Glossary of Terms

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 that usually refers to airfare, transfers, or land tours
aft - the back of the ship
air/sea package - a package deal that includes the cruise price, airfare, and 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

B
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 - abed; 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 - amarker or float used to identify navigational landmarks or channels

C
cabin - a passenger room onboard the ship-sometimes called a stateroom
cabin steward - the person who cleans the cabin
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 director - Head of the ship's entertainment staff, often emcees events

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
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
draft - the depth of water needed to sail so that the ship doesn't touch the ocean floor

E
embark - to go aboard the ship

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 some Royal Caribbean ships
fore, forward - the area toward the bow of the ship
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
funnel - the ship's smokestack

G
galley - the ship's kitchen
gangway - ramp or stairway between the ship and the shore while the ship is docked
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

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

I
inside cabin - a stateroom that does not have a porthole, window, or balcony

J

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

L
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
lines - the ropes used to tie up the ship while it is at the dock

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z