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Sailing the seas has led to the development of so many funny phrases and tricky terms. As a first-time cruiser, you may not know your galleys from your tenders, but there’s no need to worry.
Sailing the seas has led to the development of so many funny phrases and tricky terms. As a first-time cruiser, you may not know your galleys from your tenders, but there’s no need to worry. At Odysia Cruise, we have all the lingo you need to know ahead of your first voyage.
Discover what terminology is used on a cruise ship in this helpful guide. We’ll cover everything from directions to areas of the ship, as well as why understanding these terms can be useful.
Cruise lines don’t expect guests to arrive on departure day fully versed in the language of sailing the seas. Cruises are supposed to be fun and relaxing, and there’s no need to study different parts of the ship in order to enjoy a pleasant and memorable voyage.
Knowing what cruise terms and phrases mean, however, can be quite useful. Guests who know what particular words mean can feel more at ease exploring the ship, and this knowledge can also calm those who may feel nervous about sailing. If you know the right terminology, crew announcements won’t seem as complicated or daunting, resulting in a worry-free holiday.
Now that we’ve covered how learning cruise terminology can help guests enjoy their voyage, let’s jump right into some of the key phrases you may want to become familiar with.
Some of the most popular cruise terms and phrases are those relating to direction and location. These words are used in films, books and songs, so you may be familiar with a few of them already. Recognising this terminology can be useful for knowing where restaurants, bars and other venues are located on the ship, as well as understanding instructions provided by the crew.
The key terms you can learn are:
Next, let’s move on to the objects and spaces you will encounter as you navigate your cruise ship. While knowing these terms isn’t required before your cruise, we know it can satisfy the “Why is it called that?” question many cruisers ask during their international travels.
Two of the most familiar cruise terms are ‘stateroom’ and ‘cabin’, which are used to refer to rooms for accommodation throughout the ship. The reason for these two terms is that they distinguish levels of accommodation, with cabins being smaller, more economical rooms – traditionally used by crew – and staterooms being larger and more luxurious – traditionally used by officers.
Another object you’ll find in your accommodation is a ‘berth’, otherwise known as a bed. The term originated from that used to describe a small, convenient space, and what could be a better use of space than a comfy bed?
Stepping outside your cabin or stateroom, you may come across the ‘lido deck’ as you wander around the ship. This is another term for the main deck, typically where the main pool, restaurants, and entertainment venues are located. ‘Lido’ comes from Venice, where the world’s first modern beach was developed back in the 1800s, so it’s no surprise that this space is usually where the action is.
On the first day of your cruise, you will need to undergo a muster drill, and you’ll certainly hear the term ‘muster station’ during this standard procedure. Though it may sound daunting, there’s no need to worry, as a muster station is simply where guests are required to meet in the unlikely event of an emergency.
With all the lingo you need to navigate your cruise ship covered, let’s look at terms that are certain to impress your fellow passengers. Of course, there are hundreds of nautical phrases we could pick, so let’s run through some of our favourite cruise ship terminology from A to Z to give you the vocabulary worthy of the seven seas.
As you and your family explore the cruise ship, you may come across an indoor space that spans multiple storeys, packed with places to sit and enjoy a quiet drink or some live entertainment. This space, you can tell them, is an ‘atrium’.
On dry land, you know immediately what a ‘bridge’ is, but on your cruise ship, it refers to the section of the ship where the captain and their officers steer the ship.
And what about the ‘galley’? If you know French, you may be able to guess that this refers to the ship’s kitchen, though there’ll be more than one galley with the variety of incredible eateries to be enjoyed on modern ships.
Another important part of the ship is the ‘hull’. Standing at the port, point to the outer body of the ship – this is all referred to as the hull.
As you pull away from your most recent destination, impress your fellow passengers by explaining that the ship’s speed is measured in ‘knots’, each of which is equal to 1.15 miles per hour.
Ever heard of the term ‘tender’? It’s a word with a few different meanings in English, but in the nautical world, it refers directly to the small boats used to transport passengers into port. These are often used when a ship is too large for a particular port or if the port is too shallow for the ship to dock.
You may notice that certain cruise lines offer ‘veranda’ staterooms, but what does this mean? Even before you step on board, impress your partner or friends by explaining that a veranda is a stateroom that provides a private outdoor seating area, complete with outdoor furniture.
Lastly, do you know what the ‘wake’ of a ship is? Simply, it’s the trail left in the water by the boat as it moves forward, so you can look out for it as you leave one port behind and look ahead to the mysteries of the next.
Book a voyage and learn even more about life at sea with Odysia Cruise! Find your ultimate getaway today by taking a look at our cruise deals or discovering what itineraries are on offer from the best cruise lines.
