Fun Freetime: 10 Cruise Terms You Might Now Know

Every industry has its own special vocabulary, and cruising is no different, say the cruise travel experts at CruiseCompete. This cruising-specific lingo defines the ships, their amenities and itineraries, plus a variety of cruise-related activities.

It’s important  to understand these terms so you can weigh your options and make the best choice for your next cruise vacation! Click here for full glossary.

Following is a list of 10 cruise industry terms. How many do you recognize?

Bespoke - Another word for "custom." This is a type of travel experience in which a trip is designed specifically for a client with a focus on unique, highly-local experiences.

Cay - Pronounced "key." A small sandy island on the surface of a coral reef, usually referring to islets in the Caribbean. Several cruise lines offer shore excursions at private cays (i.e., "private islands.").

Cruise to nowhere - A short sailing in which a ship will cruise in open waters for one or more days without reaching a destination. Usually fairly short, guests get the chance to experience the amenities of the ship.

French balcony - A glass door or wall-to-wall window that opens to give you fresh air and the feel of a veranda, minus the veranda, tables and chairs. Often a feature of cabins on river cruise ships.

Holiday market - During the holidays, river cruise lines offer itineraries of holiday or Christmas markets that feature town squares festooned with the traditional sights, smells and tastes of Christmas and holidays.

Loyalty program - A program offering rewards to repeat cruisers, with benefits that increase with frequency or spending. Perks might include shipboard credit, free wi-fi, exclusive get-togethers, etc.

Promenade - Refers to a deck on a ship that has open decking allowing one to walk all the way around the vessel (though there are ships with decks called "Promenade" that do not allow circumnavigation of the ship.) On some ships the promenade serves as a jogging path, while on others it serves as a public space where you might encounter shops and restaurants.

Segments - Portions of a long cruise itinerary. Breaking a long cruise into segments allows passengers to select which sections of the journey to travel, letting them join or leave the voyage at ports of their choosing. These options are seen often on World cruise itineraries.

Shoulder season - A travel period between peak season and low/off-peak season. When this occurs depends on the destination.

Wave season - January through March time period during which cruise lines and travel agents book a disproportionately large number of cruises with promotional deals.

For a full listing of terms, please visit https://www.cruisecompete.com/glossary_of_cruise_industry_terms.php.

CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information or assistance planning a future cruise or a cruisetour, please visit CruiseCompete and try the Virtual Cruise Advisor™ or Live Help.

Find CruiseCompete’s “Sea Tales 2019 Family Cruise Travel Planner” at www.cruisecompete.com/resources.php. To see consumer feedback click here. Also see links to high quality cruise shore excursions at substantially lower prices than the cruise lines. Enjoy a more intimate tour experience away from the crowds. See by port or by ship: https://www.cruisecompete.com/shore_excursions_by_port.php or https://www.cruisecompete.com/shore_excursions/

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About CruiseCompete

CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises).

Consumers come to CruiseCompete to research and book cruise vacations. More than 1.5 million users have generated close to 4 million requests from consumers, and agents have delivered almost 17 million quotes since 2003. They can compare offers from trusted travel agents, see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book cruises. CruiseCompete is a member of the Family Travel Association, the leading authority and resource for family travel information and is home to the Sea Tales 2019 Family Cruise Travel Planner at Travel Resources.

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