78 Cruise Terms You Should Know

Sometimes, listening to frequent cruisers talk can sound like a foreign language. There are many terms, words, and cruise customs that those without cruising experience will likely not understand.

I’ve spent many years cruising and taking cruise certification classes, and I have compiled a list of cruise terms you should know before your first sailing.

Sure! Here’s a comprehensive list of cruise terms that people should know:

Aft: The rear part of the ship.
Stern: The very back of the ship.
Bow: The front of the ship.
Port: The left side of the ship when facing forward.
Starboard: The right side of the ship when facing forward.
Deck: Each level or floor of the ship.
Cabin/Stateroom: The rooms where passengers sleep.
Balcony Cabin: A cabin with a private balcony.
Verandah Cabin: A Cabin with a private balcony
Navigator’s Balcony: A partially enclosed balcony, often found on Disney Cruise Line ships, providing extra privacy and wind protection.

Cove Balcony: A type of balcony located on the lower decks of the ship, often partially enclosed for more privacy and closer proximity to the water.
Aft Balcony: These cabins have balconies that look over the back of the ship.
Inside Cabin: A cabin without windows, typically located in the interior of the ship.
Oceanview Cabin: A cabin with a window or porthole offering a view of the sea.
Muster Drill: A mandatory safety drill where passengers learn what to do in an emergency.
Poop Deck: The highest deck at the rear of the ship.
Bridge: The area from which the ship is navigated.
Galley: The ship’s kitchen.
Gangway: The ramp or steps used to board or leave the ship.
Tender: A small boat used to transport passengers from the ship to shore when the ship is anchored.

Disembark: To leave the ship.
Embark: To board the ship.
Port of Call: A scheduled stop on a cruise itinerary.
Itinerary: The planned route or schedule of the cruise.
All-Inclusive: A package that includes most costs, such as food and activities, in the cruise fare.
Shore Excursion: Organized activities or tours offered to passengers when the ship is in port.
Lido Deck: The deck where the pool and often other recreational facilities are located.
Main Dining Room: The primary restaurant on the ship, typically offering sit-down meals.
Specialty Restaurant: An onboard restaurant that requires an additional fee.
Buffet: A self-service dining option on the ship.
Sea Day: A day spent at sea without any port stops.

Cruise Director: The crew member responsible for entertainment and activities on the ship.
Purser: The officer in charge of financial and administrative matters on the ship.
Captain’s Dinner: A formal dinner event hosted by the ship’s captain.
Formal Night: An evening where passengers are encouraged to dress in formal attire.
Crew: The staff members who work on the ship.
Passenger/Guest: Individuals taking the cruise.
Roll Call: A pre-cruise activity where passengers on the same cruise connect and plan activities.
Duty-Free: Shops on the ship where items can be purchased without paying import taxes.
Spa: The onboard facility offering health and beauty treatments.
Casino: The onboard gambling area.
Atrium: A central, often multi-level, area of the ship with open space and typically featuring shops, bars, and entertainment.
Tender Port: A port where the ship anchors offshore, and passengers are taken to land by tender.
Docking Port: A port where the ship ties up to a pier or dock.
Wave Season: The peak booking period for cruises, typically January to March.
Berth: A bed in a cabin or a space where the ship docks in port.

Porthole: A small, usually round window in a cabin or other part of the ship.
Cabin Steward: The crew member responsible for cleaning and maintaining passenger cabins.
Sail Away: The departure of the ship from port.
Sailing: The journey or voyage of the cruise.
Concierge: A crew member or service that assists passengers with special requests and services.
Suite: A larger, more luxurious cabin, often with separate living areas and additional amenities.
Deck Plan: A layout of the ship’s decks and the locations of cabins, restaurants, and other facilities.
Lido Deck: The deck on a ship where the main pool, entertainment and food are located.
Zodiac: A small, inflatable boat used for excursions, particularly on expedition cruises.
Ship’s Registry: The country in which the ship is officially registered.
Maiden Voyage: The first official journey of a new ship.
Dry Dock: A maintenance period when the ship is taken out of the water for repairs and upgrades.
Pilot: A local maritime expert who guides the ship into and out of ports.
Stabilizers: Devices that help reduce the ship’s motion and improve stability.
Draft: The depth of water a ship needs to float.
Knot: A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour.
Leeward: The side sheltered from the wind.
Windward: The side facing the wind.
Beam: The width of the ship at its widest point.
Keel: The bottom structure of the ship, running along its length.
Helipad: A designated area on the ship where helicopters can land and take off.

Forward: Toward the front of the ship.
Midship: The middle section of the ship.
Housekeeping: The department responsible for maintaining cleanliness throughout the ship.
Safety Drill: Another term for the muster drill.
Medical Center: The onboard facility providing medical care.
Captain’s Log: The official record of the ship’s activities and conditions.
Lifestyle Cruise: A cruise catering to specific lifestyles or interests; while this can be themed for music or other interests, its most often in reference to swingers cruises.
Cabin Crawl: An organized event where passengers visit and tour different cabins on the ship. This often involves hosting rooms and providing drinks for the visitors.
Upside Down Pineapple: A symbol often indicates someone is interested in the swinging lifestyle.
Fish Extender Gift: On Disney cruises, guests participate in a gift exchange by leaving small presents in hanging pouches outside staterooms.
Sail & Sign Card: A card used on some cruise lines for onboard purchases and as a room key.
Repositioning Cruise: A one-way cruise where the ship moves from one region to another, often at the beginning or end of a season.