All the Parts of a Cruise Ship You Need to Know
Posted on Monday, July 21st, 2025 at 8:57 pm
Cruise ships are like big floating cities. They have many exciting activities and places to explore. Before you go on a trip, it’s essential to learn about the different parts of a cruise ship; this will help you navigate easily, have a great time, and ensure a safe adventure.
Keep reading to learn about the different parts of a cruise ship to help you pick out the best spots for adventure and relaxation.
Key Takeaways
- From small ships to large ships, cruise vessels have many parts, often including pools, decks, dining rooms, and cabins.
- There are a few different types of cabins available on the average cruise ship, depending on your preferences and budget.
- Some cruise ship areas are more prone to danger, requiring extra care to ensure passenger safety while aboard.
Sections of a Cruise Ship
From the moment your journey begins at your departure port to the time your step foot back on land at your destination, you’ll be spending a lot of time on the cruise ship, and you’ll need to know how to navigate it. Cruise ships are divided into three main parts, with each part serving a different purpose.
Lower Deck
The lower deck is the lowest level on the ship and is usually quiet, except for the sound of the waves. It also offers the largest and most affordable cabins, perfect for those who prefer peace and don’t mind the ship’s movement.
Most cabins here don’t have windows, so guests can’t enjoy natural light or fresh sea breezes from their rooms. In another part of the lower deck, you can also find the crew spaces, where crew members live during the voyage.
Stern
The ship’s stern is the very back of the cruise ship. The propulsion and steering equipment are located here, and this section is key for steering cruise ships and ensuring they keep moving. The stern plays a big role in guiding cruise ships smoothly from one nautical mile to the other.
Upper Deck
The upper decks are the uppermost parts of larger cruise ships, closer to the sky, and offering better ocean views. You can also get great views of the cities you’re visiting for shore excursions. Most of the cruise ship’s activities happen here, so they’re usually a bit busier and louder. They are a great place to make friends, have fun, and enjoy scenic views.
Bow
The ship’s bow is the very front of the ship. This part of the ship is meant to cut through the water, supporting efficiency and stability. In this area, you can also often find important equipment such as radar and monitoring equipment.
Other Key Cruise Ship Parts
The cruise industry also provides other key areas for guests’ welfare and entertainment, including:
- Dining Rooms — Cruise ships offer dining options ranging from fancy restaurants to casual cafes and buffets. You can often find the ship’s kitchen near key dining areas.
- Medical Center – The medical center is an area where doctors and nurses attend to passengers and crew members who have suffered cruise injuries, are ill, or otherwise require medical assistance.
- Fitness Center – Many cruise ships provide fitness centers to help passengers stay healthy and active while on vacation. These centers usually have large windows that offer amazing ocean views as you work out.
- Guest Services Desk – This desk is usually located at the center of cruise ships with crew members ready to answer guests’ questions. They also assist with booking cabins and activities, and resolve any complaints passengers may have.
- Shops – Many cruise ships have stores onboard where you can buy things like jewelry, clothes, and souvenirs to help you remember your trip.
Types of Cabins
Whether you’re hopping between hidden harbors on remote islands or making a round trip between well-traveled ports along the U.S. coast, the cabin you choose will have a big impact on your experience. Cruise ships have several different types of cabins for guests to choose from. You can learn more about them below:
Interior Cabins
Interior cabins are found deep inside cruise ships. These rooms are often the cheapest because they don’t have windows. This means you can’t enjoy the view or get fresh air from your room.
Some cruise lines, like the Royal Caribbean, now provide cabins with LED screens that show ocean views to mimic a window. Since these rooms are far from busy areas, they are dark and quiet.
Obstructed View Cabins
Obstructed view cabins are rooms without views of the sea or ports. This makes them another cheap option for cruise ships. The obstruction may only be partial, or guests might only see a wall or a small part of the ocean.
Balcony Cabins
A balcony cabin has a small outdoor space attached to the room. There are generally chairs and a small table, so passengers can sit and enjoy fresh air and beautiful ocean views without leaving their room.
Private Staterooms
These are generally the most expensive cabins on cruise ships, and they can generally be found in the upper decks. These rooms often include accommodations such as private balconies and dedicated crew members, with some cruise ships offering bathtubs and private subdecks.
The Most Dangerous Parts of a Cruise Ship
During rough sea conditions, some cruise ship parts can become unsafe for passengers. To prevent injuries and ensure your safety, you can learn about the most dangerous parts of a cruise ship below.
Pool Decks
The pool deck is the area where people swim and have fun in the water. However, when the cruise ship experiences rough sea conditions, the pool deck can become dangerous due to:
- Wet floors from water splashing, sea spray, rainstorms, and the movement of the cruise ships
- Lack of handrails or other safety barriers
- Uneven surfaces or tripping hazards
- Too many people in one area
Although the cruise line posts crew members to keep the pool safe, there are usually no lifeguards present. You need to practice safety measures like walking carefully and wearing rubber-soled sandals to prevent injuries.
Outer Decks
Outer decks can become dangerous for cruise ship passengers during disturbances like high winds and turbulent seas. It’s best to stay inside during poor weather. Also, watch your steps, hold onto railings, and don’t run, especially if the floor is wet.
Dining Rooms
Dining rooms on cruise ships, especially those with buffet-style service, can be breeding grounds for illnesses. For example, there may be food contamination from food exposure, which could lead to food poisoning. For your safety, maintain proper hygiene when dining on the ship. If something seems strange about your food, it’s best to choose something else.
Cruise Line Liability: Getting Compensation From the Cruise Industry
Whether you’re traveling with a big company like Carnival Cruise Line or a small local cruise line, there are laws that protect you when on a cruise. If you are injured or suffer harm due to negligence or wrongdoing by the cruise line, you may be able to successfully file a claim for compensation.
If you’ve suffered injuries on a ship because the cruise industry wasn’t careful, you should get legal support immediately. With the help of an experienced cruise injury lawyer, you can get justice and receive the compensation you deserve.
Stay Safe on Your Cruise Trip With Legal Support From Louis A Vucci P.A.
Knowing the different parts of a cruise ship can keep you safe. Cruise ships can be lots of fun, but you still need to know safety tips in case you need them. From visiting the dining room to leaving on a shore excursion, accidents can happen at any point on a cruise.
If you are injured or suffer abuse from other passengers or crew members, contact our cruise injury lawyers immediately. At Louis A. Vucci P.A., we understand how cruise ship injury laws work, and we’re ready to defend your rights if anything goes wrong. Reach out to our team today for dedicated legal support.
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