Aft

The area at the rear (or stern) of a ship.

Anchorage Port / Tender Port

A port in which a ship cannot berth either because there is no quay or the dock is too small to accommodate the ship. The ship will drop anchor and passengers will travel to shore in a smaller boat called a 'tender'.

Berth

Dock, pier or quay. Can also refer to the bed in your cabin/stateroom.

Boarding Pass

Issued to passengers at the time of check-in as a form of identification, the boarding pass allows passengers to embark and disembark throughout the cruise. Often it takes the form of a plastic card that can also be used for on board purchases.

Bow

The forward most part of a ship.

Bridge

The area from which the ship's officers navigate the vessel. The Bridge is located high, to the front of the ship.

Cashless System

Cash is not normally accepted for purchases on board. Typically all on board expenses, (and sometimes gambling expenses) are billed to the individual’s account for payment by credit card on the final morning of the cruise.

Convertible Lower Beds

Either two lower single beds convertible to a double, usually king size bed or a lower bed which converts to a settee.

Dress Code

What you wear depends upon the style of cruise you take. Some cruise lines have formal black tie evenings whereas other cruises are much more informal with open neck shirts and no jackets.

Expedition Vessel

Generally a small cruise ship designed to visit remote parts of the world such as Antarctica or The Amazon.

Galley

The ship's kitchen.

Gangplank / Gangway

A walk way for passengers and crew to embark and disembark.

Gross Registered Tonnage

A measure of the ship's volume. The measure is equal to one hundred cubic feet of space enclosed.

Hull

The frame and body of the ship exclusive of masts or superstructure.

Knot

The primary unit of speed, equal to one nautical mile or 1.15 land miles per hour.

Midships

In or toward the middle of the ship; the centre portion of the ship.

Muster Station

An area on board ship, either inside or out on deck, where passengers are instructed to go in the event of an emergency. Passengers will be called to their Muster Station and don their life jackets as part of the emergency drill when they first board the ship.

Port

The left side of the ship when facing forward.

Starboard

The right side of the ship when facing forward.

Stern

The rear of the ship.

Themed Cruises

A cruise where some or all of the on board activities are intended to attract people with a special interests i.e. music, wine tasting, history, art appreciation.