Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Cruise Industry Operators, Brands and Ships glossary

The cruise-fleet enumeration vocabulary: the operators and holding groups, named ships and their classes (the AIDA Sphinx class), delivery dates and builders, and the brand and fleet-deployment terms. Grounds each term in the cruise line, the named vessel, or the class it belongs to.

415 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

A&K Travel Group: Luxury travel holding company that acquired the Crystal Cruises brand and assets in 2022 and relaunched the line in 2023.
AIDA Cruises: German contemporary brand within Carnival Corporation, headquartered in Rostock.
AIDAaura: AIDA Cruises ship delivered in 2003, later sold to a Chinese operator in 2023.
AIDAbella: AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class ship delivered in 2008.
AIDAblu: AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class vessel delivered in 2010.
AIDAcara: First purpose-built AIDA Cruises ship, delivered in 1996.
AIDAcosma: Helios-class LNG-powered AIDA Cruises ship delivered in 2021.
AIDAdiva: AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class ship delivered in 2007.
AIDAluna: AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class ship delivered in 2009.
AIDAmar: AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class ship delivered in 2012.
AIDAmira: AIDA Cruises ship transferred from Costa neoRiviera, sold in 2023.
AIDAnova: First Helios-class LNG dual-fuel AIDA Cruises ship delivered in 2018.
AIDAperla: AIDA Cruises Hyperion-class ship delivered in 2017.
AIDAprima: AIDA Cruises Hyperion-class ship delivered in 2016.
AIDAsol: AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class ship delivered in 2011.
AIDAstella: AIDA Cruises Sphinx-class ship delivered in 2013.
AIDAvita: AIDA Cruises ship delivered in 2002, later sold to a Chinese operator.
Alaska cruise season: Late April through September itinerary cycle calling at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Glacier Bay.
Allure of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Oasis class cruise ship delivered 2010, 225,282 GT.
Ambassador Cruise Line: British cruise operator founded in 2021 with ships Ambience and Ambition aimed at the mature UK market.
Ambience: Ambassador Cruise Line vessel, formerly Regal Princess and Pacific Dawn.
Ambition: Ambassador Cruise Line vessel, formerly AIDAmira and Costa neoRiviera.
Anthem of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Quantum class ship delivered 2015.
Apex: Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ship delivered in 2020.
Arcadia: P&O Cruises UK ship delivered in 2005.
Arvia: P&O Cruises UK Excel-class LNG ship delivered in 2022.
Ascent: Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ship delivered in 2023.
Aurora: Polar atmospheric phenomenon caused by charged particles.
Azamara Cruises: Upscale destination-focused cruise brand divested by Royal Caribbean Group in 2021 to Sycamore Partners.
Azura: P&O Cruises UK ship delivered in 2010.

B

Balcony cabin: Stateroom category featuring a private outdoor veranda accessible via sliding door.
Barcelona: Major Mediterranean turnaround cruise port at the Port of Barcelona.
Belize City: Caribbean tendering port serving cruise calls on the Belize Barrier Reef itinerary.
Bergen: Norwegian port serving as a key call on Norwegian fjord itineraries and the Hurtigruten coastal route.
Berth: Place where a ship is moored; sleeping bunk.
Boudicca: Former Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship retired in 2020.
Braemar: A London-listed shipping services group offering shipbroking, marine surveying, and energy loss adjusting services, including the operations historically known as Braemar Howells and Braemar…
Bridge wing: Outdoor extension of the bridge providing visibility along the ship's side.
Brilliance of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Radiance-class ship delivered in 2002.

C

Cabin steward: Hotel-department crew member responsible for daily stateroom service.
Captain's Circle: Princess Cruises past-guest loyalty program.
Carnival Breeze: Carnival Cruise Line Dream-class ship delivered in 2012.
Carnival Celebration: Carnival Cruise Line Excel-class LNG ship delivered in 2022.
Carnival Conquest: Carnival Cruise Line Conquest-class ship delivered in 2002.
Carnival Corporation and plc: World's largest cruise company, parent of Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Costa, AIDA, P&O Cruises, and Seabourn.
Carnival Cruise Line: Contemporary brand within Carnival Corporation operating from US homeports.
Carnival Dream: Carnival Cruise Line Dream-class ship delivered in 2009.
Carnival Elation: Carnival Cruise Line Fantasy-class ship delivered in 1998.
Carnival Firenze: Carnival Cruise Line ship transferred from Costa Cruises in 2024, sailing from Long Beach.
Carnival Freedom: Carnival Cruise Line Conquest-class ship delivered in 2007.
Carnival Glory: Carnival Cruise Line Conquest-class ship delivered in 2003.
Carnival Horizon: Carnival Cruise Line Vista-class ship delivered in 2018.
Carnival Jubilee: Carnival Cruise Line Excel-class LNG ship delivered in 2023.
Carnival Legend: Carnival Cruise Line Spirit-class ship delivered in 2002.
Carnival Liberty: Carnival Cruise Line Conquest-class ship delivered in 2005.
Carnival Luminosa: Carnival Cruise Line ship transferred from Costa Cruises in 2022.
Carnival Magic: Carnival Cruise Line Dream-class ship delivered in 2011.
Carnival Mardi Gras: Carnival Cruise Line Excel-class LNG flagship delivered in 2020.
Carnival Miracle: Carnival Cruise Line Spirit-class ship delivered in 2004.
Carnival Panorama: Carnival Cruise Line Vista-class ship delivered in 2019.
Carnival Paradise: Carnival Cruise Line Fantasy-class ship delivered in 1998.
Carnival Pride: Carnival Cruise Line Spirit-class ship delivered in 2002.
Carnival Radiance: Carnival Cruise Line ship rebuilt from Carnival Victory in 2021.
Carnival Spirit: Carnival Cruise Line Spirit-class ship delivered in 2001.
Carnival Splendor: Carnival Cruise Line ship delivered in 2008, disabled in 2010 by an engine room fire off Mexico.
Carnival Sunrise: Carnival Cruise Line ship rebuilt from Carnival Triumph in 2019.
Carnival Sunshine: Carnival Cruise Line ship rebuilt from Carnival Destiny in 2013.
Carnival Valor: Carnival Cruise Line Conquest-class ship delivered in 2004.
Carnival Venezia: Carnival Cruise Line ship transferred from Costa Cruises in 2023.
Carnival Vista: Carnival Cruise Line Vista-class ship delivered in 2016.
Cartagena: Colombian Caribbean cruise port on Panama Canal and South American itineraries.
Celebrity Apex: Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ship delivered in 2020.
Celebrity Ascent: Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ship delivered in 2023.
Celebrity Beyond: Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ship delivered in 2022.
Celebrity Constellation: Celebrity Cruises Millennium-class ship delivered in 2002.
Celebrity Cruises: Premium brand within Royal Caribbean Group.
Celebrity Eclipse: Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class ship delivered in 2010.
Celebrity Edge: Lead ship of the Edge class delivered 2018.
Celebrity Equinox: Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class ship delivered in 2009.
Celebrity Flora: Celebrity Cruises Galapagos expedition vessel delivered in 2019.
Celebrity Infinity: Celebrity Cruises Millennium-class ship delivered in 2001.
Celebrity Millennium: First Celebrity Cruises Millennium-class ship delivered in 2000.
Celebrity Reflection: Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class ship delivered in 2012.
Celebrity Silhouette: Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class ship delivered in 2011.
Celebrity Solstice: First Celebrity Cruises Solstice-class ship delivered in 2008.
Celebrity Summit: Celebrity Cruises Millennium-class ship delivered in 2001.
Celebrity Xpedition: Celebrity Cruises Galapagos vessel acquired in 2004.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique: French shipbuilder at Saint-Nazaire, cruise specialist.
Civitavecchia: Cruise port serving Rome.
CLIA: Cruise Lines International Association, the global cruise industry trade body.
Coastal Express: Hurtigruten branded passenger and freight service along the Norwegian coast since 1893.
Cocoa Beach: Florida community adjacent to Port Canaveral cruise terminals.
Compagnie du Ponant: French luxury and expedition cruise operator commonly known as Ponant.
Concierge Class: Mid-tier stateroom category on several premium brands including Princess and Celebrity.
Copenhagen: Baltic turnaround cruise port at Ocean Quay and Langelinie.
Costa Concordia: 2012 cruise ship grounding off Giglio, parbuckled and refloated 2013 to 2014.
Costa Cruises: Italian brand within Carnival Corporation based in Genoa.
Costa Deliziosa: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2010.
Costa Diadema: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2014.
Costa Fascinosa: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2012.
Costa Favolosa: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2011.
Costa Fortuna: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2003.
Costa Magica: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2004.
Costa Maya: Mexican Caribbean cruise port on the Yucatan coast.
Costa Pacifica: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2009.
Costa Serena: Costa Cruises ship delivered in 2007.
Costa Smeralda: Northeast Sardinia stretch including Porto Cervo, summer hub for Mediterranean superyachts.
Costa Toscana: Costa Cruises LNG dual-fuel ship delivered in 2021.
Cozumel: Mexican island cruise port on the Yucatan, one of the busiest Caribbean calls.
Crew cabin: Below-deck accommodation provided to onboard staff.
Crown Princess: Princess Cruises Grand-class ship delivered in 2006.
Cruise Lines International Association: Industry body representing more than 90 percent of global ocean-going cruise capacity.
Crystal Cruises: Luxury cruise brand, relaunched 2023 under A&K Travel Group.
Crystal Endeavor: Polar-class expedition cruise ship built to PC6 standards (2021).
Crystal Serenity: Crystal Cruises ship delivered in 2003 and relaunched in 2023.
Crystal Symphony: Crystal Cruises ship delivered in 1995 and relaunched in 2023.
Cunard Line: British luxury liner brand within Carnival Corporation, operator of Queen Mary 2.

D

Davits: Shipboard cranes used to lower lifeboats and tenders.
Diamond Princess: Princess Cruises ship subject to a major COVID-19 outbreak at Yokohama in February 2020.
Discovery Princess: Princess Cruises Royal-class ship delivered in 2022.
Disney Cruise Line: Cruise brand of The Walt Disney Company operating Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, Wish, Treasure, and Adventure.
Disney Destiny: Disney Cruise Line Triton-class ship scheduled for delivery in 2025.
Disney Dream: Disney Cruise Line ship delivered in 2011.
Disney Fantasy: Disney Cruise Line ship delivered in 2012.
Disney Magic: First Disney Cruise Line ship delivered in 1998.
Disney Treasure: Disney Cruise Line Triton-class ship delivered in 2024.
Disney Wish: Lead ship of the Disney Wish class, delivered 2022.
Disney Wonder: Disney Cruise Line ship delivered in 1999.
DNV: Det Norske Veritas (DNV); IACS member classification society.
Drake Passage: Strait between South America and Antarctica through which the ACC flows.
Dream Cruises: Asian cruise brand of Genting Hong Kong that ceased operations in 2022.
Dubrovnik: Croatian Adriatic cruise port and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dynamic Positioning: Computer-controlled thruster station keeping for salvage and dive vessels.

E

Eclipse: 162.5 m Blohm+Voss-built motor yacht delivered 2010 for Roman Abramovich.
EEDI: Energy Efficiency Design Index, MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4.
Embarkation: Process of guests boarding for a cruise, normally at the homeport terminal.
Emerald Princess: Princess Cruises Grand-class ship delivered in 2007.
Enchanted Princess: Princess Cruises Royal-class ship delivered in 2020.
Enchantment of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Vision-class ship delivered in 1997.
Eurodam: Holland America Line Signature-class ship delivered in 2008.
Excellence Class: P&O Cruises UK class designation, more commonly referred to as Excel class.
Explora I: Explora Journeys luxury ship delivered in 2023.
Explora II: Explora Journeys luxury ship delivered in 2024.
Explora Journeys: Luxury cruise brand of MSC Group launched in 2023.
Explorer of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Voyager-class ship delivered in 2000.

F

Fantasy Class: Carnival Cruise Line class of eight ships delivered between 1990 and 1998.
FCCA: Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, the cruise industry trade body for the Caribbean basin.
Fincantieri: Italian shipbuilder, prime contractor for FREMM and Constellation.
Flag of convenience: Flag of a state with open registration policy.
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association: Trade group representing cruise lines, ports, and destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: British cruise operator founded in 1848 with a small-ship Norwegian heritage.
Freedom of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Freedom-class ship delivered in 2006.

G

Galveston: Major US Gulf Coast cruise homeport in Texas.
Geiranger: Norwegian fjord port and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Genoa: Overlapping headsail used on Bermudian-rigged yachts.
Genting Hong Kong: Asian cruise holding company that owned Star Cruises, Dream Cruises, and Crystal Cruises before liquidation in 2022.
Glacier Bay: Alaskan national park visited under a permit system on Alaska cruises.
Grand Princess: First Princess Cruises Grand-class ship delivered in 1998.
Grandeur of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Vision-class ship delivered in 1996.
Gross Tonnage: GT, measure of overall internal volume, determinant of statutory certification thresholds.
Guest Services: Front-of-house onboard department handling passenger inquiries and billing.

H

Hamburg: German cruise homeport on the Elbe and base for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Hanseatic Inspiration: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition vessel delivered in 2019.
Hanseatic Nature: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition vessel delivered in 2019.
Hanseatic Spirit: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition vessel delivered in 2021.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: German luxury and expedition cruise brand owned by TUI AG and operated under the TUI Cruises umbrella.
Harmony of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Oasis class ship delivered 2016.
Helios Class: AIDA Cruises LNG dual-fuel class including AIDAnova and AIDAcosma.
Helsinki: Finnish cruise port on the Baltic Sea.
Holland America Line: Premium brand within Carnival Corporation founded 1873.
Homeport: Port at which a cruise itinerary turns around.
Hotel director: Senior officer in charge of all hotel operations onboard.
Hurtigruten: Norwegian coastal and expedition cruise operator.
HX: Brand identity adopted in 2024 by Hurtigruten Expeditions for its global expedition cruise operations.
Hyperion Class: AIDA Cruises class including AIDAprima and AIDAperla.

I

Icon of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Icon class ship delivered 2024, currently the largest cruise ship in service.
Independence of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Freedom-class ship delivered in 2008.
Inside cabin: Stateroom category without a window or balcony.
Insignia: Oceania Cruises R-class ship operated since 2004.
International Maritime Organization: IMO, UN specialized agency for shipping, based in London.
Itinerary: Sequence of ports of call and sea days forming a cruise voyage.

J

Jewel of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Radiance-class ship delivered in 2004.
Juneau: Alaskan capital and major cruise call.

K

Ketchikan: Southeast Alaska cruise port.
Knot: One nautical mile per hour.
Koningsdam: Holland America Line Pinnacle-class ship delivered in 2016.
Kotor: Montenegrin cruise port at the head of the Bay of Kotor.

L

Largest cruise ship: Title held by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas at 248,663 GT as of 2024.
Le Boreal: Ponant expedition vessel delivered in 2010.
Le Bougainville: Ponant Explorer-class vessel delivered in 2019.
Le Champlain: Ponant Explorer-class vessel delivered in 2018.
Le Commandant Charcot: Ponant LNG and battery hybrid icebreaking expedition vessel delivered in 2021.
Le Dumont d'Urville: Ponant Explorer-class vessel delivered in 2019.
Le Jacques Cartier: Ponant Explorer-class vessel delivered in 2021.
Le Laperouse: Ponant Explorer-class vessel delivered in 2018.
Le Lyrial: Ponant Sisterships vessel delivered in 2015.
Le Ponant: Three-masted sailing yacht operated by Ponant since 1991.
Le Soleal: Ponant expedition vessel delivered in 2013.
Liberty of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Freedom-class ship delivered in 2007.
LNG: Liquefied natural gas; ~-162 C, near atmospheric pressure.
Long Beach: California cruise homeport hosting the permanently moored Queen Mary and Carnival's Carnival Firenze and Carnival Panorama.

M

Majesty of the Seas: Former Royal Caribbean Sovereign-class ship sold in 2020.
Marella Cruises: TUI Group UK cruise brand, formerly Thomson Cruises.
Marella Discovery: Marella Cruises ship operated since 2016.
Marella Discovery 2: Marella Cruises ship operated since 2017.
Marella Explorer: Marella Cruises ship operated since 2018.
Marella Explorer 2: Marella Cruises ship operated since 2018.
Mariner of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Voyager-class ship delivered in 2003.
MARPOL: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols; the IMO treaty governing marine pollution across six annexes.
Marseille: French Mediterranean cruise port and base for Costa and MSC operations.
Mein Schiff 1: TUI Cruises ship delivered in 2018.
Mein Schiff 2: TUI Cruises ship delivered in 2019.
Mein Schiff 3: TUI Cruises ship delivered in 2014.
Mein Schiff 4: TUI Cruises ship delivered in 2015.
Mein Schiff 5: TUI Cruises ship delivered in 2016.
Mein Schiff 6: TUI Cruises ship delivered in 2017.
Mein Schiff 7: TUI Cruises ship delivered in 2024.
Mein Schiff Relax: TUI Cruises LNG dual-fuel ship delivered in 2025.
Meyer Turku: Finnish shipbuilder at Turku, the Meyer group's cruise yard for large luxury cruise ships.
Meyer Werft: German shipbuilder at Papenburg, cruise specialist.
Miami: Largest cruise port in the world by passenger throughput, PortMiami.
MSC Bellissima: MSC Cruises Meraviglia-class ship delivered in 2019.
MSC Cruises: Swiss-based, Italian-flagged cruise brand within MSC Group.
MSC Divina: MSC Cruises Fantasia-class ship delivered in 2012.
MSC Euribia: MSC Cruises Meraviglia-class LNG ship delivered in 2023.
MSC Fantasia: First MSC Cruises Fantasia-class ship delivered in 2008.
MSC Grandiosa: MSC Cruises Meraviglia-class ship delivered in 2019.
MSC Group: Privately held Geneva-based shipping conglomerate parent of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
MSC Magnifica: MSC Cruises Musica-class ship delivered in 2010.
MSC Meraviglia: First MSC Cruises Meraviglia-class ship delivered in 2017.
MSC Musica: First MSC Cruises Musica-class ship delivered in 2006.
MSC Opera: MSC Cruises Lirica-class ship delivered in 2004.
MSC Orchestra: MSC Cruises Musica-class ship delivered in 2007.
MSC Poesia: MSC Cruises Musica-class ship delivered in 2008.
MSC Preziosa: MSC Cruises Fantasia-class ship delivered in 2013.
MSC Seascape: MSC Cruises Seaside-class ship delivered in 2022.
MSC Seashore: MSC Cruises Seaside-class ship delivered in 2021.
MSC Seaside: First MSC Cruises Seaside-class ship delivered in 2017.
MSC Seaview: MSC Cruises Seaside-class ship delivered in 2018.
MSC Sinfonia: MSC Cruises Lirica-class ship delivered in 2002.
MSC Splendida: MSC Cruises Fantasia-class ship delivered in 2009.
MSC Virtuosa: MSC Cruises Meraviglia-class ship delivered in 2021.
MSC World America: MSC Cruises World-class LNG ship delivered in 2025.
MSC World Europa: Lead ship of the MSC World class, LNG-fueled, delivered 2022.
Muster drill: Mandatory pre-departure safety briefing required by SOLAS.

N

Naples: Italian cruise port serving the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
Nassau: Bahamian capital and gateway to Exumas cruising.
Navigator of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Voyager-class ship delivered in 2002.
Nieuw Amsterdam: Holland America Line Signature-class ship delivered in 2010.
Nieuw Statendam: Holland America Line Pinnacle-class ship delivered in 2018.