Brittany Chrusciel, Contributor 
Heidi Bucolo Is there anything worse than being lost on a cruise ship? Well, maybe being lost and not being on a cruise ship. But the vastness of ships can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to cruising.
Knowing how to find your way around a cruise can be difficult to master on every new ship you board, even if you’ve sailed before. But there are some ways to ease the transition from navigating out of your driveway to walking the decks.
This guide to cruise ship navigation will have you slinging ship jargon, like bow vs. stern and forward vs. aft, in no time. So, you can locate the martini bar without breaking a sweat.
Bow vs. Stern and Forward vs. Aft: Our Guide to Cruise Ship Navigation
Cruise Ship Navigation Terminology
There’s no need to go toe-to-toe with the captain, but knowing some basic nautical terms will help you to translate unfamiliar lingo aboard your ship.
Forward vs. Aft
“Forward” is the nautical term for front, and “aft” means back. Walking all the way forward on a cruise ship means heading toward the very front or bow of a vessel. Likewise, aft is the very back or stern of the ship, which typically affords excellent views of the wake from one of the outer decks.
Ships are typically so long that this can easily get confusing, so it’s best to refer to signage around the ship that should have arrows pointing in the right direction before you set off blindly.
If you know the theater is on Deck 3 but you’ve walked to the very aft of the ship instead of heading forward, it might take a few minutes to cross the length of the deck. (And hopefully you won’t miss the start of the show.)
Bow vs. Stern
The bow is the technical term for the structural front of your cruise ship; it’s the somewhat pointed portion of the hull that cuts through the waves. The stern of a ship is the back portion of the vessel.
Port vs. Starboard
The directional terms for left and right on a cruise ship might seem confusing at first, but you’ll become used to the terminology. Portside refers the left side of the ship when facing forward. An easy way to remember this is that “port” has four letters as does “left.” Starboard is the righthand side of the ship when facing the bow or front.
These terms are handy on an expedition cruise when wildlife sightings are more common. The captain or crew will call out the port or starboard side of the vessel if they spot a pod of whales, for example.
These terms are also helpful when booking a cabin. While the left side isn’t always facing land, chances are portside will be alongside the port when you dock. Though, this is highly dependent based on the ship’s itinerary. If you prefer to have a view from your stateroom as you pull into your ports of call, be sure to talk to your travel advisor or the cruise line about booking a room on the correct side of the ship. They can also guide you in the best rooms on a cruise ship or the cruise cabins you should avoid.
Tips and tricks for finding your way around a cruise ship
Simply knowing the nautical terms for front, back, left, and right won’t necessarily help you find your way around a cruise ship — especially aboard mega-ships, like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, with more than a dozen decks and more than a thousand feet in length. These tips will help orientate you and navigate even the biggest ships like a pro.
1. Follow the fish on Norwegian Cruise Line ships
While this cute bit of upholstery seems to be slowly phasing out with new and refurbished ships, take careful note if you are onboard a Norwegian cruise ship and you see fish on the carpeting. These little fish were originally put in place beneath feet to “swim” forward, so passengers always know which direction they are facing. Disney Cruise Line ships sometimes have indicators facing forward in the hallway carpets as well.
Some ships from other cruise lines also have hints embedded in the carpeting, like arrows or different colors for port vs. starboard, to help point you in the right direction.
2. Download the app
Most cruise lines these days have smartphone apps to help you know what’s going on around the ship, book dining reservations or spa appointments, and more. Another handy feature of these apps might be deck plans for your ship. Some are only still images of deck plans, while others are interactive and allow you to tap on various spaces to better see where you’re headed. Regardless of the format, you’ll always have this cruise ship navigational tool at your fingertips.
3. Head to the elevators
If you are dizzy trying to find your way, locate an elevator bank. Maps of the ship as well as an indication of where you are onboard are almost always found around these central gathering points. You can usually find these maps either between the elevators or off to the side.
Also found near elevators on some ships are wayfinders, which act as interactive touchscreens that not only tell you where you are but can map out a step-by-step route for where you’re looking to go.
4. Take a photo of the deck plans
Little folded paper maps of your ship’s deck plans and a list of venues are still provided by some cruise lines upon boarding on embarkation day, and they are handier than you might realize. But if you lost your map or never received one, a workaround is to keep a copy on your phone.
One option is to snap a photo of a comprehensive ship map onboard and bookmark it for reference. Another way to create your own handheld ship map is to take a screenshot of some online deck plans. (Planners might even want to peek at deck plans, which are available online, weeks prior to their cruise.)
Whichever way you decide to capture a cruise map, having it in the palm of your hand will come in handy — whether it’s your first cruise or your fiftieth.
5. Memorize your stairwell
A place you’ll return to again and again throughout the cruise is your cabin. In that regard, it’s probably the most important place to remember how to find. Once you visit your stateroom for the first time and drop your bags, be sure to then backtrack to the nearest stairwell or elevator bank. Are they forward, aft, or mid-ship?
Then, in the first day or two, plan out a few places on the ship you know you’ll be frequenting, whether it’s the pool or the pizza counter. Mapping out the simplest route to the places you’ll be spending the most time means you’ll have more minutes to spend enjoying your vacation and less time trying to figure out where the heck you are.
6. Pick a landmark or two
Landmarks help us find our way in everyday life — remember a time before GPS? The same applies to finding your way around a cruise ship.
After you’ve had time to walk the ship a little, make a mental note of anything that stands out: the funky sculpture, the mural by the pub, or the jingling of the casino. Attaching a location to these cruise ship landmarks will help orient you and make it easier to find your way from there.
7. Get lost
Yes, intentionally.
Sometimes the best way to get to know a cruise ship is to wander aimlessly, exploring its various decks and venues. You might discover a cozy, tucked-away bar or a hidden lounge. By walking the ship, you’ll also become familiar with its main thoroughfares, whether it’s a promenade deck or wall to wall with restaurants and nightclubs.
Actually, taking some time to explore the ship on your cruise boarding day is one of our top tips for all cruisers.
Cruise Ship Navigation FAQs
What’s the difference between bow vs. stern on a cruise ship?
The bow is the front of the cruise ship, while the stern is the back. You can remember this by thinking “you bow forward”. The stern is where you’ll typically find the wake of the ship as it moves through the water.
How do I remember which side is port and which is starboard?
Port is always the left side of the ship when you’re facing forward (toward the bow). As mentioned above, an easy way to remember this is that “port” and “left” both have four letters. Starboard is always the right side. Another memory trick: “The ship left port”, so port is left.
What does “forward” and “aft” mean on a cruise ship?
Forward means toward the front (bow) of the ship, while aft means toward the back (stern). When someone says “meet me at the aft elevator”, they’re referring to the elevator closest to the back of the ship.
Why do cruise lines use these terms instead of just saying front, back, left, and right?
These nautical terms are used because they provide absolute reference points regardless of which direction someone is facing on the ship. “Left” and “right” change depending on which way you’re facing, but port and starboard are always the same sides of the ship.
Is the forward vs. aft of the ship better for seasickness?
Actually, the middle of the ship typically experiences the least motion. The forward section can feel more up-and-down movement, while the aft section might feel more side-to-side movement. If you’re prone to seasickness, midship staterooms on middle to lower decks are generally recommended.
Which side of the cruise ship is better for views?
This depends entirely on your itinerary and the ports you’ll be visiting. Research your specific itinerary or ask your travel advisor for recommendations. Facebook groups and cruise forums are also a good place to ask fellow cruisers who may have sailed on your exact ship and itinerary. Keep in mind that if your ship is sailing through areas like Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, it will turn completely around so both sides get the same view.
How can I tell which deck I’m on?
All cruise ships have deck numbers or names clearly posted near elevators and stairwells. Your cruise card will also have your cabin number printed on it (but usually without the actual deck number). Most ships have deck plans posted throughout the vessel as well.
What does “midship” mean?
Midship refers to the middle section of the ship, between the forward vs. aft sections. Midship cabins are often preferred because they experience less movement in rough seas and are usually more centrally located to amenities.
How do I read a cruise ship deck plan?
Deck plans typically show a bird’s-eye view of each level of the ship. Forward (bow) is usually at the top of the page, aft (stern) at the bottom, with port (left) and starboard (right) accordingly. Cabins are marked with numbers, and public spaces are labeled. Color coding often indicates different cabin categories.
How are cabin numbers organized on cruise ships?
Most cruise lines use a numbering system where the first digit or first two digits indicate the deck number. For example, cabin 9234 is on deck 9. The remaining numbers usually indicate the location from forward to aft, sometimes with odd numbers on one side of the ship and even on the other.
Comments
Did you find our tips on how to navigate your way around a cruise ship helpful? Do you use cruise jargon like bow vs. stern and forward vs. aft when talking ship? Drop us an anchor below to share your helpful tips and tricks for first time cruisers.
