Here is a list of terminology that may come in handy for when you board the cruise ship.

Aft: Near, toward, or in the rear of a ship.

Amidships: In or toward the middle of the ship.

At anchor: The position of the ship after it has dropped anchor.

Beam: Width of a ship at the widest part.

Bearing: Direction or position of the ship with respect to its destination.

Berth: The particular parking space the ship docks at the pier.

Board: To come onto a ship.

Bow: Front portion of a vessel.

Bridge: Navigational, command, and control centre of a ship, where the Captain

works.

Bulkhead: The walls of a ship.

Bulwark: A guard that protects a ship from big waves.

Captain: Master or commander of a ship.

Course: Ship’s direction based by degrees.

Crew Pass: A picture identification to show when crew members embark and

disembark a ship.

Deck: Floor of a ship, especially in the open areas.

Disembark: Exiting a ship, usually at the end of a cruise.

Dock: A protected water area in which vessels are moored.

Draught: Depth of water a ship draws, especially when loaded.

Embarkation: To board a ship, usually at the beginning of a cruise.

Fantail: The back deck of the ship.

Fathom: Six feet.

Forward: Towards the bow of a vessel.

Funnel: Ship’s smokestack.

Galley: The kitchen inside a ship.

Gangplank: Ramp running from the pier into the side of a ship by which

passengers board.

Gangway: Opening in the side of a ship through which it is boarded or

provisioned.

Hatch: Doors that connect one level to another.

Hull: The frame or body of a ship. Excludes anything built above the main deck.

Knot: A measure of Nautical speed about 1.1508 statute miles per hour.

Latitude: Distance measured in degrees north or south of the equator.

Leeward: The side of a ship opposite from the side from which the wind is blowing.

Length: The distance from the extreme front of a ship to the extreme rear of a ship.

Log: A device for measuring the speed of a ship.

Longitude: Distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Master: The captain of a ship.

Muster: The assigned station during lifeboat drill.

Nautical Mile: 6,080.2 feet. Slightly more than 1.15 land miles.

Pilot: The local official who guides the vessel into port for docking.

Porthole: A round window.

Portside: The left side of the ship facing forward.

Purser: Official on a ship responsible for papers and accounts and also for the

welfare of other passengers.

Quarterdeck: The rear part of the uppermost deck on a ship.

Starboard: The right hand side of a vessel facing forward.

Stern: The rear part of a ship.

Steward: The person who services a cabin.

Tender: The smaller ship, boat, or lifeboat used to transfer passengers from the ship to shore and back again while the ship is anchored offshore.

Tonnage: A measurement of the carrying capacity of a vessel.

Wake: Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving across the waters.

Windward: The side of the ship that the wind is blowing into.