What is a gangway on a cruise ship?
“The gangway is located aft on the starboard side.”
It’s entirely reasonable for a crew member to say this to you — and for you to not understand a word of all those nautical terms. It’s easy to learn that "aft" refers to the back of the ship and "starboard" is the sailor’s term for the right side, but what exactly is a cruise ship gangway — and what do you need to know about this common cruise structure?
"Gangway" is the name given to any walkway, staircase or platform that allows you to board or disembark from a ship. The location and style of gangway you’ll use during your cruise might be different from one day to the next. The characteristics of the gangway are dependent on the port, the sea conditions and the ship itself. Even where you find your cruise ship's gangway can be confusing as the ship moves from port to port.
Let's clarify some jargon and examine all the possibilities for entering and exiting your cruise ship via a gangway.
How do you use a cruise ship gangway?
At major cruise terminals, like those at your embarkation or departure port, the gangway is often like an airplane jetway. It’s an enclosed walkway from the terminal building to a midlevel deck of the ship. You'll enter the gangway from a hallway at the terminal and exit onto a welcoming deck where crew members greet you and point you in the direction of your cabin.
Small ships might require you to walk across the pier and then up a flight of stairs or a ramp to board, even at major port facilities. It’s similar to how boarding regional jets varies from entering full-size jets, even at large airports.
To depart the ship once it docks or anchors and is cleared by local authorities in a port of call, you'll pass through a line to check out from the ship, usually by scanning your cruise ship keycard.
At ports where the ship is tied at a dock, the gangway might consist of nothing more than a metal ramp with handrails bridging the small gap between the ship and the concrete pier. If the ship is anchored away from the port, tender boats will take passengers to shore; the gangway will be a platform attached to the side of the ship from which you access the boats. Crew members are always on hand to help you safely into the tender.
Upon return to the ship after a day in port, you'll likely be greeted by crew members on the pier, sometimes with cool drinks or towels and a spot to rest in the shade. They will point you toward the gangway or tender dock, which might have changed a bit while you were gone.
Fluctuating sea conditions and tides can increase or decrease the steepness of ramps and staircases throughout the day. Occasionally, crew members even swap to different gangway equipment to improve accessibility.
Once back on the ship, you'll scan back in with your keycard and pass through a security checkpoint.
Related: The biggest mistakes cruise ship passengers make on port days
Where do you find the cruise ship's gangway?
Signs, announcements and crew members will point you toward the location of the gangway, which can change from day to day based on sea conditions and docking facilities at each port. You might board the ship initially on Deck 5, leave in the first port of call from the forward port side on Deck 2 and disembark to a tender boat from a midship gangway on the starboard side in the next port.
I've even been on a river ship with a bow that opened to reveal a long gangway bridge that was deployed directly to shore in a spot where the river was too shallow to allow normal parallel docking at a pier.
What is the meaning of ‘gangway up’ on a cruise?
"Gangway up" refers to the time at which a cruise ship takes the last steps to leave a port of call. Passengers are usually expected to return to the ship a half-hour or even a full hour before departure time. Gangway up is the time at which the captain essentially considers all passengers not on board as not coming aboard. The gangway is hauled in through the opening in the hull, or if a port gangway is in use, it is pulled away from the ship by port personnel.
Captains hold the cruise ship gangway for various reasons, such as when ship-sponsored tours or transportation methods are delayed, or when passengers are involved in medical emergencies.
It's far better to be back on board your ship watching the gangway-up process than to be left behind.
Related: 12 ways to speed up the cruise embarkation process
Can a cruise ship gangway collapse?
Cruise lines place a high priority on passenger safety, making the collapse of a gangway unlikely but not impossible. In 2022, a port authority-owned gangway in Panama City collapsed, injuring 11 passengers of Norwegian Encore as they were reboarding the ship after a day in port. Reports indicated that the changing tides had increased the steepness of the gangway, possibly contributing to the collapse.
Are cruise ship gangways accessible if I use a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility aid?
If you have mobility limitations, it is important to choose your cruise line, ship and itinerary carefully. Don’t assume that every gangway will be wheelchair-friendly or that crew members will be there to assist with lifting scooters or wheelchairs in all situations.
Ports that require tendering pose one possible scenario where the gangway might be inaccessible: on days when the seas are particularly rough. I have seen tender crews help passengers using mobility aids on calm days but decline on choppy days.
Related: 6 tips for going on a cruise as a wheelchair user
Some small cruise lines use stairs for gangways in all ports, making them inaccessible for wheeled devices. Even if the port of departure has accessible gangways, checking the accessibility of a line's port gangways is critical for those who rely on assistive devices and wish to leave the ship in ports of call.
Bottom line
Cruise ship gangways come in various configurations and can be deployed in various ways to allow passengers to enter and leave the ship. At some ports, the gangway might be a simple ramp; at others, there might be steps or even platforms for docking tender boats. All the above are considered “the gangway” when they are in use and can be easily found using signage, listening to announcements or following crew instructions.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.