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Ocean Lingo: Glossary of Cruise Ship Terms

By Carnival Cruise Line

If you’re a newbie to cruising culture, take a few minutes to learn the cruise ship lingo. Knowing the language both on board and on shore will make you feel more at ease on your very first cruise . We’ve compiled a list of the most essential terms for you to be familiar with before you step on board.

From knowing the ins and outs of stateroom design to understanding cruise ship nautical terms, you’ll be ready to hit the waves with confidence.

Planning Your Cruise

• Crossing: A voyage across the water – in other words, a cruise is a crossing. For example, if you take a cruise to Europe , you can depart from New York and cross to ports of call, including Northern Ireland .
• Departure port/embarkation port: Both of these terms refer to the port or location where your cruise begins and ends . Carnival has many departure ports in the United States. For example, you can cruise to the Western Caribbean from the departure port of Mobile, Alabama .
• Disembarkation: This is when you leave the ship at the end of your trip.
• Embarkation: It’s when you board your cruise ship at the beginning of your trip.
• Port of call: A port of call is a destination on your cruise and where you’ll likely be able to enjoy shore excursions. For example, if you take a cruise to Mexico , you can depart from one of three ports in California and visit multiple ports of call in one trip, including Cozumel , Costa Maya and Mahogany Bay .
• Shore excursion: A shore excursion is an activity off the ship at a port of call that you can purchase as part of your itinerary. For example, if you cruise to The Bahamas , you can take a shore excursion in Half Moon Cay. You may want to book the educational Stingray Adventure shore excursion there that allows you to interact with the sea creatures.
• Tender: Also called a lifeboat, a tender is a small boat that takes you from the ship to shore when the cruise ship anchors in a harbor.

Stateroom Speak

Even before booking your cruise , you’ll want to know the types of staterooms that are available to ensure a comfortable trip. Whether you’re cruising solo or with a group, this list helps you choose the right stateroom for your needs.

• Balcony stateroom: This room has a small, personal, outdoor balcony. A balcony stateroom is recommended when taking a cruise to Alaska , for example, so you don’t miss any unexpected wildlife or glacier sightings.
• Interior stateroom: Located in less active spots on the ship, interior staterooms are comfortable for sleepers who prefer a quiet place to curl up after a day of fun and activities.
• Ocean view stateroom: An ocean view stateroom with a porthole or window lets you gaze out at ocean vistas and ports of calls.
• Specialty stateroom: This has a thematic setting that caters to families, couples or solo guests. Specialty staterooms include Cloud 9 Spa staterooms located next to the Cloud 9 Spa Family Harbor staterooms are next to the Family Harbor Lounge, a great escape when traveling with kids .
• Suite stateroom: Larger rooms that are ideal for family cruises . These suites give everyone in your group ample room to stretch out.

Cruise Ship Terminology

It pays to understand cruise ship terms and definitions so you don’t wander around too much during your vacation. Although, while on board, you’ll never be truly lost. You can find a deck plan of each vessel so you can get to know it before your trip in the comfort of your home. Until then, here’s a crash course in ship architecture.

• Bow: The bow is the front of the ship.
• Bridge: The bridge is the location from which the captain steers the ship.
• Galley: A galley is a ship’s kitchen. On a cruise ship, there are many galleys.
• Gangway: The gangway is the ramp or staircase that you’ll use to embark or disembark the ship.
• Helm: The helm is the area of the bridge on which the steering wheel is located and used by the crew only .
• Hull: The hull is the outside of the ship.
• Keel: The keel is the ship’s bottom center.
• Leeward: The side of the ship where you’ll feel most sheltered from wind is leeward.
• Lido: Lido is an often-used term because it’s the deck where you’ll find the outdoor pools .
• Midship: This is the middle of the ship.
• Port: The left side of the ship as it’s facing forward is called port. If you have a hard time remembering that, just keep in mind that “left” and “port” both have four letters.
• Starboard: The right side of the ship is starboard.
• Stern/aft: This is the rear part of a ship closest to the casual dining
• Upper deck: The upper deck is typically the area closest to the entertainment , fun and outdoor deck areas.

Dining Discussions

• Cruise casual: This is what you can wear most nights at dinner. For men, that includes slacks, khakis, jeans, dress shorts and collared sport shirts. Women wear casual dresses and skirts, pants, capri pants, dressy shorts and dressy jeans.
• Cruise elegant: This is the one or two nights on a cruise where it’s suggested you wear evening wear to dinner in the main dining room and some other restaurants. For men, that means dress slacks, dress shirts and sport coats (optional). For women, it’s cocktail dresses, fancier pant suits or skirts. In restaurants, such as the Steakhouse , you will be required to wear tasteful attire.
• Formal night: There are two formal, or elegant, nights on longer cruises. Elegant nights mean formal suits and ties or tuxedos for men and evening gowns for women. It’s not required to dress formally, yet formal attire is welcome.
• Main seating/late seating: This means there’s an assigned schedule and seating for passengers in the main dining rooms.
• Open seating: There’s no fixed schedule and no seating arrangements for dining with open seating.

Crew Member Chatter

Who wouldn’t want to be a crew member on a cruise to Hawaii ? Here are some of the cheerful faces you’ll meet on board:

• Cabin steward: Crew member responsible for the housekeeping of your stateroom.
• Captain: Crew member in charge of the cruise ship, responsible for the crew and passenger safety.
• Cruise director: Crew member who organizes for the ship’s activities and entertainment and is often the emcee for onboard events.
• Maître d’: Crew member responsible for the dining room.
• Porter: Crew member on land to help you with your luggage curbside before you embark the ship.
• Purser: Crew member in charge of onboard billing and monetary transactions.

Nautical Lingo

Knowing nautical terms in the cruise ship world is important when you’re underway (which means moving through the ocean). You may hear the captain discussing knots with another crew member.

• Knot: A unit of speed at which ships travel, which is one nautical mile per hour.
• Mooring: A place where a ship is tied, such as the dock when in port.
• Wake: The trail of water created at the back (stern) of the ship as it moves forward in the water.

It’s perfectly fine if you forget your cruise-speak and just say “meet me at the room,” instead of stateroom, or “where’s customer service?” instead of asking to see the purser. On a Carnival cruise, you can just be yourself and learn at your leisure. Once you have your first cruise under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned cruiser with insider tips of your own.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by ship and destination.

Related articles

What to expect.

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships.aspx

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Meaning of cruise in English

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• They're going on a cruise round the Med.
• They've just set off on a round-the-world cruise.
• Do you dream of a luxury skiing vacation or a Caribbean cruise?
• age of sail
• ocean-going
• under sail idiom
• They are cruising off the west coast of Vancouver Island.
• Thousands of spectators watched the tall ships cruise the Detroit River.
• After launch , the probe will cruise for 6 months before intercepting the comet beyond Earth's orbit .
• The car is more fuel efficient because the engine can run on just three of six cylinders when cruising.
• A guy cruised up in a convertible and offered me a lift .
• He goes cruising the streets looking for places to rob .
• Our department is doing all the work while the rest of the business is cruising.

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A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Lingo You Should Know

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: August 29, 2020  - Last updated: January 23, 2023

On your first cruise, you’ll find that seasoned cruisers often tend to speak in cruise lingo. It’s a mix of nautical terms, cruise slang, and abbreviations that might send your head spinning if you’re unfamiliar.

But you’ll probably even encounter some unfamiliar cruise lingo before you set foot on the ship! When you’re booking a cruise, you’ll see lots of these cruise terms when you’re choosing an itinerary and picking your stateroom.

Let’s go over some cruise terminology you’ll want to know before you book your cruise, and what words you’ll want to be familiar with once you’re on board.

Terms you should know when booking a cruise

All-inclusive: a policy where all food, drinks, and entertainment are included in your cruise fare. Luxury cruise lines tend to be far more all-inclusive than mainstream cruise lines. Some luxury lines include airfare, shore excursions, and gratuities as part of the fare.

Read more: Which Cruise Lines Are All-Inclusive?

Balcony:  Sometimes called a verandah, a balcony is a private outdoor space attached to a stateroom. Most balconies face out to the water, but some large ships have interior balconies facing public areas.

Back-to-back: (Often written BTB or B2B) is the cruise term for booking two or more sailings in a row on the same ship.

Booze cruise: A slang term for a very short cruise sailing where many passengers’ primary objective is to drink a lot of alcohol. Some cruisers looking for a short relaxing getaway are often shocked that they’ve inadvertently booked a rowdy booze cruise.

Read more: Pros and Cons of Taking a Short Cruise (2-5 Days)

Closed-loop sailing:  A roundtrip itinerary that begins and ends in the same port. For ships sailing from United States ports, closed-loop sailings often have more relaxed rules that the cruise lines need to follow compared to cruises that begin and end in different ports.

Read more: Why Do Most US Cruises Have to Stop in a Foreign Port?

Cruise to nowhere : A short voyage in which a cruise ship leaves the embarkation port, sails in international waters for several days, then returns to the embarkation port without stopping at another destination. Cruises to nowhere are somewhat popular in Europe and Australia. The US banned this kind of cruise for foreign-flagged ships in 2016.

Cruisetour: A land-based excursion, usually by coach, that cruisers can take before or after a voyage.

Double occupancy: A policy requiring that a minimum of two cruise fares must be paid for a stateroom. Solo travelers booking a double occupancy cabin must pay a single supplement, often 100% of the fare, to book that room.

Expedition cruise: Sometimes called an adventure cruise, expedition cruises often visit far-flung locations like Alaska, Antarctica, or the Galápagos Islands. Ships are generally smaller and purpose-built. Expedition cruises offer more active excursions like hiking, kayaking, and nature walks, and enrichment lectures focus on the destination’s culture, history, and wildlife.

Read more: What Is an Expedition Cruise (and Why You Should Consider One)

French balcony: Although not technically a balcony, a French balcony is the term for a large sliding glass door that opens to the outside, but doesn’t have seating space. French balconies are often found on river cruise ships.

Gratuities: Tips paid to cruise ship staff by passengers. Gratuities for service crew accrue daily (often called automatic gratuities or autograts), and can be pre-paid or settled at the end of the cruise. Specialty dining and drink packages also include gratuities, so there’s no need to tip extra.

Read more: Tipping on a Cruise Ship: What You Need to Know About Cruise Gratuities

Guarantee stateroom: A fare class where cruisers are assigned a cabin from unallocated inventory before sailing. Cruisers will receive a stateroom assignment in the cabin category they paid for, or one in a higher category.

Read more: What Is a Guarantee Stateroom on a Cruise (and Should You Book One)?

Interior:  Also called an “inside cabin”, an interior is a stateroom that’s located away from the hull of the ship, in the ship’s interior. Inside cabins don’t have windows to the outside, although some newer ships might include a virtual window or a window to the interior of the ship.

Read more: Is an Interior Cabin Right for Your Cruise?

Loyalty program: A free plan that gives perks and discounts to repeat cruisers on the same cruise line. Cruise line loyalty programs often have several tiers, with more valuable perks offered to passengers who have sailed many times.

OBC: Onboard credit issued as a perk for booking a cruise, or as compensation for a negative event during the voyage. OBC can be used on the ship to pay for items in the ship’s stores, shore excursions, and specialty dining.

Obstructed view: A window or balcony that’s blocked by an object, usually a lifeboat. Obstructions can partially or completely block a window.

Ocean view:  A stateroom with a porthole or window facing the ocean.

Open-jaw sailing: A one-way cruise itinerary where the embarkation port and disembarkation port are not the same.

Port fees: Charges from the cruise port to the cruise line, which are passed on to the passenger at booking. Some ports charge more than others, so port fees can be adjusted if stops on the itinerary are canceled or changed.

Pullman bed: A bed that pulls down from the wall or ceiling of a stateroom to allow higher occupancy in a room. Cabin stewards set up and stow Pullman beds if anyone in your cabin will be using them.

Repositioning cruise: Sometimes called a repo cruise, repositioning cruises take ships from their seasonal home port to their home port for the next season. Repo cruises are generally long sailings with lots of sea days, and are often sold at bargain prices.

Shoulder season: The time period at the beginning and end of the busiest season for cruises in a given area. Cruise fares in the shoulder season can be significantly cheaper than in the peak tourist season.

You may also like: What is the Cheapest Month to Cruise?

Single supplement: The fee that solo cruisers must pay to book a double-occupancy stateroom. It’s usually 100% of the cruise fare, but some cruise lines slightly discount the supplement.

Stateroom: Also called a cabin, a stateroom on a cruise ship is a passenger’s on board accommodation. Staterooms can vary in size from tiny interior cabins to massive owner’s suites with several bedrooms and living areas.

Studio: Sometimes called a solo cabin, studios are small staterooms on some cruise ships that can accommodate a single cruiser. Studio cabins are an economical way for solo cruisers to travel, as a single supplement isn’t required.

Suite:  Larger accommodations on a cruise ship, often with separate living and sleeping rooms. Many cruise lines extend perks to suite guests, like private dining rooms, priority lines, or even butler service.

Theme cruise: A chartered cruise that appeals to a particular audience. Theme cruises for fans of a musical group or style are the most common, but other types of theme cruises center around health and wellness, or crafts. LGBTQ+ cruises are also a popular theme for chartered sailings.

Check out my list of Sweepstakes You Can Enter to Win a Free Cruise to find out how you could win tickets on a theme cruise!

Transfer: The term for coach transportation between the cruise ship and the airport or a hotel you booked through the cruise line before or after a cruise. Transfers are also often included with pre- and post-cruise shore excursions and cruisetours booked through the cruise line.

Mini-suite: Also called junior suites, mini-suites are a type of stateroom that’s usually a bit larger than a balcony cabin but smaller than a full suite. Mini-suites have a separate living space set off from the sleeping area by a partial wall or a privacy curtain. Guests in mini-suites usually don’t share in the added perks that suite guests enjoy, but some cruise lines offer special fare classes for this type of stateroom that allow you to enjoy some of the benefits.

Virtual balcony/virtual porthole: A high-definition screen mounted on the wall of an inside cabin to simulate the look and feel of a balcony or window. The screen shows a real-time feed from the exterior of the ship.

Wave season: The three-month period from January through March when cruise lines typically offer the best deals of the year.

Read more: How to Save Money on Cruises

General cruise ship terms you should know

All-aboard: The time all cruisers need to be aboard the ship on embarkation day and after each day in port. These times are listed in the daily planner, as well as on signs as you exit the ship. All-aboard time is always in ship’s time, which may differ from local time.

Bunkering: A ship’s term for refueling in port. Marine fuel is known as “bunker”, a term that most likely comes from the place a ship’s fuel is stored: the fuel bunker.

Charter: When a company or group books the entire ship (a full charter) or a large amount of cabins (a partial charter). Groups often book charters for theme cruises or corporate retreats.

Crossing:  A cruise across an ocean, such as a transatlantic or transpacific voyage.

Cruise card: A credit card-sized plastic card that each cruiser receives at check-in, linked to your onboard account. The cruise card serves as your boarding pass each time you return to the ship. As cruise ships are an almost cashless environment (except for in some casinos or if you want to give someone an extra tip), cruise cards are used to pay for everything around the ship from purchases in the shops to drinks at the bar.

Daily planner: A newsletter delivered to cruisers each day. The daily planner details times and locations of the next day’s activities. The planner also provides a weather report, port information, and any important announcements cruisers need to know. Each cruise line calls the daily planner by a different brand-specific name. Some cruise lines offer paperless planners via a smartphone app.

Departure port or embarkation port:  The port where your cruise begins.

Disembarkation:  The process of exiting the ship. You’ll sometimes hear this called “debarkation”. Most cruisers only use this term to refer to leaving the ship at the end of a cruise, but it technically can refer to any time you leave the ship.

Disembarkation Day: The last day on board the ship, when passengers leave at the end of a cruise. Disembarkation day isn’t a full cruise day—passengers generally need to disembark in the mid-morning at the latest.

Dry dock: A structure that’s flooded to allow a ship to float in, and is then drained once the ship is in position. This allows workers access to parts of the ship that are usually underwater to perform maintenance. Often when you hear that a ship “just came out of dry dock”, it means that major maintenance or refurbishments were just completed.

Embarkation: The process of entering the ship. Most cruisers only use this term to refer to boarding the ship at the beginning of a cruise, but it technically can refer to any time you come aboard the ship.

Embarkation Day: The day that passengers board the ship at the beginning of the cruise.

Read more: How to Have the Best Embarkation Day on a Cruise

FCC: an abbreviation for Future Cruise Credit, FCC may be used in lieu of cash to pay for all or part of a future cruise. FCC is issued if a sailing is canceled and the cruiser opts to not receive a cash refund of their fare. Cruise lines may also award FCC due to a major customer service issue.

Future Cruise Deposit: Similar to FCC, Future Cruise Deposits can be used to pay for part of a future cruise fare. These deposits can often be purchased at a heavy discount during a sailing to apply to another cruise.

Godmother: The honorary protector of a ship who blesses and officially names the vessel before its inaugural sailing. Traditionally the role of a well-known female, today some cruise ships have godfathers. Notable cruise ship godmothers and godfathers include Queen Elizabeth, Oprah Winfrey, activist Malala Yousafzai, and rapper Pitbull.

Read more: What Is a Cruise Ship Godmother (or Godfather)?

Itinerary: The list of ports visited on a cruise.

Muster drill: Also called the safety drill or lifeboat drill, the muster drill is a mandatory safety demonstration that all cruisers must attend. It’s usually held on the afternoon of embarkation day.

Open tender: The time when any guest can go ashore at a tender port of call (see “tender ports” below) without a ticket. Open tender generally happens after all passengers with tender tickets have left the ship, although later tenders will often take guests who didn’t pick up a ticket prior to tendering.

Pier: A fixed structure that allows a cruise ship to dock in a port. Passengers can disembark at a pier and walk directly ashore without tendering.

Pier runners: The slang term for cruisers who are late getting back to the ship for all aboard. Pier runners are generally seen frantically running toward the ship. Spotting (and heckling) them is a favorite pastime of some cruisers.

Read more: 35 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise

Port of call:  Any destination on a cruise where the ship stops and lets passengers off for the day. Usually just called a port.

Private island: An exclusive destination that only cruise ship passengers can visit. Some cruise ship private islands are entire islands, and some are private sections of an island.

Read more: 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands to Visit in 2021 and Beyond

Sea day: A day on a cruise itinerary when the ship doesn’t stop at any port.

Ship: The cruise vessel you’ll be traveling on. Call it a “boat” at your own risk! (This might be the #1 way to be identified as a new cruiser.) Boats are nautical vessels that can be carried by a larger boat or ship. Examples include lifeboats and tender boats.

Ship’s time: The time zone that the ship’s operations use on any given day. This is often local time, but not always! For example, a ship might visit several ports that are in close proximity to one another but in different time zones. To avoid switching in and out of time zones, the Captain might choose not to change to local time.

Shore excursion:  Sometimes abbreviated as “shorex”, a shore excursion is an activity at a port of call booked with the cruise line, a tour company, or as a DIY activity.

Stabilizers: A set of fins or rotors on ocean-going ships that reduce a ship’s rolling motion from waves or wind.

Tender: A smaller boat that ferries passengers from the ship to the shore (and back) when the cruise ship anchors in a harbor. Passage on tender boats is always free of charge, but guests without cruise line excursions often need to pick up a tender ticket or wait until open tender to secure a spot on a boat.

Tender port: Ports of call with shallow harbors (or limited piers for cruise ships) often force ships to anchor offshore and ferry passengers in on tenders.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports on a Cruise

Zodiac: An inflatable, rigid-bottomed boat used to transport expedition cruise passengers away from the ship.

Read more: What Is a Zodiac Boat on an Expedition Cruise?

Helpful cruise terms for around the ship

Aft:  The rear part of a ship. The opposite end of the ship from forward. Also used to specify which way you’re walking on a cruise ship, e.g. “Head aft and you’ll see the main pool.”

Atrium: The central part of a ship’s interior, with an open floor plan. A ship’s atrium often spans several decks and is where you’ll find guest services, shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Forward: The front section of the ship. The opposite end of the ship from aft. Also used to specify which way you’re walking on a cruise ship, e.g. “Head forward and you’ll see the library on your right.”

Bow:  The very front of the ship. Bow is pronounced to rhyme with “cow”—not like the word that refers to a ribbon tied in a fancy knot.

Bridge:  The location where the captain or officers command the ship.

Deck: Although today’s mega cruise ships can often feel like enormous resorts where you could easily forget that you’re even at sea, you’re still on a ship. Although you might be tempted to tell your family “Meet me at the pool on the seventeenth floor”, seasoned cruisers don’t call the levels on the ship “floors”. They’re decks. That pool? It’s on Deck 17. Or just say “Meet me on the Lido in an hour”.

Duty-free: Shops on board a cruise ship that sell products without having to collect local import taxes. Alcohol, tobacco products, and cosmetics are popular duty-free items.

Galley:  A kitchen on a cruise ship.

Gangway: The ramp or stairs that you use to embark or disembark the ship.

Hull:  The outer waterproof covering of the ship, from below the lowest open decks to the keel. A cruise ship’s hull is made of welded steel panels.

Keel:  The bottom center line of a ship, running from bow to stern.

Leeward:  The side of the ship that’s most sheltered from the wind. This side can vary based on the direction of the wind and the direction a ship is sailing. The opposite of windward.

Lido:  Also called the pool deck, the Lido is the deck where you’ll find the outdoor pools, sun loungers, and live entertainment.

Midship:  The middle area of the ship between forward and aft.

Muster station: A meeting point for guests and assigned crew in case of an emergency. Muster stations are assigned by cabin location, and are usually located on open decks near the lifeboats.

Port:  The left side of the ship as you face forward.

Promenade deck: A deck designed for walking in a circular path around the perimeter of the ship. Promenade decks traditionally were open decks, but today’s cruise ships sometimes have them partially or fully enclosed.

Starboard:  The right side of the ship as you face forward.

Read more: Port vs Starboard: Which Side Is Better on a Cruise?

Stern: The aft-most section of a cruise ship.

Windward: The side of the ship that’s least sheltered from the wind. This side can vary based on the direction of the wind and the direction a ship is sailing. The opposite of leeward.

Dining and Entertainment terms on a cruise ship

Captain’s table : The table where the Captain eats dinner, often with senior officers and invited guests. Passengers are sometimes invited to join by formal invitation, and this is considered to be quite an honor.

Captain’s party: Usually held on the first formal night of a sailing, the Captain’s party or ball is open to all passengers. During the party, which is often held in the atrium, guests will have the opportunity to chat and take photos with the Captain and officers. Often, complimentary Champagne or sparkling wine is served.

Resort casual:  The general dress code on many of today’s cruise ships, especially in the main dining rooms. It usually includes trousers and capris, casual dresses and skirts, polos or dressier tops, and dressy jeans. Some cruise lines have specific rules around shorts, sleeveless tops, or t-shirts, so check with your cruise line for their specific rules.

Formal attire:  For cruise lines that have formal nights, this is the dress code in the main dining rooms on these evenings. Dress code varies by cruise line, but many passengers wear cocktail dresses or longer gowns, a blazer, suit, or tuxedo.

Formal night: On more traditional cruise lines, there are often one or more evenings each week when formal attire is required in the main dining rooms. Formal nights often take place on sea days, and are announced in the daily newsletter.

Friends of Bill W . : The cruise ship term for an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on board.

Friends of Dorothy: The cruise ship term for LGBTQIA+ meetings and activities on board.

MDR: The main dining room (or dining rooms) on a cruise ship.

Read more: What New Cruisers Don’t Know About Cruise Food & Drinks

Seating: On cruise ships with assigned dining times, there’s often more than one set dinner time. These times, known as seatings, are spaced several hours apart.

Served buffet: A style of buffet where each guest indicates which dishes they’d like to have, and crewmembers place their servings on a plate. Served buffets are popular on luxury cruise lines, although mainstream cruise lines will offer served buffets during times of increased risk of disease transmission.

Open seating:  On cruise lines that allow guests to eat dinner on their own schedule, at least one dining room will have open seating. Passengers don’t need to make a reservation or dine at a specific time.

Sailaway party: On embarkation day, the cruise director and entertainment staff host a party, often on the Lido deck, to celebrate leaving port and the beginning of the cruise. Sailaway parties often feature live music and dancing.

Specialty restaurant: A dining venue on a cruise ship that offers elevated cuisine and service for an extra fee. Specialty restaurants often serve food from a specific region, like Italian, French, or Japanese. Or they may specialize in seafood, BBQ, or steak dishes.

Terms for cruise ship employees

Butler: Some cruise lines employ butlers, generally for suite guests, who pick up where cabin stewards leave off. Butlers can pack and unpack your luggage, make dinner reservations, take care of laundry service, and arrange in-suite dinner or cocktail parties.

Cabin steward:  A crew member responsible for cleaning your stateroom, setting up beds, and delivering items like ice and extra hangers. Stewards are often excellent sources of information, especially for new cruisers and guests who are new to the cruise line.

Captain:  The cruise ship Captain holds the ultimate responsibility for safe transportation of the ship, passengers, and crew. They direct the ship’s navigation and make decisions to avoid hazards, especially those due to weather conditions. The Captain also socializes with passengers, notably at Captain’s table dinners and at the Captain’s party.

Crew: Service employees on the ship including waitstaff and cooks, bartenders, and cabin stewards. Skilled maintenance workers like carpenters, electricians, and plumbers are also considered crew.

Cruise director:  The staff member who organizes entertainment and activities on a cruise ship. A cruise director usually takes on the role of Master of Ceremonies during events and parties, and spends time mingling with guests to make sure everyone’s having a good time. Cruise directors also oversee the entertainment staff on board.

Dance Host: Sometimes called a “gentleman host”, male dance hosts are available on some of the more traditional cruise lines to dance and converse with unattached female cruisers. Dance hosts aren’t technically employed by the cruise line, but receive free or heavily discounted fares in exchange for their service.

Head Waiters: Although service levels in cruise ship restaurants are often impeccable (even on mainstream cruise lines), the Head Waiter in the MDR and in specialty restaurants is there to ensure service runs smoothly and guests enjoy the experience.

Maître d’:  A cruise ship Maître d’Hôtel (usually abbreviated as Maître d’, and pronounced “may-truh-DEE”) is in charge of operations for one or more restaurants on a cruise ship. Cruise ship passengers with dietary restrictions can usually speak with the Maître d’ to ensure kitchen and waitstaff comply with those needs, but sometimes the Head Waiter takes care of that function.

Officers: Employees on a cruise ship who oversee the safety, navigation and mechanical aspects of the ship. Officers report directly to the ship’s Captain.

Porter:  A baggage handler that takes your checked luggage on embarkation day and delivers it to the ship. Porters often aren’t cruise line employees, and they rely on tips (generally $1 to 2 per bag).

Purser:  The Purser on a cruise ship is the staff member in charge of guest billing and all monetary transactions on board.

Purser’s desk: Traditionally, the Purser’s desk is the place where guests can ask questions about charges to their on board account. Today, what used to be called the Purser’s Desk is generally called Guest Services, Passenger Services, or the Reception Desk. Cruisers can still ask questions about their onboard accounts, along with other general questions. If you have a problem with your cruise card not working, or you need to check the lost and found, this is where you need to go.

Staff: Cruise ship employees in upper-level positions including cruise directors, assistant cruise directors, entertainers, retail workers, and spa technicians.

Nautical terms cruisers should know

Knot:  The unit of speed used by ships. One knot is equivalent to one nautical mile per hour. In the 16th century, sailors used a rope with knots tied at intervals in a length of rope to measure speed. As the ship moved forward, the line of rope rolled out behind the ship. The number of knots that went over the ship’s stern during a period of time was used to calculate the speed.

You may also like: How Fast Do Cruise Ships Go?

Mooring:  A permanent structure to which a ship is tied, such as a pier when in port.

Wake:  The waves created by a ship as it moves through the water. The wake is seen as a churning trail of water at the stern of a ship.

What’s your favorite cruise lingo? Are there any cruise terms I should add to the glossary? Let me know in the comments below!

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The Ultimate Cruise Lingo Glossary – 85 Terms You Need to Know

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Cruise vocabulary, jargon or lingo – if you’re going on a cruise, you’ll want to be familiar with the cruise terminology

Are you getting ready for your first cruise? Through the planning process, you may have noticed that there’s a whole world of cruise vocabulary, nautical terms or “cruise lingo”.

This handy glossary of cruise terminology includes some of the new terms and acronyms used in the cruise industry today. These are some of the most common cruise phrases and words you’ll be hearing as you plan your cruise, as well as when you board your cruise ship.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Cruise Lingo Tip You Must Know

Before we get started, here’s the most important piece of advice I can give you, when it comes to talking like a cruise pro.

Don’t call a cruise ship a boat.

Cruisers might have different opinions about which cruise lines are the best, cruise line dress codes , and the do’s and don’ts of cruise gratuities , but there’s one thing all cruisers agree on…

Don’t call a cruise ship a boat. Trust me on this 😉

About Cruise Lingo and Cruise Lifestyle

Cruising is a lifestyle unto it’s own, and cruisers really do have their own lingo and cruise terminology. Nautical terms are often used, and cruisers love it!

New cruisers can be left scratching their heads.

Words and acronyms such as Aft, Muster drill, Starboard, OBC and MDR, may seem like a mysterious cruise language. However, in this cruise lingo glossary, I’ll go over all the cruise jargon need to know.

You’ll be chatting like a seasoned cruiser in no time!

Cruise ship vocabulary

You’re on a ship, not a boat. A boat fits inside a ship, and not the other way around. Fellow cruisers won’t hesitate to correct you sternly if you get this wrong.

Try and get used to this one quickly,  just trust me on this…

Below you can hear Celebrity Cruises Captain Kate , explaining this point in her navigational report.

Your room is called a cabin. While hotels have rooms, ships have cabins.

3. Stateroom

Sometimes a cruise cabin will be referred to as a stateroom.

Your cruise ship will have many decks. While hotels refer to floors, cruise-ships refer to decks.

5. The bridge

The bridge is the navigational hub of the ship.

The person in command of the ship.

7. Cruise Director

Think Julie McCoy :-). Your cruise director, among other duties, will act as Emcee, heading up most major entertainment events on the ship. On larger ships you’ll see assistant cruise directors and other activities staff also leading main activities.

8. Itinerary

Your cruise itinerary refers to each destination/cruise port of call you’ll be visiting.

9. Port of departure

This is the port from which your cruise will depart (ie. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Vancouver, Barcelona etc.)

10. Cruise terminal

Just like airplanes have airports, cruise ships have cruise terminals or cruise ports. There are safety and boarding procedures to be aware of.

Recommended:   11 Cruise Boarding Tips You Need to Know

11. Ports of call

You probably remember this one from “The Love Boat”. I know I do! This is individual destination where you will stop at for the day. Examples of cruise ports or ports of call on a Caribbean cruise include Cozumel , St. Thomas , Grand Cayman and so on.

12. Shore excursion

This is an organized activity you may choose to do when in a port. You can book a shore excursion through your cruise line or on your own with a private vendor or tour company. Examples include a snorkeling or sightseeing excursion.

A cruise ship will usually arrive at a large dock when it arrives at the cruise port.

There are some cruise ports where cruise ships cannot access the land directly and dock, due to coral reefs and other reasons. In these cases your ship will tender a few minutes away from the port, and shuttle passengers in by tender boats.

As an example, Grand Cayman is a tender port at this time, but it looks like a new dock will be built in a couple years.

15. Stabilizers

Modern cruise ships have stabilizers to keep motion to a minimum.

The ship’s anchor is impressive. Along with the chain, the anchor holds to the sea bed to keep the ship from drifting at sea.

The super large kitchen where literally tons of food is cooked and prepared. You can actually do a galley tour while on your cruise if you’re interested.

18. Dry dock

When a cruise ship goes into dry dock, it’can be to receive routine maintenance, or to be refurbished. the ship can be out of service for weeks or longer.

19. Charter

Groups will sometimes charter a cruise ship, to host a special event.

Cruise Ship Terminology – understanding common areas of the cruise ship

The atrium is a large central public area usually spanning 3 or more decks. Often very beautiful, it will be the central hub of the ship’s interior.

21. Port side

The left side of the ship, as you face forward, is referred to as port side .

Tip: An easy way to remember – LEFT has 4 letters and so does PORT

22. Starboard side

The right side of the ship as you face forward is the Starboard side.

23. Forward

The front section of the ship.

The back section of the ship is called the aft. The aft or wake view is a favorite for many cruisers.

25. Purser’s desk

These days, the purser’s desk is often referred to as guest or passenger services. However many avid cruisers enjoy the nautical language and will continue to use the term “purser’s desk”. Usually this is located in the atrium.

26. Mid-ship

Generally said in reference to the preferred cabin location . Most cruise passengers will prefer a mid-ship cabin, rather than one that is forward or aft. This area has an advantage of having more stability in general.

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

Regular price: $27 now just $17.

Cruise Cabin Terminology

When booking a cruise, you’ll notice that there are several different stateroom options. Below are the most common cabin options.

27. Interior staterooms

Inside or interior cabins are staterooms which include all the basics, however do not have a window.

Related:  15 Best Tips for Cruising in an Inside Cabin: cabin organization and more

28. Oceanview Cabins

Cabins with a window or porthole are ocean view cabins.

29. Balcony cabins

Balcony cabins , sometimes referred to as Veranda cabins, include a private outdoor space outside your cabin.

Related:   7 Best Reasons to Book a Balcony Cabin

30. Guarantee cabin (GTY)

This refers to an unassigned cabin any type of cabin (inside, ocean view, balcony) . The cruise line will assign the cabin at any point before the cruise.

Often, guarantee cabins will be priced lower, so this can be a great value if you’re not picky about the location of your cabin.

31. Pullman bed

If you have more than 2 passengers in your cabin, you may have pullman beds for 3rd and 4th passengers. They are like bunk beds that come out of the wall or ceiling. They will be tucked back into the ceiling or wall during the day if you like.

32. Double occupancy

The cruise fare will be based on double occupancy as a standard, and this is what you will see as an advertised price.

33. Single occupancy

When cruising solo, most of the time you’ll be paying a single occupancy rate, which can be almost the cost of 2 people in a cabin (you won’t pay taxes twice).

34. Solo cabins – Studio cabins

If you’re cruising solo, look for cruise ships that have studio cabins intended for solo travelers.

35. Triple and Quad Cabins

Some cabins can accomodate 3, 4 or more passengers in one cabin, referred to as triple or quad cabins. These are most popular with young families cruising together .

Read next:   Worst Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid

Back to the Cruise Ship

36. Deck plan

A map of all the cruise ship decks.

37. Lido deck

The Lido Deck is the public pool deck, often on one of the top decks of the cruise ship. There may be more than one pool, hot tub and outdoor seating.

38. Gangway

The gangway is elevated walkway you will use to board your ship, usually covered, but not always.

The very front of the ship.

The very back of the ship.

The beautiful white trail of waves visible at the very back of the ship. My favorite spot on the ship to realx and take it all in. Please let me know in the comments if this is your favorite as well – if not, where is?

Cruise Lingo you need to know for the first day of your cruise and beyond

42.   Embarkation day

The first day of your cruise and the best day in a cruiser’s life 😉

Recommended reading to prepare for your cruise embarkation day – 25 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips Straight from the Pros

43. Muster drill

The muster drill is a mandatory safety drill which is done prior to sailing. Note, it’s not “mustard” drill, as you just may hear from other passengers.

44. Muster station

Your assigned emergency meeting location. You’ll likely meet here for your muster drill, but don’t worry, cruise ship crew will help to guide you.

45. Daily planner

Different cruise lines use different terms for their daily newsletter of information scheduled activities (Cruise Compass, Princess Patters, Today, Freestyle Daily). Many cruise lines now have this information available on their app.

46. Sailaway

The period of time that your Cruise Ship actually sails away from the shore. Often there will be a Sailaway party on the top deck, however some cruisers enjoy it from their own balcony.

47. Sailaway Party

Check your daily planner for information. Generally the Sailaway party will be at the main pool and will include some drinks, a DJ or band playing and some dancing.

48. Sea day

A day at sea is when your cruise ship is not visiting a port, but sea days aren’t boring ! There will be plenty of activities to choose from if you don’t want to simply relax by a pool.

49. Cruise Card

On most cruise ships, you’ll be given a cruise card which will act as your room key, ID and your method of payment when on your cruise.

50. Ocean Medallion

Ocean Medallion is a relatively new cruise ship technology available on Princess Cruises . Instead of a cruise card, the medallion serves like a cruise card, but also does much more.

You can read about our recent Ocean Medallion experience here .

51. Room steward or cabin attendant

Sometimes mistakenly called a room “Stuart”, the person who cleans your room twice a day (amazing!) and really takes care of you and your cabin mates is called a room steward or a cabin attendant.

52. Dress code

Cruise lines have suggested dress codes , ranging from very casual to more formal.

53. Formal night 

A tradition on many cruise ships, the formal night is a night to dress up. Check your cruise line’s dress codes for suggestions. Some cruise lines have relaxed the dress codes a bit, including Celebrity Cruises which now has Evening Chic , rather than formal.

54. Early dining and late dining

Early and late dining are basically a first and second seating, which some cruise lines with an option of assigned dining will have. This is for a main dining room and not a buffet.

55. Open dining

Open dining is offered on many cruise ships. In some cases, a cruise line will offer both open and set dining. It can go by different terminology including Anytime Dining on Princess , My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean, Select Dining on Celebrity .

To note, some cruise lines offer only open dining, such as Norwegian Cruise Line which is Freestyle dining.

56. Specialty restaurants

This usually refers to the dining in an alternative restaurant that is not included in your cruise fare and is often a more intimate or higher culinary experience. An example of this would be Celebrity Cruises Tuscan Grille .

57. All Aboard

The ship will leave your ports of call promptly. All aboard time is generally set for 30 minutes before your cruise is scheduled to leave the port of call. Do verify the all aboard time before heading off for an excursion in the cruise port.

All joking aside, there are people at cruise ports every year – and you don’t want it to be you.

58. Towel animals

You just may find towel animals in your cruise cabin. These are the super cute towel creations made by your room steward, available on some cruise lines (usually family orientated ones).

We’ve had many years of enjoyment when our kids were young, even miss them a little bit these days.

59. Pier runners: This is an unofficial name given to those (who may have had too many libations) who can be seen running in the last few minutes hoping not to miss the ship’s departure. It is quite entertaining!

60. Roll call

A roll call may be set up for your cruise by yourself or other cruise passengers. Basically, this is a group of people who chat online before a cruise, and may have some gatherings set up once on board.

Read more:   5 Reasons Why You Should Join a Cruise Roll Call

61. Disembarkation

The saddest day in a cruiser’s life is the day that you need to disembark and the cruise is over.

Wondering about how disembarkation day really works?   21 Cruise Disembarkation Tips You Need to Know

62. Onboard booking

Booking your next cruise on board can give you some awesome benefits and is one of the best kept secrets for saving money while booking a cruise . For those that book with travel agents, don’t worry, the future cruise consultant will transfer it to the agency (request if they don’t offer).

Tip: Check to make sure about the terms and conditions and find out if future cruise deposits are refundable if that’s important to you.

Booking a cruise – terms to know

63. Cruise fare

This is the base cost of the cruise, per person

64. Deposit and Final Payment

When you book a cruise, if you’ve booked early you’ll be making a deposit which will secure your booking. As you get closer to sailing (usually about 70-90 days pre cruise), your final payment will be due.

Terms and conditions may be different on various cruise lines, however the details will be on your own reservation.

65. Cruise contract

When booking a cruise, you’ll be agreeing to a cruise contract. The cruise contract includes the terms and conditions that cruise passengers agree to.

66. Online check-in

Before your cruise, passengers are asked to complete an online check in and print out cruise documents to sail.

67. Gratuities

Gratuities or tipping is customary on a cruise. A per person service fee or gratuity will be charged daily to your cabin, on most major cruise lines.

Recommended:   Cruise Tipping Guidelines and Etiquette

68. Prepaid gratuities

When booking your cruise, you can prepay your gratuities , and avoid thinking about additional expenses on a cruise .

69. Lanyard

A lanyard might be used by cruisers to hang a cruise card around the next for convenience. This is one of the most popular cruise accessories in our list of travel essentials .

70. Rum Runners

A type of container used to conceal alcohol brought on a cruise, that isn’t allowed. For more on other items that are prohibited, read this next:  33 Banned Items You Can’t Bring on a Cruise 

Recommended:   10 Things NOT to pack for a cruise

Cruise Start Up Terms

Along with some major changes on cruise ships, we have seen new cruise line policies the have resulted in more cruise lingo – more words and explanations we just don’t know.

71. Cruise with Confidence

The major cruise lines introduced a flexible cruise cancellation policy, during this time, should people decide to cancel a cruise up to 48 hours pre-cruise. When cancelling, in most cases passengers will receive a credit which can be used towards a future cruise.

There are some terms and conditions to be aware of, so always read the fine print.

72. Muster 2.0

A new technology that would allow muster drills to be done using a new app, rather than in a large gathering. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises came out with this new technology as cruises resume. Several cruise lines are using a form of emuster as well.

The Cruise Line International Association is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association. It represents the major cruise lines, which have suspended cruises leaving from the United States until the end of October .

74. No Sail Order

A no sail order was put into effect by the CDC in March 2020. For cruises to resume, it was imperative that the CDC lift the no sail order . This is lifted and cruisers have resumed with strict guidelines for safety and health.

75. Warm lay up and cold lay up

As cruises are suspended, we hear the terms “warm and cold lay up” of cruise ships.

Warm lay up refers to when a cruise ship has reduced levels of crew onboard, and costs for fuel and other items are reduced. However, the cruise ship is kept in a condition as to be able to be brought back to service relatively quickly.

A cold lay up is a prolonged period of time when the cruise ship is shut down as much as possible to reduce cost. It takes longer for ships to be brought back to service and is a more complicated process.

76. NEW Safety and health protocols

The cruise lines have adopted new safety and health protocols to ensure safe cruising for passengers and crew.

Cruise Lingo Acronyms

It’s quite common to hear people who cruise a lot speak using these acronyms. You may even see these abbreviations in cruise facebook groups and pages, or on cruise forums .

Here is an explanation of the most common cruise acronyms, so you’ll be fluent in cruise lingo of all sorts.

Main Dining Room

On board credit – extra cash credit on your cruise account that you can use on the ship for most purchases. Sometimes this is added as a promotion by the cruise line or your travel agent.

This refers to a back to back cruise, meaning one cruise and then another cruise one after the other. Some cruisers may even do a B2B2B (3 cruises in a row)

The abbreviation for a guarantee cabin (see above in cruise lingo glossary)

Future Cruise Credit – when booking a future cruise onboard

A TA is short for travel agent

Avid Cruiser Lingo

83. Cruisebug

After a first cruiser, it’s not uncommon for a new cruiser to love it so much that they feel an immediate calling to book again and cruise more often. Often, this is referred to as catching the cruisebug.

84. Cruise addict

It’s said that cruising is the healthiest addiction and a vice many are happy to have! If you’ve cruised and now you’re constantly on the lookout for all the cruise info you can find and really just want to book cruises, congrats! You are now a cruise addict!

85. Cruiseaholic

Another word for someone who is addicted to cruising!

Recommended:   30 Best Gifts for Cruisers (that are unique too!)

86. Thallosphile (n)

A lover of the sea , someone who loves the sea, ocean.

87. Post-cruise blues

So, the post-cruise blues is real! One possible remedy is booking another cruise when onboard, but it’s still tough to leave that amazing cruise ship life!

Do you suffer from Post-Cruise Depression?

How To Know if You Have Post-Cruise Depression (a fun read)

*Ultimate Cruise Travel Planner*

Over the last year, I put together a 47 page cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise.

If you could use cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more, you’ll love the Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner .

Plus, for a limited time, it’s $10 off. Hope you enjoy!

See details here: Ultimate Cruise Planner -What’s Included

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What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

Worst Cabins to Avoid on a Cruise

Recap: Cruise Lingo Glossary – 85 Cruise Terms You Need to Know

In this post, we went over 85 cruise terms that are important to know when you’re booking a cruise, as well as when you’re on a cruise ship. This list of “cruise lingo” should help to navigate the world of cruise language.

If you’re a new cruiser I hope the information has been helpful. If you’re a seasoned cruiser, I hope it was a fun read!

Is there a cruise term that you think should be added? Please let me know by leaving a comment below.

Happy cruising!

P.S. If you’ve enjoyed this, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-)! Please share it with a friend, on Facebook or save for later on Pinterest. Thanks so much!

Let’s connect:

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18 Comments

You missed out Rum Runners. Those cheapskates that think its clever to smuggle on alcohol rather than buy on board in various containers. This may be a Carnival thing but its creeping on the better lines.

You’re right – I completely forgot that one and it’s now totally in the cruise lexicon, right? For better or for worse, lol!

I’ll add it in. Thanks for taking the time to comment :-)!!

by the way what happens to the “Rum Runners” when caught?

Hmmmm,good question. I actually have heard that any alcohol will simply be confiscated, but I’ve never used them so I can’t say for sure.

I love the drinks on board, so I just drink those 🙂

Thanks for taking the time to comment Lebo.

I really like your blog/page. The information in it is very good. I am a member of the Princess Cruise forum and what I have done is when I have come across something interesting or information I didn’t know I take notes on it. That’s how I’ve learned many of the items here. I would add TA – which is travel agent may seem too simple But I see TA all the time. I liked your comment about if you don’t know something ask a fellow cruise passenger or staff person on board. Since I am a solo travelor that really helped me. I would also add to tips for new cruisers is to be respectful of their fellow travelors and also all staff they encounter onboard (which includes room stewards, wait staff and everyone else they encounter).

Hi Charles,

Great points! TA is one I overlooked and you are so right. I agree completely with respect for passengers and crew – I hope most are.

I really appreciate you reading my blog and taking the time to leave a comment!

All the best,

This is great, but I would have liked a short, printable list, as well.

Glad the list was helpful. Thanks for your suggestion as well. This may be something that I’ll work on doing in the future.

I love your cruise blog. I have the cruise bug bad. PCD is bad in me on disembarkation day. I have only cruised with NCL and when onboard I buy as many CruiseNext Deals as I can. Many times you buy one and get on free, and on balcony and higher you can use two. To me free money off my cruise. NCL has past guest deals and when on bourd I book it. Thus even getting a better deal. I will triple dip looking for a past guest and a Latitudes Reward program. Earn point for every cruise night, Point for Suite, point booking 9 mounts in advance, and point for a Latitudes insider offer. Next cruise I will earn many points per day. That gives you free laundry, free dinners, free bottles of wine at dinner, and hopefully one day a free cruise… I would like to do a B2B2B. Do you have to get off the ship? Only word I would add is RESPECT. Respect yourself not making a scene if something not right. For you are the lesser for it. Hopefully one day we will meet up on a cruise ship. Your friend Russell

Thanks Russell for your kind words and your great tips! I have the same sentiments on disembarkation day – it’s the worst :-(.

For a B2B, you do have to get off the ship (although I hear sometimes not if customs come on), but it’s a pretty good process as passengers are grouped together and passed through quickly.

Would be great to meet you on a cruise one day!

Yes a printable list of the terms would be very helpful. Tyvm for your time to help fellow cruisers!!

Thanks Deborah for your comment. I’ll definitely look into creating one, especially since it’s been suggested a couple of times.

Best to you,

We too had a stressful private tour in Turkey, going to Ephesus. We made it back by the skin of our teeth, but the traffic on he way back through Izmir was heavy and slow. All your tips about not being a pier runner are very apt! Thank you. Jim and Norita Nickerson

Hi Jim & Norita,

Wow I would have been stressed as well. We loved Ephesus but did a morning tour only so were back early. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Not only do I find your newsletters fun AND helpful but ditto your You Tube videos. I have been addicted to cruising since 1959. Wish I could afford to feed my addiction more frequently. Going on an 11 day Caribbean cruise on Rotterdam VII in December.

Thanks so much Jim! I’m so glad that you enjoy my emails and videos & appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Don’t we all just wish we could cruise a little more? Your Caribbean cruise sounds absolutely amazing – enjoy every minute!

I enjoy your work … 2 more often overlooked terms: bunkering and along-side … bunkering of course is the re-fueling process … along-side is the captain’s term for bringing a ship to a full stop at a future pier (“we’re expected to be along-side at 7 am in Fort Lauderdale”) …

Thanks for sharing these!

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145 Cruise Ship Terms and Meanings

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

If you’re new to cruising, you may have noticed there’s a whole world of cruise ship terms and meanings. If it’s your first cruise, it might take a minute to get the hang of the cruise lingo.

We’ve put together a handy glossary of essential cruising vocabulary you need to know before you step on board.

Table of Contents

Cruise Ship Terms

Ship terminology.

Ship: A ship is not a boat. Ships are large vessels intended for ocean or deep water transportation of cargo or passengers.

Cruise Ship: Cruise ships are large passenger vessels whose primary purpose is to transport passengers on leisurely vacations.

Ocean Liner: Their primary purpose is to transport cargo or passengers across seas. For a more in-depth article, visit our cruise ship vs. ocean liner comparison .

Sister Ship: Two or more ships of the same class or nearly identical design. For example, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are sister ships.

Deck: A platform or section on a ship. Where buildings have floors, ships have decks.

The Bridge: The main control center of the ship. From here, the captains and officers have control over the entire operation of the vessel.

Itinerary: A sailing schedule with the route and destinations you will visit. The itinerary is viewable before you book but may change due to unexpected events or weather.

Atrium: The main lobby of the ship. Most cruise ship atriums are three or more decks high, and the location you first step onto a cruise ship. The atrium is the hub of the vessel, where you’ll often find elevators, stairs, photo booths, and the guest information desk.

Purser’s Desk: Often referred to as guest services, this is where guests can inquire about anything related to billing or ship information.

Deck Plan: A map of the cruise ship’s decks. Most ships have deck plans on each floor to help passengers find their way around the boat. Deck plans are incredibly important for navigating your way around the ship, especially for your first few days on board.

Lido Deck: The lido deck refers to the pool deck on a cruise ship. The name comes from the Italian word “lido,” which refers to a public outdoor swimming pool or beach. Accordingly, the cruise ship lido deck is home to one or more swimming pools, hot tubs, bars, and restaurants.

Gangway: A gangway is a narrow walkway used by passengers and crew to get on and off the cruise ship.

Muster Drill: The muster drill is a mandatory safety drill completed before sailing. The drill prepares guests for safe evacuation in the event of an emergency and familiarizes passengers with life vests, escape routes, and lifeboats. By law, the muster drill must be performed within 24 hours of departure.

Muster Station: Muster stations are where guests and crew meet in cases of emergency. The muster station is where you will find life vests and your assigned cruise ship lifeboat .

Daily Planner (cruise compass, bulletin, or newsletter): The daily planner goes by many names. It is where you will find the day’s scheduled activities. Many cruise lines have dedicated apps that allow passengers to see the day’s schedule from their devices.

Sailaway: Sailaway is the period of time that your cruise ship departs the cruise port. Cruise ships often host a Sailaway party to celebrate the cruise’s start.

Sailaway Party: Cruise lines often host a Sailaway party on the first night of the cruise to kick off the vacation. The party is generally located on the main pool deck or atrium with drinks, live music, and dancing.

Sea Day: A sea day is a full day when the ship doesn’t visit a port. Most cruises of a week or longer contain one or more sea days. But, they are by no means boring. On sea days, the cruise line will host plenty of scheduled events. If that’s not for you, you can simply relax by the pool.

Cruise Card: On most cruise ships, you’ll receive a cruise card that provides access to your stateroom and acts as a form of ID and payment around the vessel. The keycard eliminates the need to carry cash or credit cards around the ship.

Ocean Medallion: Ocean Medallion is a smart technology offered by Princess Cruises. Ocean Medallion replaces the traditional keycard with a wearable device. The wearable provides all of the same functions as a cruise card with several additional benefits.

Pier Runners: A name for passengers who are late to the cruise ship. You’ll find these unfortunate passengers running to the gangway as they race to make it onto the boat before the ship departs. Tip: Make sure you get back to the ship before the all-aboard time. The cruise ship will leave you behind if you’re late.

Lanyard: A lanyard is a common accessory used by cruise ship passengers to attach a cruise card. It’s both convenient and an excellent way to minimize the risk of losing your cruise card.

Rum Runners: Rum runners were people who, during the time of prohibition, traveled by sea to other countries to transport alcohol back to America. Today, a rum runner is a term used to describe a container used to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship.

No Sail Order: In March 2020, the CDC introduced a no sail order that paused all cruise ship travel within the US. The no sail order was a temporary measure enacted to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Cruise with Confidence: When cruising resumed following the Covid-19 pandemic, cruise lines introduced flexible cancelations policies. For most cruises, passengers could cancel up to 48 hours pre-cruise and receive full credit for a future cruise.

Warm Lay Up: During the period of suspended sailing, cruise lines could quickly bring a warm lay-up cruise ship back to service. These ships had reduced crew levels, fuel, food, and other essential items but were ready to return to service with short notice.

Cold Lay Up: A cold layup refers to a cruise ship that is fully shut down. Cruise lines shut down many cruise ships to save on costs during the no sail order. Ships in cold lay-up require more time to be brought back into service.

Funnel (or Stack): The funnel (or stack) refers to the exhaust on a cruise ship. It functions similarly to a chimney on a home and is used to expel engine exhaust. Most cruise ships have several funnels; however, typically, only one or two are functional (the rest are for aesthetics.)

Onboard Credit: An onboard credit is applied to your account and can be used on the ship to make purchases, such as drinks at the shop or souvenirs in the shops. Cruise lines and travel agents often offer onboard credit as an incentive to book, where you’ll receive a set dollar value when you book by a specific date.

Duty-Free: Duty-free refers to items that don’t have taxes. Duty-free purchases often must be declared when you return to the cruise terminal. If you are visiting from another country, you may need to declare duty-free items upon re-entry to your home country.

Godmother (or Godfather) : The Godmother (or Godmother) serves as a spokesperson for a cruise ship. As a tradition, the chosen individual is responsible for christening the ship and bestowing good luck to the new vessel.

Crossing: When a cruise ship sails across a large body of water. Examples include the Atlantic crossing, where a cruise ship may sail from Europe to America.

Double-Dip: When cruise-goers sail on back-to-back cruises. Sometimes one cruise just isn’t enough.

Maiden Voyage (Inaugural Sailing): The first sailing for a new cruise ship, or after a long pause (such as during repairs).

Dress Code: Cruise lines have dress codes that passengers must follow. Luxury cruise lines have strict policies, while most mainstream cruise lines allow casual wear at all times, except for formal nights.

Formal Night: Formal night is a traditional cruise ship experience where passengers dress up for a night of elegance. Some cruise lines have relaxed formal night dress codes , while Norwegian and Virgin don’t have any.

Planning Your Cruise

Embarkation: Embarkation is the process of passengers and crew members getting aboard a ship.

Embarkation Day : The first day of your cruise. It is one of the most exciting times of cruising, and the day you first step foot on the cruise ship.

Port of Departure: The port where your cruise ship will depart.

Disembarkation: The process of exiting the cruise ship. Often the saddest day of the cruise.

Port of Call: A port where your ship will stop.

Shore Excursion: An organized activity or event that passengers can attend in port. You can book shore excursions through the cruise line, a private tour company, or an independent tour operator.

Tender (Water Shuttle): There are some cruise ports where cruise ships can’t directly dock, usually because of a protected coral reef or the ship’s size. At these ports, the cruise ship will anchor a few minutes away from the port and shuttle passengers by tender boat.

Booking Terms

Onboard Booking: You can book your next cruise while on the ship of your current cruise. Cruise lines offer incentives to passengers to encourage onboard bookings. The incentives are one of the best ways to save money booking your next cruise. And, if you booked your current sailing through a travel agent, you can request that your booking is transferred to the agency.

Cruise Fare: This is the basic cost of the cruise. The cruise fare covers the cost of standard meals, accommodations, activities, and more. Many cruise lines offer basic wifi and drink packages bundled with the cruise fare.

Deposit: When you book a cruise, many cruise lines require a deposit to secure the booking. Each cruise line has different refund rules, and you may be unable to recoup the deposit if you cancel.

Final Payment: As the sailing date approaches, you will be required to make the final payment. The final payment is typically due within 70 to 90 days of the sale date. However, as policies vary, it’s always best to check with the cruise line.

Cruise Contract: You will be asked to sign a cruise contract when booking a cruise. The contract includes a set of terms and conditions that apply to passengers and the cruise line. The agreement is where you will find the refund policy, final payment date, and cancellation terms.

Gratuities: Gratuities, or tips, are customary on cruise vacations . Cruise lines charge gratuities on a daily, per-person basis. Most major cruise lines have automatic gratuities split among the hardworking staff, except bartenders and spa staff. If you don’t pay the gratuities in advance, they are charged to your onboard account and paid at the end of the cruise. Bartenders and spa staff receive tips through the gratuities charged on drinks, drink packages, and spa treatments.

Pre-paid Gratuities: Pre-paid gratuities are paid in advance of sailing. Paying in advance makes it easier to budget and plan for a cruise.

Solo Supplement: Most cruise ships charge a fee for solo bookings in regular staterooms. The added fee is known as a solo supplement. When a solo traveler books a cabin, the cruise line misses out on additional revenue from having two people in a stateroom.

All-Inclusive: All-inclusive cruises are great if you prefer to have all your expenses known before sailing. The all-inclusive definition varies by cruise line but typically includes gratuities, wifi, and a basic drink package.

Drink Package: Most cruise lines offer drink packages that entitle guests to order unlimited drinks. Drink packages typically have rules such as price limits and drink restrictions. If you don’t want to purchase the drink package, you can still purchase individual drinks from the bars, lounges, and restaurants.

Online Check-In: Before embarking, cruise ship passengers can complete online check-in and print any required documents.

Cabin Terminology

Cabin: Your room onboard the ship.

Stateroom: Another term for your room on the ship.

Interior Stateroom: This is a cabin located on a ship’s interior. Interior cabins don’t have windows (portholes) or balconies.

Oceanview Cabins: A cabin with a view of the ocean through a porthole or large window.

Balcony Cabins: As the name suggests, this is a stateroom with a balcony.

Suites: The largest and most luxurious cabin category on a cruise ship. Passengers who book suites often receive additional perks such as a butler, private lounge, bonus loyalty points, and free specialty dining.

Guarantee Cabin: This refers to booking a cabin category without choosing a specific room location. These cabins are lower priced, but with the drawback of having the location assigned by the cruise line. If you’re not picky about the location of your stateroom, guarantee cabins on cruise ships are a great way to save money on your cruise vacation.

Obstructed View Stateroom: You may have an ocean view or balcony cabin, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have unobstructed ocean views. Obstructed view staterooms have an object, such as equipment or a lifeboat, in the direct view of your window or balcony. These staterooms cost less than those with unobstructed views.

Veranda: Veranda is another word term used to describe a balcony. The word originates from the Hindi varandā, but it is related to the Spanish baranda, meaning “railing.”

French Balcony: French balconies are located on the interior of an outside-facing stateroom. They are often a result of modifications to older cruise ships or added as a lower category cabin. Though termed a balcony, it’s more of a wall-to-wall open window.

Virtual Balcony: Virtual balconies are wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screens providing the illusion of a balcony for interior staterooms. They project real-time video of the outside, so your virtual balcony displays precisely what you would see from a real balcony.

Virtual Porthole: Like a virtual balcony, a virtual porthole projects real-time outside video. They provide interior cabins with the feeling of a porthole. Despite sounding tacky, they provide an extraordinarily realistic view.

Pullman Bed: Pullman beds are like little bunk beds where the top bed pulls down from the ceiling or wall above the main bed, accessible by a ladder. If you book with three or four people to a cabin, your cabin may have a Pullman bed.

Double Occupancy: Double occupancy indicates two people booked in a stateroom. The advertised cruise fare is often based on the double occupancy rate. Additionally, cruise lines often use double occupancy as the measurement of passenger capacity, as it is unrealistic that every stateroom would be booked at maximum capacity (e.x. two passengers staying in a cabin that could hold four.)

Single Occupancy: Most cruise lines charge a single occupancy rate to solo cruisers. The single occupancy rate adds a solo supplement. The total cruise fare for single occupancy is often near the cost of booking two people in a cabin.

Solo Cabins or Studio Cabins: Some cruise ships have staterooms dedicated to solo travelers. Solo cabins or studio cabins are comparably smaller than typical cabins, but they are cheaper as they forgo the solo supplement. The best cruise lines for solo cruisers feature solo staterooms.

Triple and Quad Cabins: As the name suggests, triple and quad cabins can accommodate three or four passengers.

Towel Animals: One of my favorite memories from cruising as a child is returning to the cabin and finding a beautiful towel animal on the bed. Room stewards often create cute towel creations to put a smile on your face. You’ll usually find them on family-oriented cruise lines .

Types of Cruises

Charter: People or tour operators may book out an entire ship to host a special event.

Repositioning Cruise: A sailing occurs when a cruise ship transfers to another part of the world. For example, a cruise ship offering Caribbean itineraries may reposition to the Mediterranean for two months. Repositioning cruises are often cheaper than regular itineraries as cruise lines look to fill the vessel to earn revenue from an expensive voyage.

World Cruise: As the name suggests, a world cruise offers an extensive itinerary that sails around the globe and visits several continents. World cruises may last anywhere from two to twelve months.

Canal Cruise: A type of cruise that sails through a canal. Popular canal cruises such as the Panama canal take passengers on a unique voyage through several ship locks.

Barge Cruise: The smallest-sized cruise ship available. They usually consist of six to sixteen people. The cruise acts as a floating hotel able to traverse very shallow and narrow waterways.

Expedition Cruise: Expedition cruises offer sailings to the most remote locations in the world. These cruises emphasize the journey, adventure, and experience with a special focus on adventurous shore excursions.

River Cruise: A river cruise is sailing along inland waterways. In our opinion, river cruising is totally underrated. We love the calmness of river sailing, intimate ships, and uniqueness of itineraries. If you’ve only sailed on ocean cruises, you should definitely take a look at river cruising.

Day Cruise: A cruise that sails for a limited number of hours and does not include an overnight stay. Day cruises are typically limited to media and press tours.

Transatlantic: A cruise that sails across the Atlantic. Before airplanes, transatlantic sailings were the only transportation between Europe and North America. The ocean liner Queen Mary 2 regularly sails traditional transatlantic voyages from South Hampton to New York.

Cruise to Nowhere: A cruise itinerary that consists only of sea days before returning. They are typically only a few days long and don’t call in any ports.

Closed-Loop Cruise: A closed-loop cruise starts and ends in the same port . For example, a voyage that departs and returns to Miami, Florida, is an example of a closed-loop cruise.

Open-Jaw Cruise: An open jaw cruise starts and ends at different ports. Passengers embark at one port and disembark in another. For example, a voyage that departs Seattle, Washington, and arrives in Ketchikan, Alaska, is an open-jaw cruise.

Cruise Ship Dining Terminology

Assigned Seating: Many cruise lines provide assigned tables in the main dining room. The assigned seating is usually dinner-specific.

Early and Late Dining: Some cruise lines with assigned seating split dining times into two seatings. The first and second seating is often referred to as early and late dining.

Open Dining (or Open Seating): Many cruise lines offer open seating, whereby passengers may eat in the main dining room without a specified time for seating. Norwegian Cruise Line only offers open dining, which they call Freestyle dining. Other cruise lines, such are Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, provide passengers with the option of set dining times or open dining. While open dining offers more flexibility, you may need to wait in line for an empty table.

Specialty Restaurants: Specialty restaurants refer to alternative dining choices that aren’t included in the base cruise fare. Specialty restaurants offer an intimate dining experience with a better culinary experience. The ship charges the meal to your onboard account when eating at a specialty restaurant.

Maitre d’Hotel (Maitre d’, for short): The Maitre d’ is in charge of the restaurant on the ship. This person greets customers, supervises the restaurant staff, and ensures that the experience meets the highest quality standards.

Captain’s Table: As the name suggests, the captain’s table is a chance to enjoy dinner with the ship’s captain.

Ship Crew Member and Staff Terms

Captain: The ship’s captain holds the ultimate command and responsibility of the vessel. In addition to steering and navigating the boat, the captain is responsible for the safety of all passengers and crew.

Cruise Director: You’ll often find the cruise director leading activities around the ship. During your sailing, the cruise director acts as the face of the cruise, and it’s their job to be friendly and outgoing.

Cabin Steward or Cabin Attendant: The cabin steward is responsible for cleaning and maintaining your stateroom. These crew members work hard to keep your room tidy and clean for when you return.

Deckhand: The deckhand is responsible for maintaining the exterior of the ship. They are responsible for general cleaning and maintenance of the deck areas and ship gear. They are also the ones responsible for loading and unloading supplies and equipment.

Bosun (Boatswain): A bosun is the highest-ranking, non-officer role in the deck department. Among their responsibilities, a bosun supervises deckhands, coordinates work, coaches staff members, maintains ship appearance, and overseas the mooring and anchoring operations.

Purser: The purser is responsible for handling the ship’s finances. Specifically, the chief purser oversees the staff who manage money, passenger accounts, and guest services.

Porter: The porter is responsible for helping passengers with their luggage. They are employed by the port authority, not the ship.

Passenger-Crew Ratio: The ratio of the number of passengers to the crew. The ratio gives a quick feel for the quality of service on board a cruise ship. In theory, the lower the ratio, the better the service. A ratio of 1:1 (a ratio only seen on luxury ships) means that there is one crew member for every passenger on board the vessel. Ratios of 3:1 are considered good.

Cruise Terminal: The building where you check-in for your cruise and board your ship . Like how airplanes have airports, cruise ships have terminals or cruise ports.

Port: A maritime facility with loading areas for ships to load and unload passengers and cargo.

Home Port: The primary cruise port for a ship. The home port is the port where the cruise ship begins most cruise itineraries.

Cay (Pronounced “kay” ): A small, sandy island with a low elevation on the surface of a coral reef.

Marina: A dock or basin that provides mooring services for small boats and yachts.

Dry Dock: A dock that can be drained of water to allow for construction, maintenance, and repair work on ships.

Shipyard: A facility where ships are built and repaired.

Navigational Terms

Port: When facing towards the front (bow) of the ship, the port is on your left. If you face the back of the boat (aft), the port is on your right.

Starboard: When facing towards the front (bow) of the ship, the starboard is on your right. If you face the back of the boat (aft), the starboard is on your left.

Insider Tip

If you need help remembering port and starboard, check out our article: How to remember port and starboard on a cruise ship .

Bow/Forward: The front of the ship.

Stern: The rearmost part of the exterior of the ship.

Aft: The rearmost part of the interior of the ship.

Prime Meridian: Prime meridian is the earth’s zero of longitude (0º), which passes through Greenwich, England. Together with the anti-meridian, they divide the earth into two hemispheres.

Nautical Twilight (Nautical Dawn): Nautical twilight begins in the morning when the sun’s center is between 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. During nautical twilight, the stars and horizon are visible, even on moonless nights, allowing sailors to take reliable star readings for navigational purposes.

Celestial Navigation: Navigation by observing the sun, moon, and stars. Before advancements in technology, celestial navigation was the primary method for sailors.

Nautical Terminology

Midship: The middle of a ship or boat.

Overall Length: The length of a ship from bow to stern.

Beam: A measure of the width of a ship or boat.

Gross Tonnage: A measure of a ship’s overall internal volume. Gross tonnage is determined by dividing by 100 the contents, in cubic feet, of the vessel’s enclosed spaces.

Wake: A moving ship generates a tace on the water’s surface. The frothy white water trailing a moving vessel is called the wake. Watching the ship wake as you sail away from the port can be mesmerizing.

Berth: The term berth has a dual meaning. The first is a name for a bed on a ship. The second is a space where a vessel may be moored.

Helm: The helm is the position from which the captain steers the vessel. It also refers to the lever or wheel that controls the rudder on a ship.

Hull: The main body or structure of a vessel. The hull includes the bottom, sides, and deck of the ship. The watertight hull is how cruise ships float .

Porthole: A small exterior window on a ship. Portholes are usually circular.

Mast: On a sailboat, the mast is a pole rising vertically from the hull, which serves to support the sail. There is only one mast on a small sailboat, but larger boats have several.

Mainsail: The largest and most important sail on a boat. On a square-rigged vessel, the mainsail is the lowest and largest sail on the mast.

Boom: The boom is a thick pole that extends at a 90-degree angle from the mast. It anchors the bottom of the sail and provides sailors with greater control and maneuverability.

Rudder: The rudder is an underwater verticle blade positioned at the vessel’s stern. It is controlled at the helm and is the primary method of steering. When the captain turns the wheel, it rotates the rudder. As the rudder rotates, the vessel’s head turns in the same direction.

Mooring: Refers to a permanent structure to which a ship can attach.

Docking: The act of mooring a ship at a dock.

Latitude: A geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position on the earth’s surface. Latitude lines run in parallel lines from east to west. When looking at a globe, latitude lines are horizontal. The latitude angle ranges from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles.

Longitude: A geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position on the earth’s surface. Latitude lines run in parallel lines from north to south. When looking at the planet, longitude lines run vertically.

Equator: The equator is a latitude circle dividing the earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It is located exactly halfway between the North and South poles. The equator’s location is at 0 degrees latitude.

Flag Country: The country where the ship is registered. You can quickly identify the ship’s flag country by looking at the ship’s stern, where you’ll usually find a flag and the country’s name.

If you are curious about why cruise ships have a different flag country, check out our article: Why do cruise ships sail under foreign flags?

Knots: Knots are a unit of speed used by ships and are short for nautical miles per hour. One knot is equivalent to 1.15 land miles per hour. Cruise ships have cruising speeds of around 22 knots .

Provisions: Refers to supplies needed on the ship

Lock: A device used to raise and lower ships between stretches of water at different levels.

Zodiacs: Small inflatable boats used for water bases shore excursions. Zodiacs are named after the company that invented them. The inflatable boats were created in the 1930s for the military but are now commonly used in tourism.

Stabilizers: Stabilizers are fin-like devices mounted to the ship’s hull beneath the waterline. They help counter the roll of a vessel due to waves or wind and provide a smoother ride for passengers.

Anchor: A heavy object attached to a rope or chain used to keep a vessel stationary.

Galley: The galley is another name for the kitchen of the ship. Many cruise lines offer tours of the galley, which provide a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world hidden from passengers.

Cruise Industry Acronyms

OBC (Onboard Credit): Onboard credit can be used like cash for purchases on the ship. You might receive onboard credits as an incentive offered by a travel agent or cruise line.

GTY (Guarantee Cabin): An abbreviation for guarantee cabin (see the definition above for guarantee cabins).

FCC (Future Cruise Credit): Future cruise credits work little like store credits. Cruise lines offer FCCs in place of refunds which can be redeemed when booking a new sailing. Always read the fine print as they almost always have expiry dates.

TA: Short for a travel agent.

Cruise Industry Organizations

CLIA: The Cruise Line International Association is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association based on the number of passenger ships operated by CLIA members. Among other responsibilities, the CLIA’s focus is to set standards for cruise lines and represent the interests of the cruise industry. According to their website , “CLIA is the global organization that fosters our members’ success by advocating, educating, and promoting the common interests of the cruise community.”

NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is part of the US Department of Commerce. Their responsibilities include “daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce.”

Marcello De Lio

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3 mistakes I made during my first European cruise kept me from making the most of my trip

• I took my first European cruise with Virgin Voyages in August 2022.
• Despite the trip's highlights, I regretted making some mistakes during the voyage.
• Napping too much and socializing too little kept me from making the most of my cruise.

My first European cruise was awesome — but it could have been better.

In August 2023, I embarked on my first international cruise through the Mediterranean Sea with the luxury, adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages .

The ship sailed round-trip from Barcelona for seven days, with port stops in France, Italy, and Spain. I was in awe of the historical destinations I visited, from Corsica to Ibiza . And the ship itself was full of unique activities, fine dining establishments, and luxurious details, from vibrant, modern decks to a VIP lounge .

But looking back on the trip, I made some mistakes that kept me from making the most of the voyage.

I took a nap within the first hour of my voyage, leaving me jet-lagged for days.

As a New Yorker who often travels internationally, I have one rule to avoid jet lag — stay up through the first day, regardless of exhaustion.

Well, on this cruise, I broke it.

After a red-eye flight to Barcelona and a one-night stay in a houseboat I found on Airbnb, where I hardly slept, I was exhausted by the first day of my cruise.

And being six hours from my time zone didn't help.

Once I boarded the ship at 3 p.m., I showered and ate before taking a power nap. I slept much longer than planned and woke up at 7 p.m.

As a result, I was reluctantly awake for most of that first night. I don't remember when I finally dozed off, but I didn't wake up until noon on day two.

The chaotic sleeping schedule left me jet-lagged for days. I napped each afternoon rather than maximizing my time exploring the ship and port stops, and I watched movies in my cabin when I couldn't sleep at night.

My voyage was halfway over when I finally adjusted to the time zone. So, next time, I'll remember what happens when I break my jet lag rule and opt for a coffee over a nap.

I should have socialized more with other passengers.

On an adults-only cruise ship , there were plenty of passengers to socialize with. And making friends seemed to be the vibe. Strangers spoke to me at dinners, on the pool deck, and during small group excursions.

While I appreciated these brief interactions, I wish I'd made an effort to meet up with these cruisers again. There were travelers aboard from around the world, and I even met some people from NYC.

While I was traveling with my partner and enjoyed activities with him on the ship, some things would have been fun to do in a larger group, like playing board games and racing in the arcade.

In the future, I'll try to develop deeper connections to participate in group activities and perhaps make friends to meet up with at home or during upcoming travels — whether traveling solo or with my partner.

At the end of the trip, I regretted not spending more time in Europe.

On my flight back to NYC, I thought about how taxing it was to travel so far from home and how fortunate I am to explore other countries.

So, I should have extended the trip to make the most of my time across the Atlantic. It was my first time visiting Spain, and I hardly spent time in Barcelona. Viewing the city's skyline and surrounding mountains from the ship's decks made me long for a chance to explore more.

But after disembarking the ship, I headed straight to the airport for my afternoon flight home.

So, next time I'm on a European cruise, I'll book a few more nights in the ship's home port on the front or back end of the trip to make the most of it.

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Definition of cruise

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Definition of cruise  (Entry 2 of 2)

• gad (about)
• galavant
• kick around
• knock (about)

Examples of cruise in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cruise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Dutch kruisen to make a cross, cruise, from Middle Dutch crucen , from crūce cross, from Latin cruc-, crux

1651, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

1696, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cruise

• adaptive cruise control
• radar cruise control
• cruise ship
• cruise control
• cruise missile
• booze cruise
• cruise liner

Dictionary Entries Near cruise

Cite this entry.

“Cruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruise. Accessed 3 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of cruise.

from Dutch kruisen "to cruise, move crosswise," from early Dutch crūce "cross," from Latin crux "cross" — related to cross , crucial

More from Merriam-Webster on cruise

Nglish: Translation of cruise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cruise for Arabic Speakers

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Home » Cruise Tips » Cruise Lingo: 65 Common Cruise Terms and What They Mean

Cruise Lingo: 65 Common Cruise Terms and What They Mean

We've put together this list of cruise lingo and what these terms mean to help newbies navigate the cruise world.

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If you’re a first-time cruiser, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of cruise lingo that seems to be spoken by the crew and seasoned travelers. To help you navigate the cruise world, we’ve put together a list of 65 terms and phrases used on cruise ships and what they mean.

Cruise Ship Lingo

The bridge on a cruise ship is the control center, where the captain and the ship’s officers navigate the vessel. It is usually located on an upper deck at the front of the ship and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding ocean.

A cabin is the private living space for passengers on a cruise ship. Cruise cabins have various layouts and square footage based on the category you choose. Standard cabins come with some basic amenities including a bed, a bathroom with a shower, a closet or storage space, a desk or vanity, and a TV.

3. Stateroom

A stateroom is more common cruise lingo used to refer to a cabin on the ship.

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A cruise ship deck is essentially the same as a level or floor in a hotel or other building. Decks are usually identified by a number or name and are accessible by stairs and/or an elevator.

5. Lido Deck

The Lido Deck is the deck of the cruise ship where the pool and other outdoor activities are located. This is where most of the outdoor fun occurs, from sail away parties, to belly flop contests, and more.

6. Promenade Deck

The Promenade Deck is the deck that encircles the ship, often used for walking or jogging. This deck is usually located closer to sea level and can also be referred to as the Waterfront on some cruise lines.

7. Deck Plans

The ship’s deck plans are a diagram of the ship that shows the layout of each deck, as well as the location of cabins and all the public venues on the ship. The deck plans are great reference points to help you navigate your cruise ship like a pro.

8. Porthole

A porthole is common cruise lingo for a circular window on the ship. Some cabins have portholes, and you may also find these windows on the interior public decks.

The galley is the term used when referring to the kitchen on a cruise ship. Some cruise lines offer behind-the-scenes tours where you can visit this area, though it is usually off-limits to passengers.

10. Muster Drill

A muster drill is a mandatory safety drill that takes place at the beginning of each cruise. All passengers must complete this maritime safety requirement. Many cruise lines now offer “e-muster” drills, where you complete a majority of the drill by watching a video on your cruise line app or cabin television.

11. Muster Station

A muster station on a cruise ship is a designated location where passengers must assemble in case of an emergency. During your muster drill, you will need to check-in at your muster station, so you know where to go in the event of an emergency. These stations are usually located on the passenger decks, and your specific station is clearly marked on your keycard and stateroom door.

An azipod is a type of propulsion system used on modern cruise ships that features a pod with a propeller that can rotate 360 degrees for increased maneuverability. They are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, as they generate less noise and vibration. They also allow ships to move more quickly and easily in tight spaces and adverse weather conditions.

13. Stabilizers

Stabilizers are devices used to reduce the ship’s movement and increase stability, especially in rough seas. They work by reducing the rolling and pitching motion of the ship, which can help to prevent seasickness and make the cruise more comfortable for passengers. Stabilizers can also improve the safety of the ship by reducing the risk of capsizing.

14. Passenger Manifest

A passenger manifest is a list of all the passengers on the ship. It lists the names, nationalities, and other personal details of all the passengers and crew members onboard the ship. It is essentially a complete record of everyone who is traveling on the ship at any given time. The passenger manifest is also used by immigration and customs officials when the ship arrives at its ports of call.

A ship’s wake is the visible trail of disturbed water that is left behind a moving vessel as it travels through the water. Wake views are some of the most desirable on a cruise ship, often with aft-located bars and lounges to admire the views.

A knot is a unit of speed at which ships travel. It is equal to one nautical mile per hour.

17. Dry Dock

A dry dock is a facility where the ship can be taken out of the water for repairs and maintenance. Cruise ships will routinely go into dry dock for upgrades and enhancements in addition to routine maintenance.

18. Refurbishment

A refurbishment is the process of renovating an existing ship to improve its functionality, aesthetics, and overall performance. A ship undergoing refurbishment is taken out of service for a period of time to enter dry dock for upgrades. Cruise lines can use various terms to designate that a ship has undergone recent renovations, like Royal Caribbean’s “amplification”.

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Directional Cruise Lingo

Aft is a directional term that refers to the back of the ship. This term is referenced frequently, including when picking out stateroom locations on a cruise ship.

20. Forward

The opposite of aft is forward. Forward is the directional cruise lingo for the front of the ship. Again, this term is often referenced when picking out your cruise ship cabin or when giving directions to venues on the ship.

The bow of the ship is located at the very front of the vessel and is the part that cuts through the water as it moves forward.

The opposite of the bow is the stern. The stern is the complete rear of the ship. It is usually flatter and wider in shape than the bow.

23. Midship

As the name implies, midship refers to the middle part of the ship. When reviewing cabin locations, midship cabins are the most desirable especially for those who are prone to seasickness on a cruise. You will usually feel the least motion here.

Port or Portside is the left side of the ship when facing forward. Portside and starboard side are terms that you will hear quite frequently on a cruise. This is especially true when there are wildlife sightings. The Captain or expedition team members will refer to the location with these directions.

25. Starboard

Similarly, Starboard, refers to the right side of the ship when facing forward. This is the opposite side of the ship from Port. Some easy ways to remember these directions is that port and left both have four letters or it’s P.S. (as in a postscript of a letter) when facing forward.

Cruise Staff Terminology

26. cruise director.

The Cruise Director is the person in charge of organizing all the entertainment and activities on the ship. He/She will usually also have an activities staff that will host events during the cruise. The Cruise Director’s main role is to ensure that passengers have a fun and memorable time.

27. Captain

Much like a boat, a cruise ship has a Captain. The Captain is the highest-ranking officer on a cruise ship, responsible for the overall operation and safety of the vessel. Becoming a cruise ship captain typically requires years of experience and training in the maritime industry.

28. Guest Services

Guest Services is the department on the ship responsible for assisting passengers with their needs and inquiries. Most cruise ships have a Guest Services desk located in the atrium area that is easily accessible. Don’t be surprised to find a line of passengers here at any given time during the cruise.

29. Cabin Steward (or Stateroom Attendant)

The Cabin Steward or Stateroom Attendant is the crew member responsible for cleaning and maintaining the passenger cabins. Think of this person like a housekeeper at a hotel. This team member will replenish toiletries, towels, and linens in your room. They will also take care of any requests you may have and complete an evening turndown service on some cruise lines.

A porter is a crucial staff member on embarkation and disembarkation days. A porter will assist guests with their luggage at the cruise terminal. Typically, when you arrive at the ship, you will leave your larger bags with the porter and only take carry-on items onto the ship with you. They will then ensure the bags get delivered to your cabin later in the day.

Cruise Cabin Terminology

31. double occupancy.

Double Occupancy refers to the standard rate of occupancy on a cruise ship. Unlike hotels, cruise ship fares are based on two guests per stateroom. This means that the advertised price for a cabin typically assumes that two guests will be sharing the room.

32. Guaranteed Cabin

A Guaranteed Cabin is a cruise ship cabin typically booked at a lower fare with the understanding that a cabin in the category you chose will be assigned to you by the cruise line closer to the sailing date. This means if you book a guaranteed balcony cabin, you will receive a balcony cabin or better, but you will not be allowed to choose the location or the exact room number.

33. Inside Cabin

Inside Cabins are the most economically priced cruise ship cabins. Unlike a guaranteed cabin or a hotel room, cruisers can choose their exact room at the time of booking. As the name applies, these rooms are located on the interior of the ship and do not offer any view of the exterior. Further, these cruise ship staterooms tend to be the smallest double occupancy rooms on the ship.

34. Oceanview Cabin

An Oceanview Cabin is a cruise cabin with a window or porthole that offers a view of the ocean. However, these windows can not be opened. For the most part, the size and layout of these rooms are similar to inside cabins, just with a view of the outside world.

35. Veranda cabin

A Veranda Cabin is also referred to as a Balcony Cabin. By far, the most popular cruise cabin category on any ship is a balcony cabin. These staterooms feature private access to your own balcony. This outdoor space will usually come equipped with two upright chairs and a small table. 

36. Solo cabins (Studio Cabins)

As mentioned previously, most staterooms are designed for double occupancy. A Solo Cabin, sometimes also referred to as a Studio Cabin, is designed specifically for solo travelers. These rooms are small but can save you a lot of money if you are cruising solo . Otherwise, you will often need to pay a single supplement. This is an additional fee that solo travelers must pay when booking a cabin that is designed for two guests.

37. Ship-Within-a-Ship

The most luxurious cabins on a cruise ship are suites. These rooms are larger and usually come with added perks. Many cruise lines feature special areas of the ship exclusively for these guests, sometimes referred to by the cruise lingo “ship within a ship”. These areas are designed so that guests never have to leave if they don’t want to- including sundecks, restaurants, lounges, bars, and more. NCL’s The Haven and MSC’s Yacht Club are two examples.

38. Pullman Bed

A Pullman Bed is a bed found in cruise ship cabins that offer greater than double occupancy. These beds are typically fold-down beds that are stored in the ceiling or wall when not in use. Your stateroom attendant will assemble this bed for you if there are third or fourth guests sailing in the cabin.

Cruise Lingo Used for Getting on and off the Ship

39. gangway.

A gangway is a ramp or stairway used to allow passengers to board and leave the ship. This moveable bridge connects to the dock and is usually adjustable in height to accommodate different water levels and ship heights.

40. Embarkation

Embarkation is the process of boarding a ship. Thus, Embarkation Day is the day the ship is accepting new cruisers for the next voyage. On your itinerary, embarkation day will be marked as Day 1. Once all cruisers are successfully on the vessel, the ship will set sail for its next destination, or the first port of call.

On embarkation day, it’s important to arrive at the terminal at your designated time and to have all essential items with you including your passport.

41. Disembark

Disembark means to leave the ship. Disembarkation Day is the saddest day of any cruise as it marks the end of vacation and a return to the real world. Disembarkation will begin once the ship has arrived back to its homeport, usually between 6 AM and 9 AM depending on the cruise line.

Guests can choose to complete a self-assist walk off. These guests will be the first off the ship but will need to take all their own luggage with them. Otherwise, guests will be called in a staggered fashion based on the luggage tags given to them the day before.

42. Port of Call

Ports of call are the destinations that the ship visits during the cruise. These ports will be listed on your cruise itinerary. During time in port, guests can disembark the ship to explore on their own or participate in organized shore excursions. The number of ports will vary and the amount of time spent in each port will also vary based on the itinerary.

The berth is the space where the ship is docked or anchored. Ports of call will have designated berths that are designed to accommodate larger cruise ships and allow passengers to disembark in the port.

44. Tender Port

If cruise berths are not available, the port will be designated as a tender port. A tender port is a port where the ship cannot dock and will anchor offshore. Passengers must then be transported to and from the ship via smaller boats.

A tender boat, also known as a tender, is a small vessel used to transport passengers from a cruise ship anchored offshore to a port of call that does not have a dedicated cruise berth or a deep enough harbor to accommodate the larger cruise ship. The ship’s lifeboats are often used as tenders to bring guests ashore. This process does take a little while so it’s important to plan excursions accordingly.

46. Port Charges

When booking a cruise, you might notice an added fee of port charges and taxes on the total fare. Port charges are fees paid to the port by the cruise line for the use of their facilities. The cruise line then passes this surcharge onto passengers. These fees are mandatory and are charged on a per person basis. The cost will vary based on the number of ports and the specific ports on the itinerary.

47. Shore Excursion

A shore excursion is a guided tour or activity that passengers can book while visiting ports of call. These tours can range from walking tours and city highlights, to food tours, to snorkeling, to various adventure activities like ziplining or ATVs. These shore excursions can be booked directly with the cruise line or through local vendors.

48. Ship Time

When going ashore, especially if you are not participating in a cruise-sponsored shore excursion, you will need to know what Ship Time means. This is the time on the ship, which may differ from the local time at the ports of call.

When cruise ships are visiting destinations in multiple time zones, they may not change the time on the ship at every location. Thus, when the cruise line provides a time to be back onboard the ship, it will always be in “ship time” so pay attention.

49. All Aboard Time

The All Aboard Time is the time passengers MUST be back onboard in order for the ship to set sail to its next destination. The All Aboard Time is usually a half hour before the ship’s scheduled departure time. It is extremely important that you adhere, otherwise you might be left behind.

Of note, if you are on a cruise-sponsored excursion that is running late due to traffic, the ship will wait for the tour to return; however, this is not the case if you are exploring on your own.

50. Pier Runners

Now, cue the pier runners. A Pier Runner is the cruise lingo given to passengers who are late arriving back to the ship. In an attempt to not miss the ship and incur expenses for getting to the next port on their own, these passengers run down the pier to catch the ship. Don’t be a pier runner, as you will most definitely be caught on camera and shared across social media!

51. Sea day

Cruise sea days are the days when a cruise ship is at sea, traveling from one port to another without any stops. These days can be an enjoyable part of the cruise experience for many passengers, as they provide a chance to relax and unwind while enjoying the various onboard activities and amenities.

52. Turnaround day

Turnaround Day is the day the ship arrives back at its homeport and prepares for the next group of passengers to embark. This is a stressful day for the staff, especially the stateroom attendants, as they need to clean and change everything over for the next set of passengers in a very short amount of time. So, be courteous and leave your room by the time requested on the morning of disembarkation.

53. B2B Cruiser

If you are a B2B (back-to-back) cruiser, you will still need to participate in an abbreviated version of turnaround day. B2B Cruisers are those sailing on two or more consecutive voyages on the ship. Passengers staying on the ship will still need to clear customs in the terminal, receive a new cruise card, and then re-board the ship. Unlike disembarking passengers, they do not need to take all their luggage with them; staff will take care of moving their belongings to their new stateroom if applicable.

54. Repositioning Cruise

In simple terms, a Repositioning Cruise is a voyage that begins and ends in a different location with the purpose of moving the ship to this new location. Repositioning cruises typically occur when cruise seasons change. For instance, some ships in the Caribbean move to Europe for the summer season. Other ships reposition to Alaska for the summer season.

A transatlantic cruise travels between Europe and North or South America. Obviously, the cruise ship will sail across the Atlantic Ocean. These cruises can be a repositioning cruise; though, some lines sail this route regularly like Cunard.

55. Shoulder Season

When it comes to cruise lingo, the term Shoulder Season is often used when referring to seasonal cruise ports like Alaska . The shoulder season is the beginning or end of the season. In terms of cruising these seasonal destinations, the shoulder seasons usually provide the cheapest prices and fewest crowds. While the weather might be a bit unpredictable, this is an ideal time to travel for many cruisers.

Onboard Cruise Lingo

56. cruise card.

A cruise card, also known as a key card, is a small plastic card issued to each passenger on a cruise ship. The card serves as a key to your stateroom, as well as identification when getting on and off the ship at ports of call. This card is also how you will pay for all purchases while onboard the ship. Some cruise lines have wearable devices that replace this key card, like Princess Cruises’ Medallion or Virgin Voyages’ The Band.

57. Formal Night

While some cruise lines are doing away with this cruise tradition, many cruise lines still have at least one formal night. Formal Night, also referred to as “elegant night”, “evening chic”, etc., is a special dress-up evening on the ship. It’s when you can don your finest attire, attend a Captain’s Toast, take some photos, and maybe enjoy some lobster in the main dining room.

58. Freestyle Cruising/Dining

While most cruise line’s still have traditional main dining rooms with an early and late seating, many are starting to offer more flexible options in addition. Norwegian Cruise Line was the pioneer of Freestyle Cruising. This type of cruising doesn’t have fixed dining times or table arrangements, meaning that cruisers can choose when, where, and with whom they want to dine each evening. Other cruise lines now have similar options like “My Time Dining”, “Dine Anytime”, etc.

59. Cruise Gratuities

If you are new to cruising, you should know that not everything is included in your cruise vacation. In addition to your cruise fare, there are other services charges for which you will need to  budget , including cruise gratuities.

Cruise Gratuities are a per person, per day dollar amount that are charged to all guests across all stateroom categories. These charges serve as a means to reward the hard-working crew for the excellent service provided during your cruise vacation.

60. Onboard Credit (OBC)

Cruise Onboard Credit , referred to as OBC in cruise lingo, is essentially “free money” to use on your cruise vacation. This credit can be obtained a variety of ways and can be spent onboard the ship on most cruise experiences. Some cruise lines even allow you to apply this onboard credit when purchasing items pre-cruise in your online cruise planner.

MDR is the abbreviation cruisers use when referring to the Main Dining Room on a cruise ship. On all cruise ships, the MDR is complimentary to all passengers. The main dining room(s) is always open for dinner, serving a multi-course rotational menu. It can be open for select hours for breakfast and lunch as well.

If you opt for traditional dining, you will be assigned to an early or late dinner time at the same table with the same waitstaff every night of the cruise.

62. Specialty Dining

While there are many dining venues covered in the standard cruise fare, cruise lines also offer up-charge dining options and experiences referred to as specialty dining. These restaurants can range from steakhouses, to Italian trattorias, to sushi and hibachi, to seafood-centric restaurants, and other experiential venues. While they do cost money, these specialty dining experiences offer upscale service and menu options making for a special night out.

63. Lanyard

A lanyard is a neck strap that many passengers wear on a cruise ship to hold their cruise cards. Since having easy access to this card is essential, many cruisers enjoy the convenience of  a lanyard . Having one that you can detach at the bottom is a bonus to pass off to staff when ordering drinks, etc. Another popular option to store your cruise card is an adhesive pocket on your cell phone.

64. Towel Animal

Towel Animals are often made by stateroom attendants by folding towels into various shapes such as elephants, monkeys, or swans. These creations are left in your cabin during it’s daily cleaning or turndown service. While some might think this tradition is a bit tacky, we enjoy receiving these special surprises in our stateroom.

65. All-Inclusive Cruise

While cruises are a great value, not everything is included in the price of the cruise fare unless you are sailing with a luxury cruise line. Add-ons typically include things like specialty coffee, alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, WiFi, etc.

However, more and more cruise lines are beginning to offer All-Inclusive Cruise packages. These typically include a drink package, gratuities, and WiFi. Some packages might even include additional perks.

Now that you know the terminology, it’s time to start planning your perfect cruise vacation . When it comes to cruise lingo though, just don’t forget: It’s a ship NOT a boat !

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Do you have any other important cruise lingo to add to this list? What terms and slang should first time cruisers know before setting sail? Drop us an anchor below to share your insider info.

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DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Port Economics, Management and Policy

A comprehensive analysis of the port industry

Chapter 8.1 – Cruise Ports

Authors: dr. athanasios pallis, dr. jean-paul rodrigue, and dr. theo notteboom.

Ports and destinations have developed an interest in hosting cruise activities. Cruise ports and terminals are undergoing transformation, aiming to achieve growth.

1. An Expanding Cruise Port System

With the growth in cruise shipping and businesses, cruise ports are gaining importance. The port is vital for assuring schedule reliability and allowing a continuous passenger (dis)embarkation and transfer to onward journeys and day excursions. This highlights the considerable financial contribution of cruising to port cities or nearby touristic destinations. Once cruise lines express an interest in a destination, allowing for economic and geopolitical conditions, its viability relies on port and shore characteristics. The presence of sufficient port-specific and port-related infrastructures, the absence of intense use that might lead to congestion and disruption, and the modernization of infrastructures to provide efficient and effective port services are crucial parameters allowing the usage of a port as part of an itinerary.

Ports also realize the opportunity to provide services to an industry that offers to local economies more than returns to the port itself. With the direct and indirect impacts of many cruise-related activities, including passengers and crew spending, on port cities or nearby touristic destinations, interest in increasing the number of cruise passengers has been supported by broader communities and decision-makers. Admittedly, passenger and crew spending contributes significantly to the cruise hosting economies. Cruise line expenditures for goods and services in support of their operations and the many other indirect and induced effects provide additional motivation for hosting cruise activities. The rising importance of port-city integration coincides with the growth of the industry. Cruise activities are part of the agendas promoted by port authorities and other port-managing organizations to link their port with visible benefits for the local economy. All these contribute to the use of different cruise itineraries and reduction in the high level of concentration of the  global cruise port system which has been observed in the past.

In the 20 th  century, the global cruise port system has been characterized by a high level of regional concentration as well as a clustering of port visits. However, in the 21 st  century, this concentration has diminished rapidly, as expansive global itinerary building in cruise lines and a growing interest in advancing cruise activities by many cruise ports has increased the number of ports hosting notable levels of cruise activities.

2. Typologies of Cruise Ports

Ports offering services to cruise lines vary in many respects as the aim of cruise shipping is different from that of cargo shipping. Cruise lines focus on the provision of amenities to cruise passengers , rather than just transportation services. The presence of these two elements, transport, and tourism, results in multiple criteria for a typology of cruise ports . The first group of criteria is similar to those observed in cargo port markets. Τhe second group reflects the peculiarities of the cruise market, including the catalytic influence of the tourism element.

A. The port element

Depending on their  role in cruise itineraries , cruise ports fall into the following categories:

• Home ports (turnaround ports or hub ports) are the ports where passengers begin or end their cruises. Most commonly, they are both the commencing and the ending point of a designed itinerary. About 80% of all cruises end up in their port of origin, meaning that cruises are usually set up as loops. There are a growing number of homeports where passengers ican begin or end their journey.
• Ports of call (transit ports) are an intermediate stop en route to another destination. Cruise vessels call for a few hours before continuing their itinerary, offering their guests the opportunity to visit the port-city and nearby touristic attractions.
• Hybrid ports blend the two categories as they are the starting and ending point for some cruise itineraries but also act as an intermediate point for other cruise itineraries.

Within the Spanish market, which is the biggest in Europe, Barcelona fulfills the function of a homeport. Seville, Valencia, Palma, and Gran Canarias play dual roles. There are even some ports, like Malaga, which can primarily play the role of port-of-call, but have also been used as a homeport.

The state of cruise port development provides a second typology criterion. The siting and setting up of cruise port facilities are subject to constraints usually not found for cargo port activities. Cruise lines expect specific levels of services and space as more than ten square feet are needed to serve each passenger check-in in less than 15 minutes and disembarkation in less than 20 minutes. Architects and builders are developing specialized terminals with many aesthetic characteristics. This is a major transformation, as most cruise terminals were reconversions of port facilities used for cargo operations, particularly if those sites were adjacent to downtown. However, the move from multi-purpose terminals or temporary docking facilities towards specialized cruise terminals is not universal. Sometimes, scarce port-land only allows for one pier to be dedicated to cruise. Alternatively, cruise lines can develop their own ports of call, such as private islands in the Caribbean .

The terminalization of cruise ports implies advanced, autonomously operating cruise terminals of considerable size (e.g., Port of Barcelona ), accompanied by the presence of cruise terminal operators that assume responsibility for operating, and in some cases constructing and developing these terminals.

The uninterrupted growth of cruising has resulted in the opening of a window of opportunity to several firms, including cruise lines and, specialized cruise terminal operators such as Global Ports Holding , wishing to undertake new or additional investments in the cruise business, and sometimes to follow a path of internationalization. The leasing of cruise terminals to third parties and the development of new terminals have become common. In some ports, cruise lines are directly involved in the financing, building, and operations of terminals). In other ports, local cruise terminal operators (frequently being port agents) are joined by other companies that have developed interests in taking control over cruise ports and specialized purpose vehicles (SPVs) built by terminal operating companies. This led to the emergence of international operators.

As cruise activities in ports gain operational autonomy, public authorities are pursuing various partnerships with third parties, aiming to finance and develop growth strategies. Cruise port governance  has in many cases been revisited, with more actors involved than just the managing entity of the port.

Two additional classifications of cruise ports are based on the transportation element of cruising and facilitate a better understanding of the heterogeneity of the cruise port industry. The first is the size of the cruise ports. With many ports becoming very large entities handling more than one million passenger movements per year, cruise ports might be classified as being of significant size, or very large, large, or medium, or even a small cruise port – one that hosts very few calls and passenger movements per annum.

The other criterion is the seasonality of cruise activities (i.e., Low, average, high, very high), which refers to the extent that cruise activities in a region and cruise vessels call at a particular port during just a few months of the year.

B. The tourism element

Cruise ports also fall into three main categories depending on their role in tourism within their regions. They can be a destination port where few, if any, excursions occur outside the port area and the touristic attractions of the linked port-city. They can also be a gateway port that mostly serves as a point of embarkation or a balanced port offering a combination of port area amenities and inland excursions. Each of these categories implies different development strategies to service the market.

A different classification results from the level of tourist attractiveness of each cruise port and its linked port-city and destination. Some of the ports are marquee ports that, due to exceptional touristic attractions close by, are essential destinations for cruises in the region. Others are discovery ports , commonly seen as having the potential to attract the interest of prospective cruisers.

Accessibility stands as another relevant classification of cruise ports. The dominant means of reaching the port, such as flight and cruise, drive and cruise, or train and cruise, influences the type of operations and infrastructure the port needs to provide.

C. Cruise port services

The services offered to cruise lines at a cruise port differ depending on the function of the port along an itinerary. The services expected to be on offer at a transit port are a subset of those available at home ports. Generic facilities expected by all cruise ports include entrance and berthing facilities. The second group of services is offered to the cruise vessels and cruise lines, and the third group of services is provided to cruise passengers. A home port is expected to provide additional services that assist cruise passengers and their activities.

3. The Competitiveness of Cruise Ports

Cruise ports serve a derived demand , such as the wish of cruisers to visit a specific destination. Nonetheless, the competitiveness of the infrastructure and services offered at a cruise port can also affect the decisions of cruise lines to include in their cruises itineraries more calls at this port. Seeking to develop a new product, cruise lines have added new cruise ports to itineraries and seek to attract land-based holidaymakers or returning customers. This search continues and is associated with destination features, such as tourist attractions, shore excursion potential, and security. However, ports and their facilities, such as berth access, land infrastructure, and logistics, maritime services such as pilot and tugs, and landside operations such as security, procedures, and luggage handling, affect the growth of cruising in a given port. Besides, cruise ports do not necessarily have a monopoly in the offered amenities and access to inland touristic attractions. Substitution remains a possibility.

It is less costly for ports to develop a cruise terminal than it is to develop other port facilities, such as container terminals. Superstructures and processes are less demanding in terms of sophistication. However, the quality of port facilities (infrastructure), the efficiency of services and operations, and the levels of port fees (costs) can explain only part of the attractiveness of a cruise port. With cruise passenger satisfaction being the foundation of cruise shipping, a cruise port relies on additional factors if it is to become a port of call and host cruise passenger movements.

First, the extent to which the port is geographically well-positioned for integration into cruise itineraries, which involves the distance between cruise ports. The location of the destination remains fundamental. Ports located in must-see destinations still need to be part of an appealing itinerary to be a popular cruise destination. A second factor is the tourist attractiveness of the destination . This is primarily determined by characteristics of the area (climate, socio-cultural and natural factors, or proximity to touristic attractions), with the port industry and stakeholders having only a secondary influence. The third factor is the accessibility of the destination . Port proximity to an airport with airlifts to source markets, a train station with good connections, and highways supporting the increasingly popular drive and cruise concept might determine the potential to host home port traffic.

Taking it for granted that a port has applied all the steps to enhance security levels, the next factor is the quality of port services and services offered. Port fees stand as a success factor as well. The last two factors are generally the most easily adaptable compared to other success factors. Nevertheless, a cruise port that performs more weakly on location, tourist attractiveness, and accessibility than another port is not likely to match performance by making changes in facilities, services, or fees.

A. Port choice and itineraries

Cruise ports aim to be part of different cruise itineraries since cruise lines sell itineraries, not destinations, implying greater flexibility in selecting ports of call. The selection of an itinerary by cruise lines is the outcome of several commercial considerations:

• Potential revenue generation and costs , such as shore excursion revenues plus shipboard revenue, port costs, and fuel costs (including the impact of fuel-related regulations).
• Operational considerations , such as geographic location (competing and complementary ports on the itinerary), the distance between ports of call (cruise ships can cover up to 280 nautical miles per night), infrastructure, days of the week that a cruise might call, evening and overnight calls.
• Brand positioning (exotic ports of call for premium services).
• Guest interest and satisfaction (customer-oriented industry).
• Marketability (with itineraries being as strong as the weakest port).
• Economic trends and market research include evaluating changes in disposable incomes and the demographics of the customer base.

Once the above criteria have generated a shortlist of alternative options, attention turns to the cruise ports to be included. Cruise lines are interested in selecting ports that:

• Are not congested.
• Provide quality port facilities.
• Apply transparent berthing policies and other facilities.
• Have the potential to attract cruisers from diversified passenger source markets.

Geographical proximity and connectivity to other cruise ports are vital. Synchronizing a cruise port location with the time and speed preferences of cruise lines, particularly the possibility of being included in itineraries involving several ports, is vital. This formula is the outcome of the fact that ships ideally travel at 18 knots for 14 hours. This means that the maximum overnight travel distance is 250 nautical miles, whereas, with a speed of 20 knots, the maximum overnight travel distance increases to 280 nautical miles.

Ports are carefully considered with a view to maximizing the commercial potential and utilization of onboard assets. Ships are constantly moving between ports of call, and shore leaves are of low duration, such as 4.3 hours on average in the Caribbean, even if a cruise ship stays at a port 10 to 12 hours. A standard cruise itinerary is a loop beginning and ending at a hub port (also called a turn port or port of embarkation) and typically lasting seven days  with 3 to 5 ports of call depending on their respective proximity. Cruises of 10 to 21 days are also offered, but they tend to have lower profit margins as customers tend to spend less as the cruise progresses.

The distribution of cruises by the number of days duration reveals the characteristics of cruise itineraries. The share of cruise lasting seven days is dominant (47%), with other prevalent duration in the range of 3 to 5 days. This illustrates a scheduling issue for cruise shipping lines as they maximize their asset utilization through a continuous turn of cruise ships. For instance, a ship usually finishes a weekly cruise early in the morning and begins a new one on the evening of the same day. In the 8 to 12 hours window between the end of the inbound cruise and the beginning of the outbound cruise, passengers must check out and disembark, facilities are cleaned, waste discarded, stores replenished, the ship refueled, basic maintenance performed, and outbound cruise passengers must check-in and embark. The design variables of itineraries within this time frame mainly concern the number and order of port calls, the synchronization with the (international) air transfers at the turn ports, vessel speed, and vessel size.

Since the cruise industry appears fundamentally to be driven by supply, supply saturation , as opposed to demand saturation, often constrains future developments and imposes limitations on an industry that continued to grow rapidly until the COVID-19 pandemic. While large hub ports can accommodate additional port calls, it is the smaller “exotic” or “must-see” (marquee) ports that cruisers are seeking to visit that present challenges for additional capacity. Berth availability and the  ability of small communities to accommodate large tourist influxes of short duration has become a salient issue. However, the massification of cruise ships is creating a scale and scope challenge for several cruise ports facing the dilemma of the generation of tourism income and the environmental and social disruptions associated with large cruise ships. This leads to further market segmentation between large ports visited by mega-ships and smaller ports by smaller ships offering a specialized cruise experience.

This is likely to incite further involvement of the cruise industry in terminal operations , a trend that has already started taking place. The next step involves developing new cruise terminals co-located with service amenities such as hotels, attractions, condominiums, and shopping malls. Paradoxically, a similar trend was observed in container shipping in recent decades as several shipping lines became, through parent companies, terminal operators. Irrespective of ownership structure, the emergence of transnational cruise terminal operators (currently observed at a limited scale) might further transform the industry in the coming years. While a further fragmentation of itineraries is likely to occur, closer integration between the cruise port and the cruise shipping industry is expected.

B. Infrastructure upgrade

The availability of adequate port infrastructure and the organization of cruise hosting operations efficiently and securely remain among the conditions for generating the interest of cruise lines including a port in a cruise itinerary. Cruise ports need docks able to accommodate the new generation of cruise ships efficiently. Requiring new infrastructures poses significant challenges, especially to those ports that face land scarcity or the need for regular dredging of their basin. In the latter case, there is a need to minimize the potential impact on the sea flora and fauna (through land reclamation) and process and use the dredging operation products.

The optimal design and planning of cruise ports and their terminals underline long-term arrangements between ports and cruise lines. When securing the long-term commitment of one or more cruise lines, the cruise port is incited to provide adjustments to its operations. Such long-term commitments are defined through negotiations between ports and cruise lines.

Once the port infrastructure is in place, and the port is operational, the managing entity of the cruise port needs to develop a strategy for growing homeporting activities and the desired cruise market segments. Competition for both transit and home port cruise businesses is growing, with ports and destinations working to evaluate the benefits of each option in order to direct their efforts to the most convenient business opportunity. The most significant challenges in the search for competitiveness are:

• Developing relationships with cruise lines , with the aim of securing a long-term engagement.
• The accommodation of calls by larger in size cruise ships .
• The evolution of relationships with people and businesses around the ports offering improved services to the passengers and cruise ships calling at the port.
• Exploitation of the potential to overcome the seasonality of hosting cruise activities via year-round cruising.

A common denominator in these efforts is the need to enhance the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the cruise activities attracted.

C. Relationships with cruise lines

Improving relationships with cruise lines is the major challenge for cruise ports. The most important issue to be addressed is the offering of attractive shore excursions . Ports and cruise lines need to align their priorities. Subsequently, they coordinate their efforts and engage service providers, authorities, and stakeholders, in organizing transportation infrastructures and tourist services ashore to increase options available to cruise passengers. The potential for multiple shore excursions incites itinerary planners to include the port in the offered cruise programs.

The long-term engagement of cruise lines to the use of a cruise port is a strong indication of its prospects as a destination. To expand its presence in the cruise market, a port may need to adapt to organizational structures, operational procedures, and governance regimes, or strategies. The presence of cruise lines for more than a few calls, and the commitment for a multi-year presence, appear crucial. The availability of landside transportation is another issue creating controversy between ports and cruise lines, with ports and destinations having to collaborate to resolve any bottlenecks.

The demand for port services does not depend on port operations. Cruisers are primarily interested in agile transportation to the port-city or the tourist destination. Less discussed are unexpected call cancelations by cruise lines, which are high on the agenda for cruise ports. Perhaps contrary to what may be expected, other arrangements appear to be more challenging than tariffs. Two significant challenges to be jointly addressed by ports and cruise lines include the cooperation between ports and cruise lines when scheduling itineraries and berth allocation.

Berth allocation  is a long-term planning issue for ports, with vital social implications. The practice refers to the planning of which cruise vessels will visit the given port on a specific day for a particular time span. Ports need to arrange the slot to be reserved for a particular vessel call two years in advance . The reason is that the cruise line needs to define its cruise itineraries and then inform travel agents who will need to sell the cruise to potential customers. For several reasons, such planning does not always happen. Given the limitations imposed by the geographical distances between ports included in an itinerary and the lengths of cruises, having several operators berthing for the same hours is not rare. The problem of berth allocation is even more critical in smaller, secondary cruise ports. In small, picturesque destinations, cruise calls might mean relatively unpleasant situations of a crowded location for certain days or hours, or even distortion of other tourist activities. In bigger ports, this might take the form of congestion at the arrival of bigger ships on which thousands of people are cruising.

The arrival of two average-size cruise vessels at a given port means more than 6,000 passengers disembarking at the same time. Yet, in some cases, congestion in small and medium destinations is produced simply because of a small additional number of calls. Without effective planning, these destinations may be subject to the pressure and the negative effect of too many passengers who can barely be accommodated which does not allow for a positive experience. In several cases, the presence of cruises is marked by seasonality, reducing the problem that smaller tourist destinations face.

However, while the debate on how best to apply berth allocation is at the top of the agenda between key stakeholders, this debate remains in many respects inconclusive. Technical issues related to its application (time scale, details of the berthing allocation) and also the need of all ports included in an itinerary to synchronize with the system, the diverging needs of each cruise line, the treatment of double bookings and cancellations of booked cruise berths, are all vital. With the number of players involved, this discussion is complex to resolve.

D. Scale of cruise port calls

The early goal of the cruise industry was to develop a mass market since cruising was, until then, an activity for the elite. A way to achieve this was through economies of scale as larger ships could accommodate more customers and create additional opportunities for onboard revenue sources. The first dedicated cruise ships began to appear in the 1970s and could carry about 1,000 passengers. By the 1980s, economies of scale were further expanded with cruise ships that could carry more than 2,000 passengers. Today, the biggest cruise ships have a capacity of over 6,600 passengers, with the capacity of each of the 50 biggest cruise vessels in operation having exceeding 3,000 passengers. For instance, the Oasis-class ships, which as of 2018 accounted for the largest cruise ship class, have a draft of 31 feet and a capacity of about 6,600 passengers, and a crew of 2,200. Comparatively, a containership of 2,500 TEU requires a draft of 33 feet, while a containership of 8,400 TEU requires a draft of 46 feet. Draft issues that have plagued container ports are a much more marginal constraint for cruise shipping. Additionally, cruise ships can anchor and use tendering services, which opens a wide array of ports of call. However, the standard deviation is significant, and such numbers need to be treated with caution. The current order book suggests a clear stabilization trend regarding maximum vessel size and underlines that  there are limits to economies of scale in cruise shipping.

Cruise ships tend to have a low draft since they do not carry cargo; they have more volume than weight . This confers the advantage of accessing a large number of ports and therefore multiple itinerary options since the setting up of a pure cruise port rests on criteria that are different from commercial ports. Cruise ports tend to be located close to either city centers (cultural and commercial amenities) or natural amenities (e.g., a protected beach). On average, these sites do not have very deep drafts, and dredging would be socially or environmentally unacceptable. For instance, the Oasis-class ships, which as of 2018 accounted for the largest cruise ship class, have a draft of 9.3 meters (31 feet) and a capacity of about 6,600 passengers, and a crew of 2,200. Comparatively, a containership of 2,500 TEUs requires a draft of 10.6 meters (33 feet), while a sovereign class containership of 8,400 TEUs requires a draft of 14 meters (46 feet). Draft issues that have plagued container ports are a much more marginal constraint for cruise shipping. Additionally, cruise ships can anchor and use tendering services, which opens a wide array of ports of call.

The growth in cruise ship size imposes physical restrictions on destination ports. Ports must guarantee sufficient draft and berthing lengths, and cruise terminals capable of handling efficiently large volumes of passengers. To receive a mega cruise ship, a cruise terminal must guarantee at least 10 meters of draft, 425 meters of berth length, and a navigation channel 132 meters wide, assuming good weather and other navigational conditions. Limits might also relate to landside operations, such as space for the apron area, the ground transportation area, road communications, the capacity of destinations to serve more cruisers, and the social acceptance of the further growth of cruising. Physical limitations of piers’ berth lengths and drafts have historically limited cruise development. Many ports do not meet these requirements and would require major upgrades to host mega cruises.

E. Seasonality of cruise activities

Despite the remarkable growth of cruise activities, the seasonality of many cruise itineraries implies that an array of cruise ports are used during a peak season but may receive limited, if any, cruise ship calls outside the main season. A 40 weeks cruise season is considered by many as the maximum duration per year, but is uncommon. One of the implications is that cruise terminals remain unused for a lengthy period. Those responsible for developing cruise ports might also be more skeptical about allocating more port areas to cruising. The reason is that this is an activity marked by seasonality when other factors, such as the port land scarcity, and the request for more space by cargo port activities, add pressures to devote available port land to cargo. Societal pressures for year-round utilization, so that the port-city and related destinations that enjoy cruise tourism benefits, put pressure on ports to develop conditions for expanding the cruise season.

Cruise lines set itineraries to maximize customer satisfaction (and revenues) but must consider the seasonality of the demand. The planning of vessel deployment targets maximum capacity utilization in combination with the maximization of earnings per passengers and minimizing expenses (mostly via lower fuel consumption). Seasonality is a fundamental market characteristic, and implies imply that ports host cruise vessel calls deployed as part of three different types of itineraries :

• Perennial , responding to a region that is served throughout the year due to the resilient demand (with high/low periods) and stable weather conditions; the Caribbean and, to a lesser extent, the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas, are such markets. Perennial markets can have a seasonality implying that although they are serviced throughout the year, there are periods of lower demand.
• Seasonal , to serve periodical market potential in periods with good weather conditions; with the Baltic, Norway, Alaska, and New England standing as typical examples. Ideally, cruise lines would prefer to service only perennial markets since this would represent a close to optimal use of ship assets. However, like the tourism industry in general, seasonality is an important component of the demand for cruises meaning that some markets are serviced for a few months, mainly during the summer.
• Repositioning, between perennial or seasonal markets , a practice evident between the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and Alaska and Hawaii, though following the globalization of the market in recent times this has expanded to additional markets (i.e., the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean).

The repositioning strategies of cruise lines involve cruise itinerary scheduling based on the coupling of cruise markets and deploying a cruise vessel in both markets for specific periods. This coupling is based on the proximity of markets, cost issues, and the sourcing of passenger patterns. For instance, North Asia and South East Asia are two such markets, with their coupling based on the same sourcing of passengers, the demand for the same product, warm alternative weather, and low-cost repositioning. The coupling of North Asia and Australia provides a warm alternative, robust yields, and low-cost repositioning. An Australia/Pacific-Alaska coupling is justified on grounds of the same sourcing of passengers, the same product offered in both markets, and warm alternative weather for cruise passengers at different times of the year. Finally, the coupling of the Mediterranean market and the North America/Caribbean markets is based on the same sourcing of passengers, the offering of the same product, the warm alternative, and the low-cost repositioning of the vessels. For cruise ports, this coupling of markets implies cruise calls by deployed ships and cruise passenger hosting in parts of the year only.

Some cruise regions are less affected by seasonality, with the Caribbean one of the few perennial markets. The number of monthly passengers is relatively stable throughout the year in markets serviced by North American ports with passengers totaling between 800,000 and one million per month, with a December/January peak season. However, a closer look reveals specific seasonality patterns. The Caribbean market and its sub-regions dominate to account for more than 90% of the passengers during the high winter season and around 55% of the passengers during the low summer season. The seasonality of Alaska, Bermuda, and Canada/New England is also evident, with cruise lines attempting to optimize the utilization of their assets year-round by repositioning to take advantage of seasonality. An unexpected pattern is a lack of seasonality for the Bahamas, mainly the outcome of the leading cruise lines building private ports reserved for their exclusive use.

Seasonality does not restrict the development of a cruise region, such as for the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas , a most dynamic cruise region. Between May and October, each month accounted for 10%-12% of the traffic. In total, 75% of the cruise passenger movements that occur annually in this cruise region happen during these six months. The total passenger movements registered during the three winter months (December, January, February) stand at only 7% of the total annual movements. This has incited discussions on achieving year-round but with limited outcomes. Winter activities are linked with single-call operations of a different size than in the rest of the year. In the Mediterranean, fewer than 850 calls out of an annual total exceeding 12,500 happen from December to February. However, for these months, each call is associated, on average, with more passengers. January is the month with the highest rate of passengers per call (2,314 passengers), followed by February (2,153 passengers) and December (2,095 passengers). Cruise lines develop fewer itineraries, as repositioning vessels take place, with cruises marked by a substantially higher level of utilization. From a port and destination perspective, respective adjustments of operations are essential.

Due to seasonality, cruise terminals can represent an underutilized asset prone to risks. For many ports, the cruise terminal remains a temporary facility with berth(s) supporting other uses when cruise ships are not calling. An approach is to use a cruise terminal as a multi-purpose facility, often built for another rationale that can include an adjacent hotel, convention center, events hall, or any other revenue-generating infrastructure that would gain by being on the waterfront.

F. Cruise ports: competition and co-opetition

The growth of the cruise industry results in the evolution of complex relationships between cruise ports . The central element is the fact that cruising develops based on itineraries rather than destinations. There is an interdependent relationship between competition and cooperation between two or more rival ports competing in a given market.

Ports located in the same region compete to be included in the itineraries scheduled by cruise lines. Yet not all compete for the same market. The reason is the development of distinctive cruise market segments, such as contemporary, premium, and luxury cruises. Either by choice or due to capacity and destination restrictions, several ports target a specific market segment. Contemporary and luxury cruises stand as the most popular market segments. The competition is more intense between ports of the same category. Cruise lines are interested in creating itineraries that include ports of different sizes. Each port provides various experiences, permitting passengers to select from options for accessing their departing port. For example, competition develops between marquee ports to be part of as many itineraries as possible or between different destination ports. There is also competition between small ports or between ports enabling drive-to-cruise. With the number of ports entering the market increasing, this competition is intensifying. Thus the increase in market size allows for sustaining a wide range of activities.

In the case of home ports, competition is even more intense than in ports of call. In this case, the geographical location of the competing ports turns out to be of limited importance. Especially when the ports are marquee ports, the geographical concern is limited to the location of other ports able to confirm attractive itineraries. In the case of home ports, features and facilities of the cruise port and the destination are most significant, as are the quality and the variance offered by the existing chain of suppliers (i.e., bunkering, provisioning) having the capacity to serve homeporting calls.

While competing, cruise ports also develop cooperation practices as a critical strategy to establish their market position. This also takes place among cargo ports, but in the case of cruising, ports do so to the extent that their relationship can be described as the perfect case of  co-opetition . This refers to competing entities generating a number of advantages and opportunities produced through active inter-organizational relationships. The key concept is to collectively benefit from the growth of the cruise industry via networking and promotion of regions as cruise destinations, next to individual ports. Recalling that the size of the market has rapidly expanded and changed in the last decade alone, sharing knowledge on best practices about cruise port development and management is also part of the observable cooperation of cruise ports. Among the drivers behind co-opetition is the knowledge that cruise lines select itineraries, not individual destinations or ports. Co-opetition can lead to some forms of commercial partnerships between ports with a view to improving itinerary attractiveness and promoting certain ports of call combinations. In this vein, co-opetition develops between marque ports and nearby ports-of-call, between boutique destinations, intending to attract the deployment of vessels in the region and the offering of more itinerary building alternatives.

4. Home Ports

A cruise port is, in principle, interested in being a homeport for one or more cruise lines, as the total impacts on the port city are generally regarded as more significant. This is due to three reasons:

• The tendency of cruise lines to purchase goods and services from port suppliers.
• Passengers are likely to stay longer in the city and overnight at local hotels.
• The spending of crew members .

A cruise passenger spends six to seven times more at a home port than at a port-of-call. Further, the modernization and upgrade of cruise vessels have resulted in a significant downturn in the average expenditures per cruise passenger ashore and an increase in the share of onboard expenditures. Still, homeporting continues to have a major impact on the selected port and the associated city and touristic destination. In the late 2020s, research at the major cruise port of Europe revealed that the benefits of homeporting in Barcelona , Spain, were on average €202 spending per cruise passenger hosted, with an overnight stay in a hotel, compared to a respective €57 average expenditure of cruise passengers without an overnight stay. Comparatively, a holiday tourist would spend an average of €156 in the city with an overnight stay in a hotel. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates passenger spending before boarding a cruise at $376 and $101 for a port of call.

A. Criteria for selecting a home port

The criteria for selecting a home port relate to the characteristics of each port and the criteria that a cruise company uses to identify and assess a potential home port. Despite the case-by-case approach in determining a home port, there are some major conditions that a cruise port must fulfill.

Cruise lines use sophisticated selection criteria to select a homeport. At the same time, cruise ports and related decision-makers assess their potential and develop their governance, management, and operational strategies, in a way that will fit the expectations of cruise lines. For most users, a cruise involves two travel segments, the first being air travel to the home port airport (with a return trip), and the second is the cruise itself. Therefore, it is essential that a well-connected airport with significant airlift capacity services the home port, representing a touristic destination. This is the case for Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and San Juan, which have well-connected airports and acts as home ports for Caribbean itineraries. Barcelona and Civitavecchia (near Rome) are major home ports for the Mediterranean that are also well serviced by air transportation. Poorly connected airports are commonly associated with higher airfares, which impair the competitiveness of the city for mass tourism. There are several customer benefits linked to having more cruise embarkation points available such as drive-to convenience (particularly in North America) and fewer airport hassles. Availability of more drive to ports also increases the likelihood of cruising, which is why cruise lines will call ports along the American Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard such as New York, Tampa, Galveston, Baltimore, and New Orleans.

Changes in existing homeporting choices are becoming more common, even in established, comparatively stable cruise markets. The increasing scale of cruise vessels, the larger scale of port operations to serve more visitors per call, and the provision of a new cruise product underscored by market segmentation , are all conditions resulting in re-planning existing itineraries or scheduling new ones. Local socioeconomic characteristics might also work towards reforming itineraries. A notable example are the changes in the Adriatic Sea due to new regulations applying to the major homeport of Venice. In emerging cruise regions, such as Australia, South America, and the Far East, the planning of new itineraries is even more frequent. The setting and the size of the cruise market might change further following the standstill produced by the  COVID-19 pandemic  in 2020 and the first half of 2021. The new conditions and protocols for serving cruise vessels will probably add to the evolution of new itineraries. They might further alter the criteria taken into consideration when a cruise line decides which port to use as home port.

None of the ports with minimum infrastructure and enhanced in-port and destination experiences for deployed vessels in a specific geographic cruise region have renounced being a home port in this context. Knowing the criteria for being selected by cruise lines is essential for both existing and aspiring home ports. In particular, as few parameters might be taken for granted, the geographical location seems to be of limited importance as vessels deployed in a region have the option to select one of many departing options. Cruise ships might prioritize the attractiveness of destinations or the need to access appropriate port infrastructures, superstructures, supplies, and services to facilitate the ship and the passengers. The deployment of ever-larger cruise ships generates further incentives for homeporting, at least in destinations that have yet to reach their carrying capacity.

A potential home port might decide to invest in increasing cruise traffic and the related added-value supply chains. Favoring cruising and fulfilling a social function may harm cargo activities as homeporting demands space within the port zone. The docking or anchorage facilities are usually limited, and the coexistence of the two industries becomes complicated by individual requirements. A cruise development strategy also demands substantial capital for financing infrastructure improvements , as cruise operators demand better facilities to cope with increasing size and passengers volumes. These also put pressure on adjusting operations and strategies. However, although generally described as a placeless business, the offering of cruises relies heavily on local attractions. Cruise lines, ports, and cities are highly interrelated and need to establish collaborations such as joint ventures where cruise lines invest in ships, while destinations invest in port facilities and tourism attractions. Further strategies that eliminate any challenges associated with the use of public space in port cities hosting substantial numbers of homeporting cruise activities need to be elaborated.

The development of transport and tourism capacities is also critical. These concerns need to be addressed when there is a better understanding of the exact implications of the ever-increasing size and capacity of cruise vessels and its impact on the resulting scale of operations.

Variation exists between regions as regards the embarkation preferences of passengers . In the US, driving distance from home, parking and customs immigration procedures are top of the list, along with a convenient airlift into the port city, cruise terminal facilities, and options for pre/post stays and interest in the surrounding port area. However, while driving up to four hours is acceptable in the US, in Europe, the respective limit is lower to a maximum of two hours. On the other hand, Europe has shorter train access to ports. Major markets such as the UK and Germany have taken advantage of convenient train-to-cruise patterns of less than three hours, such as at Southampton and Kiel.

Home ports tend to be linked with specific source markets . This is due to proximity, access options, and not least, the preferences of cruise passengers for visits to specific destinations. In Europe where multiple home ports exist, Americans use Southampton, and Dover in the UK, Barcelona in Spain, and Venice, and Civitavecchia in Italy extensively. British passengers depart from the UK (Southampton; Dover), Spain (Malaga, Mallorca), and Malta. Germans depart from Hamburg, Kiel and other nationalities (Italians, Spanish, French, Scandinavians) take advantage of the presence of home ports in their countries.

Each cruising area has its home ports, with the balance of traffic between homeporting and transit passenger movements varying from port to port. The biggest home ports in terms of size are located in the USA, the primary source market for cruise passengers. The biggest of all is Miami, with passengers moving in and out of a cruise trip standing at 50% of the total movements. From Miami (southern Florida), proximity favors Caribbean ports , with the frequency of visits declining further into the Southern Caribbean. The ratio of 50:50 of transit/home port passenger movements is observed in two other major home ports, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral. For home ports such as New York and Galveston, passengers beginning or returning from a cruise represent the total of cruise activities.

In the Mediterranean , the leading home port of Venice has the highest level of homeporting (87%). For Barcelona and Savona, the share of homeporting movements is lower, whereas the share is lower than 40% for the Balearic Islands and Civitavecchia. Three of the five major home ports (Venice, Civitavecchia, Savona) are in Italy. The country is strategically located at the center of the Mediterranean Sea, allowing the development of cruise itineraries to both the West and the East Mediterranean. It is a major source market for cruise passengers and well connected to other major source markets, like Germany and France. Regarding the rest of northern Europe, the major homeport is Southampton, UK, and Hamburg, Germany. The proximity to cruise source markets plays a vital role in the rising of these home ports, as the UK is the largest source market in Europe and Germany holds second place.

5. Localization of Cruise Supply Chains

Supplying cruise ships is another important element of the economic footprint of cruising. It relates to both the direct supply of goods and services through local companies and the infrastructure required to support the logistics of non-local supply, usually by container. The dramatic changes in the onboard cruise product, along with the growing size and design of cruise ships have contributed to changes in its supply chains and logistics . The latter has been facilitated by technological advancements and re-engineering procurement processes. For instance, prior to the 2000s, the supply chain requirements for most US-based cruise lines were centered around Miami and the Caribbean. However, the cruise industry and its operators now operate in several regions of the world. This, together with the development of logistics and supporting IT management systems, has changed the face of cruise line supply. As a result, in several (major) ports and destinations, the increase in passenger traffic has been associated with a corresponding logistics volume in general.

This new environment creates opportunities for the consolidation and globalization of supplies . It also impacts the local and regional supply bases as improvement in the speed and fluidity of logistics operations requires the coordination of several suppliers. Simultaneously, the major cruise lines have also developed their supply chain infrastructure and support so that they now have strategic control points within major cruise destination hubs. Venice and Barcelona are two such hubs in the Mediterranean. However, there is an increasing requirement by the cruise lines to offer more local, regional and specialized products as part of the onboard guest experience. Therefore, local procurement remains a countervailing force to standard procurement. There is also an increased focus on the real cost of supplying goods to the ship, rather than just the commodity cost itself. Increasingly, there is also a focus on the environmental cost related to ship supply.

Related Topics

• Chapter 1.5 Ports and Cruise Shipping
• Chapter 3.1 Terminals and Terminal Operators
• Chapter 3.6 Cruise Terminal Design and Equipment
• Chapter 6.3 Effectiveness
• Chapter 7.4 Port-City Relationships
• Cruise Lines Industry Association (CLIA) (2019). 2020 State of the Industry. Washington DC: CLIA.
• Cruise Market Watch (2020). www.cruisemarketwatch.com.
• Dowling, R.K. and Weeden, C. (eds) (2017). Cruise ship tourism. 2nd edition, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).
• Gui, L. and Russo, A.P. (2011). Cruise ports: a strategic nexus between regions and global lines, evidence from the Mediterranean. Maritime Policy & Management, 38, 2, 129-150.
• Lekakou M.B., Pallis A.A. and Vaggelas, G.K. (2009). Which Homeport in Europe: The Cruise industry’s selection criteria, Tourismos , 4(4), 215-240.
• Notteboom T. E. and A. A. Pallis (2020). IAPH-WPSP Port Economic Impact Barometer Half Year Report: A survey-based analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on world ports in the period April to September 2020. IAPH: Antwerp.
• Pallis, A.A., F. Parola, G. Satta, and T. Notteboom (2018). Private Entry and Emerging Partnerships in Cruise Terminal Operations in the Meditteranean Sea. Maritime Economics and Logistics, 20(1), 1-28.
• Pallis A.A. and Vaggelas G.K. (2018). “Cruise Shipping and Green Ports: A Strategic Challenge”. Ιn: Bergqvist R. and Monios J. (eds): Green Ports: Inland and Seaside Sustainable Transportation Strategies, 255-273, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
• Pallis, A.A. ,  Rodrigue, J.-P., & Notteboom, T.E. (2014). Cruises and cruise ports: Structures and strategies. Researchin Transportation Business and management, 13, 1-5.
• Pallis A.A. and Papachristou A.A. (2021). European Cruise ports: Challenges since the pre-pandemic era. Transport Reviews, 41(3), 352-373.
• Pallis A.A. and Vaggelas G.K. (2020). “The changing geography of cruise shipping”. In: Wilmsmeier G., Monios J., Browne M. & Woxenius J. (eds.) Geographies of waterborne transport: Transitions from transport to mobilities, 170-191. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
• Papachristou A.A. Pallis A.A. and Vaggelas G.K. (2020). Cruise home-port selection criteria. Research in Transportation Business and Management, Online First.
• Rodrigue, J-P and Notteboom, T. (2013). The Geography of Cruises: Itineraries, not Destinations, Applied Geography, 38, 31-42.
• Rodrigue, J-P and Wang, G.W.Y. (2020). Cruise shipping supply chains and the impacts of disruptions: The case of the Caribbean. Research in Transportation Business and Management, Online First.
• UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) (2020a). 100% of global destinations now have COVID-19 travel restrictions, UNWTO Reports. 28 April 2020. 
• UNWTO (2020b). International tourist numbers could fall 60-80% in 2020, UNWTO Reports, 7 May 2020.
• Wang, G.W.Y., Notteboom, T.E. & Pallis A.A., (2014). Incentives in cruise terminal concession contracts. International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) Conference, 2014, Norfolk, US.
• Weaver, A (2005). The Mcdonaldization thesis and cruise, Annals of Tourism Research, 32(2), 346-366.

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Who owns the ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore?

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: March 26, 2024 / 5:05 PM EDT / CBS News

The collapse of  Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday after being struck by a cargo ship has raised questions about who owns and manages the ship, as well as on the potential impact on one the busiest ports in the U.S.

Called the Dali, the 948-foot vessel that hit the bridge is managed by Synergy Marine Group, a Singapore-based company with over 660 ships under management worldwide, according to its website . The group said the ship was operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group and chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk at the time of the incident, which sent vehicles and people tumbling into the Patapsco River.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," Maersk said in a statement to CBS News on Tuesday, in which it also confirmed the ship was carrying cargo for Maersk customers. The company had no crew or personnel aboard the ship.

The Dali, which can carry up to 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, was carrying nearly 4,700 containers at the time of the collision. It was operated by a 22-person, Indian crew. It was not immediately clear what kind of cargo the ship was carrying. 

Who owns and manages the Dali?

The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Private, a Singapore-based company that provides water transportation services. The ship was chartered by Danish container shipping company Maersk at the time of the collision.

Synergy Marine, founded in 2006, provides a range of ship management services, including managing ships' technical components and their crews and overseeing safety, according to S&P Capital IQ. Its parent company, Unity Group Holdings International, an investment holding company, was founded in 2008 and is based in Hong Kong.

Where was the ship headed?

The outbound ship had left Baltimore and was headed for Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, Synergy Marine Group said in a  press release . 

How busy is the Port of Baltimore?

In 2023, the Port of Baltimore handled a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo, worth $80 billion, according  to the office of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. The port is also a significant provider of local jobs. 

The top port in the U.S. for sugar and gypsum imports, it is the ninth busiest U.S. port by the total volume and value of foreign cargo handled. All vessel traffic into and out of the facility is currently suspended, although the port remains open and trucks continue to be processed within its terminals, according to a statement released by Port of Baltimore officials. 

What is the potential local economic impact?

Directly, the port supports 15,300 jobs, while another 140,000 in the area are related to port activities. The jobs provide a combined $3.3 billion in personal income, according to a CBS News report . The Port of Baltimore said Tuesday that it is unclear how long ship traffic will be suspended.

The disaster also caused chaos for local drivers. The Maryland Transportation Authority said all lanes were closed in both directions on I-695, with traffic being detoured to I-95 and I-895.

How could the bridge collapse affect consumers and businesses?

Experts say the bridge collapse could cause significant supply chain disruptions.

"While Baltimore is not one of the largest U.S. East Coast ports, it still imports and exports more than 1 million containers each year, so there is the potential for this to cause significant disruption to supply chains," Emily Stausbøll, a market analyst at Xeneta, an ocean and air freight analytics platform, said in a statement. 

She added that freight services from Asia to the East Coast in the U.S. have already been hampered by drought in the Panama Canal, as well as risks related to conflict in the Red Sea. Nearby ports, including those in New York, New Jersey and Virginia, will be relied on to handle more shipments if Baltimore remains inaccessible. 

Whether ocean freight shipping rates will rise dramatically, potentially affecting consumers as retailers pass along higher costs, will depend on how much extra capacity the alternate ports can handle, Stausbøll said. "However, there is only so much port capacity available and this will leave supply chains vulnerable to any further pressure."

Marty Durbin, senior vice president of policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said that the bridge is a critical connector of "people, businesses, and communities."

"Unfortunately, its prolonged closure will likely disrupt commercial activities and supply chains that rely on the bridge and Port of Baltimore each day," he said in a statement.

What other industries could be affected?

Trucking companies could be severely affected by the disaster. 

"Aside from the obvious tragedy, this incident will have significant and long-lasting impacts on the region," American Trucking Associations spokesperson Jessica Gail said, calling Key Bridge and Baltimore's port "critical components'' of the nation's infrastructure.

Gail noted that 1.3 million trucks cross the bridge every year — 3,600 a day. Trucks that carry hazardous materials will now have to make 30 miles of detours around Baltimore because they are prohibited from using the city's tunnels, she said, adding to delays and increasing fuel costs.

"Time-wise, it's going to hurt us a lot," added Russell Brehm, the terminal manager in Baltimore for Lee Transport, which trucks hazardous materials such as petroleum products and chemicals. The loss of the bridge will double to two hours the time it takes Lee to get loads from its terminal in Baltimore's Curtis Bay to the BJ's gasoline station in the waterfront neighborhood of Canton, he estimated.

Cruise operators are also being affected. A Carnival cruise ship that set off Sunday for the Bahamas had been scheduled to return to Baltimore on March 31. Carnival said Tuesday that it is "currently evaluating options for Carnival Legend's scheduled return on Sunday." The company also has cruises scheduled to set sail from Baltimore through the summer. 

Norwegian Cruise Line last year introduced new routes departing from the Port of Baltimore. Its sailings are scheduled for late this year. The company said the Key Bridge collapse doesn't immediately require it to reroute any ships.

Who will pay to rebuild the bridge?

President Biden said Tuesday that the federal government, with congressional support, would pay to rebuild the bridge.

"We're going to work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs. It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge," Biden said in comments from the White House. "And I expect the Congress to support my effort. This is going to take some time. The people of Baltimore can count on us though, to stick with them, at every step of the way, till the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt."

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Bridge Collapse
• Patapsco River

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

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Baltimore bridge collapse wasn't first major accident for giant container ship Dali

Propulsion failed on the cargo ship that struck the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday as it was leaving port, causing it to collapse into the frigid Patapsco River. Its crew warned Maryland officials of a possible collision because they had lost control.

“The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel” and a collision with the bridge “was possible,” according to an unclassified Department of Homeland Security report. “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”

An official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed to USA TODAY that the DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is working with federal, state, and local officials “to understand the potential impacts of this morning’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.”

Clay Diamond, executive director, American Pilots’ Association, told USA TODAY power issues are not unusual on cargo ships, which are so large they cannot easily course correct.

“It’s likely that virtually every pilot in the country has experienced a power loss of some kind (but) it generally is momentary,” Diamond said. “This was a complete blackout of all the power on the ship, so that’s unusual. Of course this happened at the worst possible location.” 

The ship in Tuesday's crash, Dali, was involved in at least one prior accident when it collided with a shipping pier in Belgium.

That 2016 incident occurred as the Dali was leaving port in Antwerp and struck a loading pier made of stone, causing damage to the ship’s stern, according to VesselFinder.com, a site that tracks ships across the world. An investigation determined a mistake made by the ship’s master and pilot was to blame.

No one was injured in that crash, although the ship required repair and a full inspection before being returned to service. The pier – or berth – was also seriously damaged and had to be closed.

VesselFinder reports that the Dali was chartered by Maersk, the same company chartering it during the Baltimore harbor incident.

The 9-year-old container ship had passed previous inspections during its time at sea, but during one such inspection in June at the Port of San Antonio in Chile, officials discovered a deficiency with its "propulsion and auxiliary machinery (gauges, thermometers, etc)," according to the Tokyo MOU, an intergovernmental maritime authority in the Asia-Pacific region.

The report provided no other information about the deficiency except to note that it was not serious enough to remove the ship from service.

Follow here for live updates: Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship strike; construction crew missing: Live Updates

Why did Dali crash into the Baltimore bridge?

Officials said Tuesday they’re investigating the collision, including whether systems on board lost electricity early Tuesday morning, which could be related to mechanical failure, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Accidents at sea, known as marine casualties, are not uncommon, the source told USA TODAY. However, “allisions,” in which a moving object strikes a stationary one with catastrophic results, are far less common. The investigation of the power loss aboard the Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, will be a high priority.

In a video posted to social media, lights on the Dali shut off, then turned back on, then shut off again before the ship struck a support pier on the bridge.

Numerous cargo and cruise ships have lost power over the years.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea requires all international vessels to have two independent sources of electricity, both of which should be able to maintain the ship's seaworthiness on their own, according to a safety study about power failures on ships , citing the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

The Dali's emergency generator was likely responsible for the lights coming back on after the initial blackout, Diamond said.

“There was still some steerage left when they initially lost power,” he said. “We’ve been told the ship never recovered propulsion. The emergency generator is a diesel itself – so if you light off the generator, that’s also going to put off a puff of exhaust.”

Under maritime law, all foreign flagged vessels must be piloted into state ports by a state licensed pilot so the Dali's pilot is licensed by Association of Maryland Pilots .

Diamond described the incident based on information from the Maryland agency that licensed the pilot aboard the ship. His organization represents that group and all other state piloting agencies in the US.

“The pilot was directing navigation of the ship as it happened,” he said. “He asked the captain to get the engines back online. They weren’t able to do that, so the pilot took all the action he could. He tried to steer, to keep the ship in the channel. He also dropped the ship’s anchor to slow the ship and guide the direction.

“Neither one was enough. The ship never did regain its engine power.”

How big is the Dali ship?

The Dali is a 984-foot container vessel built in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. With a cruising speed of about 22 knots – roughly 25 mph. It has traveled the world carrying goods from port to port.

The ship, constructed of high-strength steel, has one engine and one propeller, according to MarineTraffic.com.

The Dali arrived in Baltimore on Sunday from the Port of Norfolk in Virginia. Before that, it had been in New York and came through the Panama Canal.

It remains at the scene of the collapse as authorities investigate.

Who owns and operates the Dali?

It is owned by the Singapore-based Grace Ocean Pte Ltd but managed by Synergy Marine Group, also based in Singapore. It was carrying Maersk customers’ cargo, according to a statement from the shipping company.

“We are deeply concerned by this incident and are closely monitoring the situation,” Maersk said in the statement. 

Synergy, which describes itself as a leading ship manager with more than 600 vessels under its guidance, issued a statement on its website acknowledging the incident and reporting no injuries among its crew and no pollution in the water. There were two pilots on board and 22 crew members in all, according to Synergy, all of them from India.

USA TODAY reached out to Synergy on Tuesday, but the company did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Contributing: Josh Susong

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Eight passengers stranded on African island after Norwegian cruise ship left without them

A dream cruise vacation has turned into a nightmare for eight passengers left stranded on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe after their ship left without them because they were late to return from a private tour.

The tourists — six from the U.S. and two from Australia — were aboard the Norwegian Dawn, a Norwegian cruise line ship , which departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 20 for a 21-day voyage up the coast of Africa set to end in Barcelona, Spain, on April 10.

But on Wednesday, the group of eight tourists was late to return to the ship for the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. from a private excursion on the island, which was not organized by the cruise line.

Jay and Jill Campbell of South Carolina were part of the group that was left behind.

They said that their tour’s operator notified the cruise captain that they were going to be late to rejoin the ship and that the local Coast Guard tried to get them on the vessel but that they weren’t allowed to board.

As a result, the couple and the rest of the group have been stranded for days on the island off Nigeria, grappling with language, currency issues and complicated travel to catch up with the ship.

“The lovely people of São Tomé were very gracious, very hospitable. They had reached out as much as they could to help us find hotels,” Jay Campbell said on NBC's "TODAY" show Tuesday morning.

“We were able to get to a tour agency there to arrange flights to the next port of call. ... Very difficult process — you’re dealing with multiple languages, language barriers, you’re dealing with different currencies ... finding someone that even has dollars ... trying to get an agent to understand where we need to get to.

"It’s one of those ‘You can’t get there from here,’" he added.

A Norwegian spokesperson called the incident a “very unfortunate situation” and said, “Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”

The cruise line said that after the guests failed to return, their passports were delivered to local port agents, in line with protocol. The company said it was working with local authorities to understand “the requirements and visas needed for the guests to reboard the ship at the next available port of call.”

On Monday, the guests had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia, but the ship was unable to safely dock there because of “adverse weather conditions” and “tidal restrictions,” Norwegian said. The guests were then contacted and provided with information to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday. 

Jill Campbell said they traveled through seven countries in 48 hours to arrive in Senegal on Monday night.

But now they're reconsidering whether they even want to return to the cruise.

"We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship. It is in dock here in Senegal," she said. "We believe there was a basic duty of care that they had forgotten about, so it does concern us."

"After what we witnessed, we truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed, they followed those rules too rigidly. I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and really the safety and well-being of the customers should be their first priority," she added.

Norwegian said the passengers were responsible for making their own travel arrangements to rejoin the ship.

"Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal," a cruise line spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available."

A silver lining of the catastrophe was that the Campbells were able to connect with another Norwegian Dawn passenger — Julia Lenkoff, 80 — who was also left on the island, but for a medical reason.

Lenkoff was on a different day tour Wednesday. She had "medically disembarked" from the cruise to seek local treatment on that day, Norwegian said.

Norwegian said that its care team tried to call Lenkoff several times and was unable to reach her and that it worked with its port agent in São Tomé and Príncipe for updates on her health.

The Campbells met Lenkoff and were able to put her in contact with her family in California, who flew her home — a move Lenkoff's daughter said "saved her life."

"She's a world traveler. She travels all the time. So this was going to be one of her bucket list trips, because she's been to 120 countries so far, and she wanted to get to 130," her daughter, Lana Lenkoff Geis, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "TODAY."

Norwegian said Lenkoff was escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, then put in the care of airport staff members to continue her journey back to the U.S., where she has safely returned.

Breaking News Reporter