In 1921 and 1924 US immigration quotas halted the flow of European emigrants to the United States. Shipping lines such as Red Star Line in Antwerp turned to tourism for new revenue. Ocean liners that had carried emigrants across the bleak Atlantic were converted into cruise ships, carrying the super-rich to exotic corners of the globe. Onboard, the Roaring Twenties reigned: jazz orchestras, abundant alcohol, and passengers lounging in deck pools. Yet these ships were gilded cage - luxurious but isolating, cutting passengers off from true engagement with the lands they visited. A vast crew worked tirelessly to keep guests entertained. Onshore, colonial prejudices and global wealth disparities shaped encounters between tourists and locals. Some passengers questioned the authenticity of their travel experience. This is the book of the exhibition Cruises, shown at the Red Star Line Museum from 13 October 2016 to 24 April 2017. Museum staff and international experts depict life onboard, explore the spirit of the times, and examine the motives and impressions of cruise passengers.