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You are here: Home / Travel / Guide to Cruise Lingo

Guide to Cruise Lingo

June 14, 2018 by @Modlifeisgood Leave a Comment

First-time cruisers are often confused by Cruise Lingo. These are words which you will hear on a Cruise Ship but are never heard on land. Whilst you don’t know what they mean all the other passengers seem to know & are talking in this strange Nautical Dialect. Our Guide to Cruise Lingo includes all the most common phrases you will hear on a Cruise Ship.

You will soon be speaking like the Captain!

First-time cruisers are often confused by Cruise Lingo. These are words which you will hear on a Cruise Ship but are never heard on land. Whilst you don't know what they mean all the other passengers seem to know & are talking in this strange Nautical Dialect. Our Guide to Cruise Lingo includes all the most common phrases you will hear on a Cruise Ship.

Aft – The back of the ship.

Atrium – The centre court area of the ship. Often this is an impressive area made up of several decks.

Centrum Jewel of the Seas
The Atrium/Centrum Jewel of the Seas

Butler – The person who looks after you if you have a posh cabin i.e. large suite. I have never had one of these 🙁

Bow – The very front of the ship.

Bridge – The area where the ship is commanded. Off limits to passengers but some lines do offer tours.

The Bridge Allure of the Seas
The Bridge Allure of the Seas Read our Behind the Scenes Tour

Cabin Steward– The person who looks after your room.

Captain – The person who commands the ship & keeps you safe. Also known as the Master.

Disney Wonder Sail Away
Captain Mickey on the Disney Wonder

Cruise Director – Senior officer in charge of onboard entertainment. On most Cruise Ships the Cruise Director also has an important role in reading out safety messages.

Deck – Known as the ground when you are on land.

Forward – The front part of the ship.

Galley – The ship’s kitchen where all your gorgeous food is made.

Allure of the Seas All access Tour Galley
Allure of the Seas All Access Tour Galley

Gangway – The walkway used to embark and disembark the ship.

Knot The measurement of a ship’s speed. 1 knot = 1.15 mph on land. I am still trying to understand this one but Cruise Ships don’t move quick.

Lido or Pool deck – Where you will find the swimming pool, sunbeds and other outside activities.

Pool Deck Jewel of the Seas
Pool Deck Jewel of the Seas Guide to Cruise Lingo

Midship – The centre part of the ship which might also be an atrium.

Muster Station – Passengers assemble at a muster station in case of an emergency. The will be a muster drill on the first day of your cruise.

Nautical mile – It’s the unit of measurement navigators use to calculate the distance travelled by the cruise ship. Which is around 1.15 mile on land.

Norovirus – Is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans, causing vomiting and diarrhoea. Not cruise lingo you want to hear but washing your hands prevents it.

Plank – What naughty cruisers are made to walk off….they are honestly!

Port – The left side of the ship when facing forward.

Porthole – A round window.

Guide to Cruise Lingo
Our Cabin on the Disney Wonder feature a Large Porthole

Roll – The side-to-side movement of the ship.

Sea Day – A day at sea with no ports scheduled.

Ship – Still not sure I understand what the difference is but it is a ship not a boat.

Cruising Wth Kids on Harmony of the Seas Oasis Class Royal Caribbean
Harmony of the Seas Guide to Cruise Lingo

Staff Captain– 2nd in charge of the ship.

Starboard – The right side of the ship whilst facing forward (bow).

Stern – The very back of the ship. Not to be confused with Aft. Aft actually means towards the stern.

Guide to Cruise Lingo
Is this the Aft or Stern of Allure of the Seas?

Tender – The boat used to ferry passengers from the ship to land when the ship can’t dock at the shore. On occasions, lifeboats might be used.

Verandah – A posh word for a balcony.

jewel of the Seas Junior Suite 1098, Jewel of the seas 1598, brilliance of the seas, radiance of the seas, serenade of the seas junior suite 1098 1598
Relaxing on a balcony on the Jewel of the Seas Guide to Cruise Lingo

Wake –  Trail of waves at the stern created as the ship moves forward.

Now you know the Cruise Lingo the is nothing to stop you talking with the most experienced of Cruisers. Let me know if there are any phrases we have missed from our Guide to Cruise Lingo.

Filed Under: Blog, Cruise, Travel Tagged With: blog, cruise, family travel, travel

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Welcome to Modern Life is Good we are a Family Travel site specialising in Walt Disney World Planning, Universal Orlando, Orlando Attractions & Cruising.

We are family of 4 based in the United Kingdom who have become Orlando Fanatics and Enthusiastic Cruisers. We hope this website will help you plan the perfect Family Vacation.

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