Your Guide to Cruise Language

You’ve probably already mastered talking like a pirate but when you start planning your first cruise it can seem like there is a whole new language to learn about shipboard life. And there is – from planning to book to stepping on board, you will come across terminology that you have never heard before – and will be unlikely to hear again until you book your next cruise. It can be mind boggling and cause you unnecessary confusion!  Here is a glossary of cruising terms to help you cut through the information and get on board your dream cruise.

Cruise types

In choosing your cruise you might come across terms such as close-looped sailing, repositioning or a repo cruise or even open jaw sailing. How would you know what these terms mean?!

Closed loop sailing refers to a cruise itinerary that begins and ends at the same port. In other words, it’s akin to taking a round trip, but in this instance, it is also referred to as a 'roundtrip' cruise. For example, you might take a cruise that starts and ends in Sydney.

A repositioning or repo cruise is a cruise that starts in one port and ends in a different destination because the ship is changing its cruising region. It is a one-off itinerary that might see a ship that’s been cruising out of Sydney during the Australian summer cross the seas to start cruising from Miami for a different season. So it's a one way passage on a unique itinerary.

An open jaw cruise is not dissimilar – the cruise itinerary starts in one port and ends in another. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line offered a unique open jaw itinerary from New York to Tampa, Florida passing through the Panama Canal in November 2019. Passengers only cruised the one way.

Cruisetour is another term you might hear as you explore your cruising option. This refers to a cruise and coach tour combination. The coach tour might run before or after the cruise.

Guarantee Cabin

If you book a Guarantee Cabin or stateroom, the cruise line will select your cabin for you, often at a lower price point than an assigned cabin in the same cabin category. There are advantages to booking a guarantee cabin such as a lower price for your cruise or a potential upgrade.

On Board the Ship

Aft and Forward

You will see these terms used in relation to your stateroom or suite selection or location. The aft of the ship is the back of the ship. If your stateroom is at the aft of the ship you will be closer to the ship’s wake. The back part of the ship is also referred to as the stern.

Alternatively the front of the ship is referred to as forward and is also referred to as the bow. These terms are important when you are seeking to choose your stateroom or suite allocation as each location has its advantages and disadvantages.

Port and Starboard

More directional shipboard language, these nautical terms refer to the left and right hand side of the ship. Port is left – and easy to remember because both are a four letter word. Starboard refers to the right hand side of the ship. To work out which is port, and which is starboard you need to be facing forward toward the bow of the ship.

Typical of our English language - port also refers to the nautical facility your ship may dock at in each destination you will visit also known as a port or port of call. And then let's not forget port is also a delectable after dinner drink you might have at the Captain's table!

Gangway

The ramp or stairway that leads from the ship to the pier, allowing passengers and crew members to embark (get on) and disembark (get off) the ship at the pier in a destination.

The Bridge

On some cruise ships you get to tour the Bridge. This is the ship’s control centre, where the Captain and officers navigate the course of the ship. The Bridge is usually located above the bow of the ship.

Muster Drill and Muster Station

Participating in your muster drill, regardless of cruise line, is mandatory. This is the emergency drill where you will learn where you need to assemble in the event of an emergency. Where you assemble in an emergency (or a drill) is called the muster station. While an emergency might be unlikely, you will actually be marked off for the muster drill.

MDR and Galley

The acronym MDR refers to the Main Dining Room, which will receive food from the main galley – or ship's kitchen.

Tannoy

The ships loudspeaker system that the Captain or Cruise Director might use to convey messages to all passengers may be referred to as the tannoy. (Trivia buffs will know the tannoy derives its name from a British speaker company).

Onboard Credit

You might have seen cruise deals that offer an amount of onboard credit. When you take a cruise, you open you an onboard account that you then use instead of currency onboard the ship. You can add dollar value to your onboard credit and the cruise operator might offer extra onboard credit as a booking incentive or as compensation for an unforeseen event while cruising.

Dock and Tender

When your ship arrives at a new destination on the cruise itinerary, it will either dock at the pier and you will walk down the gangway onto dry land or it will anchor at sea close to the port and passengers are taken into the port on a small passenger boats called a tender. You itinerary will indicate where you will dock or tender.

Zodiac

If your onshore excursion describes getting onboard a zodiac it is referring to brand of inflatable boats that are popular on expeditions ships in particular, for exploring and transportation to shore in remote locations such as Antarctica.

Onboard Personnel

The Captain

You might be on a cruise ship for fun travel and adventure but being the ship’s Captain is serious business. The Captain of your cruise ship is a licensed mariner of considerable qualification and experience. The Captain is responsible for the ship’s operations, including the passengers and crew. The ultimate responsibility and final authority for all matters pertaining to the ship lies with the Captain.

The Purser

The Purser is the ship’s officer in charge of financial accounting and administration for the ship. In terms of your cruise experience, the Purser is responsible for all billing issues and heads up the guest services area, usually located in a central area of the ship.   

The Cruise Director

The Cruise Director manages the onboard activities on the ship from entertainment to social events to the safety muster. The Cruise Director heads up the entertainment staff and might also handle passenger requests and complaints.

Cabin Steward

This is the welcoming person who cleans your cabin and turns down the room at night. Your Cabin Steward (or steward) is there to help you with minor tasks such as bringing you ice and taking your laundry to be cleaned.

Friends of Bill W.

You may read about gatherings for friends of Bill W. on the daily ship journal and wonder who Bill W is. Not a ship personnel, Bill W refers to Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. On your cruise ship, Friends of Bill W. refers to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings onboard.

Friends of Dorothy

It is unclear where this term comes from but in days when homosexuality was illegal, a 'friend of Dorothy' referred to a gay man. Some say the reference to Dorothy hails from the lead character Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz sequel, others say it is so called due to the tragic life of Judy Garland who played Dorothy.  When you cruise you may see meetings for friends of Dorothy on the ship’s program – these events are offered to LGBTQI guests.