Ahoy there, future cruisers! Planning your first voyage with Come Monday Travel is an exciting adventure, and we're thrilled you're joining the world of cruising. Like any new experience, cruise ships come with their own unique vocabulary. To help you navigate the decks and understand the daily announcements like a seasoned sailor, we've compiled a handy list of common cruise ship terms. Consider this your essential cheat sheet to ensure smooth sailing from embarkation to disembarkation!
Navigating the Ship:
- Aft: The rear or back end of the ship. Think of it as the opposite of the front.
- Bow: The front end of the ship. Often a great spot for taking in the views as you sail.
- Deck: A floor or level of the ship. Ships have multiple decks, often numbered or named.
- Forward: Toward the bow or front of the ship.
- Port: The left side of the ship when you are facing forward. Remember "port" and "left" both have four letters!
- Starboard: The right side of the ship when you are facing forward.
- Midship: The middle section of the ship, often considered a stable location.
- Promenade Deck: An open deck, often wrapping around the ship, perfect for strolling and enjoying the ocean breeze.
Dining and Drinks:
- MDR (Main Dining Room): The primary, often more formal, dining venue on the ship. It typically offers set dining times or flexible "anytime" dining where you can choose when you eat within a certain window. Meals here are usually included in your cruise fare.
- Buffet: A casual dining option where a wide variety of food is laid out for self-service. Great for quick meals and trying different things.
- Specialty Restaurant: A smaller, often themed restaurant onboard that usually requires reservations and may have an extra charge.
- Lido Deck: Typically the deck where the main pool and casual dining options (like the buffet) are located.
- Bar Tab: An onboard account where your drink purchases are charged. You can often set this up at the beginning of your cruise.
- Gratuities: Service charges that are typically added to your onboard account to cover the crew who provide services like dining and housekeeping.
Your Home Away From Home:
- Cabin/Stateroom: Your private room on the ship. These come in various categories, such as interior (no window), oceanview (with a window), balcony (with a private balcony), and suites (larger rooms with more amenities).
- Cabin Steward/Stateroom Attendant: The crew member responsible for cleaning and maintaining your cabin.
Onboard Life:
- Embarkation: The process of boarding the ship at the beginning of your cruise.
- Disembarkation: The process of leaving the ship at the end of your cruise.
- Shore Excursion: Optional tours or activities you can book in the ports of call.
- Daily Program/Newsletter: A printed or digital schedule of the day's activities, show times, dining hours, and port information. Be sure to check this daily!
- Captain's Night/Formal Night: An evening where passengers are encouraged to dress up in more formal attire.
- Muster Drill/Safety Briefing: A mandatory safety exercise held at the beginning of the cruise to familiarize passengers with emergency procedures and their assigned assembly stations.
- Onboard Credit (OBC): Money added to your onboard account, often as part of a promotion, that can be used for various purchases on the ship.
Important Terms:
- Port of Call: A destination where the ship stops to allow passengers to go ashore.
- Itinerary: The planned route of the cruise, including the ports of call and days at sea.
- Sea Day: A day when the ship is sailing and does not stop at a port. These are great for enjoying the ship's amenities.
We hope this glossary helps you feel more confident and prepared for your upcoming cruise with Come Monday Travel. Don't hesitate to ask our team if you have any more questions. Get ready to relax, explore, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas!
Ready to set sail? Come Monday Travel partners with a wide range of cruise lines to find the perfect voyage for every type of cruiser.
Book your cruise now and let the adventure begin!
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