The vertical shear force and bending moment acting on a cruise ship in moderate to large amplitude regular waves are calculated using a body nonlinear time domain method based on strip theory. The Froude-Krylov and hydrostatic forces are calculated for the exact wetted surface under the incident wave profile for each time step. Frequency dependent coefficients are used for calculation of the radiation forces. The radiation forces are linear and are calculated for mean water level. The ship responses in different headings are numerically analysed and compared with experimental results obtained from a wave tank. The main objective of this paper is to conduct a preliminary investigation on the applicability of the developed numerical method for calculation of loads in different headings for practical engineering applications. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, London.