32 vintage photos from the days when cruise ships were glamorous

Passengers in the VIP lounge aboard the QE2 luxury liner in 1969.

Michael Stroud/Getty Images

• Today's cruise ships may have zip lines and skating rinks, but they're not all as elegant as they once were.
• People used to dress up in tuxedos and evening gowns.
• To pass the time, events like egg-and-spoon races were commonplace.

Nowadays, cruise ships may boast large swimming pools, planetariums, and zip lines, but many floating resorts have lost their timeless elegance.