Modern cruise ships are designed to be stable in the water, but their size and height can make them top-heavy. Top-heavy means that the center of gravity is high, which can make the ship more likely to tip over. To prevent this, cruise ships use a variety of design features, including wide hulls, ballast tanks, and stabilizers.
The importance of stability for cruise ships cannot be overstated. If a cruise ship were to capsize, it could result in a large loss of life. In addition, a capsized cruise ship would be very difficult to salvage, and the cost of the cleanup could be enormous.