Nautical Terminology
Here are some basic nautical terms to compliment the cruise ship setting. BOW Front of the ship
STERN Back of the ship.
PORT Left side of ship.
STARBOARD Right side of ship.
HULL Bottom of ship.
CABIN Rooms
DECK Floors
BERTH Area where the ship is placed in the dock and also the margin of safety when allowing for dock space for the ship.
BILGE The lower most point on the ship's hull. This is the area where the crew lives on most cruise ships.
BRIDGE The bridge is the control center of the entire ship. The steering wheel and navigational equipment is located here and the Captain will spend most of his time nearby.
CARDINAL POINTS The four main points on a compass for heading, North, South, East, and West.
COMPANION WAY A specific stairway that leads from the deck to the area where passengers are held.
CREW BAR Lounge where crew members can relax and the stringent dress code and rules are relaxed.
CREW CABIN Housing for crew members. These quarters are normally very small and used only for sleeping. Officers are given separate cabins while crew shares space with other crew. Each area is assigned a steward to look after the health and safety of the crew.
CREW SHORE LEAVE This is the specific time when crew members are allowed to leave the ship and go to port.
DECK DEPARTMENT This is the section of staff that is directly responsible for maintaining the deck, navigation and engineering.
DRAFT This is the distance between the water and the bilge area of a ships hull.
ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT Staff members that are directly responsible for the activities that the passengers will take part in while on board.
FORE AND AFT Terms that refer to the front and rear of the ship.
FREEBOARD This is the distance between the water line and the deck.
GANGWAY This is the way that you leave and enter a ship. It has ropes for security. Leaving or entering the ship by any other means is against the law and is a punishable offense.
GALLEY This term refers to the kitchen on the ship or food preparation area.
SICK BAY Infirmary or hospital.
BRIG Jail or holding area for prisoners.
MESS or Mess Hall Term that refers to the dining area for the crew and officers. It is generally separate from that of the passengers and not nearly as fancy.
MUSTER DRILL This refers to the law requiring crew members to be at certain stations in the event of an emergency. The crew acts as crowd control and guides the passengers in the right direction to the mustering point during an emergency or drill.
POOPED Means that a wave hits you from over the stern.