Cruise glossary.

A cabin near the stern. Aft-facing balconies can offer broad wake views, while cabins over propulsion areas may experience more vibration.

A seasonal, scenery-led voyage commonly sailing from Seattle or Vancouver through the Inside Passage, with calls such as Juneau and Ketchikan.

A fare that bundles specified extras with accommodation and standard dining. The exact drinks, Wi-Fi, dining and gratuity inclusions vary by cruise line.

The ship’s central, often multi-deck public space, usually surrounded by guest services, lounges, shops or cafés.

A cabin with private outdoor space. Balcony size, outlook and obstruction vary by ship and cabin position.

A Northern European itinerary linking Baltic capitals and regional ports. Routes change with season, security conditions and port access.

The ship’s navigation and command centre, staffed by the master and deck officers. Public access is normally restricted.

Personalised assistance offered with some suites, potentially including unpacking, dining arrangements and in-suite service.

The booked accommodation type—commonly inside, ocean-view, balcony or suite—plus its location, capacity and fare conditions.

The crew member responsible for routine cabin servicing and practical housekeeping requests during the voyage.

A scheduled reception or presentation at which senior officers may be introduced. Its format and dress expectations depend on the ship.

Additional assistance attached to selected suites or premium areas, potentially covering reservations, priority services and in-cabin requests.

A port where a traveller changes ship or joins a separate transport segment. Connection time and baggage arrangements must be checked carefully.

The onboard card used as a cabin key, identity token and charge card. Some ships provide the same functions through a wearable device.

A booking that combines the cruise with flights and sometimes transfers or hotels. Check responsibility for disruption and connection protection.

A horizontal level of the ship. Passenger deck numbers and omitted numbers vary by vessel.

Leaving the ship at the end of a cruise, usually through assigned departure groups after immigration and baggage arrangements.

The cruise line’s guidance for clothing in restaurants and evening venues, ranging from casual to formal and varying by ship and occasion.

A prepaid plan covering specified beverages within price, venue and daily-use rules. Compare the full conditions with expected consumption.

Pricing that changes with demand, remaining inventory, promotions and time before departure. A later price is not guaranteed to be lower.

An itinerary commonly combining Greece, Türkiye, Cyprus, Croatia or nearby destinations, with exact ports determined by the sailing.

The process of checking in, completing security and document checks, and boarding at the start of a cruise.

The port at which a passenger joins the ship. A ship calling at a port does not prove that embarkation is permitted there.

European requirements that increasingly price greenhouse-gas emissions and limit pollutants from ships. The applicable obligations depend on route, port and date.

Equipment that reduces sulphur oxides in ship exhaust. It is one compliance option alongside using lower-sulphur fuel.

A deep, narrow sea inlet formed by glacial erosion, with steep surrounding terrain; a defining feature of many Norwegian and Alaskan routes.

A holiday combining flights and a cruise, either packaged together or arranged separately. Connection risk depends on the contract.

An evening for which the cruise line recommends more formal clothing. Participation and required attire vary by venue and line.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s term for a flexible onboard model without a single fixed dining time or one universal formal dress requirement.

Service charges distributed among onboard staff. They may be included in the fare, prepaid or added daily to the onboard account, depending on the cruise line.

A dimensionless measure based on the enclosed internal volume of a ship. It is not the vessel’s weight and does not equal passenger capacity.

A local navigation specialist who boards to advise the bridge team during port approaches, departures or other compulsory pilotage areas.

A designated helicopter operating or winching area used for emergencies on ships equipped for it. Access is controlled.

A cabin without an exterior window. It is often the lowest-priced category and can suit guests who spend little time in the room.

The sheltered coastal route through islands and channels in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, known for scenery and wildlife.

The planned sequence of embarkation, sea days, port calls and disembarkation. Ports and timings can change for operational or safety reasons.

Arrival after the cruise line’s final check-in time. The traveller may have to reach a later port at their own cost, subject to permission and documents.

An informal name for the main pool and open-air dining deck on many ships. Its actual deck number varies.

Liquefied natural gas used by some ships. It can reduce certain air pollutants but still has lifecycle greenhouse-gas impacts, including methane slip.

The principal venue for production shows, visiting performers, presentations and other scheduled entertainment.

The senior dining-room host who coordinates seating, service flow and guest requirements in a restaurant.

A Mediterranean call where the ship anchors offshore and uses tender boats, common at some islands and smaller ports.

An informal term for a very large cruise ship carrying several thousand guests and offering extensive resort-style facilities.

The mandatory safety briefing that explains emergency signals, assembly points and procedures before or shortly after departure.

The assigned emergency assembly point shown on the cabin door, safety information or cruise card.

A distance of exactly 1,852 metres. One knot is one nautical mile per hour.

A scenery-focused itinerary visiting western Norway’s fjords and coastal ports, generally with long daylight in the main summer season.

A cabin with a fixed exterior window or porthole but no private balcony. Some views are partially or fully obstructed.

A credit added to the onboard account by the cruise line, agent or promotion. Spending restrictions and expiry rules apply.

The pre-cruise process for supplying passenger details, documents and arrival information, often followed by a boarding pass or arrival window.

A voyage along the west coast of North America, often used when ships reposition between seasonal regions.

Hull markings that indicate permitted loading limits under different water and seasonal conditions.

Port is the left side and starboard the right when facing the bow. The terms remain fixed regardless of the ship’s direction in port.

Charges associated with the itinerary’s ports and authorities. How they appear in the advertised price and what happens after an itinerary change depends on the booking terms.

A hotel stay near the embarkation port before sailing, providing time to recover from delays and reach the terminal safely.

Earlier access to tender boats offered to eligible guests or excursion groups. It does not override safety or port controls.

A cruise-line-operated port or resort area, usually in the Caribbean, designed mainly for the line’s own guests.

A refund calculated in proportion to an unused service or period. Entitlement depends on the contract, cause and applicable consumer law.

A one-way voyage that moves a ship between seasonal regions, often with more sea days and different flight requirements.

A cruise line’s identifier for a particular voyage, ship and departure date, used in booking and operational records.

A full day without a scheduled port call, when onboard activities and facilities become the main focus.

An organised activity during a port call. It may be sold by the cruise line or independently; inclusions, accessibility and return-time protection differ.

The period between peak and low season, often offering different prices, crowds and weather trade-offs.

The additional amount a solo traveller may pay because most cabin fares assume two occupants. Some ships also offer dedicated solo cabins.

Gross tonnage divided by lower-berth passenger capacity, used as a rough comparison of enclosed space per guest rather than a crowding guarantee.

Material financed by a commercial partner and clearly labelled so it cannot be confused with independent editorial coverage.

A larger accommodation category that may include separate living space, a larger balcony and additional services. Benefits vary widely.

An upper outdoor deck with loungers and open views; facilities and age restrictions vary by ship.

A port where the ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer ashore in smaller boats because the vessel cannot berth directly.

Transferring between an anchored ship and shore in smaller boats. Boarding queues, weather and accessibility can affect the visit.

A voyage between Europe and the Americas with several consecutive sea days, sometimes operated as a seasonal repositioning.

An intermediary that books cruise products and may provide advice, packages or support. Verify who holds the payment and manages changes.

Permission issued at a border or port for eligible nationalities. Cruise passengers must still confirm eligibility, documents and fees in advance.

Entry and transit rules depend on nationality, residence, itinerary and travel documents. Check every relevant government authority before travel.

A prepaid quantity or plan for bottled water. Included water and refill arrangements vary, so check whether a package is necessary.

Supervised activities grouped by age. Registration, minimum age, opening hours and charges differ by cruise line and ship.