Wardroom

The wardroom is the mess cabin or compartment on a warship or other military ship for commissioned naval officers above the rank of midshipman.

It may also be used on stone frigates to refer to similar officer mess facilities at naval, marine, and coast guard installations ashore.

Ships of the United States Navy have not allowed alcohol consumption onboard since 1913, although since 1980 unique, by exception, single-day waivers have been granted to vessels deployed in excess of 60 days without a port call.

Traditionally considered taboo are three topics: politics, religion, and sex (earlier guidebooks referred to the latter as 'ladies', this being changed as increasing numbers of female officers joined the wardrooms of warships and coast guard vessels).

Typically, upon entering the wardroom at meal time, members ask permission from the most senior officer present before joining the table.