When most people hear the word bridge, they picture a structure joining two pieces of land. However, on a cruise ship, the bridge is something very different.
What is a cruise ship bridge?
The cruise ship bridge is the cruise ship’s control room or driving center.
The bridge is where the ship’s captain and staff navigate (steer) the ship and plan the ship’s course.
You can often identify the bridge from the outside of the ship by the large floor to ceiling windows. The bridge is located forward on the ship on one of the higher decks. From the cruise ship bridge they can also see starboard and portside.
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On a cruise ship, the bridge is off limits to most passengers. Although, some cruise lines do offer behind the scene ship tours for an additional cost that have a visit to the bridge.
How to tour the bridge on a cruise ship?
Royal Caribbean offers the “All Access Ship Tour”. It is a 2 hour tour that includes a visit to the ship’s bridge. These tours are popular and often sell out. You can pre book your ship tour online under onboard activities after booking your Royal Caribbean cruise and logging into your account online.
If you aren’t cruising with Royal Caribbean and a ship tour that incudes the bridge is of interest to you then check with your cruise line to see if they offer something similar.
Bridge is just one of several cruise words (cruise lingo) that you will want to know before you go.
Other cruise words to learn and understand are:
If you have an upcoming cruise or are planning a cruise vacation What to Expect on a Cruise, Important Things To Do Before a Cruise, Tipping on a Cruise Explained, and 16 Best Things to Take on a Cruise are all helpful articles.
