CRUISE TERMINOLOGIES

By: JANZELL PALBACAL, MIHM

There are many terms used onboard a cruise ship which are
not usually used on land. Here are some common terms you
will hear on a ship with a definition of each.
An interior, multi deck,
open area of a ship.
Typically, atriums are
centrally located near
lifts, shops, cafes and
guest services.
Shipboard atriums can
extended anywhere
from two to ten decks
or more.
Abreast – Something
alongside of the ship,
usually referring to
another ship or to the
dock.
Aft – The back
end of the
ship.
Amidship – The
middle area of
the ship.
Astern – May
refer to either the
back end of the
ship or behind it.
Beam – The ship
at its widest point
– usually in the
middle.
Berth – A bed,
but may also refer
to the docking
space of a ship.
Bow – The front
of the ship.
Bridge – The space
where the
command center of
the ship is, where
the Captain and the
ship’s controls are
located.
Bulkhead – A wall
that divides one
area from
another.
Cabin Steward –
Someone who
cleans the rooms
(cabins).
Companion Way
– A stairway that
leads from one
floor level (deck)
to the next.
Cruise Director –
The person who
directs the
entertainment
staff and activities
on the cruise
ship.
-Floors of the
ship
Debark or
Disembark –
Leave the ship.
A sealed docking facility from which
water is pumped in and out,
enabling maintenance and repairs
to be performed on a ship.

Generic term for a vessel’s

maintenance period when a ship
actually enters a dry dock to
maintain it’s underwater hull and to
undergo onboard refurbishment
and upgrades to hardware and soft
furnishings.
– Boarding, or
coming onboard
of the ship.
First Seating – Of
the two
designated times
for eating, this
refers to the
earlier one.
– The ship’s
kitchen area.
Gangway – The
ramp or stairway
used to get on or
off of the ship.
The term used to
denote a
transatlantic cruise
rather than a
localized voyage.
The schedule of ports
for your specific
cruise, including days
at sea and the length
of time the ship will
be docked at each
destination.
Knot – A
measurement of
the ship’s speed,
which is equal to
about 1.852 land
km per hour.
Lido Deck – The
pool deck area,
which usually has
informal dining
like a buffet.
Magrodome – A
clear skylight of
glass that is can
slide into place to
cover the pool in
cold weather.
Muster Station- a
place in ship
where passengers
should assemble
in the event of
emergency
A destination you visit
during the cruise.
Most voyages include
2-5 ports of call
depending on the
cruise length, and the
ship may be docked
just a few hours or
more than a day.
Port side – The
left side of the
ship – when
facing forward.
Purser’s Office –
The front desk
for passengers.
Also called the
reception desk,
hotel desk, or
information desk.
Starboard – The
right side of the
ship – when
facing forward.
Stern – The back
of the ship.
Tender – A small
boat used to carry
passengers and
crew from the
ship to shore
(dock) and back.
A cruise passenger ID
card is a cruise line's way
to keep track of
passengers, ensure
security, and provide a
way for passengers to
sign for purchases
without carrying around
money.