ANATOMY OF CRUISE 5. RIVERBOATS.

Another time machine to the

past is the riverboat, or "paddlewheeler". Often
Styles of Ships
modeled after the great steamboats of the
1. THE CLASSIC OCEAN LINER. These ships-- nineteenth century, these vessels permit
some of which are still in service today- - passengers to experience America's great rivers
epitomize the first Golden Age of cruising. in a style memorialized in the works of Mark
Primarily used for transatlantic crossings or Twain. Modern-style riverboats, too, are popular
world voyages, and mostly built before 1970, vehicles for experiencing such legendary rivers
they're sleek, streamlined, and built to knife their as the Rhine, the Danube, and the Nile.
way through open ocean waves. Most are rather 6. BARGES. Whether it's a twelve-passenger barge
small by today's cruise standards, but several drifting along a French canal or a much larger
vintage liners are as big as some of the larger vessel floating down the Mississippi, barge
contemporary ships. travel is far less spartan than you might think. In
2. THE CONTEMPORARY CRUISE SHIP. In the fact, it's usually quite the opposite. Passenger
1970s, ship designers began to redefine what a barges are usually luxurious, affording a
cruise ship should be. Speed was no longer of pampered and leisurely discovery of the
prime consideration. Tapered, knifelike hulls countryside.
gave way to broader, boxier, still attractive 7. FERRIES. Usually we don't think of a ferry trip
vessels built to accommodate uniformly sized as a cruise. Yet in Europe (especially in
staterooms and the numerous activity venues Northern Europe), many ferries provide an
that the modern cruise vacation experience overnight or even multiday, cruise like
requires. These ships have grown larger and experience, with private staterooms, glitzy
larger, eventually surpassing the size and entertainment, AND BOUNTIFUL DINING.
capacity of the mid-twentieth-century 8. MULTIPURPOSE SHIPS. Some vessels, like
behemoths, like the Queen Mary and Queen those that sail the fjord-lined west coast of
Elizabeth. The industry generally calls these Norway, serve many functions. They carry
giant-sized ships megaships. They can cargo, transport passengers between. close-by
accommodate 2,000 passengers or more and villages and-yes-serve as cruise ships for leisure
have 12 or more decks (a deck is the equivalent travelers too.
of a story in a building). 9. MISCELLANEOUS. Many unusual forms of
3. SMALL SHIPS. In contrast to megaships are water transportation provide cruise like
much smaller vessels, most of which vacations. It's possible, for example, for a leisure
accommodate fewer than 200 passengers. Here traveler to book passage on a freighter. The
the emphasis is on an up-close. more intimate itineraries are unpredictable and the
cruise vacation. The cruise lines that rely on entertainment nonexistent (except for videos),
small-ship cruising often stress education, soft but the food is usually excellent and the
adventure, and/or luxury experiences. Their staterooms are large It's also possible to charter
ships often look like cruise ships in miniature or your own yacht, either with a crew or without.
oversized yachts. (The latter is called a bare boat charter.)
4. MASTED SAILING SHIPS. Yes, there are still Similarly, many people rent houseboats, often
cruise ships that have masts and sails and are with family and usually to vacation on a lake or
partly or almost entirely powered by the wind. In a river.
some cases, these vessels are technologically
sophisticated, with computers controlling the SIZING OF SHIPS
sails. In other instances, the crew and even
How does the cruise industry measure its ships?
passenger volunteers rig the sails. The ships
have motors, just in case the wind dies down.  One way is by the number of staterooms.
People who sail on such ships want an  Another is by how many passengers the ship
experience rooted in other times, when billowing accommodates. (The cruise business often uses
cloth and the romance of the sea were what the word guests instead of passengers.) For
sailing was all about. example, any vessel that carries 2,000
 passengers or more is usually considered a are permitted to visit the bridge and/or the galley on a
megaship. special, “behind the scenes” tour.
 A third way to measure is by something
Public spaces are those where passengers mingle.
called gross registered tonnage, or GRT.
Here are the most common.
Gross registered tonnage is determined
by a formula that gouges the volume of 1. THE RECEPTION AREA. All ships have a
the public spaces on a ship. It measures lobbylike area where the purser's office (also
only enclosed space available to known as the front desk, hotel desk, reception
passengers. It doesn't factor in open desk, or information desk) is located. The
areas, like the promenade decks, or purser's office is the direct equivalent of a hotel's
private spaces used only by the crew front desk (though, unlike hotels, cruise
(e.g., the engine room). Since it deals passengers do not need to check in at this desk
only with parts of the vessel, the actual to get their rooms). Nearby is usually the shore
ship's weight is probably much more excursion office or tour desk, where passengers
than the GRT. And, no, there are no can inquire about and/or book port tours and
huge scales to test it out. activities. On newer ships, the reception area
may be in a multistory space called an atrium.
1. Very small: Under 10,000 GRT; under 200 pax 2. THE DINING ROOM. Guests eat dinner here,
2. Small: 10,000-20,000 GRT; 200-500 pax and, often, breakfast and lunch as well. Larger
3. Medium: 20,000-50,000 GRT, 500-1,200 pax ships typically feature several main dining
4. Large: 50,000-70,000 GRT; 1,200-2,000 pax rooms.
5. Megaship: 70,000 GRT or more; 2,000 pax or 3. ALTERNATE DINING AREAS. Informal,
more buffet like dining usually takes place on the pool
deck for some or all meals. Guests can dine
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASSIC SHIPS AND
indoors or, in good weather, outdoors. (This area
MODERN SHIPS
is often called the Lido deck or cafe.) Many
ships also have alternate restaurants- -such as
pizzerias or specialty dining facilities--that are
open part or even all of the day. Small facilities
dispensing fast food (e.g., hot dogs and
hamburgers) are often located on the pool deck.
(Outdoor dining is often referred to as al fresco
dining).
4. THE SHOWROOM. Entertainment events
usually take place here each night. During the
day, the showroom may host orientation
meetings, port lectures, games (e.g.. bingo).
movies, or other special events. Most ships
usually feature one or more additional
entertainment areas, bars, and discos.
SHIP FACILITITES 5. THE POOL AREA. The majority of ships today
have one or more swimming pools, perhaps with
Space on a ship can be divided into three types: Jacuzzis nearby. These pools aren't usually very
stateroom space, private (or crew) space, and public big, however. Imagine how much such a volume
space. of water weighs! Since the pool is usually on an
upper deck, a massive pool would destabilize the
Passengers almost never see the spaces that serve the
ship. A deck with many lounge chairs and
ship's crew. (They're usually on decks below those of the
(perhaps) tables usually surrounds the pool.
passengers.) These include crew cabins, dining areas,
There may be a shallow wading pool for kids.
and recreational facilities. Other private spaces are the
On some ships, a glass skylight-sometimes
bridge (where the vessel is controlled). the galley or
called a magrodome can cover the pool area. In
kitchen (where food is prepared), and mechanical areas
warm weather it slides away, permitting
(such as the engine room). On certain cruises, passengers
 passengers to feel the cool sea breeze in an open to compete with shore side facilities-is usually
environment. In cold or rainy weather, it slides closed when the ship is in port
shut.
Conference/Business Center Ice Skating Rink
6. THE HEALTH CLUB. Most cruise vessels
provide an area for guests to exercise, with an Tuxedo Rental Shop Watersport Platforms
aerobics area, stationary bicycles, treadmills,
and weight machines. The health club frequently Card Rooms Water Slide
adjoins a spa that offers massages, facials, Cigar/Smoking Lounges Art Auction Gallery
saunas, whirlpools, aromatherapy, and other
beauty or relaxation-related services. In addition ATMS Climbing Wall
to the customary shuffleboard and ping-pong,
Launderette Climbing Wall
ships may also offer jogging tracks, basketball
courts, and other exercise-related facilities. Chapel (For Weddings An Drugstore
7. THE CHILDREN'S AREA Family cruise
vacations have become important for many Nondenominational Services)
cruise lines. Facilities for children--supervised Tennis Courts Function Rooms Florist Shop
by specially trained staff--have therefore become
common. Their features and activities often are Game/Videogame Rooms Florist Shop
tailored to multiple age groups (e.g., young
Golf Simulation Areas Libraries Miniature Golf
children, older children, and teens).
Course
8. THE GIFT SHOP. On some ships it's just a little
store where you can buy sundries. On many (Books And/Or Videos)
others it's a more extensive place that sells
souvenirs, duty-free goods, tee-shirts, and the CRUISE STATEROOMS
like-often themed to the ship. Some vessels A stateroom-also called a cabin-is to a ship what a guest
feature many places to buy things, arranged in room is to a hotel. There's one big difference: Ship
minimall fashion. staterooms are usually extremely compact. Author
9. THE MEDICAL FACILITY. Maritime law Douglas Ward has an evocative name for them: "hotel
requires any vessel that carries more than 100 rooms in miniature." The average hotel room in America
passengers to have a physician onboard, often today is about 350 to 450 square feet. Some staterooms
assisted by one or more nurses. These health are as small as 100 square feet, and few exceed 250
care professionals work out of a small, hospital- square feet.
like facility.
10. THE MOVIE THEATER. Many ships feature However, staterooms are astonishingly efficient. Ship
screenings of recent movies in a theater. These designers manage to fit all manner of cabinets, drawers,
theaters often serve double-duty as meeting and shelves into the typical stateroom, making it often as
spaces. In-cabin video, however, is- -on some functional as a hotel room twice the size.
ships-eliminating the need for an onboard movie Three types of ship staterooms exist:
theater.
11. THE PHOTO GALLERY. At key moments and 1. OUTSIDE STATEROOMS have windows.
picturesque spots, professional photographers Because you can look outside, these ocean- view
take photos of passengers. These photos are then accommodations feel more open. They're ideal
displayed in a photo gallery on the ship. for clients who worry about feeling cramped.
Passengers can purchase the ones they like for a Older ships have portholes. Newer ships have
reasonable price. (Passengers can drop off their larger windows. Some staterooms feature a full-
own film for developing here, too.) wall sliding glass door that leads to a verandah,
12. THE CASINO. Since gambling is usually legal which enables guests to go outside and
on ships, most cruise vessels boast casinos experience the environment in a direct and
where clients can play blackjack, roulette, slot private way. (Believe it or not, some first-time
machines, and other games. (Gambling is cruisers conclude that outside accommodations
prohibited on ships calling only on U.S. ports.) must be out on deck or even off the ship!).
The casino-either for legal reasons or so as not
 2. INSIDE STATEROOMS are in the ship's 5. A television that feeds live or repeated
interior. Usually they have no windows, but broadcasts of shipboard events, movies, port
often use mirrors, pastel colors, bright lighting, talks, and satellite transmission of regular TV
and even false window drapes to make the room programming.
feel more open (a few ships do have inside 6. Extensive lighting, wall-to-wall carpeting, and
staterooms with windows that look out onto an everything else you'd associate with a hotel.
interior atrium). Many cruisers prefer inside
staterooms because these rooms usually are the
least expensive on the ship. They also may feel A stateroom on today's ships almost always has a
that a stateroom "is only a place to sleep. Late connecting bathroom. It's usually very compact but,
sleepers like inside staterooms because early again, well-conceived, with a sink, toilet, and shower.
daylight won't disturb them. Larger staterooms may have a full tub and shower, while
3. SUITES are the most expensive suites sometimes have a little vanity area between the
accommodations on a ship. Some vessels have stateroom and its bathroom.
only a few, others boast an entire upper,
concierge like deck made up of larger READING A DECK PLAN
staterooms and/or suites. By the traditional Deck plans are important. Unlike at hotels, guests can
definition, a suite should feature a living room, a often select the exact staterooms they want when the
sleeping room, and a bathroom. This is not so on cruise is booked. But there are exceptions.
a ship. Except for the very largest- which
resemble a room in a luxury hotel-shipboard In brochures, color coding makes a deck plan easy to
suites typically feature, in the same rectangular read. Colors help indicate which price categories apply
space, a sitting area and a sleeping area, often to which staterooms. (A stateroom category is the price
divided by a curtain and featuring just under 300 that a certain kind or level of stateroom represents) Other
square feet of living area. Suites can usually reference resources usually reproduce deck plans in
accommodate more than two people, making black and white, however.
such accommodations popular for families (the
Usually, the higher the deck is on the ship, the higher the
sofa often converts into a bed). On certain
category and price. Suites and larger staterooms are
vessels, on entire deck may be made up of suites
generally located on the highest decks. There are,
and be called a concierge level. Guests on this
however. many exceptions.
deck may have access to a concierge who helps
arrange certain services for them. They may Deck plans often note certain special stateroom
even have a butler at their call. circumstances. Examples include obstructed views from
windows (a lifeboat may be in the way), staterooms
Here's what you find in a typical stateroom:
specially equipped for the physically challenged, or
1. TWO SINGLE LOWER BEDS, either parallel those that can accommodate three or four passengers.
to each other or at right angles. Sometimes the
When cruise clients and travel agents study a deck plan,
beds can be pushed together by staff to create a
they should carefully examine the relationship of a
double or queen-sized bed. Larger staterooms
stateroom to the ship's public spaces.
boast double, queen, or even king-size beds.
Staterooms with upper beds can accommodate 1. Bow
three or four passengers; these uppers are
recessed into the wall or ceiling during the day. Bow of the ship is the part that is in front of the ship.
In cruise jargon, a bed is often called a berth. Serves to reduce the bow when the ship is sailing,
(Berth also can refer to the docking space of a prevent water from entering the ship, and reduce the
ship.) pressure of waves or sea water.
2. A bedstand between the beds or on each side.
3. A vanity, often with a chair, along with built-in
drawers, cabinets, and the like. 2. Port Hand
4. A closet, perhaps with multiple levels and
The port is the left side of the ship which functions as a
storage places.
place for passenger boarding and unloading, as well as
repairing the ship.
3. Forecastle This auxiliary engine is located in front of the ship to the
left. Usually installed on certain ships to help maneuver
Forecastle is one part of the ship which is located in
the ship.
front of the ship in the superstructure. This part has a
function to place the tools used for anchoring such as 11. Compass Bridge
bollards, mooring ropes, and others.
The compass bridge, also known as the bridge of the
4. Open-Air Terrace ship, is a room for the ship's steering command. In
addition, on the bridge of the ship also placed navigation
Open-Air Terrace is a terrace outside the ship or called
tools for the captain's room, and also a radio to
an open terrace. This terrace is shaped like a floor that
determine the position of the ship.
covers the front of the ship and is in front of the
navigation tool. 12. Starboard Hand
5. Radar Starboard hand is a buoy on the starboard side of the
ship which is placed outside the right channel of the ship
Radar stands for "Radio Detection and Ranging". The
or on the hull.
radar on the ship has a function as a navigation tool that
detects and measures objects around the ship. Radar is 13. Anchor-Windlass Room
also used to detect the location of ships to prevent
Windlass is a system installed on ships to move chains
collisions with other ships and objects floating in the sea.
and anchors. Anchor-windlass is also called anchor
6. Radio Antenna machine.
Usually ships have a radio which is called marine VHF 14. Stem Bulb
Radio. This radio serves as a means of communication at
The stem bulb is also called the bulbous bow which is
critical times and emergencies. The radio on the ship has
located on the bow of the front of the ship. The stem
an antenna that is on the ship, which is useful for making
bulb has a function to reduce ship resistance, improve
searches easier during an emergency by sending a signal
ship trim (tilt angle), provide vessel bottom pressure, and
to the SAR team or other ship.
also hold the ship's bow.
7. Sundeck
15. Swimming Pool
The sundeck on a cruise ship is a preferred place for
On cruise ships, a swimming pool is also provided. This
passengers to enjoy the sea view while sailing. As the
swimming pool is one of the facilities on a cruise ship
name implies, the sundeck is used to relax and bask in
that is used for leisure and recreation during a sailing
the sun.
ship.
8. Telecommunication Antenna
16. Stabilizer Fin
Telecommunication is the process of sending
Stabilizer fin is a tool used to provide an overview of the
information wirelessly or only through signals.
ship's motion and maintain balance while the ship is on
Telecommunication antennas on ships can convert
the water. is tool is located on the right and left hull of
electromagnetic signals Into electrical signals. In
the ship below.
addition, radio signals emitted by radio stations are also
captured through this telecommunication antenna.

9. Captain's Quarters 17. Playing Area

The Captain's Quarter is the captain's room. The captain As we know, the purpose of the cruise ship itself is for a
is responsible for all passengers and the operation of the tour to enjoy the sea view. Playing area is one of the
ship during the voyage. facilities provided on a cruise ship for use by ship
passengers as a place to play.
10. Bow Thruster
18. Gymnasium
Bow Thruster is an additional engine on a ship that is
used to help move the ship or as a propulsion device.
The gymnasium is a facility on a cruise ship that is used 25. Lifeboat.
for a fitness center. The types of fitness equipment on a
Lifeboat is an equipment for safety that is always owned
cruise ship are also fairly complete.
by ships. This lifeboat is used in times of emergency
This is why a vacation using a cruise ship is considered such as accidents or other things that require the ship's
fun, in addition to luxurious lodging. cruise ships also passengers to leave the ship.
provide facilities that cannot be found on other types of
26. Stern
ships.
Stern is one part of the ship that is located at the rear part
19. Lounge
of the ship. This stern or steel tube is used to support or
Lounge is a waiting room. On cruise ships, there is also a protect the propeller of the ship from impact.
special room to relax, which is usually on the top floor.
27. Propeller
20. Funnel
The propeller is shaped like a waterwheel and has a
Funnel or chimney on ships serves to remove smoke direct connection with the ship's engine to produce
from the ship's engine or the burning of ship's fuel. In energy to propel the ship. The propeller is a major
addition, the presence of a chimney can prevent smoke component of the ship that has a function to move the
from being inhaled by humans because the chimney ship.
controls according to the direction of the wind when
28. Rudder
smoke is released.
Rudder is a tool used to determine the ship's direction of
21. Hall
motion. The rudder of the ship is also an important
The hall is a place that is often used for meeting and component in the ship to maintain the safety of the ship.
event centers. On cruise ships, hall facilities are provided
which are usually used as places for parties, meetings,
reunions, and others.
22. Promenade Deck
Promenade deck or known as ship deck is a deck that
extends from the bow to the stern. The deck itself is a
floor on the ship that is used for walking by the
passengers.
23. Porthole
A porthole is a small gap like a wind door or window on
the side of a ship. Porthole is usually in the form of a
circle and made from glass which has a function as
lighting. ventilation, and others.

24. Quarter Deck

Quarter deck or also known as the back deck. The
quarter deck is used by the officers and passengers of the
ship. Has a function as an information or announcement
room, ship bell. administration room, right for receiving
guests or visitors who have been given permission. and
others.