Ship Locations
Aft
The back (rear) of the ship
Forward / Fore
The front of the ship
Port
The left side of the ship when facing forward
Starboard
The right side of the ship when facing forward
Midship
The middle section of the ship - often the smoothest ride
Bridge
The navigation center where the captain controls the ship
Lido Deck
The pool deck, typically the main outdoor recreation area
Promenade Deck
An outdoor walking deck that wraps around the ship
Galley
The ship's kitchen
Gangway
The walkway/ramp used to board and exit the ship
Cabin Types
Inside Cabin
A cabin with no windows or natural light - most affordable option
Oceanview
A cabin with a window (porthole or picture window) but no balcony
Balcony / Verandah
A cabin with a private outdoor balcony
Suite
A larger cabin, often with separate living area and extra perks
Connecting Cabins
Two cabins with an interior door between them - great for families
GTY (Guarantee)
You're guaranteed a cabin category but the specific cabin is assigned by the cruise line
Obstructed View
A cabin where lifeboats or other structures block part of the view
Stateroom
The official term for a cabin on a cruise ship
Dining Terms
MDR
Main Dining Room - the primary included restaurant with waiter service
Specialty Restaurant
Restaurants that charge an extra fee (steakhouse, Italian, etc.)
Anytime Dining
Flexible dining without assigned seating time - show up when you want
Traditional Dining
Assigned dining time and table for the cruise (early or late seating)
Formal Night
An evening with dress code requiring elegant attire
Smart Casual
Dress code between casual and formal - no jeans/shorts, collared shirts
Embarkation Lunch
The buffet lunch available when you first board - cabins may not be ready
Common Acronyms
OBC
Onboard Credit - money to spend on the ship (drinks, excursions, spa, etc.)
FCC
Future Cruise Credit - credit toward a future cruise, often from cancellations
B2B / B2B2B
Back-to-Back cruises - taking consecutive cruises without disembarking
NCF
Non-Commissionable Fare - port fees and taxes not included in advertised price
DSC
Daily Service Charge - automatic gratuities (typically $16-20 per day)
PVSA
Passenger Vessel Services Act - US law requiring foreign port visits
TA
Travel Agent - can often get better deals and perks than booking direct
Activities & Procedures
Muster Drill
Mandatory safety briefing before departure - skip it and you may be removed from ship
Debarkation
The process of leaving the ship at the end of your cruise
Embarkation
The process of boarding the ship at the start of your cruise
Tender
A small boat that transports passengers to shore when the ship can't dock
Tender Port
A port where the ship anchors and uses tenders to get passengers ashore
Shore Excursion
Organized tours and activities at ports of call
Sea Day
A day when the ship is at sea with no port stop
Port Day
A day when the ship is docked or anchored at a destination
All Aboard
The time by which all passengers must return to the ship
Loyalty Programs
Crown & Anchor
Royal Caribbean's loyalty program
VIFP Club
Carnival's loyalty program (Very Important Fun Person)
Latitudes
Norwegian Cruise Line's loyalty program
Captain's Circle
Princess Cruises' loyalty program
Castaway Club
Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program
Mariner Society
Holland America's loyalty program
Captain's Club
Celebrity Cruises' loyalty program
Status Match
Getting equivalent tier in another cruise line's program based on existing status
Ship Features
Atrium
The central multi-story open area of the ship, often with bars and entertainment
Solarium
An adults-only pool area, often covered with a glass roof
Spa
Onboard wellness center with treatments, salon, and sometimes thermal suites
Casino
Gaming area (only open in international waters)
Thermal Suite
A spa area with heated loungers, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy
Wake View
Cabin or area at the aft of the ship overlooking the ship's wake
Crow's Nest
An observation lounge, typically high on the ship with panoramic views
The Haven / Yacht Club
Ship-within-a-ship luxury areas (NCL and MSC respectively)
Routes & Itineraries
Closed-Loop
A cruise that departs and returns to the same US port (relaxed passport rules)
Open-Jaw
A cruise that departs from one port and ends at a different port
Repositioning Cruise
A one-way cruise when ships move between seasonal regions (often great value)
Transatlantic
A cruise crossing the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe
World Cruise
An extended voyage (90-180 days) that circumnavigates the globe
Maiden Voyage
A ship's first sailing with paying passengers
Inside Passage
The scenic coastal route through Alaska/British Columbia
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