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The Ultimate Cruise Lingo Glossary – 85 Terms You Need to Know

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Cruise vocabulary, jargon or lingo – if you’re going on a cruise, you’ll want to be familiar with the cruise terminology

Are you getting ready for your first cruise? Through the planning process, you may have noticed that there’s a whole world of cruise vocabulary, nautical terms or “cruise lingo”.

This handy glossary of cruise terminology includes some of the new terms and acronyms used in the cruise industry today. These are some of the most common cruise phrases and words you’ll be hearing as you plan your cruise, as well as when you board your cruise ship.

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A Cruise Lingo Tip You Must Know

Before we get started, here’s the most important piece of advice I can give you, when it comes to talking like a cruise pro.

Don’t call a cruise ship a boat.

Cruisers might have different opinions about which cruise lines are the best, cruise line dress codes , and the do’s and don’ts of cruise gratuities , but there’s one thing all cruisers agree on…

Don’t call a cruise ship a boat. Trust me on this 😉

About Cruise Lingo and Cruise Lifestyle

Cruising is a lifestyle unto it’s own, and cruisers really do have their own lingo and cruise terminology. Nautical terms are often used, and cruisers love it!

New cruisers can be left scratching their heads.

Words and acronyms such as Aft, Muster drill, Starboard, OBC and MDR, may seem like a mysterious cruise language. However, in this cruise lingo glossary, I’ll go over all the cruise jargon need to know.

You’ll be chatting like a seasoned cruiser in no time!

Cruise ship vocabulary

You’re on a ship, not a boat. A boat fits inside a ship, and not the other way around. Fellow cruisers won’t hesitate to correct you sternly if you get this wrong.

Try and get used to this one quickly,  just trust me on this…

Below you can hear Celebrity Cruises Captain Kate , explaining this point in her navigational report.

Your room is called a cabin. While hotels have rooms, ships have cabins.

3. Stateroom

Sometimes a cruise cabin will be referred to as a stateroom.

Your cruise ship will have many decks. While hotels refer to floors, cruise-ships refer to decks.

5. The bridge

The bridge is the navigational hub of the ship.

The person in command of the ship.

7. Cruise Director

Think Julie McCoy :-). Your cruise director, among other duties, will act as Emcee, heading up most major entertainment events on the ship. On larger ships you’ll see assistant cruise directors and other activities staff also leading main activities.

8. Itinerary

Your cruise itinerary refers to each destination/cruise port of call you’ll be visiting.

9. Port of departure

This is the port from which your cruise will depart (ie. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Vancouver, Barcelona etc.)

10. Cruise terminal

Just like airplanes have airports, cruise ships have cruise terminals or cruise ports. There are safety and boarding procedures to be aware of.

Recommended:   11 Cruise Boarding Tips You Need to Know

11. Ports of call

You probably remember this one from “The Love Boat”. I know I do! This is individual destination where you will stop at for the day. Examples of cruise ports or ports of call on a Caribbean cruise include Cozumel , St. Thomas , Grand Cayman and so on.

12. Shore excursion

This is an organized activity you may choose to do when in a port. You can book a shore excursion through your cruise line or on your own with a private vendor or tour company. Examples include a snorkeling or sightseeing excursion.

A cruise ship will usually arrive at a large dock when it arrives at the cruise port.

There are some cruise ports where cruise ships cannot access the land directly and dock, due to coral reefs and other reasons. In these cases your ship will tender a few minutes away from the port, and shuttle passengers in by tender boats.

As an example, Grand Cayman is a tender port at this time, but it looks like a new dock will be built in a couple years.

15. Stabilizers

Modern cruise ships have stabilizers to keep motion to a minimum.

The ship’s anchor is impressive. Along with the chain, the anchor holds to the sea bed to keep the ship from drifting at sea.

The super large kitchen where literally tons of food is cooked and prepared. You can actually do a galley tour while on your cruise if you’re interested.

18. Dry dock

When a cruise ship goes into dry dock, it’can be to receive routine maintenance, or to be refurbished. the ship can be out of service for weeks or longer.

19. Charter

Groups will sometimes charter a cruise ship, to host a special event.

Cruise Ship Terminology – understanding common areas of the cruise ship

The atrium is a large central public area usually spanning 3 or more decks. Often very beautiful, it will be the central hub of the ship’s interior.

21. Port side

The left side of the ship, as you face forward, is referred to as port side .

Tip: An easy way to remember – LEFT has 4 letters and so does PORT

22. Starboard side

The right side of the ship as you face forward is the Starboard side.

23. Forward

The front section of the ship.

The back section of the ship is called the aft. The aft or wake view is a favorite for many cruisers.

25. Purser’s desk

These days, the purser’s desk is often referred to as guest or passenger services. However many avid cruisers enjoy the nautical language and will continue to use the term “purser’s desk”. Usually this is located in the atrium.

26. Mid-ship

Generally said in reference to the preferred cabin location . Most cruise passengers will prefer a mid-ship cabin, rather than one that is forward or aft. This area has an advantage of having more stability in general.

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Cruise Cabin Terminology

When booking a cruise, you’ll notice that there are several different stateroom options. Below are the most common cabin options.

27. Interior staterooms

Inside or interior cabins are staterooms which include all the basics, however do not have a window.

Related:  15 Best Tips for Cruising in an Inside Cabin: cabin organization and more

28. Oceanview Cabins

Cabins with a window or porthole are ocean view cabins.

29. Balcony cabins

Balcony cabins , sometimes referred to as Veranda cabins, include a private outdoor space outside your cabin.

Related:   7 Best Reasons to Book a Balcony Cabin

30. Guarantee cabin (GTY)

This refers to an unassigned cabin any type of cabin (inside, ocean view, balcony) . The cruise line will assign the cabin at any point before the cruise.

Often, guarantee cabins will be priced lower, so this can be a great value if you’re not picky about the location of your cabin.

31. Pullman bed

If you have more than 2 passengers in your cabin, you may have pullman beds for 3rd and 4th passengers. They are like bunk beds that come out of the wall or ceiling. They will be tucked back into the ceiling or wall during the day if you like.

32. Double occupancy

The cruise fare will be based on double occupancy as a standard, and this is what you will see as an advertised price.

33. Single occupancy

When cruising solo, most of the time you’ll be paying a single occupancy rate, which can be almost the cost of 2 people in a cabin (you won’t pay taxes twice).

34. Solo cabins – Studio cabins

If you’re cruising solo, look for cruise ships that have studio cabins intended for solo travelers.

35. Triple and Quad Cabins

Some cabins can accomodate 3, 4 or more passengers in one cabin, referred to as triple or quad cabins. These are most popular with young families cruising together .

Read next:   Worst Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid

Back to the Cruise Ship

36. Deck plan

A map of all the cruise ship decks.

37. Lido deck

The Lido Deck is the public pool deck, often on one of the top decks of the cruise ship. There may be more than one pool, hot tub and outdoor seating.

38. Gangway

The gangway is elevated walkway you will use to board your ship, usually covered, but not always.

The very front of the ship.

The very back of the ship.

The beautiful white trail of waves visible at the very back of the ship. My favorite spot on the ship to realx and take it all in. Please let me know in the comments if this is your favorite as well – if not, where is?

Cruise Lingo you need to know for the first day of your cruise and beyond

42.   Embarkation day

The first day of your cruise and the best day in a cruiser’s life 😉

Recommended reading to prepare for your cruise embarkation day – 25 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips Straight from the Pros

43. Muster drill

The muster drill is a mandatory safety drill which is done prior to sailing. Note, it’s not “mustard” drill, as you just may hear from other passengers.

44. Muster station

Your assigned emergency meeting location. You’ll likely meet here for your muster drill, but don’t worry, cruise ship crew will help to guide you.

45. Daily planner

Different cruise lines use different terms for their daily newsletter of information scheduled activities (Cruise Compass, Princess Patters, Today, Freestyle Daily). Many cruise lines now have this information available on their app.

46. Sailaway

The period of time that your Cruise Ship actually sails away from the shore. Often there will be a Sailaway party on the top deck, however some cruisers enjoy it from their own balcony.

47. Sailaway Party

Check your daily planner for information. Generally the Sailaway party will be at the main pool and will include some drinks, a DJ or band playing and some dancing.

48. Sea day

A day at sea is when your cruise ship is not visiting a port, but sea days aren’t boring ! There will be plenty of activities to choose from if you don’t want to simply relax by a pool.

49. Cruise Card

On most cruise ships, you’ll be given a cruise card which will act as your room key, ID and your method of payment when on your cruise.

50. Ocean Medallion

Ocean Medallion is a relatively new cruise ship technology available on Princess Cruises . Instead of a cruise card, the medallion serves like a cruise card, but also does much more.

You can read about our recent Ocean Medallion experience here .

51. Room steward or cabin attendant

Sometimes mistakenly called a room “Stuart”, the person who cleans your room twice a day (amazing!) and really takes care of you and your cabin mates is called a room steward or a cabin attendant.

52. Dress code

Cruise lines have suggested dress codes , ranging from very casual to more formal.

53. Formal night 

A tradition on many cruise ships, the formal night is a night to dress up. Check your cruise line’s dress codes for suggestions. Some cruise lines have relaxed the dress codes a bit, including Celebrity Cruises which now has Evening Chic , rather than formal.

54. Early dining and late dining

Early and late dining are basically a first and second seating, which some cruise lines with an option of assigned dining will have. This is for a main dining room and not a buffet.

55. Open dining

Open dining is offered on many cruise ships. In some cases, a cruise line will offer both open and set dining. It can go by different terminology including Anytime Dining on Princess , My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean, Select Dining on Celebrity .

To note, some cruise lines offer only open dining, such as Norwegian Cruise Line which is Freestyle dining.

56. Specialty restaurants

This usually refers to the dining in an alternative restaurant that is not included in your cruise fare and is often a more intimate or higher culinary experience. An example of this would be Celebrity Cruises Tuscan Grille .

57. All Aboard

The ship will leave your ports of call promptly. All aboard time is generally set for 30 minutes before your cruise is scheduled to leave the port of call. Do verify the all aboard time before heading off for an excursion in the cruise port.

All joking aside, there are people at cruise ports every year – and you don’t want it to be you.

58. Towel animals

You just may find towel animals in your cruise cabin. These are the super cute towel creations made by your room steward, available on some cruise lines (usually family orientated ones).

We’ve had many years of enjoyment when our kids were young, even miss them a little bit these days.

59. Pier runners: This is an unofficial name given to those (who may have had too many libations) who can be seen running in the last few minutes hoping not to miss the ship’s departure. It is quite entertaining!

60. Roll call

A roll call may be set up for your cruise by yourself or other cruise passengers. Basically, this is a group of people who chat online before a cruise, and may have some gatherings set up once on board.

Read more:   5 Reasons Why You Should Join a Cruise Roll Call

61. Disembarkation

The saddest day in a cruiser’s life is the day that you need to disembark and the cruise is over.

Wondering about how disembarkation day really works?   21 Cruise Disembarkation Tips You Need to Know

62. Onboard booking

Booking your next cruise on board can give you some awesome benefits and is one of the best kept secrets for saving money while booking a cruise . For those that book with travel agents, don’t worry, the future cruise consultant will transfer it to the agency (request if they don’t offer).

Tip: Check to make sure about the terms and conditions and find out if future cruise deposits are refundable if that’s important to you.

Booking a cruise – terms to know

63. Cruise fare

This is the base cost of the cruise, per person

64. Deposit and Final Payment

When you book a cruise, if you’ve booked early you’ll be making a deposit which will secure your booking. As you get closer to sailing (usually about 70-90 days pre cruise), your final payment will be due.

Terms and conditions may be different on various cruise lines, however the details will be on your own reservation.

65. Cruise contract

When booking a cruise, you’ll be agreeing to a cruise contract. The cruise contract includes the terms and conditions that cruise passengers agree to.

66. Online check-in

Before your cruise, passengers are asked to complete an online check in and print out cruise documents to sail.

67. Gratuities

Gratuities or tipping is customary on a cruise. A per person service fee or gratuity will be charged daily to your cabin, on most major cruise lines.

Recommended:   Cruise Tipping Guidelines and Etiquette

68. Prepaid gratuities

When booking your cruise, you can prepay your gratuities , and avoid thinking about additional expenses on a cruise .

69. Lanyard

A lanyard might be used by cruisers to hang a cruise card around the next for convenience. This is one of the most popular cruise accessories in our list of travel essentials .

70. Rum Runners

A type of container used to conceal alcohol brought on a cruise, that isn’t allowed. For more on other items that are prohibited, read this next:  33 Banned Items You Can’t Bring on a Cruise 

Recommended:   10 Things NOT to pack for a cruise

Cruise Start Up Terms

Along with some major changes on cruise ships, we have seen new cruise line policies the have resulted in more cruise lingo – more words and explanations we just don’t know.

71. Cruise with Confidence

The major cruise lines introduced a flexible cruise cancellation policy, during this time, should people decide to cancel a cruise up to 48 hours pre-cruise. When cancelling, in most cases passengers will receive a credit which can be used towards a future cruise.

There are some terms and conditions to be aware of, so always read the fine print.

72. Muster 2.0

A new technology that would allow muster drills to be done using a new app, rather than in a large gathering. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises came out with this new technology as cruises resume. Several cruise lines are using a form of emuster as well.

The Cruise Line International Association is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association. It represents the major cruise lines, which have suspended cruises leaving from the United States until the end of October .

74. No Sail Order

A no sail order was put into effect by the CDC in March 2020. For cruises to resume, it was imperative that the CDC lift the no sail order . This is lifted and cruisers have resumed with strict guidelines for safety and health.

75. Warm lay up and cold lay up

As cruises are suspended, we hear the terms “warm and cold lay up” of cruise ships.

Warm lay up refers to when a cruise ship has reduced levels of crew onboard, and costs for fuel and other items are reduced. However, the cruise ship is kept in a condition as to be able to be brought back to service relatively quickly.

A cold lay up is a prolonged period of time when the cruise ship is shut down as much as possible to reduce cost. It takes longer for ships to be brought back to service and is a more complicated process.

76. NEW Safety and health protocols

The cruise lines have adopted new safety and health protocols to ensure safe cruising for passengers and crew.

Cruise Lingo Acronyms

It’s quite common to hear people who cruise a lot speak using these acronyms. You may even see these abbreviations in cruise facebook groups and pages, or on cruise forums .

Here is an explanation of the most common cruise acronyms, so you’ll be fluent in cruise lingo of all sorts.

Main Dining Room

On board credit – extra cash credit on your cruise account that you can use on the ship for most purchases. Sometimes this is added as a promotion by the cruise line or your travel agent.

This refers to a back to back cruise, meaning one cruise and then another cruise one after the other. Some cruisers may even do a B2B2B (3 cruises in a row)

The abbreviation for a guarantee cabin (see above in cruise lingo glossary)

Future Cruise Credit – when booking a future cruise onboard

A TA is short for travel agent

Avid Cruiser Lingo

83. Cruisebug

After a first cruiser, it’s not uncommon for a new cruiser to love it so much that they feel an immediate calling to book again and cruise more often. Often, this is referred to as catching the cruisebug.

84. Cruise addict

It’s said that cruising is the healthiest addiction and a vice many are happy to have! If you’ve cruised and now you’re constantly on the lookout for all the cruise info you can find and really just want to book cruises, congrats! You are now a cruise addict!

85. Cruiseaholic

Another word for someone who is addicted to cruising!

Recommended:   30 Best Gifts for Cruisers (that are unique too!)

86. Thallosphile (n)

A lover of the sea , someone who loves the sea, ocean.

87. Post-cruise blues

So, the post-cruise blues is real! One possible remedy is booking another cruise when onboard, but it’s still tough to leave that amazing cruise ship life!

Do you suffer from Post-Cruise Depression?

How To Know if You Have Post-Cruise Depression (a fun read)

*Ultimate Cruise Travel Planner*

Over the last year, I put together a 47 page cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise.

If you could use cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more, you’ll love the Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner .

Plus, for a limited time, it’s $10 off. Hope you enjoy!

See details here: Ultimate Cruise Planner -What’s Included

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Worst Cabins to Avoid on a Cruise

Recap: Cruise Lingo Glossary – 85 Cruise Terms You Need to Know

In this post, we went over 85 cruise terms that are important to know when you’re booking a cruise, as well as when you’re on a cruise ship. This list of “cruise lingo” should help to navigate the world of cruise language.

If you’re a new cruiser I hope the information has been helpful. If you’re a seasoned cruiser, I hope it was a fun read!

Is there a cruise term that you think should be added? Please let me know by leaving a comment below.

Happy cruising!

P.S. If you’ve enjoyed this, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-)! Please share it with a friend, on Facebook or save for later on Pinterest. Thanks so much!

Let’s connect:

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20 Comments

You missed out Rum Runners. Those cheapskates that think its clever to smuggle on alcohol rather than buy on board in various containers. This may be a Carnival thing but its creeping on the better lines.

You’re right – I completely forgot that one and it’s now totally in the cruise lexicon, right? For better or for worse, lol!

I’ll add it in. Thanks for taking the time to comment :-)!!

by the way what happens to the “Rum Runners” when caught?

Hmmmm,good question. I actually have heard that any alcohol will simply be confiscated, but I’ve never used them so I can’t say for sure.

I love the drinks on board, so I just drink those 🙂

Thanks for taking the time to comment Lebo.

I really like your blog/page. The information in it is very good. I am a member of the Princess Cruise forum and what I have done is when I have come across something interesting or information I didn’t know I take notes on it. That’s how I’ve learned many of the items here. I would add TA – which is travel agent may seem too simple But I see TA all the time. I liked your comment about if you don’t know something ask a fellow cruise passenger or staff person on board. Since I am a solo travelor that really helped me. I would also add to tips for new cruisers is to be respectful of their fellow travelors and also all staff they encounter onboard (which includes room stewards, wait staff and everyone else they encounter).

Hi Charles,

Great points! TA is one I overlooked and you are so right. I agree completely with respect for passengers and crew – I hope most are.

I really appreciate you reading my blog and taking the time to leave a comment!

All the best,

This is great, but I would have liked a short, printable list, as well.

Glad the list was helpful. Thanks for your suggestion as well. This may be something that I’ll work on doing in the future.

I love your cruise blog. I have the cruise bug bad. PCD is bad in me on disembarkation day. I have only cruised with NCL and when onboard I buy as many CruiseNext Deals as I can. Many times you buy one and get on free, and on balcony and higher you can use two. To me free money off my cruise. NCL has past guest deals and when on bourd I book it. Thus even getting a better deal. I will triple dip looking for a past guest and a Latitudes Reward program. Earn point for every cruise night, Point for Suite, point booking 9 mounts in advance, and point for a Latitudes insider offer. Next cruise I will earn many points per day. That gives you free laundry, free dinners, free bottles of wine at dinner, and hopefully one day a free cruise… I would like to do a B2B2B. Do you have to get off the ship? Only word I would add is RESPECT. Respect yourself not making a scene if something not right. For you are the lesser for it. Hopefully one day we will meet up on a cruise ship. Your friend Russell

Thanks Russell for your kind words and your great tips! I have the same sentiments on disembarkation day – it’s the worst :-(.

For a B2B, you do have to get off the ship (although I hear sometimes not if customs come on), but it’s a pretty good process as passengers are grouped together and passed through quickly.

Would be great to meet you on a cruise one day!

Yes a printable list of the terms would be very helpful. Tyvm for your time to help fellow cruisers!!

Thanks Deborah for your comment. I’ll definitely look into creating one, especially since it’s been suggested a couple of times.

Best to you,

We too had a stressful private tour in Turkey, going to Ephesus. We made it back by the skin of our teeth, but the traffic on he way back through Izmir was heavy and slow. All your tips about not being a pier runner are very apt! Thank you. Jim and Norita Nickerson

Hi Jim & Norita,

Wow I would have been stressed as well. We loved Ephesus but did a morning tour only so were back early. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Not only do I find your newsletters fun AND helpful but ditto your You Tube videos. I have been addicted to cruising since 1959. Wish I could afford to feed my addiction more frequently. Going on an 11 day Caribbean cruise on Rotterdam VII in December.

Thanks so much Jim! I’m so glad that you enjoy my emails and videos & appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Don’t we all just wish we could cruise a little more? Your Caribbean cruise sounds absolutely amazing – enjoy every minute!

I enjoy your work … 2 more often overlooked terms: bunkering and along-side … bunkering of course is the re-fueling process … along-side is the captain’s term for bringing a ship to a full stop at a future pier (“we’re expected to be along-side at 7 am in Fort Lauderdale”) …

Thanks for sharing these!

Hey, Ilana! I love your blog and your YouTube videos. Post cruise depression is real. I got sad today because I used the last bit of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that I brought home from a Viking cruise in October/November of 2023. I have several cruises coming up and always looking up itineraries to see what is out there. 🙂

I hear you! It definitely helps to have future cruises on the horizon!

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Guidelines for Cruise Terminals

This report has been drafted by an international working group (WG 152) set up by PIANC in 2012. The objective of the work was to provide a guideline for the functional design of cruise terminals, by reviewing the current state of the art of the needs of modern cruise ships and evaluating the ship/port interface and the port facilities involved in cruise traffic. This document embodies a flexible design approach so that terminals can be adapted to the various current and future needs of cruise companies.

rnrnPIANC Working Group 152 has prepared this document to provide technical guidelines for assisting the development of cruise port facilities. Based on the newest trends in cruise ships and the industry in general, the document covers all areas involved in the operation of a cruise ship: waterside drivers, apron area, terminal building and ground transportation area. In view of the importance to the cruise industry of port security and operational and financial aspects, special emphasis has been laid these two topics.

rnrnThe Terms of Reference for WG 152 were laid down by the Maritime Commission of PIANC and can be summarised as follows:rn

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Schedules, terminals, wiki, news, live port maps,  kusadasi , ephesus, turkey.

Kusadasi is a cruise port and resort town on Turkey's central Aegean Sea coast, and located south of Izmir. Kusadasi is also a major ferry port and serves as seaport for Ephesus (ancient Greek city...

 Nanortalik , Greenland

Nanortalik is a port town on Nanortalik Island (Kujalleq, southern Greenland), with population around 1,300 (ranking it country's 10th largest). Nanortalik Island is close to the mouth of Tasermiut...

 Flam , Norway

Flam is a small port village (population under 500) located in Flamsdalen, at the inner end of Aurlandsfjorden, a branch of Sognefjorden. It is situated in Aurland municipality, Sogn og Fjordane...

 St Thomas Island USVI , Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands

Saint Thomas is one of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in the Caribbean. Together with Saint John and Water Island, it forms a county and district of the USVI (unincorporated USA territory). St Thomas...

 Boston , Massachusetts

Port Boston is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (abbrev MASSPORT). Boston is a major cargo port (the largest in Massachusetts USA), one of the principal East Coast USA ports...

 Puerto del Rosario , Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Puerto del Rosario is a port city located on Fuerteventura Island's eastern part, in the Las Palmas province of Canary Islands. The city is Fuerteventura's capital since 1860. Its current population...

 Hubbard Glacier , Alaska

Hubbard Glacier is located in eastern Alaska (USA) and partially of Yukon (Canada). It has a length of 122 km (76 ml). Icebergs sized as a 10-story building routinely break off. The glacier enters...

 Kobe-Osaka , Kyoto, Japan

Port Kobe is the cruise port that also serves Osaka City and Kyoto City. Kobe City is located on Honshu Island's southern coast and on Osaka Bay's northern shore. Kobe City is Japan's 6th-largest by...

 Icy Strait Point , Hoonah, Alaska

Icy Strait Point is a cruise ship destination on Chichagof Island, located just outside Hoonah Alaska (to the south). Port Hoonah is privately owned and named after nearby Icy Strait (Alexander...

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Bergen Havn is Norway's second-biggest port city (after the country's capital Oslo). However, by shipping traffic, Bergen is ranked Norway's largest cruise port and the gateway to the Norwegian...

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Nawiliwili is located on Kauai island, north-western Hawaii. It is situated north-west of Oahu Island, and is separated from it by the Kauai Channel. Nawiliwili is also east of Niihau, and from it is...

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Los Angeles cruise port serves in California's largest city (population around 4 million, density ~8100 per mi2 / ~3100 km2). LA is the USA's second-largest city - after NYC New York (population over...

 Rio de Janeiro , Brazil

Port Rio de Janeiro is a seaport on Brazil's Atlantic Ocean coast, located on Guanabara Bay's western shore. It is Brazil's 3rd-busiest port (after Santos-Sao Paulo and Itajaí). All its facilities...

Which Ports are Tender Ports? Full List for Every Cruise Line!

June 17, 2024

Hello my beautiful cruise lovers, today we will talk about a quite interesting topic: tender ports .

You may think I am a little crazy, but I like tender ports . They give me that feeling of adventure and exploration that I love so much.

However, if you are not familiar with this topic I will explain, in a simple way, what tender ports are . Following that explanation, there’s a complete list with all the tender ports for each cruise line. I am sure it will be useful to you.

Table of Contents

What is the meaning of tender ports?

Tender Ports are ports where cruise ships cannot dock directly at a pier due to different reasons . The most common are shallow water depth, the port’s size being too small for large cruise ships, or environmental and preservation concerns.

To solve this, and to allow passengers to still reach land, cruise ships anchor offshore and passengers are transported to and from land via smaller boats known as tenders or water shuttles.

Very often these tenders are part of the cruise ship’s own lifeboats or can be provided by the local port authorities.

This type of disembarkation requires a more rigid organization . For big cruises, passengers are usually assigned to groups and given specific tender times to avoid overcrowding and ensure a smooth transfer.

As I was saying at the beginning of the article, the use of tenders adds an adventurous element to the cruise experience .

I like it, and I think it is an interesting experience for children as well. The journey between the ship and the shore, although short, can offer unique views and a closer look at the sea and the local marine environment. It’s almost like it’s an integral part of the excursion experience .

However, as with most things, there are also downsides. One of the most evident and most frequent among passengers is seasickness .

The boats used for this transfer are quite small and are greatly affected by wave movement.

Moreover, I don’t like that this method is not 100% accessible to passengers with disabilities . Usually, cruise lines offer assistance to people in need but passengers who use assistive devices may not be able to get on or off the ship .

List of tender ports

Destinations that require tendering often include hidden gems . These kinds of places usually offer more intimate and exclusive exploration opportunities.

There are many tender ports around the world, so let’s start by discovering them all based on the different cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean

• Airlie Beach, Australia
• Ajaccio, Corsica
• Bali (Padang Bay), Indonesia
• Bar Harbor, Maine
• Bay of Islands, New Zealand
• Belize City, Belize
• Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Buzios, Brazil
• Cabo Frio, Brazil
• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Cannes (Monte Carlo), France
• Champagne Bay, Vanuatu
• Corfu, Greece
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Denarau, Fiji
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Esperance, Australia
• Exmouth, Australia
• La Spezia (Florence, Pisa), Italy
• Geiranger, Norway
• George Town, Grand Cayman
• Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam
• Icy Strait Point, Alaska
• Ilha Grande, Brazil
• Ilhabela, Brazil
• Ilheus, Brazil
• Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
• Jeju, Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Kailua Kona, Hawaii
• Kotor, Montenegro
• Lahaina (Maui), Hawaii
• Lifou, Loyalty Island
• Lombok, Indonesia
• Malacca, Malaysia
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Mykonos, Greece
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu
• Naples (Salerno), Italy
• Nha Trang, Vietnam
• Villefranche (Nice), France
• Ouvea (Wadrilla), Loyalty Island
• Phuket, Thailand
• Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
• Port Douglas, Australia
• Port Vila, Vanuatu
• Portbelo, Brazil
• Punta Del Este, Uruguay
• Rockland, Maine
• Samana, Dominican Republic
• Santorini, Greece
• Split, Croatia
• St. Peter Port, Channel Islands
• Ushuaia, Argentina
• Visby, Sweden

Carnival Cruise Lines

• Belize (limited availability of accessible water shuttles)
• Bermuda (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Catalina Island, California
• Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (limited availability of accessible water shuttles)
• Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas
• Icy Strait Point, Alaska (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Juneau, Alaska (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Ketchikan, Alaska (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Kona, Hawaii (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Nanortalik, Greenland
• Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Princess Cays, The Bahamas
• Qaqortoq, Greenland
• Sitka, Alaska (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Skagway, Alaska (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• St. Anthony, New Foundland and Labrador, Canada
• Andalsnes, Norway 
• Douglas, Isle of Man, UK
• Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland
• Edinburgh, Scotland 
• Grundarfjordur, Iceland 
• Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland
• Holyhead, Wales, UK (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Isles of Skye, Scotland
• Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, UK (water shuttles sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
• Mykonos, Greece (water shuttles are sometimes required, accessible water shuttles may not be available)
• Portimao (Algarve Region), Portugal
• Santorini, Greece 
• Seydisfjordur, Iceland 
• Stornoway, Scotland
• Airlie Beach, Australia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Bay of Islands, New Zealand (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Benoa, Bali (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Bora Bora, French Polynesia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Australia
• Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Dravuni Island, Fiji (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Isle of Pines, New Caledonia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Kiriwina, Papua New Guinea (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Kitava, Papua New Guinea (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Komodo Island, Indonesia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Lifou Isle, New Caledonia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Lombok, Indonesia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Mare, New Caledonia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Moreton Island, Australia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Moorea, French Polynesia (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Port Arthur, Tasmania (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Port Denarau, Fiji (no accessible water shuttles available)
• Port Douglas, Australia (no accessible water shuttles available) 

Norwegian Cruise Lines

• La Digue, Seychelles
• Luderitz, Namibia (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Mossel Bay, South Africa
• Port Elizabeth, South Africa
• Praslin, Seychelles
• Richard’s Bay, South Africa (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Astoria, Oregon (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Juneau, Alaska (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Ketchikan, Alaska (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Santa Barbara, California
• Sitka, Alaska (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Charlottetown P.E.I., Canada (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
• Newport, Rhode Island
• Saguenay, Canada (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Sydney Nova Scotia, Canada (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Basseterre, St. Kitts (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Castries, St. Lucia (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Cozumel, Mexico (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• George Town, Cayman Islands
• Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
• Harvest Caye, Belize (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Ocho Rios, Jamaica (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Road Town (Tortola), British Virgin Islands (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
• Huahine, French Polynesia
• Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
• Ile des Pins, New Caledonia
• Hilo, Hawaii
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Kahului (Maui), Hawaii
• Kona, Hawaii
• Nawiliwili (Kauai), Hawaii
• Papeete, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Castro, Chile
• Puerto Chacabuco, Chile (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Puerto Montt, Chile (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Stanley, Falkland Islands
• Augusta, Italy
• Bar, Montenegro (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Cannes, France
• Dubrovnik, Croatia (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Katakolon, Greece (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Korcula, Croatia
• Kotor, Montenegro (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Monte Carlo, Monaco (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Mykonos, Greece (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Nafplion, Greece
• Nessebar, Bulgaria
• Paros, Greece
• Patmos, Greece (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Praia da Vitoria, Portugal
• Sorrento (Capri), Italy
• Split, Croatia (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Varna, Bulgaria
• Villefranche, France
• Cobh (Cork), Ireland (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
• Eidfjord, Norway (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom
• Hellesylt, Norway
• Invergordon, United Kingdom (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Isafjordur, Iceland (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Kirkwall, United Kingdom (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Newhaven, United Kingdom
• Nuuk, Greenland (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Nynäshamn, Sweden (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Olden, Norway (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• South Queensferry, United Kingdom
• Stornoway, United Kingdom
• Ullapool, United Kingdom
• Ulvik, Norway
• Visby, Sweden (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Benoa (Bali), Indonesia
• Coron, Philippines (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Hanoi (Ha Long Bay), Vietnam
• Ishigaki, Japan (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Hirara (Miyakojima), Japan
• Kanazawa, Japan (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Ko Samui, Thailand
• Komodo Island, Indonesia
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Muara, Brunei Darussalam (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Naze (Oshima island), Japan (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russian Federation
• Sabang, Indonesia
• Akaroa, New Zealand
• Albany, Australia
• Cairns, Australia (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Cooktown, Australia
• Dravuni, Fiji
• Geraldton, Australia (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Gisborne, New Zealand (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)
• Kangaroo Island, Australia
• Lautoka, Fiji (ship can dock or anchor, varies by call)

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145 Cruise Ship Terms and Meanings

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

If you’re new to cruising, you may have noticed there’s a whole world of cruise ship terms and meanings. If it’s your first cruise, it might take a minute to get the hang of the cruise lingo.

We’ve put together a handy glossary of essential cruising vocabulary you need to know before you step on board.

Table of Contents

Cruise Ship Terms

Ship terminology.

Ship: A ship is not a boat. Ships are large vessels intended for ocean or deep water transportation of cargo or passengers.

Cruise Ship: Cruise ships are large passenger vessels whose primary purpose is to transport passengers on leisurely vacations.

Ocean Liner: Their primary purpose is to transport cargo or passengers across seas. For a more in-depth article, visit our cruise ship vs. ocean liner comparison .

Sister Ship: Two or more ships of the same class or nearly identical design. For example, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are sister ships.

Deck: A platform or section on a ship. Where buildings have floors, ships have decks.

The Bridge: The main control center of the ship. From here, the captains and officers have control over the entire operation of the vessel.

Itinerary: A sailing schedule with the route and destinations you will visit. The itinerary is viewable before you book but may change due to unexpected events or weather.

Atrium: The main lobby of the ship. Most cruise ship atriums are three or more decks high, and the location you first step onto a cruise ship. The atrium is the hub of the vessel, where you’ll often find elevators, stairs, photo booths, and the guest information desk.

Purser’s Desk: Often referred to as guest services, this is where guests can inquire about anything related to billing or ship information.

Deck Plan: A map of the cruise ship’s decks. Most ships have deck plans on each floor to help passengers find their way around the boat. Deck plans are incredibly important for navigating your way around the ship, especially for your first few days on board.

Lido Deck: The lido deck refers to the pool deck on a cruise ship. The name comes from the Italian word “lido,” which refers to a public outdoor swimming pool or beach. Accordingly, the cruise ship lido deck is home to one or more swimming pools, hot tubs, bars, and restaurants.

Gangway: A gangway is a narrow walkway used by passengers and crew to get on and off the cruise ship.

Muster Drill: The muster drill is a mandatory safety drill completed before sailing. The drill prepares guests for safe evacuation in the event of an emergency and familiarizes passengers with life vests, escape routes, and lifeboats. By law, the muster drill must be performed within 24 hours of departure.

Muster Station: Muster stations are where guests and crew meet in cases of emergency. The muster station is where you will find life vests and your assigned cruise ship lifeboat .

Daily Planner (cruise compass, bulletin, or newsletter): The daily planner goes by many names. It is where you will find the day’s scheduled activities. Many cruise lines have dedicated apps that allow passengers to see the day’s schedule from their devices.

Sailaway: Sailaway is the period of time that your cruise ship departs the cruise port. Cruise ships often host a Sailaway party to celebrate the cruise’s start.

Sailaway Party: Cruise lines often host a Sailaway party on the first night of the cruise to kick off the vacation. The party is generally located on the main pool deck or atrium with drinks, live music, and dancing.

Sea Day: A sea day is a full day when the ship doesn’t visit a port. Most cruises of a week or longer contain one or more sea days. But, they are by no means boring. On sea days, the cruise line will host plenty of scheduled events. If that’s not for you, you can simply relax by the pool.

Cruise Card: On most cruise ships, you’ll receive a cruise card that provides access to your stateroom and acts as a form of ID and payment around the vessel. The keycard eliminates the need to carry cash or credit cards around the ship.

Ocean Medallion: Ocean Medallion is a smart technology offered by Princess Cruises. Ocean Medallion replaces the traditional keycard with a wearable device. The wearable provides all of the same functions as a cruise card with several additional benefits.

Pier Runners: A name for passengers who are late to the cruise ship. You’ll find these unfortunate passengers running to the gangway as they race to make it onto the boat before the ship departs. Tip: Make sure you get back to the ship before the all-aboard time. The cruise ship will leave you behind if you’re late.

Lanyard: A lanyard is a common accessory used by cruise ship passengers to attach a cruise card. It’s both convenient and an excellent way to minimize the risk of losing your cruise card.

Rum Runners: Rum runners were people who, during the time of prohibition, traveled by sea to other countries to transport alcohol back to America. Today, a rum runner is a term used to describe a container used to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship.

No Sail Order: In March 2020, the CDC introduced a no sail order that paused all cruise ship travel within the US. The no sail order was a temporary measure enacted to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Cruise with Confidence: When cruising resumed following the Covid-19 pandemic, cruise lines introduced flexible cancelations policies. For most cruises, passengers could cancel up to 48 hours pre-cruise and receive full credit for a future cruise.

Warm Lay Up: During the period of suspended sailing, cruise lines could quickly bring a warm lay-up cruise ship back to service. These ships had reduced crew levels, fuel, food, and other essential items but were ready to return to service with short notice.

Cold Lay Up: A cold layup refers to a cruise ship that is fully shut down. Cruise lines shut down many cruise ships to save on costs during the no sail order. Ships in cold lay-up require more time to be brought back into service.

Funnel (or Stack): The funnel (or stack) refers to the exhaust on a cruise ship. It functions similarly to a chimney on a home and is used to expel engine exhaust. Most cruise ships have several funnels; however, typically, only one or two are functional (the rest are for aesthetics.)

Onboard Credit: An onboard credit is applied to your account and can be used on the ship to make purchases, such as drinks at the shop or souvenirs in the shops. Cruise lines and travel agents often offer onboard credit as an incentive to book, where you’ll receive a set dollar value when you book by a specific date.

Duty-Free: Duty-free refers to items that don’t have taxes. Duty-free purchases often must be declared when you return to the cruise terminal. If you are visiting from another country, you may need to declare duty-free items upon re-entry to your home country.

Godmother (or Godfather) : The Godmother (or Godmother) serves as a spokesperson for a cruise ship. As a tradition, the chosen individual is responsible for christening the ship and bestowing good luck to the new vessel.

Crossing: When a cruise ship sails across a large body of water. Examples include the Atlantic crossing, where a cruise ship may sail from Europe to America.

Double-Dip: When cruise-goers sail on back-to-back cruises. Sometimes one cruise just isn’t enough.

Maiden Voyage (Inaugural Sailing): The first sailing for a new cruise ship, or after a long pause (such as during repairs).

Dress Code: Cruise lines have dress codes that passengers must follow. Luxury cruise lines have strict policies, while most mainstream cruise lines allow casual wear at all times, except for formal nights.

Formal Night: Formal night is a traditional cruise ship experience where passengers dress up for a night of elegance. Some cruise lines have relaxed formal night dress codes , while Norwegian and Virgin don’t have any.

Planning Your Cruise

Embarkation: Embarkation is the process of passengers and crew members getting aboard a ship.

Embarkation Day : The first day of your cruise. It is one of the most exciting times of cruising, and the day you first step foot on the cruise ship.

Port of Departure: The port where your cruise ship will depart.

Disembarkation: The process of exiting the cruise ship. Often the saddest day of the cruise.

Port of Call: A port where your ship will stop.

Shore Excursion: An organized activity or event that passengers can attend in port. You can book shore excursions through the cruise line, a private tour company, or an independent tour operator.

Tender (Water Shuttle): There are some cruise ports where cruise ships can’t directly dock, usually because of a protected coral reef or the ship’s size. At these ports, the cruise ship will anchor a few minutes away from the port and shuttle passengers by tender boat.

Booking Terms

Onboard Booking: You can book your next cruise while on the ship of your current cruise. Cruise lines offer incentives to passengers to encourage onboard bookings. The incentives are one of the best ways to save money booking your next cruise. And, if you booked your current sailing through a travel agent, you can request that your booking is transferred to the agency.

Cruise Fare: This is the basic cost of the cruise. The cruise fare covers the cost of standard meals, accommodations, activities, and more. Many cruise lines offer basic wifi and drink packages bundled with the cruise fare.

Deposit: When you book a cruise, many cruise lines require a deposit to secure the booking. Each cruise line has different refund rules, and you may be unable to recoup the deposit if you cancel.

Final Payment: As the sailing date approaches, you will be required to make the final payment. The final payment is typically due within 70 to 90 days of the sale date. However, as policies vary, it’s always best to check with the cruise line.

Cruise Contract: You will be asked to sign a cruise contract when booking a cruise. The contract includes a set of terms and conditions that apply to passengers and the cruise line. The agreement is where you will find the refund policy, final payment date, and cancellation terms.

Gratuities: Gratuities, or tips, are customary on cruise vacations . Cruise lines charge gratuities on a daily, per-person basis. Most major cruise lines have automatic gratuities split among the hardworking staff, except bartenders and spa staff. If you don’t pay the gratuities in advance, they are charged to your onboard account and paid at the end of the cruise. Bartenders and spa staff receive tips through the gratuities charged on drinks, drink packages, and spa treatments.

Pre-paid Gratuities: Pre-paid gratuities are paid in advance of sailing. Paying in advance makes it easier to budget and plan for a cruise.

Solo Supplement: Most cruise ships charge a fee for solo bookings in regular staterooms. The added fee is known as a solo supplement. When a solo traveler books a cabin, the cruise line misses out on additional revenue from having two people in a stateroom.

All-Inclusive: All-inclusive cruises are great if you prefer to have all your expenses known before sailing. The all-inclusive definition varies by cruise line but typically includes gratuities, wifi, and a basic drink package.

Drink Package: Most cruise lines offer drink packages that entitle guests to order unlimited drinks. Drink packages typically have rules such as price limits and drink restrictions. If you don’t want to purchase the drink package, you can still purchase individual drinks from the bars, lounges, and restaurants.

Online Check-In: Before embarking, cruise ship passengers can complete online check-in and print any required documents.

Cabin Terminology

Cabin: Your room onboard the ship.

Stateroom: Another term for your room on the ship.

Interior Stateroom: This is a cabin located on a ship’s interior. Interior cabins don’t have windows (portholes) or balconies.

Oceanview Cabins: A cabin with a view of the ocean through a porthole or large window.

Balcony Cabins: As the name suggests, this is a stateroom with a balcony.

Suites: The largest and most luxurious cabin category on a cruise ship. Passengers who book suites often receive additional perks such as a butler, private lounge, bonus loyalty points, and free specialty dining.

Guarantee Cabin: This refers to booking a cabin category without choosing a specific room location. These cabins are lower priced, but with the drawback of having the location assigned by the cruise line. If you’re not picky about the location of your stateroom, guarantee cabins on cruise ships are a great way to save money on your cruise vacation.

Obstructed View Stateroom: You may have an ocean view or balcony cabin, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have unobstructed ocean views. Obstructed view staterooms have an object, such as equipment or a lifeboat, in the direct view of your window or balcony. These staterooms cost less than those with unobstructed views.

Veranda: Veranda is another word term used to describe a balcony. The word originates from the Hindi varandā, but it is related to the Spanish baranda, meaning “railing.”

French Balcony: French balconies are located on the interior of an outside-facing stateroom. They are often a result of modifications to older cruise ships or added as a lower category cabin. Though termed a balcony, it’s more of a wall-to-wall open window.

Virtual Balcony: Virtual balconies are wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screens providing the illusion of a balcony for interior staterooms. They project real-time video of the outside, so your virtual balcony displays precisely what you would see from a real balcony.

Virtual Porthole: Like a virtual balcony, a virtual porthole projects real-time outside video. They provide interior cabins with the feeling of a porthole. Despite sounding tacky, they provide an extraordinarily realistic view.

Pullman Bed: Pullman beds are like little bunk beds where the top bed pulls down from the ceiling or wall above the main bed, accessible by a ladder. If you book with three or four people to a cabin, your cabin may have a Pullman bed.

Double Occupancy: Double occupancy indicates two people booked in a stateroom. The advertised cruise fare is often based on the double occupancy rate. Additionally, cruise lines often use double occupancy as the measurement of passenger capacity, as it is unrealistic that every stateroom would be booked at maximum capacity (e.x. two passengers staying in a cabin that could hold four.)

Single Occupancy: Most cruise lines charge a single occupancy rate to solo cruisers. The single occupancy rate adds a solo supplement. The total cruise fare for single occupancy is often near the cost of booking two people in a cabin.

Solo Cabins or Studio Cabins: Some cruise ships have staterooms dedicated to solo travelers. Solo cabins or studio cabins are comparably smaller than typical cabins, but they are cheaper as they forgo the solo supplement. The best cruise lines for solo cruisers feature solo staterooms.

Triple and Quad Cabins: As the name suggests, triple and quad cabins can accommodate three or four passengers.

Towel Animals: One of my favorite memories from cruising as a child is returning to the cabin and finding a beautiful towel animal on the bed. Room stewards often create cute towel creations to put a smile on your face. You’ll usually find them on family-oriented cruise lines .

Types of Cruises

Charter: People or tour operators may book out an entire ship to host a special event.

Repositioning Cruise: A sailing occurs when a cruise ship transfers to another part of the world. For example, a cruise ship offering Caribbean itineraries may reposition to the Mediterranean for two months. Repositioning cruises are often cheaper than regular itineraries as cruise lines look to fill the vessel to earn revenue from an expensive voyage.

World Cruise: As the name suggests, a world cruise offers an extensive itinerary that sails around the globe and visits several continents. World cruises may last anywhere from two to twelve months.

Canal Cruise: A type of cruise that sails through a canal. Popular canal cruises such as the Panama canal take passengers on a unique voyage through several ship locks.

Barge Cruise: The smallest-sized cruise ship available. They usually consist of six to sixteen people. The cruise acts as a floating hotel able to traverse very shallow and narrow waterways.

Expedition Cruise: Expedition cruises offer sailings to the most remote locations in the world. These cruises emphasize the journey, adventure, and experience with a special focus on adventurous shore excursions.

River Cruise: A river cruise is sailing along inland waterways. In our opinion, river cruising is totally underrated. We love the calmness of river sailing, intimate ships, and uniqueness of itineraries. If you’ve only sailed on ocean cruises, you should definitely take a look at river cruising.

Day Cruise: A cruise that sails for a limited number of hours and does not include an overnight stay. Day cruises are typically limited to media and press tours.

Transatlantic: A cruise that sails across the Atlantic. Before airplanes, transatlantic sailings were the only transportation between Europe and North America. The ocean liner Queen Mary 2 regularly sails traditional transatlantic voyages from South Hampton to New York.

Cruise to Nowhere: A cruise itinerary that consists only of sea days before returning. They are typically only a few days long and don’t call in any ports.

Closed-Loop Cruise: A closed-loop cruise starts and ends in the same port . For example, a voyage that departs and returns to Miami, Florida, is an example of a closed-loop cruise.

Open-Jaw Cruise: An open jaw cruise starts and ends at different ports. Passengers embark at one port and disembark in another. For example, a voyage that departs Seattle, Washington, and arrives in Ketchikan, Alaska, is an open-jaw cruise.

Cruise Ship Dining Terminology

Assigned Seating: Many cruise lines provide assigned tables in the main dining room. The assigned seating is usually dinner-specific.

Early and Late Dining: Some cruise lines with assigned seating split dining times into two seatings. The first and second seating is often referred to as early and late dining.

Open Dining (or Open Seating): Many cruise lines offer open seating, whereby passengers may eat in the main dining room without a specified time for seating. Norwegian Cruise Line only offers open dining, which they call Freestyle dining. Other cruise lines, such are Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, provide passengers with the option of set dining times or open dining. While open dining offers more flexibility, you may need to wait in line for an empty table.

Specialty Restaurants: Specialty restaurants refer to alternative dining choices that aren’t included in the base cruise fare. Specialty restaurants offer an intimate dining experience with a better culinary experience. The ship charges the meal to your onboard account when eating at a specialty restaurant.

Maitre d’Hotel (Maitre d’, for short): The Maitre d’ is in charge of the restaurant on the ship. This person greets customers, supervises the restaurant staff, and ensures that the experience meets the highest quality standards.

Captain’s Table: As the name suggests, the captain’s table is a chance to enjoy dinner with the ship’s captain.

Ship Crew Member and Staff Terms

Captain: The ship’s captain holds the ultimate command and responsibility of the vessel. In addition to steering and navigating the boat, the captain is responsible for the safety of all passengers and crew.

Cruise Director: You’ll often find the cruise director leading activities around the ship. During your sailing, the cruise director acts as the face of the cruise, and it’s their job to be friendly and outgoing.

Cabin Steward or Cabin Attendant: The cabin steward is responsible for cleaning and maintaining your stateroom. These crew members work hard to keep your room tidy and clean for when you return.

Deckhand: The deckhand is responsible for maintaining the exterior of the ship. They are responsible for general cleaning and maintenance of the deck areas and ship gear. They are also the ones responsible for loading and unloading supplies and equipment.

Bosun (Boatswain): A bosun is the highest-ranking, non-officer role in the deck department. Among their responsibilities, a bosun supervises deckhands, coordinates work, coaches staff members, maintains ship appearance, and overseas the mooring and anchoring operations.

Purser: The purser is responsible for handling the ship’s finances. Specifically, the chief purser oversees the staff who manage money, passenger accounts, and guest services.

Porter: The porter is responsible for helping passengers with their luggage. They are employed by the port authority, not the ship.

Passenger-Crew Ratio: The ratio of the number of passengers to the crew. The ratio gives a quick feel for the quality of service on board a cruise ship. In theory, the lower the ratio, the better the service. A ratio of 1:1 (a ratio only seen on luxury ships) means that there is one crew member for every passenger on board the vessel. Ratios of 3:1 are considered good.

Cruise Terminal: The building where you check-in for your cruise and board your ship . Like how airplanes have airports, cruise ships have terminals or cruise ports.

Port: A maritime facility with loading areas for ships to load and unload passengers and cargo.

Home Port: The primary cruise port for a ship. The home port is the port where the cruise ship begins most cruise itineraries.

Cay (Pronounced “kay” ): A small, sandy island with a low elevation on the surface of a coral reef.

Marina: A dock or basin that provides mooring services for small boats and yachts.

Dry Dock: A dock that can be drained of water to allow for construction, maintenance, and repair work on ships.

Shipyard: A facility where ships are built and repaired.

Navigational Terms

Port: When facing towards the front (bow) of the ship, the port is on your left. If you face the back of the boat (aft), the port is on your right.

Starboard: When facing towards the front (bow) of the ship, the starboard is on your right. If you face the back of the boat (aft), the starboard is on your left.

Insider Tip

If you need help remembering port and starboard, check out our article: How to remember port and starboard on a cruise ship .

Bow/Forward: The front of the ship.

Stern: The rearmost part of the exterior of the ship.

Aft: The rearmost part of the interior of the ship.

Prime Meridian: Prime meridian is the earth’s zero of longitude (0º), which passes through Greenwich, England. Together with the anti-meridian, they divide the earth into two hemispheres.

Nautical Twilight (Nautical Dawn): Nautical twilight begins in the morning when the sun’s center is between 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. During nautical twilight, the stars and horizon are visible, even on moonless nights, allowing sailors to take reliable star readings for navigational purposes.

Celestial Navigation: Navigation by observing the sun, moon, and stars. Before advancements in technology, celestial navigation was the primary method for sailors.

Nautical Terminology

Midship: The middle of a ship or boat.

Overall Length: The length of a ship from bow to stern.

Beam: A measure of the width of a ship or boat.

Gross Tonnage: A measure of a ship’s overall internal volume. Gross tonnage is determined by dividing by 100 the contents, in cubic feet, of the vessel’s enclosed spaces.

Wake: A moving ship generates a tace on the water’s surface. The frothy white water trailing a moving vessel is called the wake. Watching the ship wake as you sail away from the port can be mesmerizing.

Berth: The term berth has a dual meaning. The first is a name for a bed on a ship. The second is a space where a vessel may be moored.

Helm: The helm is the position from which the captain steers the vessel. It also refers to the lever or wheel that controls the rudder on a ship.

Hull: The main body or structure of a vessel. The hull includes the bottom, sides, and deck of the ship. The watertight hull is how cruise ships float .

Porthole: A small exterior window on a ship. Portholes are usually circular.

Mast: On a sailboat, the mast is a pole rising vertically from the hull, which serves to support the sail. There is only one mast on a small sailboat, but larger boats have several.

Mainsail: The largest and most important sail on a boat. On a square-rigged vessel, the mainsail is the lowest and largest sail on the mast.

Boom: The boom is a thick pole that extends at a 90-degree angle from the mast. It anchors the bottom of the sail and provides sailors with greater control and maneuverability.

Rudder: The rudder is an underwater verticle blade positioned at the vessel’s stern. It is controlled at the helm and is the primary method of steering. When the captain turns the wheel, it rotates the rudder. As the rudder rotates, the vessel’s head turns in the same direction.

Mooring: Refers to a permanent structure to which a ship can attach.

Docking: The act of mooring a ship at a dock.

Latitude: A geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position on the earth’s surface. Latitude lines run in parallel lines from east to west. When looking at a globe, latitude lines are horizontal. The latitude angle ranges from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles.

Longitude: A geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position on the earth’s surface. Latitude lines run in parallel lines from north to south. When looking at the planet, longitude lines run vertically.

Equator: The equator is a latitude circle dividing the earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It is located exactly halfway between the North and South poles. The equator’s location is at 0 degrees latitude.

Flag Country: The country where the ship is registered. You can quickly identify the ship’s flag country by looking at the ship’s stern, where you’ll usually find a flag and the country’s name.

If you are curious about why cruise ships have a different flag country, check out our article: Why do cruise ships sail under foreign flags?

Knots: Knots are a unit of speed used by ships and are short for nautical miles per hour. One knot is equivalent to 1.15 land miles per hour. Cruise ships have cruising speeds of around 22 knots .

Provisions: Refers to supplies needed on the ship

Lock: A device used to raise and lower ships between stretches of water at different levels.

Zodiacs: Small inflatable boats used for water bases shore excursions. Zodiacs are named after the company that invented them. The inflatable boats were created in the 1930s for the military but are now commonly used in tourism.

Stabilizers: Stabilizers are fin-like devices mounted to the ship’s hull beneath the waterline. They help counter the roll of a vessel due to waves or wind and provide a smoother ride for passengers.

Anchor: A heavy object attached to a rope or chain used to keep a vessel stationary.

Galley: The galley is another name for the kitchen of the ship. Many cruise lines offer tours of the galley, which provide a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world hidden from passengers.

Cruise Industry Acronyms

OBC (Onboard Credit): Onboard credit can be used like cash for purchases on the ship. You might receive onboard credits as an incentive offered by a travel agent or cruise line.

GTY (Guarantee Cabin): An abbreviation for guarantee cabin (see the definition above for guarantee cabins).

FCC (Future Cruise Credit): Future cruise credits work little like store credits. Cruise lines offer FCCs in place of refunds which can be redeemed when booking a new sailing. Always read the fine print as they almost always have expiry dates.

TA: Short for a travel agent.

Cruise Industry Organizations

CLIA: The Cruise Line International Association is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association based on the number of passenger ships operated by CLIA members. Among other responsibilities, the CLIA’s focus is to set standards for cruise lines and represent the interests of the cruise industry. According to their website , “CLIA is the global organization that fosters our members’ success by advocating, educating, and promoting the common interests of the cruise community.”

NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is part of the US Department of Commerce. Their responsibilities include “daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce.”

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Ocean Lingo: Glossary of Cruise Ship Terms

By Carnival Cruise Line

If you’re a newbie to cruising culture, take a few minutes to learn the cruise ship lingo. Knowing the language both on board and on shore will make you feel more at ease on your very first cruise . We’ve compiled a list of the most essential terms for you to be familiar with before you step on board.

From knowing the ins and outs of stateroom design to understanding cruise ship nautical terms, you’ll be ready to hit the waves with confidence.

Planning Your Cruise

• Crossing: A voyage across the water – in other words, a cruise is a crossing. For example, if you take a cruise to Europe , you can depart from New York and cross to ports of call, including Northern Ireland .
• Departure port/embarkation port: Both of these terms refer to the port or location where your cruise begins and ends . Carnival has many departure ports in the United States. For example, you can cruise to the Western Caribbean from the departure port of Mobile, Alabama .
• Disembarkation: This is when you leave the ship at the end of your trip.
• Embarkation: It’s when you board your cruise ship at the beginning of your trip.
• Port of call: A port of call is a destination on your cruise and where you’ll likely be able to enjoy shore excursions. For example, if you take a cruise to Mexico , you can depart from one of three ports in California and visit multiple ports of call in one trip, including Cozumel , Costa Maya and Mahogany Bay .
• Shore excursion: A shore excursion is an activity off the ship at a port of call that you can purchase as part of your itinerary. For example, if you cruise to The Bahamas , you can take a shore excursion in Half Moon Cay. You may want to book the educational Stingray Adventure shore excursion there that allows you to interact with the sea creatures.
• Tender: Also called a lifeboat, a tender is a small boat that takes you from the ship to shore when the cruise ship anchors in a harbor.

Stateroom Speak

Even before booking your cruise , you’ll want to know the types of staterooms that are available to ensure a comfortable trip. Whether you’re cruising solo or with a group, this list helps you choose the right stateroom for your needs.

• Balcony stateroom: This room has a small, personal, outdoor balcony. A balcony stateroom is recommended when taking a cruise to Alaska , for example, so you don’t miss any unexpected wildlife or glacier sightings.
• Interior stateroom: Located in less active spots on the ship, interior staterooms are comfortable for sleepers who prefer a quiet place to curl up after a day of fun and activities.
• Ocean view stateroom: An ocean view stateroom with a porthole or window lets you gaze out at ocean vistas and ports of calls.
• Specialty stateroom: This has a thematic setting that caters to families, couples or solo guests. Specialty staterooms include Cloud 9 Spa staterooms located next to the Cloud 9 Spa Family Harbor staterooms are next to the Family Harbor Lounge, a great escape when traveling with kids .
• Suite stateroom: Larger rooms that are ideal for family cruises . These suites give everyone in your group ample room to stretch out.

Cruise Ship Terminology

It pays to understand cruise ship terms and definitions so you don’t wander around too much during your vacation. Although, while on board, you’ll never be truly lost. You can find a deck plan of each vessel so you can get to know it before your trip in the comfort of your home. Until then, here’s a crash course in ship architecture.

• Bow: The bow is the front of the ship.
• Bridge: The bridge is the location from which the captain steers the ship.
• Galley: A galley is a ship’s kitchen. On a cruise ship, there are many galleys.
• Gangway: The gangway is the ramp or staircase that you’ll use to embark or disembark the ship.
• Helm: The helm is the area of the bridge on which the steering wheel is located and used by the crew only .
• Hull: The hull is the outside of the ship.
• Keel: The keel is the ship’s bottom center.
• Leeward: The side of the ship where you’ll feel most sheltered from wind is leeward.
• Lido: Lido is an often-used term because it’s the deck where you’ll find the outdoor pools .
• Midship: This is the middle of the ship.
• Port: The left side of the ship as it’s facing forward is called port. If you have a hard time remembering that, just keep in mind that “left” and “port” both have four letters.
• Starboard: The right side of the ship is starboard.
• Stern/aft: This is the rear part of a ship closest to the casual dining
• Upper deck: The upper deck is typically the area closest to the entertainment , fun and outdoor deck areas.

Dining Discussions

• Cruise casual: This is what you can wear most nights at dinner. For men, that includes slacks, khakis, jeans, dress shorts and collared sport shirts. Women wear casual dresses and skirts, pants, capri pants, dressy shorts and dressy jeans.
• Cruise elegant: This is the one or two nights on a cruise where it’s suggested you wear evening wear to dinner in the main dining room and some other restaurants. For men, that means dress slacks, dress shirts and sport coats (optional). For women, it’s cocktail dresses, fancier pant suits or skirts. In restaurants, such as the Steakhouse , you will be required to wear tasteful attire.
• Formal night: There are two formal, or elegant, nights on longer cruises. Elegant nights mean formal suits and ties or tuxedos for men and evening gowns for women. It’s not required to dress formally, yet formal attire is welcome.
• Main seating/late seating: This means there’s an assigned schedule and seating for passengers in the main dining rooms.
• Open seating: There’s no fixed schedule and no seating arrangements for dining with open seating.

Crew Member Chatter

Who wouldn’t want to be a crew member on a cruise to Hawaii ? Here are some of the cheerful faces you’ll meet on board:

• Cabin steward: Crew member responsible for the housekeeping of your stateroom.
• Captain: Crew member in charge of the cruise ship, responsible for the crew and passenger safety.
• Cruise director: Crew member who organizes for the ship’s activities and entertainment and is often the emcee for onboard events.
• Maître d’: Crew member responsible for the dining room.
• Porter: Crew member on land to help you with your luggage curbside before you embark the ship.
• Purser: Crew member in charge of onboard billing and monetary transactions.

Nautical Lingo

Knowing nautical terms in the cruise ship world is important when you’re underway (which means moving through the ocean). You may hear the captain discussing knots with another crew member.

• Knot: A unit of speed at which ships travel, which is one nautical mile per hour.
• Mooring: A place where a ship is tied, such as the dock when in port.
• Wake: The trail of water created at the back (stern) of the ship as it moves forward in the water.

It’s perfectly fine if you forget your cruise-speak and just say “meet me at the room,” instead of stateroom, or “where’s customer service?” instead of asking to see the purser. On a Carnival cruise, you can just be yourself and learn at your leisure. Once you have your first cruise under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned cruiser with insider tips of your own.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by ship and destination.

Related articles

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https://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships.aspx

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Everything You Need to Know About Tender Ports and Tender Boats on a Cruise

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: May 28, 2020  - Last updated: June 29, 2022

On a cruise, a tender port is one where the ship doesn’t dock at a pier. Instead, the cruise ship drops anchor offshore and passengers are ferried to land on smaller boats, called “tenders”.

Cruise lines usually specify which ports of call on each itinerary will be tender ports, and passengers have the opportunity to obtain tender tickets if they wish to go ashore.

When you’re planning a cruise, you might notice that some port descriptions will say, “ this is a tender port .” Or you might see that tender boats or “tenders” are mentioned.

Confused? Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything you need to know about tender boats and tender ports on a cruise.

Why do cruise lines have tender ports?

Some cruise ports have shallow harbors that don’t allow for today’s massive cruise ships to pull right up to a pier. Other ports only have a limited amount of berths at their piers, so any extra ships that visit just don’t have a spot available.

Or, as in the case of some cruise line private islands , they haven’t built a pier yet!

Why is it called a tender port?

Usually when we think of the word tender , it’s in the context of something being gentle and caring (a tender kiss), or soft (a tender cut of meat). But tender ports have nothing to do with being gentle or soft!

The word tender has been used nautically since at least the late seventeenth century , meaning a “small boat used to attend larger ones”. It actually comes from the Middle English verb  tenden , meaning “to attend to”.

On a cruise, “tender” can be used as a noun (“We’re going to take a tender to the island”), a verb (“We’re going to tender to the island”), or an adjective (“We’re going to take the tender boat to the island”).

In the most common usage with today’s cruise lingo , “tender port” is used as an adjective to describe a port that cruisers need to access via a small boat.

You might say something like, “Yesterday we had a tender port at Princess Cays , but thankfully this morning we can pull right up to the dock at Nassau “.

How do you know if a port will be a tender port?

Cruise lines will note in the itinerary if a port requires tenders. You’ll see this in your cruise planner on the cruise line’s website, or ask your travel agent if you’re not sure.

During your cruise, you’ll also get a reminder in your daily newsletter before visiting a tender port.

However, remember that cruise ports of call are always subject to change at any time. You might have a scheduled tender port changed to a docked port (or vice-versa).

Unpredictable weather can alter a cruise’s itinerary, causing the Captain to change ports or skip the port altogether.

What boats do cruises use to tender passengers?

Tenders on your cruise generally will be one of three types of boat:

• Lifeboats from the cruise ship
• Privately-owned boats from the port
• Tenders owned by the cruise line kept at the port

Maximum occupancy on most tender boats is generally between 100 and 150 passengers .

So on a cruise ship that holds thousands of guests, tender operations can take quite some time, even if they use several boats!

How do you get a tender ticket?

Years ago when I was researching my very first cruise, I noticed there were a few tender ports on our itinerary. Wanting to make sure that all of our major expenses were pre-paid before we left for vacation, I started searching for instructions on how to pay for our tender tickets.

Silly me, tender tickets are free! But you do need to get them on board for each port as soon as you can. Tickets are issued on a first-come-first-served basis.

On most major cruise lines, you’ll need to get one tender ticket for your group or each member of your party for each tender port.

Read your daily newsletter carefully each day! It will list times and locations to pick up your tickets. Tickets often will be available the afternoon before you’ll be tendering, as well as the morning of.

Many cruise lines will set up an area (often in the theater) where a crew member hands out tender tickets to passengers during specific times. Be sure to note the times listed in the newsletter. You won’t be able to pick up a ticket at these locations outside of those times.

Tip: Pick up your tender tickets the day before you visit the tender port if you want a popular tender time. Early tickets go fast!

Are there any restrictions for tendering?

Tender boats don’t have age or weight restrictions for cruise passengers. However, if you have mobility challenges , you might not be able to board the tender.

Some cruise lines require that guests be able to step on and off of tender boats with only minimal assistance. Most tenders have at least a couple of steps you’ll need to use to get on and off of the boat.

Wheelchair-accessible cruise tenders with roll-on capability aren’t very common. Often, passengers who use a wheelchair and are unable to walk won’t be allowed to board a tender.

Some cruise lines specify that their crew will only carry a passenger on board in a wheelchair if the total weight is less than 100 pounds (45.5 kg). That rules out most people (except for some children) because they include the weight of the mobility device in the total.

Tip: For wheelchair users, reach out to your cruise line before you sail. Ask what their specific rules are regarding boarding a tender in a wheelchair . It’s also a good idea to speak with a customer service manager on board at least a few days before arriving in port. A timely heads-up might make them more willing to help you if they’re able.

Can any cruise passengers get priority tendering?

Passengers who’ve booked shore excursions directly through the cruise line will have priority tendering to make sure the tour groups meet their guides on time.

Some cruise lines also offer priority tendering to passengers who are at a high level in their loyalty program. Some also extend this privilege to guests staying in a full suite.

If you’re sailing on a Carnival cruise, you can pay a little extra for this perk! They allow passengers who purchase their “ Faster to the Fun ” pass to have priority tendering as well.

Priority access is only available for ship-to-shore tendering. When returning to the ship, all passengers wait in the same line.

Tip: Booked an independent shore excursion at a tender port? It’s a good idea to get the earliest tender ticket you can. Tender operations can run behind schedule, and your tour operator won’t wait very long if you’re late to the meeting point. It’s better to have some time to kill on land than to miss your excursion entirely!

Do you have to pick up a tender ticket to return to the ship?

You’ll only need a tender ticket to travel from the ship to shore. On the way back, you won’t need a ticket to return to the ship. However, you’ll need to wait in line, and those lines can be long at peak times!

Plan to return with plenty of time to avoid missing the last tender. Final tender times are published in the daily newsletter, and are also on signs as you’re leaving the cruise ship.

Tip: You might need to stand in a long line in full sun while waiting to board your tender. Reapply your sunscreen, and carry a hat and a lightweight layer to avoid a late-day sunburn. Some cruise lines will offer water while you wait, but don’t rely on that at every port.

What is open tender on a cruise?

If you missed getting a tender ticket or you overslept and missed your tender time, you’ll still have a chance to get to shore. (If you miss your tender time I’d still recommend asking if you can board with another group, but there are no guarantees.)

After all the scheduled tender groups are called, the tendering process will change to “ Open Tender “. From this time on, passengers without a tender ticket will be allowed to get off the ship.

Often, a specific time for Open Tender is posted, but this schedule can be pushed back if tendering takes longer than expected.

If you decide to wait for Open Tender, just know that you might have to wait for the remaining passengers with scheduled tender tickets to board their boats.

Will you get seasick on a tender boat?

Modern cruise ships, with their vast size and high-tech stabilizers, usually don’t cause passengers to feel much of the sea’s motion—except in stormy weather.

But small tender boats don’t have those things going for them, so they definitely can rock on the waves!

Some ship’s tenders are pontoon-style, which are known for their stability. But if the conditions are choppy, you’re going to feel it!

If you have a tendency to seasickness or motion sickness, be sure to take an OTC remedy (lots of cruisers swear by Bonine ) at least an hour before boarding the tender boat.

Or see your doctor before your cruise to find out if you might need a scopolamine patch or other prescription meds.

Most cruise tender rides last only about ten to fifteen minutes, so at least it won’t be a long, rough journey!

Read more: How to Avoid Getting Seasick on a Cruise

Why are tender ports skipped more often than docked ports?

If it’s stormy or the seas are rough, your Captain may choose to change ports or skip a tender port completely. Transferring thousands of passengers in and out of smaller boats in bad weather just isn’t a risk that the cruise lines want to take!

For passenger safety, the Captain is more likely to cancel a stop at a tender port compared to a docked port if the weather isn’t cooperating. If the weather is really bad, docked ports can also be canceled. It’s not only tender ports that can be nixed!

Weather conditions can change rapidly at sea. When you choose a cruise itinerary with tender ports, there’s a higher risk that your stop will be canceled or changed to another location.

Have a question that I haven’t answered about tender ports of call or tender boats on a cruise? Ask me in the comments below!

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Monday 1st of April 2024

how deep must a channel be for 100 passenger tender boat be to go thru

Carrie Ann Karstunen

Saturday 6th of April 2024

Hi Al, I can't give you an exact number, mainly because tenders aren't always the same type of craft. However, they're often lifeboats - which usually don't have a very deep draft.

Friday 25th of August 2023

I've been all over the internet and can't find the answer. Perhaps it's glaringly obvious but...how do you know what tender to take back when returning to the ship?

Saturday 26th of August 2023

Hi Kevin, you just return to the spot where the tender from the ship dropped you off, and get in line for the next boat to go back to the ship. The cruise line will have signs and crew members there, and there's often a sizable line of passengers waiting, so you can't miss it! Hope this helps, and happy cruising!

Lynette Smith

Saturday 10th of September 2022

Do you know how high the tender steps are to get down and up. My husband has a hard time with steps do to his knees

Hi Lynette, thanks for the question. Tender boats on cruise ships can really vary. Even at the same port, you might be faced with a different type of boat at different times of day! I wish I could give you a solid answer to your question, but with variations from boat to boat I can only give you a general answer (I also don't know the degree of your husband's knee issues).

In general, to get on and off of most cruise ship tender boats, you'll have a short step or two up, then a few steps down. The steps going down into the tender (and back out again) are generally a bit steeper. It's usually not more than 2-3 stairs going in and out.

If he's fine with walking up or down a few (steep-ish) steps in potentially rocky wave conditions (with handrails and a crewmember lending a hand from the gangway to the landing), I'm guessing he'll be fine.

The one issue on some tenders that could pose an issue is if the lower level of the boat is full and you have to head to the top deck. Some tenders have a full flight of steep metal stairs (with railings) to access the top level.

My advice? If the boat looks full, let the crew know he can't climb the steps to the top deck before you board the tender. Best case scenario is that they ask for volunteers to move upstairs to make room on the lower level. Worst case is you'll need to wait to be the first guests on the next tender. Hope this helps!

Monday 5th of September 2022

Are there port fees at tender ports? If the ship manages to drop anchor but then is unable to run tenders due (for example) to bad visibility, are the port fees refunded?

Hi Dave, thanks for the question! Yes, at tender ports (just like docked ports) port taxes and fees are assessed. You'll have pre-paid these fees by the time final payment is due for your sailing. If any port stop is canceled, the cruise line will refund you the taxes and fees for that specific stop.

If (like in the scenario you asked about) your ship drops anchor but no tenders go out, guests will still be refunded for those fees. But usually, the captain would make the call for weather-related reasons well before approaching the port to drop anchor.

When foul weather causes the captain to cancel the original port and head to a different one, guests are responsible for taxes and port fees at the new port. So you might find yourself paying a little more at the new port, or a little less. Or you might just have an extra sea day if a replacement port isn't practical!

Wednesday 17th of August 2022

I had a stroke about a year ago, and am unsteady walking. Will I be able to board a tender?

Friday 19th of August 2022

Hi Rick, when you're boarding a tender, there's always a crew member or two there offering a hand to help steady you as you're transitioning from the gangway to the smaller boat. You'll often have to step up on a small portable stair before you step onto the tender, but you can mention that you need a hand on the steps as well so you don't lose your balance.

If the water is choppy during tendering, it can be a bit challenging to make the transition to and from the tender boat, even for those of us who are usually pretty steady on our feet. Some tender boats also have a second level, and I've had to go up some pretty steep stairs to find a seat if the first level is full!

I'd advise chatting with Guest Services at least the day before your tender port if the weather looks iffy or if you're worried about getting on and off, climbing stairs, etc. I've been on hundreds of tenders and they're all a bit different. Crowds and weather can also make a big difference in your tender experience, so asking ahead could really help you decide if the assistance that the crew can offer will work with your level of mobility. Hope this helps!

Cruise Ship Tendering – 5 Tips You NEED to Know

If you’re taking a cruise you may have to ‘tender’ to get to land. I’ve been on a number of cruises where this has been the case and I actually find it quite fun.

There are many benefits as well as disadvantages of tendering on a cruise. Not all itineraries have tender ports but some may have multiple.

What Does Tender Mean on a Cruise Ship?

Tendering is where guests use a lifeboat, or smaller boat, to get from the cruise ship to the port. Tendering usually happens when the ship is too big to dock in a certain port or the port is already occupied by another ship.

Guests are able to find out prior to a cruise if a port it tendered as it is detailed on the itinerary.

Can you see before the cruise if you need to tender?

If you are worried about tendering or would prefer not to, you can usually see on the cruise itinerary before you book if the ports are docked or tendered. It certainly is possible to avoid cruises which require tendering. If you chose a cruise with city ports you more than likely, won’t have to tender.

When you book your cruise your itinerary will say if ports are docked or tendered. Below is my itinerary for my weekend cruise with Celebrity Cruises. At the end of this post is a list of the most popular cruise tender ports in the USA, the Caribbean and Europe. It is possible to find out if almost any port is a tender port

Cruise Ship Tendering Tips:

Don’t rush to get the first tender.

I would recommend not rushing to get off on the first tender, I much prefer to have a leisurely breakfast and an explore of the ship without all of the guests!

Tendering is much nicer when you don’t have to line up. If you are on an organised excursion with the cruise line you will, more than likely, meet on the ship and tender off together. In some circumstances, you may be asked to meet on land so make sure you’ve allowed extra time for this.

Head to The Front of the Tender or Top Deck if You Get Seasick

Go to the front of the tender by the windows (or the top) if you get seasick. The breeze will make you feel better. When embarking the tender the crew will usually direct you to a seat if you ask to be seated at the front or on the top, most crew will happily let you do so.

Don’t Wait Until The Last Tender to Come Back

Don’t come back an hour or two before the last tender, this will be the busiest time. If you can come back a few hours before you will skip the queues. Alternatively, you could leave it to last minute and get the last tender, but I wouldn’t be brave enough to do that.

Take Photos of The Ship From The Tender

Use the tender as an opportunity to take photos! It is rare that you will ever see a cruise ship from the ocean so make the most of it. It really is difficult to get an idea of scale until you are right beside the ship.

What boats are used as tender boats?

The tender boats are usually lifeboats from the ship but sometimes can be through an external company. When tendering it is common for multiple tenders to be running at the same time. Passengers will usually queue onboard and be loaded onto the tenders as they arrive.

Cruise ship lifeboats can usually hold around 150-200 passengers, they certainly aren’t cramped and only the biggest lifeboats will be used in the tender process.

Seasickness and cruise ship tendering

I am quite a travel sick person. I get travel sick in cars, coaches, boats etc. However, I have never have had any problem with tenders. The journey usually only takes around 10-20 minutes and for some reason, my body doesn’t think that’s long enough to make me seasick. There is also usually a breeze in the tender which makes me feel better.

If you do still feel unwell I would recommend taking some seasickness tablets.

13 Actionable Tips to Prevent and Treat Seasickness on a Cruise

The drawbacks of tendering:

It takes time.

The actual transit time isn’t usually too long but when you ad waiting for the tender at both ends, loading people into the boat etc the whole experience can take some time. It is definitely slower than docking in the traditional sense where you just walk off the ship.

• The boat isn’t particularly comfortable
• You normally have to queue up to get a return tender

The benefits of tendering:

• You can take some brilliant photos of your ship!
• Can visit small islands
• I quite enjoy the tender, it’s like a free boat trip (sort of).

How does tendering work?

Most cruise lines offer a ticket system if you want to get off soon after anchoring. The ticket system will give you a tender time to get off the ship.

Usually, if you wait for an hour or two you don’t have to get a ticket and can tender off when you like.

On some cruise lines having a loyalty status will get you priority tendering, I have this with Norwegian Cruise Line but I have never used it.

There is no such ticket system to get back on the ship, all you have to do is go back to where you got off the tender, show your cruise card and wait for the next boat.

There are steps involved and a gap to step across between the ship and the boat. This can make it difficult for people with limited mobility.

Having said that I have been on cruises with my Gran who has never had any problem with tendering.

On some cruise lines guests may be asked to prove that they can step a certain distance before being allowed to tender, I believe this is the same if you have small children/babies, you must prove that you can carry/pass them over the gap.

Can cruise ship tenders operate in bad weather?

Tendering does mean that there is a higher chance of the port being skipped if the weather is bad. The tender boats are small and it wouldn’t be a pleasant ride in strong winds. The cruise line cannot risk having guests off the ship and it is too unsafe to get them back to the ship.. so a better safe than sorry approach is normally adopted.

Tender ports in the Caribbean:

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic Cienfuegos, Cuba Devil’s Island, French Guiana Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Gustavia, St Barthelemy Half Moon Cay, Bahamas Saint Kitts, St Kitts and Nevis Saint John, US Virgin Islands Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe

Tender ports in the US:

Avalon, California Bar Harbor, Maine Gloucester, Massachusetts Icy Strait Point, Alaska Kona, Hawaii Island, Hawaii Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii Monterey, California Newport, Rhode Island Nome, Alaska Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts Santa Barbara, California Sitka, Alaska

Tender ports in Europe, Africa and the Middle East:

Agadir, Morocco Alghero, Sardinia, Italy Alter Do Chao, Portugal Argostóli, Nissos Kefalonia, Greece Bantry, Ireland Djúpivogur, Iceland Fishguard, Wales Flåm, Norway Geiranger, Norway Heimaey, Iceland Horta, Azores, Portugal Ilfracombe, England Isafjördur, Iceland Korcula, Otok Korcula, Croatia Korsakov, Russia Kotor, Montenegro Le Palais, France Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland Lüderitz, Namibia Mamoudzou, Mayotte Mgarr (Victoria), Malta Monte Carlo, Monaco Mykonos, Nisos Mykonos, Greece Náfplion, Greece Nanortalik, Greenland Nosy Be, Madagascar Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen, Norway Nynäshamn, Sweden Paamiut (formerly Frederikshåb), Greenland Petropavlovsk, Russia Plymouth, England Ponza, Isola di Ponza, Italy Port Elizabeth, South Africa Portoferraio, Elba, Italy Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland Qaqortoq, Greenland Santorini, Greece Sarandë, Albania South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland Split, Croatia St Helier, Jersey St Peter Port, Guernsey Stornoway, Scotland Taormina, Italy Tobermory, Scotland Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Ullapool, Scotland Visby, Sweden Zanzibar

Tendering is all part of the fun. You’re on holiday! Sit back and enjoy.

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Eddie Thomson

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Bolivia City, Bolivia is a tender port as well.

You May Feel Movement on a Cruise Ship – Here’s When and Why – Emma Cruises

Thursday 19th of November 2020

[…] In some ports, you may have to take a tender to get to land. A tender is a little boat which takes you to land from the cruise ship. If this happens you won’t feel any movement when docking because the cruise ship will simply drop the anchor. To learn more about the tendering process, (and learn how to skip the lines), check out this post: Cruise Ship Tendering and Tips 2019 […]

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Port Economics, Management and Policy

A comprehensive analysis of the port industry

Chapter 3.1 – Terminals and Terminal Operators

Authors: dr. theo notteboom, dr. jean-paul rodrigue and dr. athanasios pallis.

Ports are composed of specialized terminals designed to handle a specific cargo type. An increasing number of port terminals, serving either cargoes or passengers, are managed by operators maintaining an international portfolio.

1. Port Terminals

Ports are mainly multifunctional entities , but this characteristic is often the result of the combined activities of a number of specialized terminals, each dealing with specific goods and commodities such as containers, grain, oil, or iron ore. Thus, a port is a combination of terminal facilities, each developed to fulfill a specific function and sometimes serving a single user, such as a petrochemical plant. The main types of port terminals include:

• Break-bulk . Concerns cargo that is carried in drums, bags, pallets, or boxes. Also referred to as general-purpose facilities that have a combination of open storage space and warehouses. Historically, most port terminals were built as multipurpose facilities, as most commercial cargo was carried in a break-bulk form. It was only in the late nineteenth century that ship specialization became dominant, allowing specialized terminal facilities.
• Dry bulk . Relates to cargo that is not packaged and transported in large quantities that are limited by ship size or existing demand. The main commodities involve coal, iron ore, and grain, which require specialized equipment and storage facilities. This specialization level implies that the terminal cannot handle bulk products other than those it was designed and equipped to handle. Thus, a grain terminal cannot handle other commodities even if the pier can accommodate any ship class.
• Liquid bulk . Commodities transported in liquid form require specialized transshipment equipment and storage facilities. The most common liquid bulk terminal facilities are designed to handle oil and petroleum products.
• Containers . Terminal facilities are designed only to handle a single break-bulk standard transport unit, the container. Container terminals have come to dominate the port terminal landscape because of the large variety of goods that can be carried in containers. They are capital-intensive and require a large footprint due to the storage requirement of containers.
• Ro-Ro . Handles vehicles that are rolled on and off a vehicle carrier. Require ramps, but standard vehicle carriers commonly have their own ramps. The most important footprint of a ro-ro terminal is the parking space used to store vehicles. Also, include ferries that carry a combination of vehicles and passengers and, as such, require rather extensive parking space while vehicles are waiting to roll onto the ferry.
• Passengers . Historically, passengers were handled at multipurpose facilities as liner ships also carried freight. Ferry terminals are a specialized component in many ports part of a domestic ferry network, such as in Greece and Japan. The emergence of the cruise industry has been associated with the setting up of cruise passenger terminals that can be extensive at turn port facilities such as Miami and Barcelona.

Although terminals may share a related port site, they often have no particular commonality in terms of the supply chain they are servicing. There is the potential that a multi-terminal port may not be an integrated entity, with its presence merely being coincidental. Still, terminals share common maritime and inland infrastructure.

Outside commercial issues related to the demand for cargo, port terminals depend on a specific range of equipment, and this equipment requires a footprint and a configuration. Terminal equipment is highly commodity-specific as some terminals can only handle one commodity or a limited range of cargoes. For instance, an oil terminal can only handle crude oil bulk shipment through specialized equipment and storage facilities. This equipment would not be able to handle other forms of liquid cargo.

Three fundamental categories of port terminals , equipment, and design characteristics can be found:

• General cargo . Unitized cargo that can be carried in batches and handled by three specialized terminal types with specific equipment and design considerations. Since break-bulk and container terminals handle unit cargoes, they are designed around the lift-on/lift-off principle, requiring cranes and storage areas. Vehicle terminals, a type of neo bulk terminals, are operated on the roll-on/roll-off principle and are dominated by parking areas. The design of general cargo terminals is a balance between the average throughput and the related storage requirements.
• Bulk cargo . Loose cargo carried in loads that are limited only by demand, ship size, and storage capacity. The bulk terminal is where this system is synchronized. Liquid bulk and dry bulk depend on different transshipment and storage techniques and are two distinct categories of bulk terminals with design considerations. Bulk terminals tend to be specialized to handle a single commodity, such as coal, grain, iron ore, natural gas, or petroleum. Each of these commodities has unique equipment, storage, and design considerations.
• Passengers . Ferry and cruise terminals are a small segment of port terminals. Ferry terminals are mainly roll-on/roll-off facilities with direct connectivity to the road system. Larger facilities require significant parking areas, but infrastructures and equipment are simple, with mooring areas and ramps. Recently, the growth of the cruise industry has led to the emergence of specialized cruise terminals that include passenger handling facilities and parking areas. Cruise terminals might also be involved in freight activities with the procurement of cruise ships.

Each terminal acts as a key node in the maritime-land interface , allowing maritime and inland systems to interact. The balance between market demand, ship capacity and frequency, and hinterland distribution requires a variety of footprints and design considerations.

2. Global Terminal Operators

A. private involvement in port terminal operations.

As late as the 1980s, public ownership and operation were the dominant models. While the forms of port governance differed greatly, from the municipally-owned ports in Northern Europe and the United States to the state-owned ports in France, Italy, and much of the developing world, public ownership was dominant, and publicly managed port operations were prevalent. The institutional entry barriers for port terminal operations were remarkably high and limited to specific services. This contrasted with the shipping industry, where private ownership was almost universal. Containerization particularly underlined how operationally deficient public port authorities adapted to growing time and performance requirements imposed on intermodal transport chains. The changes, slow at first, came from two directions:

• First, there was the belief that the transport industry as a whole should be divested to the private sector to promote competition . Ports were among the many sectors targeted by economic liberalization policies.
• Second, there was a policy recommendation from the World Bank that developing countries would do well to free their highly controlled port industry by issuing concessions to organizations able to modernize their port industries and better manage operations. To facilitate required changes, the World Bank created a Port Reform Tool Kit.

These developments helped create what has become a global snowball of port government reforms , commonly known as port devolution , as the public sector relinquished its role in a function it had formerly assumed. It made governments more open to considering reforming port governance and offering better conditions to ensure privatization . The growing demands for public and private investment in ports, precipitated by the growth in world trade, and the limited abilities of governments to meet these needs because of competing investment priorities, were key factors. Thus, while few were willing to go as far as the UK in the total privatization of ports, many countries were willing to consider awarding concessions as an intermediate form of privatization , leading to various forms of public-private partnerships .

B. Typology of port holdings

Privatization has stimulated an almost global trend toward awarding port operational concessions , especially for container terminals. The reasons container terminals were particularly prone to concessioning were related to the fast growth of international trade requiring massive and rapid capital investments. If the opportunities to award operational concessions can be seen as an increase in demand, growth has also been greatly affected by an increase in the number of companies seeking concessions, with many becoming large port holdings.

Port holding . An entity, commonly private that owns or leases port terminals in a variety of locations. It is also known as a port terminal operator.

Transnational terminal holding companies are grouped into three categories :

• Independent stevedores . Port terminal operators that expanded into new markets to replicate their expertise in terminal operations and to diversify their revenue geographically. PSA International, with headquarters in Singapore, is the largest global terminal operator coming from a stevedore background, followed by Hutchison Ports, with headquarters in Hong Kong. Stevedores account for about 50% of the hectares controlled by terminal operators worldwide.
• Maritime shipping companies . Invested in port terminal facilities to help support their core maritime shipping business. In many cases, hybrid structures are formed with separate business units or sister companies active in liner shipping or terminal operations. The terminal facilities can be operated on a single-user dedicated base or alternatively also be open to third-party shipping lines. APM Terminals, a Maersk Line sister company, is the largest global terminal operator from a maritime shipping background. Shipping lines account for about 31% of the hectares controlled by terminal operators worldwide.
• Financial holdings . Include various financial interests ranging from investment banks and retirement funds to sovereign wealth funds attracted by the port terminal sector as an asset class, and with revenue generation potential. The majority have an indirect management approach, acquiring an asset stake, and leaving the existing operator to take care of the operations. Others will directly manage the terminal assets through a parent company. DP World, a branch of the Dubai World sovereign wealth fund, is the largest global terminal operator coming from a financial background. The main reason why financial holding companies became interested in having port terminal assets in their portfolio is that they were perceived to have a high-value proposition . Holdings account for about 19% of the hectares controlled by terminal operators worldwide.

The setting up of specialized terminal operating companies is not a recent phenomenon. Many ports in Europe and the United States had already been awarded to local cargo handling companies through concessions and lease agreements. Because they were relatively small and locally based, with only a few exceptions, they did not participate in the global growth of concession awards opportunities. The exceptions were Stevedore Services of America (SSA), already active in several US West Coast Ports, which obtained concessions to operate facilities in Panama and several other smaller ports in Central America; Eurogate, a joint company formed by terminal handling companies from Bremen and Hamburg and Contship Italia, that obtained concessions in Italy and Morocco.

Beyond the three main categories, other types of companies are also involved in container terminal operations:

• Freight transport companies . They are involved in a wide range of freight services, such as shipping agents, freight forwarders, road and rail transport companies, and third-party logistics service providers. Examples include Bollore, Arkas (Turkey), Wilson (Brazil), Kuwait Gulf Link, Rennies (South Africa), Korea Express, Nippon Express, Severstahltrans (Russia), and Kontena Nasional (Malaysia).
• Construction companies . Primarily large engineering firms that have become involved in container terminal concessions through Private Finance Initiatives or attempts to secure terminal construction contracts. Examples include Acciona (Spain), Gammon (India), Tribasa (Mexico), Tucuman (Brazil), Samsung Corp, and Hyundai Development.
• Equipment manufacturers . Small specialist companies that have moved into concessions from their original base in equipment servicing. It is worth noting that none of the major manufacturers of container terminal equipment (quay cranes, RTGs) have been involved in bids for terminal concessions. Being involved in terminal operations could be perceived as an unfair competitive practice since they would be providing equipment to competing operators. Examples include Portek (Singapore), ABG Heavy Industries (India), and Mi-Jack (USA).
• Property developers . These are companies based mainly in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, and have diversified from commercial/residential developments into the provision of concessioned infrastructure. Examples include New World, Fairyoung, Henderson (HK), Metro Pacific Investment Corp, and Brisas del Pacifico (Colombia).
• Industrial conglomerates . These are either diversified holding companies or large manufacturers (such as steel or cars) regarded by their governments as national champions with the management ability to develop strategic assets. An important subset of this group comprises wealthy or well-connected individuals or families who have become involved because of their links to governments. For example, the Motta and Heibron families in Manzanillo (Panama), the Suharto family in Indonesia, and Dato Ahmad Sebi at Westports in Port Klang. Other examples of industrial conglomerates include CITIC (China), Syanco (Saudi Arabia), FIAT, Mitsui, Tusdeer, CSN (Brazil), Razon Group (Philippines), Evyap Group (Turkey), and John Keells Holdings (Sri Lanka).

Several companies operating container terminals are multi-faceted, often belonging to larger corporate entities covering a wide range of economic activities. Their categorization depends on how far back one goes in tracing the chain of ownership. The farther back the beneficial ownership of a concession is traced, the more complex and fragmented the ownership structure becomes. APMT, for example, whilst trading as an independent terminal operator, has close links to Maersk Line. Similarly, until its sale to institutional investors, Dradagos, the Spanish port and logistics services company, formed part of the ACS Group. ACS’s activities include construction, energy supply, environmental engineering, industrial services, and concessions in other modes of transport. In addition, some corporate structures are deliberately opaque to minimize commercial risks, taxation, or exposure to publicity.

C. Global terminal operators

Like many multinational corporations, global terminal operators are market seekers who expand their business opportunities through entry into new markets. A terminal can grow organically, but this is a rather slow process. A much faster growth rate can be achieved by acquiring terminal facilities in new markets. From the 1990s, a few companies became major global terminal operators controlling a multinational portfolio of terminal assets. They mostly originate from Asia, with four large companies dominating, three coming from a stevedore background and one from a shipping line:

• Hong Kong-based firm, Hutchison Ports (HPH), part of a major conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa.
• PSA International (PSA), the government-owned operator of the port of Singapore. Note that the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) was formed in 1964. In 1997, PSA was corporatized and renamed PSA Corporation Limited. The company kept the name PSA, which is no longer an acronym. In 2003, PSA International Private Limited became the main holding company for the PSA Group.
• DP World (DPW), which is mainly part of a sovereign wealth fund created by the government of Dubai to invest the wealth derived from oil trade.
• APM Terminals (APM), as a parent company of the world’s largest shipping line; Maersk.

The setting up of global terminal operators took place in three main waves:

• The first wave included companies like HPH, P&O Ports, and SSA, which expanded their operations on a geographical scale, thereby benefiting from the port privatization schemes in many regions across the world. HPH, which originated as a terminal operator in Hong Kong, first purchased Felixstowe, the largest UK container port. It developed a portfolio of more than 50 terminals worldwide, including in Rotterdam and Shanghai.
• As soon as the strategies of the pioneers proved to be successful, the second wave of companies started seeking expansion internationally, such as PSA, CSX World Terminals, and Eurogate. PSA has actively secured concessions in China and Europe, including Antwerp and Genoa. Like HPH, PSA originates from globally-oriented ports offering limited local terminal expansion opportunities. Local operators were thus encouraged to manage the constrained assets efficiently and to look abroad for expansion opportunities.
• The third wave of terminal operators emerged when major container carriers entered the terminal industry in an effort to support their core business. This also included financial holdings such as DPW that have grown through acquisitions, such as P&O Ports and CSX World Terminals, and by securing concessions in new markets. Shipping lines have also participated in terminal concessions but to a lesser extent. The most important is the in-house terminal operating company of Maersk; APM Terminals. Besides, Evergreen, COSCO (via COSCO Shipping Ports), MSC (via its majority shareholding in TIL – Terminal Investment Limited), and CMA-CGM (via its majority shareholding in Terminal Link) hold port terminal leases. A global pattern of concessions is evident between the dedicated terminal operating companies and the shipping lines.

A concentration of ownership among four major port holdings is taking place. While mergers and acquisitions are usually successfully completed, there are cases where they have triggered a regulatory response. For instance, in 2006, DPW acquired the terminal assets of P&O (Peninsular & Oriental Ports), further consolidating its global holdings. However, DPW was constrained to rescind the American assets of this transaction (terminals in Baltimore, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and Philadelphia) to the holding AIG (Ports America) due to political controversy; a Middle Eastern holding operating major American port terminals was perceived negatively in the post 9-11 context.

Despite being global, large terminal operators have a strong regional orientation , which indicates their transnational level. Global container terminal operators show varying degrees of involvement in the main cargo handling markets around the world. Complex and geographically diversified portfolios were established in virtually every freight market of the world. The container terminal has become a fundamental node in global freight distribution, with the managerial and operational expertise offered by global holdings an important element in its performance in terms of capacity and reliability.

3. The Strategies of Container Terminal Operators

The rapid expansion of terminal operating companies is a strategy that reflects  two economic forces . First, the entry of former terminal operators into the global system represents a horizontal integration process. The companies, constrained by the growth limits of their own ports, seek to apply their expertise in new markets and seek new income sources. Second, the entry of shipping lines into terminal operations is an example of vertical integration. The companies seek to extend their control over other links in the transport chain. There is a third strategy mainly followed by holdings having a strong financial orientation, portfolio diversification in which terminal assets feature.

Several strategies explain the growth of global terminal operating companies and their diffusion as key stakeholders in port terminals:

• Profitability . By modernizing port operations, mainly through better equipment, information systems, and management, port holdings can increase the profitability of their terminal assets. Because of their scale, management, and efficiency, global terminal operators tend to be more profitable than a single terminal operating firm. For instance, HPH achieved a 35% per year return on investment in the early 2000s. Port management was very lucrative, inciting others to expand existing assets and new players to enter the field. Since 2010, profit margins in terminal operations have become thinner, further underlining the advantage of efficient terminal operation practices.
• Financial assets . Port holdings have the financial means to invest in infrastructures as they have a wide variety of assets and the capacity to borrow large quantities of capital. They can use the profits generated by their profitable terminals to invest and subsidize the development of new terminals, thus expanding their asset base and operating revenues. Most are listed on equity markets, allowing access to global capital, which supports the freight transport sector as a source of returns driven by traffic growth fundamentals. This financial advantage cannot be matched by port authorities, even those heavily subsidized by public funds. In other cases, terminals have become financial assets that can grow more valuable as the traffic they handle increases (additional revenue). Financial holdings, such as retirement funds, have considered transport and port terminal assets for their portfolio.
• Managerial expertise . Port holdings excel in establishing procedures to handle complex tasks such as the loading and unloading sequence of containerships and all the intricacies of terminal operations. Many have accumulated substantial experience in terminal design and the management of containerized operations in a wide array of settings. Therefore, they are able to transfer managerial expertise to new terminals. Being private entities, they tend to have better customer service and considerable flexibility to meet the needs of their clients through service differentiation. This also includes the use of well-developed information systems and the capacity to quickly comply with legal procedures related to customs clearance and security.
• Gateway access . From a geographical standpoint, most port holdings follow a strategy to establish privileged positions to access hinterlands. By doing so, they secure a market share and can guarantee a level of port and often inland transport service to their customers. This can also be seen as a commercial strategy where a “stronghold” is established, limiting the presence of other competitors and creating a monopoly situation. Gateway access thus provides a more stable flow of containerized shipments since gateways tend to endure as global connectors. The acquisition of a new port terminal is often accompanied by the development of related inland logistics activities by companies related to the port holding.
• Leverage . A port holding is able to negotiate favorable conditions with maritime shippers and inland freight transport companies, namely around rates, access, and level of service. Some are subsidiaries of global maritime shipping lines (such as the A.P. Moller group controlled by the shipper Maesrk). In contrast, others are directly controlled by them (such as Evergreen), so they can offer a complete logistical solution to international freight transportation. They are also better placed to mitigate pressures from port authorities to increase rents and port fees. The “footloose” character of maritime shippers has for long been recognized, with the balance of power more in their favor than it is of the port authorities they negotiate with.
• Traffic capture . Because of their privileged relationships with maritime shipping lines, port holdings are able to capture and maintain traffic for their terminals. The decision to invest is often related to knowing that the terminal will handle a relatively secure number of port calls. Consequently, the level of traffic and revenue can be secured more effectively.
• Global perspective . Port holdings have a comprehensive view of the state of the industry and can interpret political and price signals to their advantage. They are thus well placed to influence the direction of the industry and anticipate developments and opportunities to offer global solutions to terminal requirements in ports around the world. Under such circumstances, they can allocate new investments (or divest) to take advantage of new growth opportunities and new markets.

The growth of transnational terminal operating companies has resulted in a concentration of ownership . In 2018 the top seven global terminal operators accounted for 34.5% of global container port activity in terms of equity-based throughput. Perhaps most important is that they are now dominant in the most important container ports in the world and wield monopoly power in many smaller ports. There is strong evidence that performance has improved in most ports due to concessioning to global terminal operators. The question is whether to regulate the further concentration of power, leaving several maritime ranges having to deal with a limited number of terminal operators that are in a position to impose oligopolistic fees and charges.

4. Cruise Terminal Operators

A. the emergence of cruise terminal operators.

Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the cruise industry experienced remarkable growth rates . Since the 1990s, the global growth rate of the cruise industry has endured despite economic cycles of growth and recession or other events disrupting cruise tourism, such as hurricanes. This growth rapidly reshapes the cruise industry, with private operators entering the business. Liberalization and internationalization in the cruise terminal business have become a trend similar to what occurred in the container terminal sector. Ports started to see cruises as more than an ancillary activity of secondary importance.

The presence of specialized cruise terminal operators has expanded. Along with service and other upgrades, the essential infrastructure for cruise terminal operations is also changing rapidly. Specialized cruise terminals replace multipurpose or temporary docking facilities. The bigger cruise ports develop via a terminalization strategy, – the evolution of autonomously operating terminals of considerable size; the terminals at Cruise Port Barcelona , the biggest port in Europe; and the size of cruise terminals in North America provide illustrative examples. New cruise terminals are built, and existing facilities are upsized and upgraded, imposing additional investments on the host port or terminal operator. Aiming to effectively respond to calls for upgrading cruise terminals, while safeguarding public spending, port authorities started to seek the active involvement of third parties to finance, construct, operate, and commercially develop cruise facilities. Private entry in cruise terminals has been facilitated by the port governance reforms applied to all port activities, with governments establishing a more commercialized environment for port operators.

This development has resulted in new opportunities for several firms, such as cruise lines and specialized cruise terminal operators , wishing to undertake new or additional investments in the cruise business, and sometimes to follow a path of internationalization. The concessioning of cruise terminals to third parties and the development of new terminals have become common practices. In some ports, cruise lines are directly involved in the financing, building, and operations of terminals. In other ports, local cruise terminal operators, which are often also port agents, are progressively joined by other companies that have developed interests in taking control of cruise ports and specialized purpose vehicles (SPVs) built by terminal operating companies. Eventually, international players emerged. As cruise activities in ports gain additional operational autonomy, public authorities are pursuing partnerships with third parties to finance and develop growth strategies.

B. Strategies of cruise terminal operators

The growing commitment of investors in the funding and management of cruise ports has reached levels comparable to what is being experienced in cargo ports, particularly container terminals. In the long term, this might affect the interactions between ports and cruise lines , changing bargaining power relations between cruise lines and port authorities, and the structure of cruise itineraries, as well as development strategies, such as initiatives to address the existing seasonality of cruise activities or attract higher spending cruisers. The leading actors involved in cruise terminal operations include:

• Cruise lines that are expanding vertically into terminal operation to support their core activity.
• Pure cruise terminal operators that are expanding horizontally in new markets.
• Third parties such as Chambers of Commerce, shipping agencies, travel operators, and logistics companies entering for a specific opportunity such as local economic development and simple diversification.

Cruise lines exploit the opportunities offered and undertake aggressive growth strategies, often entering overseas locations. In the Mediterranean market alone, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has emerged as the most active. The company operates cruise terminals in four different countries, such as Italy (Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Naples, Ravenna), Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Barcelona), and Turkey (Kusadasi). Costa Crociere is present in France (Port of Marseille) and Spain (Port of Barcelona), and MSC Cruises operates cruise terminals both in France (Port of Marseille) and Italy (Port of Naples).

Cruise lines prefer to focus their terminal investments in turnaround (home) ports with a high level of transport accessibility for tourists and cruisers. The key facilities are airports and high-speed rail stations from which most cruisers arrive. This has resulted in the “fly and cruise” model, where cruise passengers are directly picked up and checked in at the airport. In contrast, transit ports (ports of call) are selected for their touristic highlights and landmarks. The interest of international cruise lines in the financing, building, and terminal operations, which emerged in the early 2000s, is part of a vertical integration strategy . The main drivers of their strategies include the need for cost control and improvement in service quality and reliability, the need to defend their core assets financially, and the search for additional bargaining power in negotiations with local public authorities. Such vertical integration is experienced in other shipping sectors and is a means for achieving competitiveness along the supply chain.

Pure cruise terminal operators are investors who pursue horizontal integration and internationalization strategies to reach economies of scope and geographic diversification. Similar drivers trigger the entry of real estate and infrastructure managers , which rely on technical and managerial competencies developed in their core business to generate cross-sectorial synergies.

C. The internationalization of cruise terminal operators

More recently, cruise terminal operators started expanding overseas.

International Cruise Terminal Operators (ICTOs) are companies holding at least a share in one cruise facility located in a foreign country, and emerging as the main actors driving industry privatization.

Global Ports Holding (GPH) is a major ICTO established in 2004 as an international port operator with a diversified portfolio of cruise and commercial ports. It started as a cruise terminal operator in Turkey and now operates 21 ports in 13 countries, including nine ports in six Mediterranean countries. As of 2019, GPH facilities handled 14 million passengers, accounting for a 24% market share in the Mediterranean. The group also offers commercial port operations specializing in container, bulk, and general cargo handling. Another ICTO, Creuers Del Port Barcelona S.A., was established by the Port of Barcelona and then extended its cruise terminal portfolio to Asia (Singapore). The internationalization of cruise terminals might create an array of international actors managing global portfolios of facilities, comparable to what has happened with the rise of global container terminal operators.

Global Container Terminal Operators (GTOs) have recently assumed responsibilities for cruise terminal operations. This has been the outcome of the acquisition of majority stakes and ownership of entire ports. For instance, China Cosco Shipping became the owner of the master concession in Piraeus, and Terminal Link (CMA CGM) took over the concession in Thessaloniki, both ports and important container terminal facilities, but also cruise ports. Further, in 2017, DP World was awarded the concession to operate the port of Limassol, another important cruise destination. This trend is emerging even though cruise terminal activities are not part of their core business but a derived responsibility that may provide an incentive to acquire additional assets.

Given the pivotal role of cruise terminals in touristic global value chains, entities responsible for port destination development, such as Chambers of Commerce, and tourism-related firms, such as shipping agencies and travel operators, have become involved. Cruise facilities operations are seen as a tool to promote local and regional business or to support tourism. In some cases, such entities establish hybrid companies responsible for the management and operation of cruise ports. For instance, CCI Nice Cote d’Azur is an entity operating cruise terminals in several French Riviera ports. Several port companies are corporations with a public-ownership background that paved the way for the cruise business launch and facilitated a higher private equity commitment. Some of them entered the market predominantly in search of economies of scope and new business opportunities. For this purpose, they often exploited formal and informal ties with local public entities and institutions, rejecting the option of seeking foreign investments.

Financial investors , who are less directly involved, might be attracted by high growth rates and profitability in the cruise business. Specialized financial institutions, such as banks, insurance companies, and private equity (PE) firms, are searching for a reasonable risk, return maximization, and maturity of investments. They may see cruise terminals as attractive assets for diversifying their business portfolio, contributing to a higher degree of financialization of the port sector. The attractive features of port terminals include the long-term economic life of the assets, the monopolistic or oligopolistic nature of the industry, and the possibility of partially transferring risk to host governments through public-private partnerships.

An emerging trend has been the setting up of  dedicated facilities  where the cruise shipping company is directly involved in the development of the cruise terminal as well as co-located amenities. Examples of this practice are the private islands in the Caribbean , which are reserved exclusively for a cruise company. The most prominent include Labadee (Royal Caribbean) in Haiti, Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean), Half Moon Cay (Holland), Castaway Cay (Disney), Princess Cay (Princess), and Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian) in the Bahamas. These private facilities are all within one cruise day from the home ports of Florida, offering the option of short 3-4 day cruises to a quiet and safe destination. They are all enclaves within their respective host countries.

Related Topics

• Chapter 3.2 Terminal Concessions and Land Leases
• Chapter 4.1 Port Governance and Reform
• Chapter 5.2 Intra-Port Competition
• Chapter 5.5. Entry Barriers
• Chapter 8.1 Cruise Ports
• Notteboom, T. and J-P Rodrigue (2011) “Emerging Global Networks in the Container Terminal Operating Industry”, in T. Notteboom (ed) Current Issues in Shipping, Ports and Logistics, Brussels: Academic & Scientific Publishers. pp. 243-270.
• Notteboom, T. and J-P Rodrigue (2012) “The Corporate Geography of Global Container Terminal Operators”, Maritime Policy and Management , Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 249-279.
• Pallis A.A., K.P. Arapi, and A.A. Papachristou (2019). “Models of Cruise Ports Governance”, Maritime Policy and Management , 46(5), 630-651.
• Pallis, A.A., F. Parola, G. Satta, and T. Notteboom (2018). “Private Entry and Emerging Partnerships in Cruise Terminal Operations in the Meditteranean Sea, Maritime Economics and Logistics , 20(1), pp. 1-28.
• Parola, F. T. Notteboom, G. Satta and J-P Rodrigue (2015) “The Impact of Multiple-site Acquisitions on Corporate Growth Patterns of International Terminal Operators”, International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 621-635.

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