what is the aft of a ship

The aft of a ship is a nautical term used to describe the rear section or back end of a vessel. It is the opposite of the bow or forward of a ship, which is the term for the front end of a vessel. The aft of a ship is where you will find the ships propellers, engine compartments, and steering rudder. On many cruise ships, the stern houses engine rooms or large dining areas. Aft staterooms tend to be situated a bit farther from the elevator banks, so factor in some extra walking to access them to reach other ship amenities.