What is a gangway on a cruise ship?

"The gangway is situated at the back on the right side of the ship."

It’s completely understandable for a crew member to say this, and for you to be puzzled by the nautical terminology. It’s simple to grasp that "aft" means the back of the ship and "starboard" refers to the right side, but what exactly is a cruise ship gangway — and what should you know about this common structure?

A "gangway" refers to any walkway, staircase, or platform that facilitates boarding or disembarking from a ship. The type and location of the gangway you use during your cruise may vary from day to day. Its features depend on the port, sea conditions, and the ship itself. Even identifying your cruise ship's gangway can be tricky as the ship travels from one port to another.

Let’s clarify some terminology and explore all the options for boarding and exiting your cruise ship using a gangway.

How do you navigate a cruise ship gangway?

At major cruise terminals, such as those at your embarkation point, the gangway often resembles an airplane jetway. It serves as an enclosed pathway from the terminal building to a mid-level deck of the ship. You’ll enter the gangway from a corridor in the terminal and exit onto a welcoming deck where crew members will greet you and guide you to your cabin.

For smaller ships, you might need to walk across the pier and then ascend a flight of stairs or a ramp to board, even at significant port facilities. This is similar to how boarding regional jets differs from entering larger jets, even at major airports.

To leave the ship after it docks or anchors and has been cleared by local authorities at a port of call, you'll go through a line to check out from the ship, typically by scanning your cruise ship keycard.

At ports where the ship is docked, the gangway might simply be a metal ramp with handrails connecting the ship to the concrete pier. If the ship is anchored away from the port, tender boats will transport passengers to shore; the gangway will be a platform attached to the ship's side for accessing the boats. Crew members are always available to assist you safely onto the tender.

When returning to the ship after a day on land, you'll probably be welcomed by crew members on the pier, sometimes offering cool drinks or towels and a shaded area to relax. They will direct you to the gangway or tender dock, which may have shifted slightly during your absence.

Changing sea conditions and tides can affect the steepness of ramps and staircases throughout the day. Occasionally, crew members may switch to different gangway equipment to enhance accessibility.

Once back on the ship, you'll scan in with your keycard and pass through a security checkpoint.

Where can you locate the gangway on a cruise ship?

Signs, announcements, and crew members will direct you to the gangway's location, which may vary daily depending on sea conditions and docking facilities at each port. You might board the ship on Deck 5, disembark at the first port of call from the forward port side on Deck 2, and then take a tender boat from a midship gangway on the starboard side at the next port.

I've been on a river ship with a bow that opened up to reveal a long gangway bridge leading directly to shore, deployed in a location where the river was too shallow for normal parallel docking at a pier.

What does 'gangway up' mean on a cruise?

"Gangway up" indicates the moment a cruise ship prepares to leave a port of call. Passengers are generally expected to be back on the ship thirty minutes to an hour before departure time. At this point, the captain considers any passengers not on board as not returning. The gangway is then pulled in through the ship's hull, or if a port gangway is used, it is removed by port personnel.

Captains may hold the cruise ship gangway for various reasons, including delays in ship-sponsored tours or transportation, or if passengers are facing medical emergencies.

It’s much better to be back on your ship watching the gangway-up process than to risk being left behind.

Can a cruise ship gangway collapse?

Cruise lines prioritize passenger safety, making the likelihood of a gangway collapse low, but not impossible. In 2022, a port authority-owned gangway in Panama City collapsed, injuring 11 passengers of the Norwegian Encore as they were reboarding the ship after a day ashore. Reports suggested that changing tides increased the steepness of the gangway, which may have contributed to the incident.

Are cruise ship gangways accessible for those using wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility aids?

If you have mobility challenges, it's crucial to select your cruise line, ship, and itinerary with care. Don’t assume that every gangway will accommodate wheelchairs or that crew members will always be available to assist with lifting scooters or wheelchairs.

Ports that require tendering present a situation where the gangway might be inaccessible, especially on days when the seas are particularly rough. I’ve witnessed tender crews assist passengers with mobility aids on calm days but refuse on choppy days.

Some smaller cruise lines utilize stairs for gangways at all ports, making them inaccessible for wheeled devices. Even if the departure port has accessible gangways, it’s essential to verify the accessibility of a line’s port gangways for those relying on assistive devices and wanting to disembark at ports of call.

Key Takeaway

Cruise ship gangways come in different designs and can be set up in various ways to facilitate passenger boarding and disembarking. At some ports, the gangway may simply be a ramp, while at others, it could involve steps or even platforms for tender boats. All these configurations are referred to as "the gangway" when in use, and they can be easily located through signage, announcements, or by following crew guidance.