Cruise Terminology Decoded: Aft, Forward, Tender, Muster
Most cruise jargon boils down to four ideas: where you are on the ship, how you get on and off, what keeps you safe, and how you pay. Learn the dozen or so words below and your booking confirmation, deck plan and daily programme will read like plain English.
Front, back, left, right: the direction words
Ships use fixed directions so they make sense no matter which way you are facing.
| Term | Means | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|
| Forward / bow | The front of the ship | Deck plans, lift signs, theatre location |
| Aft / stern | The back of the ship | Cabin descriptions, buffet and pool locations |
| Port | Left side, facing forward | Cabin numbers (often even or odd by side), sail-away tips |
| Starboard | Right side, facing forward | Same as port, on the other side |
| Midship | The middle, front to back | Cabin category names and price tiers |
Direction matters most for Canadians sailing to Alaska, where the coastline sits on one side. The which side of the ship for Alaska guide explains when it matters.
Getting on, getting off and getting ashore
Boarding words
- Embarkation: boarding day and the check-in process at the terminal, such as Canada Place in Vancouver or Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
- Disembarkation (debarkation): leaving the ship at the end of the trip, usually in timed groups (see how disembarkation morning works).
- Gangway: the walkway between ship and pier.
- All aboard time: the deadline to be back on the ship in each port, usually 30 to 60 minutes before departure. It runs on ship's time, not your phone's time.
Tenders
A tender is a small boat, often one of the ship's lifeboats, that shuttles passengers ashore when the ship anchors instead of docking. A tender port is any stop that works this way. The tender guide covers how the ticket system works.
Safety terms
- Muster drill: the compulsory safety briefing. International rules require it for new passengers, and lines hold it before or shortly after departure.
- Muster station (assembly station): your assigned meeting point, often printed on your cruise card or shown in the app.
Walk the route from your cabin to your station once, as what happens at the muster drill suggests.
Money and booking words
- Onboard account: the running tab for everything you charge, linked to a credit card and settled at the end. Details are in how onboard payments work.
- OBC (onboard credit): money already loaded onto your account by the line or your booking.
- Guarantee cabin: you pick a category, the line picks the cabin.
- Port charges, taxes and fees: the extras added to the fare, which may or may not be included in a Canadian quote.
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Ask a cruise expert →Where to learn the rest
Venue names such as lido, promenade and atrium have their own page in lido, promenade and other deck terms. Before you sail, find forward, aft, your cabin and your muster station on the deck plan.
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Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
What does aft mean on a cruise ship?
Aft means the back of the ship, also called the stern, as opposed to forward or the bow at the front. Deck plans and cabin listings label cabins as forward, midship or aft, which tells you roughly how far you will walk and how much motion you may feel.
What is a muster drill on a cruise?
A compulsory safety briefing where you learn where your assembly (muster) station is and what to do in an emergency. On most big lines today you watch a video in the app or on your cabin TV, then check in at your station in person before the ship sails.
What is the easiest way to remember port and starboard?
Port and left both have four letters, so port is left when you face the front of the ship. Starboard is the right. Signs near stairwells and lifts usually show which way is forward, which helps on day one.
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