Skip to main content
Back

What are some commonly used cruise terms I should know?

A few of the commonly used terms to get you ready to set sail.

  • Aft - the back or near the back of the ship
  • Atrium - the central court (or centre area) of a cruise ship, usually rising through more than one story of the ship's interior
  • Berth - a built-in bed or bunk, as in a ship's cabin or stateroom
  • Bow - the very front of the ship
  • Bridge - the navigational control centre
  • Cabin or Stateroom Steward - a person whose work is to take care of the guests aboard a ship.
  • Captain - the person in command of a ship
  • Courtyard area - another Norwegian exclusive that offers privacy and luxury for our Suites and Villas guests. You will enjoy a private pool, hot tub, sundeck with Balinese lounges, a fitness area and aboard Norwegian Epic, two private restaurants and a bar.
  • Deck Plan - an overhead diagram of the cabins and the public rooms
  • Disembark - to unload (passengers or goods) from a ship
  • Dock - where your ship 'parks' when in port
  • Family Villa with Balcony (2 bedroom) - Exclusive to our Jewel Class ships, these spacious suites sleep six with a private master bedroom and bath as well as a guest bedroom with bath and living and dining area.
  • Forward - faces the front of the boat
  • Gangway - allows you access on and off the ship
  • Garden Villa (3 bedroom) - The largest suites at sea with up to 465 square metres of living space at the top of the ship.
  • Knot - a nautical mile (see Nautical below)
  • Leeward - the side of the ship that is out of or away from the wind
  • Midship - the middle of the ship
  • Muster - to come together or assemble aboard ship for inspection or roll call
  • Muster Station - a specific location on ship to gather, based on stateroom assignment
  • Nautical - of or having to do with sailors, ships, or navigation. A unit of speed of one nautical mile (1,852 metres) an hour: abbrev. kn or kt [to average a speed of 10 knots]
  • Pier - a structure built out over the water and supported by pillars or piles: used as a landing place.
  • Port - the left-hand side of a ship as one faces forward: opposed to starboard. Port - so named because the side toward the port (dock), since the steering oar (see starboard) prevented docking to the right.
  • Port of Call - regular stopover(s) on a cruise itinerary.
  • Purser - a ship's officer in charge of accounts, freight, tickets, etc., esp. on a passenger vessel. Important to you - a Purser takes responsibility for all money, transactions.
  • Port - the left-hand side of the ship while facing forward (bow). Easy to remember since "port" and "left" each have four letters.
  • Ship - You always cruise on a "ship," never a "boat"
  • Spa Suite - A luxurious suite only found aboard Norwegian Epic that features an ocean-view whirlpool tub, balcony, complimentary, nearby access to the Thermal Suites at Mandara Spa and keycard access to the private Courtyard area
  • Starboard - the right side of the ship while facing forward (bow).
  • Stateroom - your cabin or berth
  • Stern - the very back of the ship
  • Studios - Norwegian Epic's private keycard access complex comprised of staterooms designed and priced for the solo traveller. Also includes access to the private Studio Lounge.
  • Studio Lounge - A private lounge aboard Norwegian Epic reserved exclusively for Studio guests. This is a place to relax, watch TV, have a drink and meet fellow Studio guests.
  • Tender - a boat for carrying passengers to or from a ship close to shore.
  • Windward - on the side of the ship from which the wind blows; towards the wind