Cruise Glossary - Cruise Ship Terms & Nautical Vocabulary

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

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

Cruise Glossary & Nautical Terms

Cruise Terms from A to Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

V

W

Keep Reading

All Cruise Guides

Cabin Types Explained

First-Time Cruiser

Cruise Glossary & Nautical Terms

Cruise Terms from A to Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

V

W

Keep Reading

All Cruise Guides

Cabin Types Explained

First-Time Cruiser