Cruise Terminology

A

aboard

onboard, or on the ship; the opposite of ashore. Used when referring to being or doing something on the ship.

about

To turn the ship around

abreast

Alongside something, usually another ship or a dock

add-on

An additional charge to the cruise fare this can refer to airfare, transfers, land tours, or any additional item not included is the base cruise fare.

aft

The back of the ship.

air/sea package

A package deal that includes the cruise price, airfare, and typically the transfers between the airport and the ship.

all hands

All the crewmembers working aboard the ship.

alternative restaurant

A smaller onboard restaurant where guests can choose to eat, often for a small fee.

amidships

The middle section of the ship

ashore

On land; the opposite of aboard.

astern

Toward the aft (back of the ship), or behind the ship.

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B

B2B

Is a back-to-back cruise. Two cruises in a row. See back-to-back.

B2B2B

Is a back-to-back-to-back cruise. Three cruises in a row. See back-to-back-to-back.

back-to-back

One cruise, then another cruise, one after the other. Two cruise in a row.

back-to-back-to-back

One cruise, then another cruise, then another cruise, one after the other. Three cruises in a row.

beam

The width of the ship at its widest point, usually right across the middle section of the ship.

bearing

The compass direction the ship is sailing, expressed in degrees.

berth

A bed; or the place where the ship is docked in port.

bow

The front part of the ship.

bridge

The location where the captain and crew controls the ship-where navigation and steering occur.

bulkhead

The structural wall in the interior of the ship.

buoy

A marker or float used to identify navigational landmarks or channels.

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C

cabin

A passenger room onboard the ship; sometimes referred to as a stateroom.

cabin steward

The person who cleans the cabin.

Capers

Previous name for Carnival's daily activities publication, now known as the Carnival Fun Times.

cast off

To release the ship from her mooring.

category

The price level of a cabin based on location, size, and amenities.

channel

The deepest part of a river or harbor

companionway

A stairway inside the ship that connects the deck levels.

course

The ship's route from one port to the next.

cruise card

On most cruise ships, you’ll be given a cruise card which will act as your room key, ID and your method of payment when on your cruise.

cruise contract

The terms and conditions that cruise passengers agree to. When booking a cruise you’ll need to agree to a cruise contract.

cruise director

Head of the ship's entertainment staff, often emcees events.

cruise tour

A cruise that is preceded or followed by a bus tour, operated by the cruise line.

Cruise To Nowhere

Any cruise in which there are no ports of call; the ship embarks and debarks from the same port without making any stops in between.

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D

davit

A steel structure that hoist lifeboats over the side of the ship.

debark

To go ashore.

deck

Each level (floor) of the ship.

deck plans

A map of all the cruise ship decks.

disembark

To leave the ship and go ashore.

dinner seating

The time a passenger is assigned to a particular dining venue on the ship.

dock

A place to moor the ship.

double occupancy

Two people to a cabin. A cruise fare is typically based on double occupancy as a standard, and this is what you will see as an advertised price.

draft

The depth of water needed to sail so that the ship doesn't touch the ocean floor (The draft is measured from the waterline to the lowest part of the ship, usually the keel).

dress code

Cruise lines have suggested dress codes, ranging from very casual to more formal. The dress code can be general or specific to an event or occasion onboard.

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E

embark

To go aboard the ship.

emuster

A new way to muster drill. Emuster is typically done partially or in whole by using the cruise lines phone app. It was brought into use to avoid large close quarter gatherings onboard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many cruise lines have adopted a form of emuster, and its' use will likely be continued after the pandemic is over.

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F

fantail

The rear overhang of a ship (shaped like a duck's bill).

fathom

Measurement of water depth. One fathom equals six feet.

first seating

The earlier of two meal servings (dinner seatings) in the ship's main dining room-also referred to as the main seating.

fleet

A number of ships under the same ownership.

FlowRider

Onboard surf pool on Royal Caribbean ships.

fore, forward

The area toward the bow of the ship.

formal night

A tradition on many cruise ships, the formal night is a night to dress up. Check your cruise line’s dress codes for suggestions. Some cruise lines have relaxed their dress codes a bit.

Friends of Bill

Is a term refering to recovering alcoholics. It is used typically in reference to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings onboard. William (Bill) Wilson founded Alcoholics Anonymous as a society of members dedicated to helping each other achieve and maintain sobriety.

Friends of Dorothy

Is an older term for people who identify under the LGBTQ+ spectrum: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all other members of the queer community.

Freestyle Cruising

Norwegian Cruise Line's style of cruising, featuring casual dress and no set dinner times.

Fun Ships

Name for Carnival's cruise ships.

Fun Times

Carnival's daily activities publication, previously known as the Carnival Capers.

funnel

The ship's smokestack.

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G

galley

The ship's kitchen.

gangway

Ramp or stairway between the ship and the shore while the ship is docked.

gratuities

Gratuities or tipping is customary on a cruise. A per person service fee or gratuity will be charged daily to your cabin, on most major cruise lines. See also prepaid gratuities.

gross registered ton (grt)

A measurement of enclosed passenger space, including the space in cabins, lounges, showrooms, and dining rooms. This does not apply to open spaces such as decks and pool areas (unless, of course, they are enclosed).

guarantee

A cruise reservation in which one pays for a certain category cabin, but is not given a cabin number. Passengers often take this type of reservation with the hopes of getting upgraded to a higher category.

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H

hand

A crewmember.

head

A bathroom.

helm

The ship's steering equipment, located in the bridge.

hold

The ship's cargo area.

hotel manager

Shipboard director of hotel operations such as housekeeping and passenger services.

hull

The outside shell of the ship from the main deck down to the keel.

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I

inside cabin

A stateroom that does not have a porthole, window, or balcony.

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J

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K

keel

The chief structure of the ship that extends lengthwise along the center of the ship's bottom-the ship's backbone.

knot

The measurement of the ship's speed. One knot is one nautical mile per hour.

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L

lanyard

Used by many cruisers to hang a cruise card around their neck for convenience.

latitude

The distance north or south of the equator expressed in degrees.

league

A unit of measurement equal to 3.45 nautical miles.

leeward

The side of an island or ship that is sheltered from the wind.

lido deck

The pool deck. For ships with multiple pools it is typically the top open deck with the largest pool.

lines

The ropes used to tie up the ship while it is at the dock.

longitude

The distance east or west of the prime meridian expressed in degrees.

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M

MDR

The main dining room of the ship.

maiden voyage

The first voyage of a new ship.

maiden call

The first port-of-call on the ship's maiden voyage.

master

The person who is in charge of the ship; the captain.

mini-suite

The smallest, most affordable suite on a ship, often with just a curtain dividing the living and sleeping areas.

moor

To hold the ship in place with lines at a berth.

muster

To assemble the passengers and crew.

muster drill

A mandatory event where passengers assemble in a specific location and receive instructions on what to do in an emergency. Typically occurs on the first day of a cruise. See also emuster.

muster station

A meeting place onboard the ship that usually refers to the area where one would go to get into the lifeboats in case of an emergency.

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N

nautical mile

A unit of measurement equal to one-sixtieth of a degree of the earth's circumference; it's measured in the U.S. as 6,080.2 feet or internationally as 6,076.1 feet.

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O

OBC

acronymn for onboard credit.

oceanview cabin

An outside cabin with a large porthole window or a verandah.

onboard

Located on the ship; carried or used on the vessel.

onboard booking

Booking your next cruise while still onboard your current cruise. Onboard booking is done to receive benefits and discounts not offered at other times.

onboard credit

A credit added to your onboard account, either as a perk of booking or as compensation for an unforeseen event.

open seating

A dinner seating in which tables are not assigned.

outside cabin

A stateroom with a porthole, window, or balcony that overlooks the ocean-also referred to as an oceanview cabin.

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P

passageway

A hallway inside the ship.

passenger space ratio

The number of gross registered tons (grt) divided by the total passenger capacity.

passenger to crew ratio

The total number of passengers divided by the total number of crewmembers.

pier runners

The name given to those, whom have been known to have had too many libations, who can be seen running in the last few minutes hoping not to miss the ship’s departure. It is quite entertaining and is typically accompanied by loud cheers from the the cruisers already onboard.

pitch

The forward and backward rise and fall of the ship as it moves.

port

The left side of the ship when facing forward; also the harbor where a ship docks.

porthole

A round window on a ship.

port-of-call

port at which the ship anchors or moors, and the passengers are allowed to disembark.

prepaid gratuities

When booking your cruise, you can prepay your gratuities. Some people choose this option to reduce additional onboard expenses which will need to be paid at the end of the cruise.

promenade

An open deck that encircles a ship, often used for walking or jogging.

pullman bed

They are like bunk beds that come out of the wall or ceiling. They can typically be found in smaller cabins that accomodate more than 2 passengers.

purser

The officer onboard who serves as a financial or administrative manager for guest services.

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Q

quad

A cabin that will accommodate four passengers.

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R

repositioning cruise, repo cruise

A one-way itinerary that brings a ship from one region to another, this typically occurs at the change of the cruise seasons.

roll

The side-to-side movement of the ship.

roll call

A group of people who chat online before a cruise, and may have some gatherings set up once on board. A roll call may be set up for your cruise by yourself or other cruise passengers.

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S

sailaway

The period of time that your Cruise Ship actually sails away from the shore. Often there will be a Sailaway party, typically located on the top deck.

screw

The ship's propeller.

sea day

A full day at sea when your cruise ship is not visiting a port.

second seating

The later of two meal servings (dinner seatings) in the ship's main dining room-also referred to as the late seating.

single occupancy

Refers to cruising solo. A cruise fare is typically based on double occupancy. When cruising solo, most of the time you’ll be paying a single occupancy rate, which can be almost the same as the cost of 2 people in a cabin, except you won’t pay double taxes.

single supplement

An extra charge solo travelers pay to have just one person in a cabin. See single occupancy.

sister ships

Ships built of the same design-sometimes referred to as ships owned and operated by the same cruise line.

shore excursion

A tour or guided activity in which guests participate while ashore.

stabilizer

A retractable arm located below the waterline mid-ship, which can be extended to help reduce the ship's roll in rough sea conditions.

starboard

The right side of the ship when facing forward.

stateroom

A cabin.

stern

The back end of the ship.

suite

The largest class of stateroom; features separate living and sleeping areas.

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T

TA

Is short for travel agent.

tender

A small boat used to transport passengers from the ship to the shore. Tenders are used when the harbor is not deep enough for the ship to dock. Also can be used as a verb; i.e. we tendered to shore in Saint John.

transfer

Transportation from the airport or a hotel to the ship and vice versa.

triple

A cabin that will accommodate three passengers.

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U

underway

The act of sailing

upgrade

A change in cabin assignment to a better category.

upper berth

A bed similar to a bunk bed, often folded or recessed into the wall or ceiling.

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V

verandah

A private balcony adjacent to the ship's stateroom (cabin).

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W

wake

The track left in the water at the stern created by a moving ship.

windward

The side of the ship against which the wind is blowing.

world cruise

A three- to four-month-long cruise that sails around the world; guests can choose to cruise the entire time or just on select one-way segments.

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X

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Y

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Z

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