Ferry encyclopedia

In our lexicon —or, as it’s often called in modern German, a glossary —you’ll find plenty of explanations for terms related to your ferry booking. This information is intended to answer your questions about booking a Ferry . Can’t find a term? No problem. Just leave us a comment at the bottom of the page, and we’ll add it.

• Departure time: The scheduled time at which the Ferry is scheduled to depart from the departure point.
• Arrival time: The scheduled time at which the Ferry is expected to arrive at its destination.
• Deposit: An advance payment due at the time of booking to confirm. Not all bookings require an immediate deposit.
• Car ferry: A ferry that can carry cars.
• Seating Chart: A chart showing the number of available seats on the Ferry.
• Boarding pass: A ticket you need to board the Ferry. It can be in paper form or electronic, such as an email.
• Booking Confirmation: A confirmation you receive after completing your booking. For online bookings, you will always receive the booking confirmation via email. Be sure to check your spam folder as well, just in case.
• Booking fee: A fee you must pay when booking your Ferry. These fees are often charged when you book in person, by phone, or at the port.
• Booking number: A unique number assigned to your booking.
• Camping on board: A way to spend the night on the Ferry by staying in your RV or trailer on board. This is currently only possible on a few routes in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic.
• Check-in: The process of checking in for the Ferry, during which you must show your ticket and may also need to check your luggage.
• Deck Passage: With this type of crossing, you have neither a reserved seat nor a cabin. You may only stay in the Ferry’s public areas. For short crossings lasting just a few hours, this is certainly not a problem. For longer crossings, we recommend booking Pullman seats or cabins so you can arrive at your destination feeling relaxed.
• One-way trip (One-Way): A booking that includes only a one-way trip without a return trip.
• E-ticket: An electronic ticket that you receive by e-mail or SMS.
• Bicycle ferry: A ferry that can carry bicycles.
• Passenger information: information you receive before the trip, e.g. about departure and arrival times, routes and other details.
• Timetable: A schedule showing the Ferry’s scheduled departure and arrival times.
• Fastlane: Some ferry companies, such as FRS Syltfähre, offer Fastlane as an additional service when you book. With this option, you’ll be among the first to board the Ferry and the first to disembark at your destination. This helps you avoid slightly longer wait times while the Ferry is being loaded and unloaded.
• Ferry terminal: The place where the ferry departs or arrives.
• Ferry fares: The cost of the crossing.
• Ferry company: A company that provides ferry services.
• Flexible ticket: A ticket that allows you to change the date or time of your ferry crossing.
• Group booking: A booking made for a group of people.
• Pet ferry: A ferry that allows pets to be transported.
• Pet Cabin: A special cabin designed for passengers traveling with pets, where your pet can be accommodated during the crossing.
• Round trip: A booking that includes both the outbound and the return trip.
• Cabin: A room on the Ferry where you can spend the night.
• Cabin: A small room on the Ferry where you can sleep.
• Child Discount: A discount on the ferry fare for children.
• Lounge: A cozy area on the Ferry where you can relax and enjoy the crossing.
• Online booking: A ferry booking that you can make via the Internet.
• Passenger ferry: A ferry designed to carry passengers.
• Shuttle ferry: A ferry that travels back and forth between two locations on a regular basis.
• Mandatory cabin: A cabin that you must rent during the crossing, for example, due to safety regulations or because you are traveling with a pet.
• Car Deck: A deck on the Ferry where cars can be transported.
• Reservation: Advance reservation of seats on the Ferry.
• Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): A system in which vehicles can drive onto the Ferry and then drive off again without having to be maneuvered.
• Return ticket: A ticket that covers both the outward and return journeys.
• Seasonal ferry: A ferry that operates only during certain times of the year.
• Service fee: An additional fee for certain services, such as luggage storage, reservations made by phone or at the port, etc.
• Special offers: Special offers or discounts offered by ferry companies.
• Route: The Ferry’s planned route.
• Ticket Office: A place where you can buy Ferry tickets.
• Ticket price: The price of a ferry ticket.
• Ticket counter: A counter where you can buy tickets for the Ferry.
• Transfer: A transport from one place to another, for example from the ferry terminal to the hotel.
• Ferry crossing: The trip by ferry from one place to another.
• Rebooking: The modification of an existing booking.
• Meal voucher: A voucher for food and drinks on board the Ferry.
• Waiting list: A list of people waiting for a spot on the Ferry.
• Waiting time: The amount of time you have to wait at the ferry terminal until the Ferry departs.
• Swell: The movement of the water that can affect the Ferry’s stability.
• Wi-Fi: A wireless network that may be available on board the Ferry.
• Customs inspection: An inspection of passengers and their baggage by customs authorities.
• Surcharge: An additional fee for certain services, such as a cabin or a seat.
• Stopover: A stop during the ferry crossing at an intermediate destination.
• Opening hours: The times when the ferry terminal or onboard facilities are open.
• Excess baggage: Baggage that exceeds the weight limit and may incur additional fees. However, baggage limits are very rare on Ferries, and in almost all cases, you can bring as much baggage as you can carry or as much as fits in your vehicle.