01
die Kreuzfahrt
cruise
A vacation trip on a large ship during which you visit different places and ports.
example
Nächstes Jahr machen wir eine Kreuzfahrt durch die Karibik.
Next year we're taking a cruise through the Caribbean.
die Kreuzfahrt
cruise
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'kreuz' (from the verb 'kreuzen', to cross/cruise) and 'Fahrt' (journey/trip). It describes a trip where you often cross the seas in different directions, not just a simple trip from A to B.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Kreuzfahrt führte uns zu fünf verschiedenen Inseln.
Our cruise took us to five different islands.
Typical verbs
In German, a cruise is normally not 'genommen' (taken), but rather you 'macht' (do/make) it. The most common and natural combination is 'eine Kreuzfahrt machen' (to take/go on a cruise).
EXAMPLE
Meine Eltern haben letztes Jahr eine Kreuzfahrt im Mittelmeer gemacht.
My parents took a cruise in the Mediterranean last year.
Correct preposition
To describe the travel route, you often use the preposition 'durch' (through) for a region or 'im/auf' (in/on) for a specific sea.
EXAMPLE
Wir planen eine Kreuzfahrt durch die norwegischen Fjorde.
We are planning a cruise through the Norwegian fjords.
Compare with
Kreuzfahrt vs Schifffahrt
shipping / boat trip
'Kreuzfahrt' and 'Schifffahrt' both have to do with travel or traffic on water. A 'Kreuzfahrt' is a vacation trip on a large ship during which you visit several places or ports. 'Schifffahrt' is more general: it can mean all traffic by ship, including transport and the economy, or a single trip by ship or boat. They can be confused because both are connected with ships. When it is about a vacation with several stops, 'Kreuzfahrt' is more precise. When it is generally about ships or a simple trip on the water, 'Schifffahrt' fits better.
Kreuzfahrt
Meine Eltern machen im Sommer eine Kreuzfahrt durchs Mittelmeer.
My parents are taking a cruise through the Mediterranean in the summer.
Schifffahrt
Die Schifffahrt auf dem Rhein ist wegen des Nebels heute eingeschränkt.
Shipping on the Rhine is restricted today because of the fog.
In real life
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