[et_pb_kkaccordion use_hashchange=”off” admin_label=”Cruise Travel Terminology” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”2px||2px|” custom_css_toggle=”margin-bottom: 0 !important;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Cabin” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Your room on the ship. Cabin and Stateroom refer to the same thing and are commonly used interchangeably. Some cruise lines prefer to use one term or the other. (And still other cruise lines refer to all rooms as “Suites,” whether or not they are more than one room).
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Category” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Every cruise ship offers multiple levels of accommodations, divided into categories. You can think of cabin categories like hotel room types. Just as a hotel may charge a premium for a room with queen beds instead of double beds or a larger room or preferred location, cruise accommodations are divided similarly.
Common category divisions include: Inside (no window to the outside of the ship); Outside, a/k/a Ocean View (a window to the outside, but usually that window does not open); and Balcony, a/k/a Veranda (open to the outside, with at least a small landing outside the room). Some lines offer additional specialty categories. These broad categories are usually subdivided into subcategories.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Crossing” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]An itinerary referred to as a “crossing” is one that traverses an ocean, usually one-way. For example, an Eastbound Atlantic Crossing usually travels from a United States port to a European Port.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Cruise Contract (a/k/a Contract of Carriage)” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]The Cruise Contract is a long list of Terms & Conditions of sale that describes what you are entitled to receive on your cruise vacation from the cruise line as well as your obligations. Important terms include payment requirements, cancelation and/or refund provisions, your rights if a cruise must be re-routed or canceled, limitations on what you can bring on board with you, etc.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Cruise Fare” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]The Cruise Fare is one part of the total cost of your cruise. The Cruise Fare outlines exactly how much is due for each passenger, and what is included by the cruise line for that fare. Additional components of the total cost of the cruise include port fees & taxes and gratuities. Some cruise lines, particularly luxury lines, now include gratuities in the cruise fare. Other lines are now assessing gratuities against the passenger’s onboard account automatically (though they can be increased, reduced, or removed at the directlon of the passenger).
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Deck Plan” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]A cruise ship map. The deck plan helps you to locate various restaurants and activities around the ship, relative to your stateroom location. Your travel professional will review a deck plan at the time of booking, to help you select a stateroom location that best meets your needs from the rooms remaining available.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Double Occupancy” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Most cruise staterooms are sold based on “Adult Double-Occupancy,” which means that the cruise fare requires (at a minimum) that the room be booked for two adults. A single adult is still permitted to book the room, but will usually be required to pay a “Single Supplement” that is the equivalent of the full fare for another adult in the room. Cruise lines occasionally offer special discounts, waiving the single supplement for solo travelers on select sailings. The Adult Double-Occupancy requirement also means that, on many cruise lines, one adult and one child sharing a stateroom will pay the same fare as two adults sharing a stateroom, even if the fare is usually reduced for children.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Guarantee” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]A guarantee is a particular type of cruise fare. The passenger books a category, rather than a specific stateroom. The room assigned, usually just before the cruise, can be any subcategory within the major category booked. It depends entirely on what is available after other passengers who booked specific rooms have selected their staterooms.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Itinerary” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]The itinerary is the ship’s official daily schedule. It will usually list whether the ship is at sea or in port on each day. On port days, the itinerary will usually also list the planned arrival and departure times.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Repositioning Cruise” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]A Repositioning Cruise travels one way, rather than returning to the starting port, usually for the purpose of moving the ship to a new home port. Repositioning cruises are often priced lower than average for the particular ship being repositioned. Things to keep in mind when considering a repositioning cruise:
Even within the Western Hemisphere, a Passport is required, because the cruise is not a “closed loop.”
When considering the cost, remember that airfare either to or returning from the cruise may be substantially higher than usual.

If you find a repositioning itinerary you like, BOOK IT! Each relocation generally only happens once per year per ship. So while the prices may be lower when they first go on sale, availability is limited because of the unique nature of each such itinerary.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Sea Day” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]A day in which the cruise ship does not visit a port of call and stays on the open water. These are often the best days for onboard shopping, as stores on the ship are often required to close while the ship is in port.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Shorex” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Shorex is a shortened reference to a “shore excursion” – which can be any activity you engage in while at a port of call. On most cruise lines, the vast majority of shorex are not included in your cruise fare.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Single Supplement” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Because most cruise fares are based on Adult Double-Occupancy (as discussed above), when a solo traveler books a cruise stateroom they are usually required to pay a “Single Supplement.” The Single supplement is intended to cover the lost revenue from the second passenger, so a single supplement of “200%” is common (meaning that one person pays double the standard per person cruise fare for a solo room). Some cruise lines offer single staterooms without any applicable single supplement, or reduced supplements.
[/et_pb_kkaccordion_item][et_pb_kkaccordion_item title=”Transfer” inc_mod=”off” open_toggle_background_color=”#a3e8ff” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]A transfer is your transportation to or from the cruise ship. Transfers can usually be booked as an optional addition to your cruise fare, or separately through a third-party vendor.
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