Here, the dynamic response characteristics of thick cross-ply laminated composite cylindrical shells are studied using a higher-order displacement model. The formulation accounts for the nonlinear variation of the in-plane and transverse displacements through the thickness, and abrupt discontinuity in slope of the in-plane displacements at any interface. The effect of inplane and rotary inertia terms is included. The analysis is carried out using finite element approach. The influences of various terms in the higher-order displacement field on the free vibrations, and transient dynamic response characteristics of cylindrical composite shells subjected to thermal and mechanical loads are analyzed.