Cruise Ship Terminology
& Dictionary

Embarkation is the process of joining or boarding the ship. For crew, it usually means arriving at the joining port and starting the sign-on process.

Disembarkation means leaving the ship, usually at the end of a voyage or crew contract.

The galley is the ship’s kitchen area where food is prepared for guests and crew.

STCW is international safety training required for many seafarers and some cruise ship positions.

A Seaman Book is an official maritime document used to record a seafarer’s sea service and employment history.

Sign-on means officially joining the ship and beginning your onboard contract.

Sign-off means officially leaving the ship after completing a contract or being released from duty.

The joining port is the port where a crew member boards the ship to start work.

A muster station is the assigned emergency assembly area used during drills or emergencies.

A muster drill is a safety exercise where crew and guests practise emergency procedures.

PSCM means Passenger Ship Crowd Management. It helps crew manage passengers during safety situations.

A crew cabin is the onboard living accommodation assigned to crew members during their contract.

The crew mess is the dining area where crew members eat onboard.

Shore leave is time off when crew may go ashore in port, depending on duties, ship rules and local regulations.

A Bosun supervises deck crew and assists with maintenance, mooring and deck operations.

A Purser is connected to onboard administration, guest services, accounts or documentation.

A cabin steward cleans and maintains guest cabins and supports guest comfort onboard.

A sea day is a day when the ship remains at sea and does not visit a port.

A port day is when the ship docks at a destination and guests may go ashore.

Contract length is the period a crew member is expected to work onboard before taking leave.

Repatriation means returning a crew member home after contract completion or another approved reason.

PEME means Pre-Employment Medical Examination. It checks if an applicant is medically fit to work at sea.

HACCP is a food safety system used to control hygiene risks in food preparation and service areas.

The bridge is the ship’s command area where navigation and vessel control take place.

Watchkeeping is a scheduled duty where crew monitor navigation, machinery, security or safety systems.

The gangway is the controlled access point used to board or leave the ship.

A tender port is a destination where smaller boats transport guests or crew between the ship and shore.

The crew bar is a social area where off-duty crew may relax, subject to company rules.

A name badge is worn by crew to identify their name and sometimes department or position.

Grooming standards are appearance rules covering uniform, hair, hygiene and professional presentation.

An offer letter confirms a job offer or proposed employment details, usually subject to final checks.

Assignment means allocating a selected crew member to a specific ship, joining date, port and position.