Cruise ships typically travel at an average speed of 18 to 22 knots, which is approximately 20 to 25 miles per hour. Their engines can sometimes push them faster, up to a maximum of about 25 to 30 knots (roughly 29 to 35 mph), but they rarely do so for reasons including fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and environmental concerns. For example, Royal Caribbean ships average about 18 to 20 knots in normal operation.