Look for Distinguishing Features

• 1). Study various pamphlets, websites, cruise passenger photos and even cruise ships themselves if you are lucky enough to live near a sailing port. Cruise smokestacks are easy to spot because they will be one of the tallest features on each ship, rising above the highest deck.
  
  
• 2). Learn the distinguishing features of each cruise line. Color and branding elements are the main way cruise ship smokestacks distinguish themselves from each other. Major cruise lines, like Disney Cruises, use Mickey Mouse as their identifying emblem, which they paint on each smokestack. Look for the obvious emblems for other cruise lines.
  
  
• 3). Line up photos of various cruise ships next to each other the way you would flash cards. Study each picture, one or two for each cruise line, until you are able to distinguish one line's color scheme, size and shape of smokestack from the next. Keep a log of the ships you watch docking if you are near any ports.