In the past, desires and needs drive people??s survival and reproduction. Now, they stimulate people??s consumption and show-off. The argument, “Necessity is the mother of invention” seems to run through the history of human evolution. The purpose of early cruise ship construction is for transoceanic voyages from old continent to the new world. It is a typical demand-driven invention. The Blue Ribbon Prize for the initial transoceanic racing and the first-class cabin design competition meet the two original needs of transportation and show-off. The increase in industrial capabilities and the symbolization of the civilian population of luxury culture meet the high level cultural needs of the general public after the progress of the social hierarchy. Cruise ships are now designed not to satisfy the primary needs as transportation, but become the tourist destinations themselves and are transformed into a dematerialized consumption model in the prosperous and affluent commercial society.