Cruise Terms

SHIPS are large vessels that float on water and passengers sail on.  They are distinguished from BOATS based on size and cargo, or passenger capacity.

The REAR of the ship is called the AFT.

The FRONT of the ship is called the BOW.

The PORT is on the LEFT side of the ship, facing front.

The STARBOARD is the RIGHT side of the ship, facing front.

Command control/navigation center is the BRIDGE.

The Bridge of the Harmony of the Seas, currently the world's largest ship.

Ships are docked at PORTS, also called STOPS along the way.

STABILIZERS are wings that stick out to prevent swaying.  Seasickness occurs more often during rough seas, and stabilizers help to keep the ship stable.

TENDERS are smaller boats used when ships cannot dock.  There are some ports of call where ships drop anchor rather than being tied to the dock, and this can be due to any number of reasons, some of which are that the ship is too large or there are too many ships already docked.  The ship usually anchors within sight of the shore, and it is usually a 10- to 40-minute trip to and from the dock.  The ship uses a designated number of its lifeboats for tendering, and sometimes tenders are provided by the port of call. 

GUARANTEE is a reserved cabin. 

EMBARKATION is entering the ship at the beginning of the cruise.

DISEMBARKATION is exiting the ship at the end of the cruise.

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