A short, plain-English guide to the words you will meet while comparing cruises. Use it alongside our planning guides when you weigh up ships, cabins and itineraries.
Cabins and decks
French balcony
A floor-to-ceiling glass door that slides open to a railing. You get fresh air and an uninterrupted view, but no separate seating area outside.
Step-out (Juliet) balcony
A small balcony with just enough room to stand outside at the railing. Common on the upper decks of river ships.
Panorama window
A large fixed picture window that fills the cabin with light and river views. On some ships the upper portion opens; on others it is sealed.
Main, Middle, Upper and Lower Deck
River-ship cabin categories are usually defined by deck. Higher decks generally sit further above the waterline, offer balconies more often and carry higher fares; lower decks tend to have fixed windows set higher in the cabin.
On board
Open seating
Dining where you are not assigned a fixed table or time and can sit where you like within opening hours.
Shore excursion
A guided visit ashore at a port of call, often included on river cruises and sometimes offered as an optional extra.
All-inclusive vs cruise-only
An all-inclusive fare bundles items such as drinks, excursions and tips; a cruise-only fare covers the voyage itself, with extras added separately. Always compare what each fare includes.
Single supplement
An additional charge for a solo traveller occupying a cabin designed for two. It varies by ship and departure.
Expedition cruising
Catamaran
A twin-hulled vessel. In the Galápagos, small catamarans offer a stable ride and an intimate number of guests.
Expedition cruise
A voyage built around exploring ashore — in the Galápagos, daily guided landings and water activities rather than time in port cities.
Naturalist guide
A certified local guide who leads landings, explains the wildlife and ensures visitors follow national-park rules.
Panga (Zodiac)
A small inflatable boat used to ferry guests from ship to shore and for close-up cruising along coastlines.
Routes and ships
Round trip vs one-way
A round trip returns to its start city; a one-way voyage begins and ends in different cities, which can mean different travel days and flights.
Embarkation and disembarkation
The days you board and leave the ship. On many itineraries these are counted as the first and last days.
Port and starboard
The left and right sides of the ship when facing forward. Which side faces the best views changes as the ship turns, so it rarely dictates the whole trip.
Draft
How deep a ship sits in the water. River ships have a shallow draft so they can navigate rivers and pass under bridges.
Still comparing? See our guides to choosing your ship and choosing your cabin.