WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23: CRUISE SHIPS

Profile America — Friday, November 23rd.  It's the time of year when ads show up frequently for escaping the increasingly colder weather by booking a trip on a cruise ship.  Newer ships are very large and feature lush accommodations, food, and entertainment.  Ninety years ago this week, the British ship Laconia left New York City with 440 passengers for the first 'round-the-world trip by a cruise ship.  It arrived back in New York on March 30, 1923, 130 days later.  Today, most cruises are in warm climates and last one or two weeks.  Each year, passengers pay $12.6 billion for their cruise tickets, which provide employment for over 18,000 crewmen.  You can find more facts about America's people, places and economy, from the American Community Survey at www.census.gov. 

Sources:  Kane's Famous First Facts, 6989
               2007 Economic Census, NAICS 483112

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau