There are only a handful of commercial cruise ships that are American flagged. The only ships owned by a major cruise line are operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines America. There are only three. Oceanic, the former Independence and United States are not in service. Oceanic is somewhere in Asia awaiting her fate by sale and SSUS is in Philadelphia laid up. Anyone wanting a more complete listing may contact the US Maritime Administration. www.marad.dot.gov
Yes
Buttflaps
Flags flown by ships are also called ensigns.
Ships "flagged" in the U.S. must operate under the maritime laws of the U.S. which are much more stringent than the laws of most all other countries. Additionally, the officers and a certain percentage of the crew must be members of the U.S. maritime unions which demand a MUCH highr wage and salary. Bottom line; pure economics.
Bahamas!
To date. None. There is no such thing as the American flag
"Martin Van Buren, the eighth president, was the first to be born under the American flag." pg. 273 of THE AMERICAN PAGEANT textbook, 12th edition.
The ships of the First Fleet carried the British flag.
Ships of the United Kingdom will fly under the Union 'Jack' (Union Flag) along with a 'Red Duster' (Red Ensign). Also, ships of other British Sovereign Territories (ex-empire) eg. Bermuda, Bahamas will also use the Union 'Jack' as well as their own flag.
It is a semaphore. They use flag signals to communicate with other ships.
Christopher Columbus. :)