So what do all those sailing terms mean?

Here's a quick glossary of the more popular terms you'll hear on board ship ...

Aft – The back of the ship
Ahead – located in front of the ship’s bow
Amidships – Toward the middle of the ship (also midship)
Ashore – On land
Astern – Behind the ship
Beam – Widest part of the ship
Bearing – Compass point direction into which the ship is headed
Below – Anything beneath the main deck
Berth – A bed; also a space to anchor or moor (tie up) the ship
Bilge – Lowest inner part of the ship’s hull
Blast – Sound of the ship’s horn
Bow – Front of the ship
Bridge – Place where the Captain and Officers control the ship
Bulkhead – Any wall aboard the ship
Buoy – A floating marker moored to the bottom of the sea or tied to an anchor
Cabin – A passenger guestroom; also called a stateroom
Cast Off – To release the lines that tie the ship to the pier
Chart – A nautical map to guide the ship
Come about – Turn the ship around
Course – Direction in which the ship is headed
Davit – Device for raising and lowering the lifeboats
Deck – Floor or level
Disembark – to leave the ship (also Debark)
Dock – Where the ship is tied up; the landing wharf or pier
Draft – Measure of the space between the bottom of the ship & the water surface
Embark – To get onboard the ship
Fore – Front of the ship
Galley – Ship’s kitchen
Gangway – Ramp use to board or disembark the ship
Head – Bathroom
Heavy Seas – Rough water
Helm – Ship’s steering mechanism
Hold – Ship’s cargo area
Hull – Frame of the ship
Keel – Bottom of the ship
Knot – 1 nautical mile per hour = about 1.15 land miles per hour
Leeward – Direction toward which the wind is blowing
Lines – Ropes that tie the ship to the dock
Midship – In the center of the ship
Muster – Assembly
Nautical mile – 6,080.2 feet (land mile equals 5,280 feet)
Pitch – Rise and fall motion of the ship in heavy seas
Port Side – Left side of the ship when facing the front
Roll – Side to side motion in heavy seas
Starboard – Right side of the ship when facing the front
Stateroom – Guest cabin
Stern – Back of the ship
Tender – A small boat used to transport passengers from the ship to shore
Windward – facing the wind

 

Next: How to choose a cruise holiday - Different Iteinerary Meanings ...

This Guide to Cruising is being updated regularly - Please bookmark this page and come back again for the next 'chapter'

1. Introduction to this Cruising Guide ...

2. How much more you can enjoy a cruise compared to a 'land' based holiday ...

3. How to research a cruise holiday

4. Types of Cruise Ship Accommodation

5. What Part of the Ship Should You Choose For Your Cabin?

6. How to choose your cruise cabin

7. Choosing and Booking your Cruise Part 1 and Part 2

8. Should I book my Cruise through a Travel Agent?

9. Cruises - FAQs ... Answers to frequently asked questions on Cruise Holidays

10. Your Cruise Checklist ... Things to consider when choosing your cruise ...

11. So what do all those sailing terms mean?

12. How to Choose a Cruising Holiday - What different Itineraries mean ...

13. Cruise Destinations - Caribbean Cruises

14. Cruise Destinations - Alaska Cruises

15. Cruise Destinations - Hawaii Cruises

16. Cruise Destinations - Mexican Riviera Cruises

17. Choosing the right kind of cruise ship for your kind of holiday

18. What kind of cruise traveler are you?

19. Next ...Singles Cruising