Adult-only cruise
A cruise that doesn’t allow children, therefore passengers are able to enjoy a more peaceful, and perhaps more romantic, holiday.
Aft
The back of the ship.
All-inclusive cruise
A cruise where you pay for meals, snacks, drinks, activities, entertainment, gratuities, travel and transfers upfront.
Read more: All-inclusive cruising: what you need to know.
Alongside
When the ship is docked beside the pier or next to another ship.
Ashore
On land.
Atrium
The central passenger area on a cruise ship, similar to a hotel’s lobby. Here you’ll usually find the reception desk and purser’s desk.
Beam
The width of the ship at its widest point.
Bearing
The compass direction from a ship to a particular destination, in degrees.
Berth
The bed in your cabin. Also refers to the dock or quay where a cruise ship ties up to the shore.
Boutique ship
A luxurious elegant cruise aboard a small ship.
Bow
The front of the ship.
Bridge
The elevated platform where the captain steers and navigates the ship.
Buoy
A floating object in the sea used for marking a channel or highlighting a hazard, for example a reef. Smaller vessels can also be moored or tied to a buoy.
Butler
A crew member who is allocated to a cabin and will look after general daily tasks, such as unpacking a suitcase and booking dining reservations, as well as serving snacks and drinks.
Cabin
The sleeping compartment or room on a cruise ship. Can also be referred to as a stateroom.
Cabin steward
A crew member who cleans and looks after the housekeeping of your room.
Capacity
The number of passengers that can be accommodated on a ship.
Captain
The person in charge of a cruise ship, responsible for steering the ship and giving directions to all other members of the crew.
Cast off
To release a ship for its mooring.
Coastal cruise
A cruise that stays close to dry land.
Course
The direction in which a ship is heading.
Crew to passenger ratio
The total number of passengers divided by the number of crew members.
Cruise director
The crew member who is responsible for all the ship’s activities and entertainment. Often acts as the emcee at events.
Deck
The floor of the ship. A deck plan will show passengers what they can find on each floor of the ship.
Disembarkation
The process of leaving a cruise ship at the end of the voyage.
Dock
A berth or quay where a cruise ship ties up to the shore.
Double occupancy
Two people sharing one cabin, whether in a double or twin room. Most cruise fares are based on double occupancy.
Drinks packages
A selection of alcohol and soft drink bundles, available to buy upfront as an extra.
Embarkation
The process of boarding a cruise ship at the start of the voyage.
Read more: Cruise embarkation: what you need to know about boarding a cruise ship.
Expedition cruise
A cruise usually on a small ship, often with an ice-strengthened hull, which takes passengers off the beaten track. Hosted by expedition leaders and expert lecturers. Also known as an adventure cruise.
Fleet
A number of ships operating under the same ownership.
Forward
Towards the front or bow of a cruise ship.
Galley
The kitchen on a ship.
Gangway
The ramp or staircase from the ship to the quay or pier used by passengers to get on and off the ship.
Gratuities
A tip. Sometimes included in the price of a cruise.
Guarantee
A type of cruise fare where a passenger books a specific grade of accommodation but is not given a specific room number. If that cabin category sells out, passengers may be given a cabin upgrade.
Helm
The wheel that steers the ship, located on the bridge.
Hull
The outside shell of a ship from the main deck down to the keel.
Inaugural cruise
A cruise on a refurbished or reconstructed ship.
Itinerary
The schedule of destinations and days at sea on your cruise.
Juliette balcony
Also known as a Juliet or French balcony, these are not really a balcony you can sit on, rather a floor to ceiling sliding door with a small ledge.
Keel
The main structure of a ship that extends lengthwise along the centre of the ship’s bottom.
Knot
A unit of speed equivalent to one nautical mile per hour.
Leeward
The side of the ship sheltered from the wind.
Lido
The deck of a cruise ship with outdoor pools.
Log
An official book for recording daily events.
Maiden voyage
The first journey of a cruise ship.
Maître d’
The crew member in charge of the dining room.
Midship
The midpoint of the ship.
Mooring
The means of tying a ship to a dock, quay or buoy.
Muster drill
A lifeboat safety drill where all passengers must follow instructions and learn what to do in an emergency. A muster station is the location where passengers must gather.
Nautical mile
A unit used in measuring distances at sea, equivalent to 1,852 metres or 6,076 feet.
Ocean cruise
A cruise on the open sea.
Find out more about Saga's ocean cruises.
Open seating
When no fixed time or fixed seating arrangement is given for dining.
Overboard
Over the side of the ship.
Passenger space ratio
The enclosed space per passenger.
Port
The left side of the ship when facing forward, marked by a red light. Easy to remember as the words ‘port’ and ‘left’ both have four letters.
Porthole
A round window on a ship.
Purser
The crew member responsible for looking after all the monetary transactions on the ship. Will deal with any issues regarding your onboard bill.
Repositioning cruise
A one-way cruise that beings and ends in different ports as a ship moves from one cruising region of the world to another.
River cruise
As it says on the tin, a cruise along a river.
Find out more about Saga's river cruises.
Roll
The movement of a ship when it sways side to side. Rarely experienced on large cruise ships.
Sail cruise
A cruise aboard a sailing ship with masts and sails.
Sea day
A day where the ship stays out at sea and does not visit a port.
Shorex
A tour or excursion sold onboard a cruise ship.
Solo occupancy
One person in a cabin. As cruise fares are based on double occupancy, travelling solo may incur a single supplement.
Find out more about solo cruises with Saga.
Sommelier
A wine waiter in charge of helping passengers choose their wine.
Speciality restaurant
A restaurant aboard a ship, perhaps a pizzeria, steak and grill house or à la carte restaurant, which offers alternative dining to the main restaurant. Reservations are often necessary and dining there can be an added extra.
Starboard
The right side of the ship when facing forward, marked by a green light.
Stateroom
Another word for cabin.
Stern
The very back of a ship.
Tender
A small boat that transports passengers from a cruise ship to the shore when the ship is unable to dock at a quay or berth and is therefore anchored in a harbour. Also refers to the ship’s lifeboats.
Transfer
A bus or taxi ride from the airport or hotel to your docked cruise ship. Usually included in the price if you’ve bought your flight and cruise together from one cruise company.
Wake
The trail of waves at the stern of the ship created as the ship moves forward.
Windward
The side of the ship facing the wind.
