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Reference Guide
Cruise Glossary & Nautical Terms
From "aft" to "zodiac", every cruise and nautical term you need to know, explained in plain English.
Updated Jun 20265 min read
Cruise Terms from A to Z
63 terms. Search, or narrow by topic or letter.
A
- Aft
- The rear or back end of the ship. Aft cabins often have great wake views.
- Ship parts and areas
- All-Aboard
- The final boarding time before the ship departs. Missing it means you're left behind!
- Sailing and ports
- Amidships
- The middle section of the ship, often considered the best location for minimizing motion.
- Ship parts and areas
- Anchor
- Heavy device lowered to the seabed to keep the ship in place when not docked at a pier.
- Safety and equipment
- Atrium
- The central open area of a cruise ship, typically spanning multiple decks with grand staircases.
- Ship parts and areas
B
- Beam
- The width of the ship at its widest point. Larger beams mean more stability.
- Ship parts and areas
- Berth
- Either a bed on a ship or a space for the ship to dock at a pier.
- Cabins
- Bow
- The front or forward end of the ship. The bow cuts through the waves.
- Ship parts and areas
- Bridge
- The ship's command center where the captain and officers navigate and control the vessel.
- Ship parts and areas
- Bulkhead
- Vertical walls that divide the ship into sections, important for safety and watertight integrity.
- Ship parts and areas
C
- Cabin Steward
- The crew member responsible for cleaning and maintaining your stateroom.
- Crew
- Captain
- The commanding officer of the ship, responsible for all operations and passenger safety.
- Crew
- Closed-Loop Cruise
- A cruise that begins and ends at the same U.S. port. U.S. citizens may use birth certificate instead of passport.
- Sailing and ports
- Cruise Card
- Your ship ID card used for identification, cabin access, and charging purchases. Keep it safe!
- Sailing and ports
- Cruise Director
- The entertainment manager responsible for all onboard activities and announcements.
- Crew
D
- Deck
- A floor or level of the ship. Ships typically have 10-20 passenger decks.
- Ship parts and areas
- Disembarkation
- The process of leaving the ship at the end of your cruise.
- Sailing and ports
- Draft
- The depth of water needed for the ship to float. Important for which ports a ship can visit.
- Ship parts and areas
E
- Embarkation
- The process of boarding the ship at the start of your cruise.
- Sailing and ports
- Excursion
- A guided tour or activity at a port of call, often organized by the cruise line.
- Activities
F
- Forward
- Toward the front (bow) of the ship. Forward cabins may feel more motion.
- Directions and sea
- Funnel
- The ship's smokestack, often featuring the cruise line's distinctive design.
- Ship parts and areas
G
- Galley
- The ship's kitchen. Cruise ship galleys prepare thousands of meals daily.
- Ship parts and areas
- Gangway
- The walkway connecting the ship to the dock for boarding and disembarking.
- Safety and equipment
- Gross Tonnage
- A measurement of the ship's internal volume, not weight. Used to compare ship sizes.
- Safety and equipment
- Guarantee Cabin
- Booking a category without specific cabin assignment. You'll be assigned later, often upgraded.
- Cabins
H
- Hull
- The main body of the ship, designed to float and cut through water efficiently.
- Ship parts and areas
- Hotel Director
- Senior officer overseeing all guest services and hospitality operations.
- Crew
I
- Inside Cabin
- A stateroom without a window or porthole. Budget-friendly and dark for sleeping.
- Cabins
- Itinerary
- The scheduled route and ports for a cruise voyage.
- Sailing and ports
K
- Knot
- A unit of speed (1 nautical mile per hour = 1.15 mph). Cruise ships average 20-25 knots.
- Safety and equipment
L
- Lee Side
- The side of the ship sheltered from the wind. More comfortable for outdoor activities.
- Directions and sea
- Lido Deck
- The pool deck, typically featuring pools, hot tubs, and buffet dining.
- Ship parts and areas
- Lifeboat
- Emergency vessels stored on deck for evacuation. You'll learn their location during muster drill.
- Safety and equipment
M
- Maître d'
- Head waiter responsible for dining room operations and table assignments.
- Crew
- Manifest
- The official list of all passengers and crew on board.
- Sailing and ports
- MMSI
- Maritime Mobile Service Identity: a unique 9-digit number for ship identification.
- Sailing and ports
- Muster Station
- Your assigned meeting point for emergency drills and evacuation.
- Safety and equipment
- Muster Drill
- Mandatory safety briefing before departure. Learn about lifejackets and emergency procedures.
- Safety and equipment
N
- Nautical Mile
- A unit of distance (1.15 statute miles or 1.85 km) used in maritime navigation.
- Safety and equipment
O
- Oceanview Cabin
- A stateroom with a window or porthole but no private balcony.
- Cabins
P
- Pax
- Industry abbreviation for passengers.
- Sailing and ports
- Pier
- A platform extending into water where ships dock.
- Sailing and ports
- Pilot
- Local navigator who boards to guide ships in/out of ports through channels.
- Crew
- Port
- The left side of the ship when facing forward. Also, a destination the ship visits.
- Directions and sea
- Port of Call
- A scheduled stop on your itinerary where you can disembark and explore.
- Sailing and ports
- Promenade Deck
- An open walking deck that encircles the ship, great for walks with ocean views.
- Ship parts and areas
R
- Registry
- The country where a ship is registered, determining its flag and regulations.
- Sailing and ports
- Repositioning Cruise
- One-way cruise moving the ship to a new homeport, often longer with more sea days.
- Sailing and ports
- Roll
- Side-to-side motion of the ship. Stabilizers reduce this significantly.
- Directions and sea
S
- Sea Day
- A day spent cruising with no port stop. Enjoy onboard activities and relaxation.
- Sailing and ports
- Set Sail
- When the ship departs from port.
- Sailing and ports
- Shore Excursion
- Organized tours or activities available during port visits.
- Activities
- Stabilizers
- Underwater fins that extend from the hull to reduce rolling motion.
- Safety and equipment
- Starboard
- The right side of the ship when facing forward.
- Directions and sea
- Stateroom
- Another term for a cabin: your private accommodation on the ship.
- Cabins
- Stern
- The back (rear) of the ship. Stern cabins may feel more vibration from engines.
- Ship parts and areas
- Suite
- Premium accommodation with separate living area, often including butler service.
- Cabins
T
- Tender
- Small boats used to transport passengers between ship and shore when pier docking isn't possible.
- Safety and equipment
- Turn-Around Day
- The day one cruise ends and the next begins: passengers disembark while new passengers board.
- Sailing and ports
V
- Verandah
- A private balcony attached to a stateroom. Also spelled "veranda".
- Cabins
W
- Wake
- The trail of disturbed water behind a moving ship. Best viewed from aft deck.
- Directions and sea
- Windward Side
- The side of the ship facing into the wind. More exposed but refreshing on hot days.
- Directions and sea