Most cruise ships are constructed in specialized European shipyards, particularly in Italy, Germany, and France, where advanced technology and expertise drive the building process. Once completed, the vessel moves to sea trials with a limited crew, focusing on basic functionality like propulsion, navigation, and stability. Cruisecritic Contributor Melinda Crow notes that as testing progresses, the ship gradually incorporates a small group of guests, increasing the complexity of maneuvers and emergency simulations:

The sea trial is one of the final steps in the process of constructing and deploying a new cruise ship. These trials, conducted by the ship’s new captain, are designed to test the major systems of the vessel, often pushing the ship to its maximum limits of speed and steering. There may be one or two sea trials scheduled, each lasting between one and four days, depending on how much new technology has been included in the ship’s design. Representatives from both the cruise line and the ship builder may be onboard during all or part of the trials. Cruise ship sea trials usually take place months before the christening and inaugural voyage. Crew members often refer to sea trials as a ‘shakedown cruise’ for the ship’s propulsion and navigational systems.