Crew language
Cruise Ship Crew Slang: 50 Words You’ll Hear Onboard
Decode directions, work routines and casual crew conversation with a pocket glossary that separates useful maritime terms from informal expressions and company jargon.
Crew Life Explained
Crew language
Decode the terms you hear onboard, with plain-English examples and a clear distinction between slang and safety language.
8 articles
Articles in Crew language
Crew language
Sign-on, Sign-off and Repatriation: Three Different Moments
Joining a ship, leaving its crew and travelling home are connected, but they are not interchangeable. Learn the vocabulary and the questions worth asking.
Crew language
Gangway, Muster, Mess and Slop Chest: Four Words for Your First Week
Four unfamiliar words can point to very different parts of shipboard life. Here is what they mean and what to ask during your joining tour.
Crew language
Port, Starboard, Forward and Aft: Find Your Bearings
Your left changes when you turn around. The ship’s port side does not. Learn the fixed reference points that make onboard directions easier to understand.
Crew language
Turnaround, Sea Day and Port Day: The Crew Version
Cruise itineraries describe where the ship goes. Your work schedule describes what you do. Learn how these three day types fit together without confusing them.
Crew language
“Stand By” Onboard: How to Clarify an Instruction
A short instruction can leave important details unsaid. Learn how to clarify readiness, location and responsibility without guessing what another person intended you to do.
Crew language
SEA, CBA, STCW and MLC: Maritime Acronyms in Plain English
Acronyms can make a simple message feel like a test. Sort the useful ones into your employment documents, training standards, safety systems and international organisations.
Crew language
Crew Slang vs Safety Language: Know When to Switch
Informal expressions can make shipboard life friendlier. Safety communication needs a shared meaning. Learn how to enjoy crew language while keeping important instructions clear.