Cruises differ from other forms of travel in several ways – one of them being the special cruise lingo that you will quickly become familiar with during your journey. If you are yet to embark on your first cruise, you have probably already encountered a word or two that you’re unsure of. But there’s no need to worry – we’ve got you covered with the ultimate cruise dictionary, making you a bit more knowledgeable about some of the most commonly used terms in the cruise world.
Cashless Society
On a cruise ship, there are neither cash payments nor credit card payments. Therefore, you cannot pay for your purchases in the same way as you are used to on land. Instead, your credit card is linked to your key card, so you can use it the same way you would normally use your credit card.
Cruise Director
A Cruise Director is the officer on the ship with overall responsibility for entertainment, events, and social activities on board the cruise ship. A Cruise Director acts as the face of the cruise line, and you will often see them presenting the evening’s entertainment or hear them making announcements about current activities or daily programmes via the ship’s speakers.
Cruise Ship Time
If your cruise takes you across different time zones, it can be difficult to keep track of the time. To avoid confusion, a "cruise ship time" is set, which is typically the time zone where the ship starts its journey. This will be the prevailing time zone that the ship follows throughout the journey, even if it sails into another time zone.
Deck
A deck is a horizontal surface in the ship’s hull – in other words, a deck is a floor on the ship.
Drinks Package
A drinks package is a solution for those who want total freedom when it comes to beverages on board the ship. Typically, only the most basic beverages like water and tea are included in the full board that comes with the cruise, so you will pay extra for, for example, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages – unless you have a drinks package. Drinks packages come in different varieties. You can purchase All-Inclusive drinks packages that include all types of drinks, including cocktails and speciality coffee, or you can buy non-alcoholic drinks packages, including soda packages or packages with all non-alcoholic beverages.
Gratuities/Service Charge/Tips
Most people are familiar with what tips are, but on a cruise, they work a bit differently than usual. When you book a cruise, you are always required to pay gratuities. These are paid as a fixed daily amount and not directly to the waiter or bartender. This ensures that all crew members who contribute to making the travel experience special receive a share of the tips given.
You can choose to prepay the gratuities along with the cruise or after you receive your cabin bill on board. The amount to be paid per day varies depending on the cruise line you sail with, but it is usually between 8-10 euros per guest per day. Some cruise lines already include gratuities in the cruise price.
Main Restaurant
A main restaurant is the (or one of the) restaurants on board the ship included in the full board. Here, you can always dine without paying extra. Some ships have one main restaurant, while others have several. Additionally, you will always find a buffet restaurant on board, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A main restaurant usually serves a wide variety of classic dishes, and you will find that the menu often changes daily.
Obstructed View
On a cruise ship, there are always some cabins with an obstructed view. This often means that the window or balcony is partially blocked by a lifeboat or other ship equipment. Cabins with an obstructed view are usually slightly cheaper than regular cabins.
Onboard Credit/OBC
Onboard Credit (often abbreviated as OBC) refers to credit you receive on board. OBC is an amount you can freely spend on whatever you wish on board. This can be, for example, beverages, spa treatments, or dining experiences.
OBC is not usually included in a cruise, but sometimes it is part of a promotion or if you choose to book a suite.
One-Way Cruise/Repositioning Cruise
On a one-way cruise (also called a repositioning cruise), the ship "moves" to a new homeport. For example, when the ship moves from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean or from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. These sailings usually take place in the spring or autumn and it's a unique opportunity for you to experience a different combination of destinations than the classic routes usually offer.
Seating
Seating is another word for dining time. On a cruise, you are either assigned a fixed dining time each evening in a main restaurant, or you choose when you want to eat – it depends on the cruise line you are sailing with.
Ship Class
Ship classes help to categorise the individual ships within each cruise line. Cruise ships in the same ship class are typically of similar size and share many similarities in terms of facilities and appearance. Sometimes the cruise ships are almost identical, except they sail different routes.
Speciality Dining
In addition to the main restaurants, you will always find a number of speciality restaurants on board that require an extra fee. The speciality restaurants on board vary widely – you typically find everything from delicate sushi restaurants to American steakhouses and French bistros. The selection, however, varies from ship to ship.
You can book a table at the speciality restaurants before your trip or while you are on board. If you want to dine at a specific speciality restaurant, it might be a good idea to book the table before you depart, as speciality restaurants are popular and typically have limited seating.
Tender Boat/Tender Port
In some ports, large ships cannot dock directly at the shore. Therefore, a tender boat is necessary. A tender boat is a small boat with a capacity of between 80-150 passengers, which transports passengers directly from the cruise ship to the port.
Unassigned/Guarantee Cabin
An unassigned cabin is a cabin without a cabin number. This means that when you book an unassigned cabin, you cannot choose exactly which cabin you will have. Instead, you will be assigned a cabin randomly within the category you have chosen. These cabins can also be referred to as guarantee cabins.
Have you become more familiar with the unique language on board a cruise ship? We hope so! Understanding these terms, you are well-prepared for your adventure. Check out our best cruise deals right now here.