If you are new to sea life, there maybe some terms used on the ship, that you would not otherwise hear on land. But no worries, they are very easy terms to remember. And besides, once you get your “sea legs”, then they become a part of your normal conversation.

There are many more terms to know on a ship, but these are a few that come to mind:

Aft: also called the stern, is the rear (back) of the ship

Atrium: the main lobby area inside the ship (usually mid ship). The atrium is usually located for easy access or reference point to find reception (guest services), shops, cafes and public restroom. The size of the atrium depends on the ship. This cruise ship centrepiece can lead anywhere between two to ten decks or more.

Berth: the pier or dock where you embark or disembark from the ship. Berth is also used to describe the beds in a cabin (like two berth or single berth)

Bridge: the navigation and command centre of the ship. This is where the Captain and his officers steer the ship. Usually this is found at the forward of the ship and on a higher deck

Cabin: the room where you sleep and live when you are not up and about around the ship

Crossing: also called a repositioning cruise. This is the cruise that moves a ship between cruise areas. For example, when the spring season is finished, the ship will leave the Caribbean and cross the Atlantic to start the fall season in Europe.  

Debarkation / disembarkation: when you leave the ship. The term is used for when the contract is finished and the crew is leaving the ship or when the cruise is finished and the passengers are leaving.

Deck: basically the floor or main horizontal areas of the ship. When you walk on the ship, you are walking on a deck (floor)

Deck plan: a diagram illustrating the layout of the ship

Dry dock: this is when the ship undergoes maintenance work. The ship will enter a sealed docking facility. The water will be removed from the area, hence exposing the areas of the ship that you will not usually see when it is in the water.  During the dry dock period, repairs and refurbishment is done on the hull (ship exterior) and the interior of the ship.

Embarkation: when you first board the ship

Forward: the front of the ship. Also called the “bow”

Galley: a galley is a ship’s kitchen. Ships generally have several galleys that cater to different areas of the ship

Gangway: the gangway is the ramp or staircase that is used for persons to embark or disembark the ship

General Emergency Signal (GES) – this is the sound you hear that alerts you that there is an incident and you should proceed to your emergency station

Gratuities: cash tips from guests for the service received on board

Helm: the helm is the area of the bridge on which the steering wheel is located

Home port: the port in which a ship is based for a season and usually sails from. This is also known as the embarkation port.

Hull: the exterior of the ship

Inside cabin: a cabin with no windows or portholes to see outside

Itinerary: the route that the ship will travel. It outlines the ports that will be visited, the dates and the arrival and departure times

Keel: the ships “backbone” or bottom centre. It extends underneath the ship from the bow (front/forward) to the stern (aft/back).

Knot: a unit of speed to measure how fast the ship travels. A knot is equal to one nautical mile per hour

Leeward: the side of the ship where you will feel most protected from wind.

Lido: the term is used for the deck where you find the passenger outdoor pool

Lifeboat: small boats hanging on each side of the ship and used in case of emergency

Lifeboat drill: all passengers and some crew must participate in this drill on embarkation day. The announcement will be sounded and selected crew must go to their emergency or muster stations to assist the guests.

M.S: Motor Ship

Maiden voyage: the first sailing of a ship with passengers on board

Mooring: a place where a ship is tied. The mooring deck on the ship houses the items needed to secure the vessel in port when docked

Mid-ship: the middle of the ship

Muster station: the location where groups are required to report to in case of emergency or during the emergency practice exercise. Every crew member and passenger has a muster station

Portholes: circular windows on the hull of the ship, to allow light in and for persons to see outside

Port of call: a port of call is place where the ship stops for a while. For example, any country or island where the ship docks during the cruise.

Port side: the left side of the ship when facing toward the front/forward of the ship (from inside).

Promenade deck: the deck where you find the outdoor walkway or porch. The length of the walkway is usually almost the entire length of each side of the cruise ship. Some promenade decks encircle the entire ship.

Shore excursions: an activity off the ship at different ports, for which extra charges usually apply (for the guest). Some ships allow for crew to volunteer as escorts on these excursions, where they are able to access the activity or tour free of charge.

Starboard: the right side of the ship when facing toward the forward/front of the ship (from inside)

Tender: a small boat-like vessel used take you from ship to shore and vice versa when the ship is not able to dock alongside (next to a pier). This means the ship is anchored out at sea or in harbor.  

Transfers: usually a coach or taxi that takes you from the airport to ship, and vice versa.

There are many more terms to know on a ship. But, as you get familiar with cruising, whether as a crew member or a guest, you will learn so much more.