known now for their vacation value and appeal, but they can be much more. Cruise ships as well as all commercial vessels at sea like shipping containers, freighters and transport ships are required by maritime law to aid vessels that are in peril and even passengers stranded at sea when their vessel breaks down.
Cruise ships have rescued hundreds of stranded people to include migrants who left a drift at sea and in some cases, people floating at sea from a sunken vessel or falling overboard.In recent years, cruise ships have been used for events like the 2005 Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville. The city of Jacksonville contracted with several cruise lines to offer hotel space on cruise ships.
It was reported that when hosting a super bowl there are requirements like having enough security, emergency services, transportation and lodging for attendees from out of town.
In this case, Jacksonville contracted five cruise ships, Carnival Miracle, Holland America Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Volendam and a ship from Reagent Seven Seas.
It cost the city $11 million to charter the five cruise ships turned into mere floating hotels. as reported by Mitch Stacy from the Associated Press
Without them, the city would not have had enough lodging to host the spectacular Super Bowl where the New England Patriots squeaked out a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21.