Over a year ago, some folks at web design company Glooton in France released a cool network link that let you track cruise ships around the world from Costa Cruise Ships. Clicking on the placemarks for the ship location also shows you updated web cam photos from the ships. A couple of weeks ago, a Google Earth Community member called ‘svens’ posted a new version of the cruise ship tracking 
network link which includes 3D models to show the position of the ships, and new network links to let you track the ships as they move. He’s also recently added 3D name labels on the backs of the ships (using the new 3D text capability with SketchUp 6). See the instructions in the “Cruises” folder under the network link in your “Temporary Places“. And, if you click on the folder for each cruise ship you can see the web cam photos and other information (like weather, speed, position, heading, etc.). These 3D models are a little complex – so they look good. But, they also might slow down your Google Earth viewing (due to memory and graphics complexity). So, turn them off when you are done looking – you can selectively turn off the 3D models and still view the other data.
About Frank Taylor
Frank Taylor started the Google Earth Blog in July, 2005 shortly after Google Earth was first released. He has worked with 3D computer graphics and VR for many years and was very impressed with this exciting product. Frank completed a 5.5 year circumnavigation of the earth by sailboat in June 2015 which you can read about at Tahina Expedition, and is a licensed pilot, backpacker, diver, and photographer.
At last, Svens created this, I asked him if this was possible a while ago, and here it is! Great stuff!
Since the source server seemed troublesome the last couple days, I had to make a few ajustments to prevent error messages.
Since Franks remark that the model used is a bit complex, I added a choice of models. One can change the model used. These models are downloaded straight from 3dwarehouse. I’ll soon add more (both more simple and more complex) models.
I made a similar application a couple of months ago, now I translated it to English. The ships’ positions are partly calculated from their projected routes.
You can see the models by double-clicking on a logo in the list of places on the left. By single-clicking on the logo above the ship, you get information about the current route, and also a webcam image (if available).
You can find the network link directly here: http://www.seascanner.com/kml/kfben.kml
There’s also a version for cruise ship positions in Google Maps; just click on a ship name and then on “Current position”, following the link under “Posted by Sunside”.
Have fun!
I have been looking for a ship tracker for ages, as my daughter works for Royal Caribbean. this is wonderful. I am a pensioner so I havent got around all the moves yet like 3D?? but its nice to see where she is at any given moment..Thanks for this. John
Dear user Im designing a web application for my project to enable me to track vessel by using GPS and API google map of course will connect into server so the pc will read the gps and locate the position of the ship on the map. please any useful information about this subject?
The seascanner is an excellent app for tracking cruise ships.
I was wondering if the same thing could be done for general shipping.
This website http://www.aisliverpool.co.uk can show shipping for most of the UK and is free to use, Could it work with GE
This is great. Lets say I have a fleet of ships. How would I go about putting them on Google earth? I really need a step by step intructions. Thanks DAN
Would like to get into tracking cruise ships all over the world. Don’t know much about what you guys are talking about above? I’ve been to some sites that show you where a ship is but it’s not in real time. How do I find a site that does real time or how do I go about it myself? Do I need software? I have google earth but cant find anything on there to do with tracking cruise ships.
Thanks. Pat.
would love to do similar to pat and for the same reasons.have google earth but cant find ship tracker. do we need special equipment?
Well this is interesting information, but is it really possible. If google gives such information, will it be in real time. I mean, that if it is quite accurate it can be used by pirats and so on, for tracking ship’s courses. It is a little dangerous in my eyes.
I don’t see Carnival Ships anywhere.
could anyone tell me how i can track cruise ships at home. I have been on a cruise and was amazed at how trhey show the position of all their ships. Is it possible to do this on my own PC at home. PLEASE someone tell me the site address or how to do it. cheers.. ron
Ours is consulting IT company. Our client is an Agency/Mariner and we have been looking for a ship tracker. Our client monitor fleet of ships and want to know ship positions earmarked to discharge at it territorial ports. How would I go about putting them on Google earth? I really need a step by step intructions. We also want to develop a software interfaced to a locally implemented information system. I’ve been to some sites that show you where a ship is but it’s not in real time. How do I find a site that does real time or how do I go about it myself? Do I need software? I cannot get Google earth.
This sounds great, is it in real time though or is it just based on the ships planed route?
I’m trying — unsuccessfully — to track the new Disney Dream cruise ship. Any ideas?
Thanks,
— Doug Davis
DDavis@eiu.edu
There’s something about sailing on a brand-new ship, especially when it’s the first ship in a new class. You’re experiencing something no one else has before. That can be good or bad, of course: On the upside, everything’s shiny and new, and you can feel like you’re part of a big birthday party. On the downside, the crew’s fairly new on board too (though many will have worked on other ships), and are still getting the hang of things.
Thanks for recently added 3D name labels on the backs of the ships ,…
have Google earth but cant find ship tracker. do we need special equipment for this?
Plzzzz let me know that How would I go about putting them on Google earth? I really need a step by step intructions