Ever thought of the great outdoors and the vast seas that lie ahead brimming with life!? Yes, cruising on the big blue sea is an adventure you never want to miss in your lifetime.
There are a great number of cruise ships out there. Most of them have female names. Do you know why? This is because many folktales say that the earlier seafarers named their boats with female names, usually after the women they loved. It’s a tradition that began generations ago with the sailors, and has come to stay.
Cruise ships are special vessels designated to passengers for enjoying a recreational time at sea. They are mostly luxurious ships that provide lodging to passengers. I could say they are like 5-star hotels on the sea! The difference is the stunning view of nature and the refreshing breeze that blows your worries away, rejuvenating you for a long time.
There a thousand and one activities that can be done on a cruise ship. It all depends on the creativity of its owners and management to make it a one-stop recreational centre when docked and at sea. One could never get enough of a thrill when there are varieties of games, water slides, zip-lining, surfing, water boarding, whirlpool swimming, pool parties, concerts, fashion shows, video games, water parks, treasure hunts, nature tours, scrubber diving, movie nights, and whatever variety you can think of!
Cruise ships are of many varieties and may have different parts and functions based on the kind of entertainment and recreational services being provided. Join me as we delve in to explore some general parts.
The Bow, which is the pointed part in front of the ship, serves a purpose. It has saved many a soul from drowning. It pushes away the huge waves when they hit the ship from that angle, paving way for the ship to pass through.
The Port Hand is the first place a passenger lands, on board the ship. It’s spacious enough for movement and enables the unloading of passengers as well.
The Forecastle is also in front of the ship. It holds all the tools needed for anchoring the ship including the bollards, and ropes.
The Open Air Terrace is a much more spacious place in front of the ship, usually in front of the navigation tool.
The Playing Area is an open space at the top of the ship, much like the Open-Air Terrace. This space is available for all kinds of sports and recreation. This is where water slides, open-air movie nights, book reading, and all sorts of events can take place.
The Sundeck is also a recreational area for viewing the sea and relaxing in the sun.
The Promenade Deck is a simple deck used for passage. Passengers walk through from the bow to the stern to other parts of the ship.
The Quarter Deck, also called the back deck, is located at the back of the ship and is mostly used for administrative work by officers. From this place, information is disseminated to passengers on the ship. This is also where the ship bell is usually located.
The Radio Detection and Ranging (Radar) is a detection device that helps with navigation. It detects and measures objects, including other ships, that are close to the ship which helps to prevent collisions.
The Radio Antenna also known as marine VHF Radio, is a radio that enables emergency communication to other marine officers, seafarers or SAR team.
The Telecommunication Antenna converts electromagnetic signals into electric signals to send information across to other seafarers.
The Captain’s Quarters, as per its name, is the main abode of the Captain. This is where he rests and sleeps; his cabin.
The Bow Thruster is an extra engine in the ship, used as a propulsion device and helps in moving the ship.
The Compass Bridge which is mostly known to have the ‘steering wheel’, is also called the Bridge of the Ship. This steering wheel is rightly termed the Ship’s Steering Command. There are navigation tools, including a compass and other devices to help with navigating the ship.
The Starboard Hand is an anchored float or a buoy, that serves as a navigation mark to show hazards or reefs in the water. This is attached to the Starboard, on the right side of the ship.
The Anchor-Windlass Room contains the Windlass, also known as Anchor machine. This system is used to move the anchor and its chains.
The Stem Bulb, also called the Bulbous Bow, is at the bottom front end of the ship. It helps with the tilting angle of the ship and the ship’s resistance to sea waves together with the ship’s bow.
The Swimming Pool is one of the most loved recreational slots on the cruise ship. As the sea waves intrigue and thrill the cruisers, the pool gives them the opportunity to exert their excitement, especially for those with no experience swimming in the deep seas.
The Stabilizer Fin, which looks much like a fish’s fin, is located on both the left and right hull of the ship. It helps balance the ship on the water.
The Lounge is a more relaxed version of a hotel lounge. It is much more luxurious and comfortable inside the ship. Passengers can relax there and listen to soothing music. It also serves as a relaxing hideout, should it rain outside the ship.
The Funnel is a chimney that emits smoke from the ship’s engine as it burns fuel.
The Hall is a big room that is used for programs, conferences, parties and other events. Some cruise ships have a number of Halls for different purposes and with various seating capacities.
The Porthole is a circular gap on the bottom side of the ship that allows lighting and ventilation in those areas. It usually has a glass window.
The Lifeboat is a mini boat, always attached to the ship. Most of the big ships have about twenty to forty of them for emergencies. The lifeboats are very needful for carrying passengers and sometimes luggage off the ship when the ship is damaged or under threat.
The Propeller is a machine with rotating blades like a fan, that helps produce energy from the sea water underneath, to the ship’s engine, to move the ship.
The Stern is a steel tube that protects the Propeller from obstacles in the sea.
The Rudder is a major component of the ship which is used to determine the direction in which the ship is to move. Without it, the ship cannot turn.
All these parts of a cruise ship are vital to enjoying a wonderful cruise across the ocean. Each has a unique function, and very vital to a successful cruise. Of course, there are many other parts that have not been spoken of. There are also many more that can be added, depending on the variety of recreational activities that are going to be made available on a ship.
The beloved Dodi Princess II Cruise Ship, is the most renowned cruise ship in Ghana, and is well patronised by Ghanaians who love to explore nature within the borders of the country. On board this ship, one can enjoy meals in the company of cool highlife and jazz music. Since there isn’t much adventurous activity on the ship, this leaves room for much creativity and innovation by passengers and managers. There is great opportunity for the marine society to create world-renowned business through cruise ships, making them engaging destination points for recreation and tourism in Ghana.
Photo credit: The Visual Dictionary of Transportation (7th April, 2018) (www.issuu.com)