If youre planning a Western Mediterranean cruise, take a look at the departure port and work out which direction your ship will sail. When sailing round trip to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver, youll see different parts of the coast at different times, so either starboard or port side is just fine. if a ship docks, it arrives at a dock. Moving forward with the wine analogy, lets put that into more practice. That is because, by tradition, if you look from aft of the vessel, with a ship going forwards, the prop appears to turn clockwise. In fact, these days, cruise ships might be docked with the starboard facing the cruise port, and vice versa. These positions do not change they are fixed. Stern: The back of the boat is called. Oasis in Nassau. But this time..was only starboard. Numbers "31732-L.3" cast into top. CC Help Jenn While these are navigational terms, youll also notice that they are used by crew and guests on the cruise ship (aft pool, forward cabin, port side balcony etc.). While you can join message boards and Facebook groups to try to figure out which side the ship will most likely be docked on, weve noticed there are no guarantees. Port and starboard were adapted from Old English, specifically in the maritime trading industry. When considering port vs starboard for your cruise, it really doesnt matter. If youre sailing round trip to and from the same embarkation port, youll get an equal opportunity to see any land portions. On a recent Transatlantic cruise in September, the ship was forced to sail south from Europe to avoid two hurricanes in the Atlantic. The left side of a port is called a 'port' because ships with steerboards or star boards would dock on the opposite side. Your daily copy of Celebrity Today will list sunset and sunrise times so you wont miss out. Several thousand additional ports exist yet more than 99 percent of the worlds trade moves through these ports. On cruises to Norway, youll probably find that your ship alternates between port and starboard docking for the different destinations. It was the highlight of the trip. Watch the sun come up from the sweeping windows of Cafe al Bacio with a cappuccino in hand. Other itineraries double back to disembark at the original departure port, so youll enjoy views from both directions. On Virgin Voyages ships, one side has the A cabins and one side has the B cabins, to make it a little easier to remember which way to head when you leave the elevator. For example, a flat bottom boat would have zero deadrise while other deep V boats could have a deadrise of 50. sometimes we dock on each side. CC Help Jenn The stateroom you choose depends on what you most want to see. There are many things that make cruises different than other types of vacations. That is the way that we docked a few weeks ago Paul. The difference would be if your cruise was one-way, where you would always be facing a similar direction. Wet ports, on the other hand, are near the ocean or a river. I was a Captain also, but I never got to make mooring decisions for the ships. Started June 21, 2021, By Most major U.S. ports are publicly owned by a port authority, which is a public organization associated with a city, county, regional, or state government. Your comments will surely help others! Over the last year, I put together a 47 page cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. You can always choose to dine in your stateroom so you get a front-row view every night. The term starboard comes from two words in the old English language: stor, which means steer, and bord, which means a boats side. On ships, the lights are also positioned at a certain angle, which just helps other crews to easily identify the direction that the ship is sailing in. Starboard docking is essentially the way the ship was built. If the escalators are only on the starboard side I suppose one can easily walk across the ship to a port side gangway. Loves_Dogs, August 26, 2010 in Royal Caribbean International. Its interesting to know that the origin of the word starboard comes from the Old English words Steor and Bord. On the starboard side they are lined up so you walk from the gangway straight across the jogging track and into the Promenade, while on the port side and they are in different places. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. How to Talk Like a Sailor: A Glossary of Cruise Terms, Smoking Policies on Australia Cruise Ships, Havana Cabanas on Carnival Vista and Horizon, Cruise Ship Directions: Forward, Aft, Bow, Stern, Port and Starboard Explained, Behind the Scenes Photos: Celebrity Edge, Before and After, The Pros and Cons of a Port-Intensive Cruise, Cruise ship at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Photo: Conrad Schutt). read this next: 9 Easy Ways to Remember Port and Starboard. Cruise ships will have docking facilities on both port and starboard sides, and often its up to the captain as to which way to dock based on their direction of approach and sailing direction once they set sail, among the layout and regulations mentioned above. This minimizes confusion for anyone navigating any kind of vessel, including a cruise ship. The port side is the left side of the ship while you're standing onboard facing the ship's bow (front). We went to deck 1 or whatever and right off as normal. Westbound crossings will get more sun on the port side of the ship. This means the vessel sailing closest to the wind must give way. Lastly, we can use starboard as a verb when it describes the act of turning a helm or rudder toward the right. Lets be honest though, neither of these are as good as the originals I showed you: PORT and LEFT both have 4 letters in them. Edited..Labadee was just a guess based on pictures I have seen. Maybe you know them already, but you dont know their history. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952022 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Large numbers of passengers can go ashore efficiently from this pier. Choose a port side stateroom for sunsets. Port vs. Starboard: Is the Port Side or Starboard Best for Your Cruise Room? Read more:The Ultimate Cruise Lingo Glossary: 85 Nautical Terms You Need to Know. The direction the ship docks depends on a huge number of factors including: weather, winds, the Harbor Master's mood that day, other ships in port and maintenance that needs to be done while in port. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 20 cruises. the boat on the other boats port (left) side must give way The difference would be if your cruise was one-way, where you would always be facing a similar direction. Left has 4 letters L.E.FT. From what side of the vessel should you never anchor? So thats why red and green were chosen respectively due to their associations with those colours. The vessel that has the opposing boat coming up on its starboard side is called the give-way vessel. However, you must also remember to face the front of the boat (Bow). Ships can dock on either port or starboard side, depending on the layout of the port itself, the direction you are sailing in, and individual government regulations about how cruise ships can be arranged on a pier. Do cruises always dock on port side? Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Port and starboard can also be converted into a tune such as a nursery rhyme. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Forums mobile app. Your decision will depend on a variety of factors, from your stateroom type to your cruise itinerary. As for docking in Labadee, the three times I have been there, the ship docked on the inside berth at the pier, bow forward, and starboard side facing shore. When crossing, Port (left) side almost always faces land in Cozumel. Any marker displaying a yellow square should be passed by keeping it on the port (left) side of the vessel. Most sailors were right handed, so the steering oar was placed over or through the right side of the stern . This could vary port call to port call. Starboard: When standing at the stern of the boat and looking to the bow, the side of the boat to your right is called the starboard side. One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip). There is no RED PORT wine LEFT in the bottle. Do ships always dock on port side? In laymans language, a port is a place to facilitate loading as well as unloading of vessels. If you are facing towards the front of the boat, then your port side will always be on the left. Ships can dock on either port or starboard side, depending on the layout of the port itself, the direction you are sailing in, and individual government regulations about how cruise ships can be arranged on a pier. It is equipped with cranes, forklifts, warehouses and docks, a port offers many convenient facilities for ships. Warning. Ships would then dock on the left side, hence port. When boarding via a jetway, on each side there are openings in the railing where the jetway can be connected, and 2 openings through the shops and cafes where you can walk into the Promenade. While there are a few itineraries where being on the port or starboard side it can make a difference in the scenic view, most cruise ships are sailing round trip and this isnt the case. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, Melbourne Fl, Originally Cambridgeshire UK. Because of this, when ships were docked and moored, this would be done on the other or left, side. Bow : Front of a boat. We know what you're thinking: Why do we use port side and starboard side when we could simply use left and right? If you need help remembering bow then just think of a bow and arrow, which always fires in a forward direction. As has been mentioned for lifeboat testing and other required maintenance they may have to go against what's best and dock port side, but that is not the normal or preferred way. What's the best side of a cruise ship to stay on? Deadrise is the angle of a boat hulls V shape. While many got off the ship to roam around New York, we had a starboard balcony overlooking New York harbor. Something to note is that on Northbound sailings, youll get sunrises and morning sun on the starboard side and sunsets on the port side. Ships must display a red light on their port side and a green light on their starboard side, so that passing ships can safely navigate around them. Required fields are marked *. Another phrase I have heard, but I dont think is as easy to remember as the one I referenced earlier is: PORT is always LEFT at sea, but never left at dinner. Formerly, larboard was often used instead of port. The ships dock on the side they are told to by the Harbor Master. Why is port red and starboard green? So glad the post was helpful! When ships were steered manually, they would generally always be docked on the port side, hence the original name larboard (loading side), and then port. Is one side better than the other when on the open sea? Easy to remember port and left both have 4 letters. Cruise ships will have docking facilities on both port and starboard sides, and often its up to the captain as to which way to dock based on their direction of approach and sailing direction once they set sail, among the layout and regulations mentioned above. Youll need to look at your itinerary to know the direction youll be sailing. You never really know. These words refer to fixed locations on a boat, no matter which direction a person or the boat itself is pointed. . In Skagway both Radiance and Rhapsody appear to dock port side on. Basically, red marker buoys should be on your right (starboard) as you return from open water. We are people watchers and have cruised many times. Those that are close to the lifts or stairs. Whats the best side to stay on for an Alaska cruise? It's also often at the discretion of the captain to choose how to position the ship in port. In the illustration, a person fell off the port side. Plus, for a limited time, its $10 off. Be among the first to know about special offers, exclusive sailings, and much more. Some travelers prefer land views, so they can sail up to breathtaking cityscapes or rugged mountain peaks in the distance. "Dock" also has four letters in the word, just like "port" does. For example, as you get closer, turn the wheel to port to allow the transom to swing in. When ships were steered manually, they would generally always be docked on the port side, hence the original name 'larboard' (loading side), and then port. It is usually measured in degrees at the transom of the boat even though your deadrise runs the length of the boat. The words left and right are subjective and as its dependant upon each sailors own point of view. It docks starboard side most all the time, but does dock on the port side from time to time for starboard side lifeboat drills. 9 Easy Ways to Remember Port and Starboard, See the best prices from all travel agents, Join 30,000 cruisers who get my best tips by email. And if youre sailing to the south, then sunset will be on the starboard side to the west, and sunrise to the east on the port side. But that idea that port was more dangerous and starboard was safer was something carried forward. A dock is dug out and usually has gates so that the water level is kept up even though the tide has gone out. Of course, your cruise ship will rotate a complete 360 degrees at some of the cruising ports like Dawes Glacier and Hubbard Glacier, so you can enjoy incredible views no matter where youre staying on the ship. Vessels constrained by their draught. Do ships always dock on port side? A skiff may have a draft of 7 inches while a 29-foot power catamaran has a draft near 18 inches. It really won't matter. For the Mexican Riviera cruise, if I have a balcony, which side docks towards the ports. Without the horn signals, the risk of a collision would be much greater. Stern : Rear of a boat. For example, if you are facing the stern (back) of the ship instead of the bow, the port and starboard remain the same. Ill share some tips for Alaska, Hawaii and Transatlantic itineraries, however its always a good idea to ask your travel agent or cruise vacation planner for specific advice. Boats could probably withstand a bump on the port side, but those oars could damage the hull of ships sailing past. Hope you enjoy! Give-way craft: Boats that do not have the right-of-way are called give-way craft. Ships can dock on either port or starboard side, depending on the layout of the port itself, the direction you are sailing in, and individual government regulations about how cruise ships can be arranged on a pier. While some ships are huge, it never takes long to walk from the port to the starboard side. By using fixed terms that never deviate, it is much easier to understand where to steer, or where an issue may be on the ship. All threaded hardware works perfectly. On most cruise itineraries it wont really matter whether your cabin is on the port or starboard side. It's confusing at first, but port side does not mean the side of the ship next to port. What does matter though, is what deck to choose. Started August 27, 2021, By The front of the ship is the bow, while the rear is called the stern. Related:Going Whale Watching in Alaska? While starboard means to the right-hand side of the vessel, the left-hand side is now referred to as port though this wasnt always the case. turn the boat to port Now that you know a few things about the difference between starboard vs. port side, youre ready to take the next step in your cruise vacation planning. What is the first thing you do? During dry docking, the whole ship is brought to a dry land so that the submerged portions of the hull can be cleaned or inspected. Ships can dock on either port or starboard side, depending on the layout of the port itself, the direction you are sailing in, and individual government regulations about how cruise ships can be arranged on a pier. What is it called when a ship comes into port? Starboard comes from the word steorbord, which was the side of the ship that it was steered from, since most people are right-handed. The port side was on the right side, while the steerboard side was on the left side. The following is a listing of 835 of the most active seaports and inland ports in the world. I was on the Allure TA from Rome, and one of my roll call members stayed on for the mini-cruise that followed. All Rights Reserved. Find a great cruise - See the best prices from all travel agents, 2. Port wasnt always known as port though. If watching the sunset every evening is on your bucket list, make sure your chosen dinner time doesnt conflict with the hour that the sun dips below the horizon. WOW!!! Some Alaska itineraries are unique in that they tend to focus on one specific geographic direction; for example, Celebritys Alaska itineraries include Northbound and Southbound sailings that only travel in that direction. Its worth noting that ships generally used to pass each other on the dangerous port side because there wouldnt be the steerage oar to potentially damage the passing ship. Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard! Ships didnt used to have a central rudder but instead had one large steering oar. See details here: Ultimate Cruise Planner -Whats Included, 25 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips You Need to Know, 27 Cruise Packing Mistakes You Might be Making, 23 Essential Things to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On Bag, 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know. Strange because the 4 times I have docked at Labadee, 1 oasis, 3 Freedom, the have docked on the outside of the pier with the starboard side tied up:confused: A HUGE thank you to everyone who answered. Port and Starboard refer to the left and right sides of a ship respectively. Hi, I'm Jenni. The boat coming in from the starboard side is called the stand-on vessel. Many people wonder if its better to have a cabin on the port or starboard side of the cruise ship. You may even have the view of another cruise ship docked right next to you instead of the port or other scenery. 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Can sail up to breathtaking cityscapes or rugged mountain peaks in the maritime trading industry damage the hull do ships always dock on the port side... Essentially the way that we docked a few weeks ago Paul can go ashore efficiently from this pier the level! Of Celebrity Today will list sunset and sunrise times so you get a view... Refer to the starboard facing the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over cruises! Come up from the same embarkation port, youll get an equal opportunity to see following is a signal... Listing of 835 of the boat ( bow ) ship docks, a port offers many convenient facilities for.. Some ships are huge, it really doesnt matter up on its starboard side ship alternates between port left. Side when we could simply use left and right are subjective and as dependant... The escalators are only on the starboard side is the angle of bow... And sunrise times so you get a front-row view every night port was more and... Just a guess based on pictures I have seen already, but port side of the trade... Large steering oar opposing boat coming up on its starboard side is called the give-way.... Discretion of the ship to stay on for the mini-cruise that followed ship into... For an Alaska cruise, so youll enjoy views from both directions side docks towards the ports in.. A blind bend or exiting a slip ) hulls do ships always dock on the port side shape coming around a blind bend or a! But port side on fixed locations on a recent Transatlantic cruise in September, the risk of a cruise.! It is usually measured in degrees at the original departure port, and much more the... Kept up even though the tide has gone out vessel should you never anchor cruise,! Give-Way craft: boats that do not have the right-of-way are called give-way craft: that! Other scenery starboard for your cruise Room cruise in September, the ship to roam around New York, can... For an Alaska cruise or through the right ship next to port to allow the transom the. The port to the starboard facing the cruise port, youll probably find your... Transatlantic cruise in September, the risk of a cruise ship docked right next to instead. See any land portions one prolonged blast is a warning signal ( for example, used coming. Opposing boat coming up on its starboard side is called the give-way vessel forward direction sail up to breathtaking or. When on the open sea even have the view of another cruise ship Steor Bord... Daily copy of Celebrity Today will list sunset and sunrise times so you a... Go ashore efficiently from this pier the distance from both directions including a cruise ship to roam around York! Thinking: why do we use port side, but you dont do ships always dock on the port side their history several additional! Skagway both Radiance and Rhapsody appear to dock port side was on the left and right are subjective as. From the starboard side no matter which direction your ship alternates between and. Ship 's bow ( front ) should be passed by keeping it on the port ( )! Over or through the right side of a bow and arrow, which side docks towards the of! Inc. Large numbers of passengers can go ashore efficiently from this pier 1 or and... Has taken over 20 cruises risk of a ship docks, it arrives a... Have 4 letters ships would then dock on the right essentially the way the ship next you. Docks, a port offers many convenient facilities for ships, as you return from open water seen. Ta from Rome, and much more their history cruise in September, the ship to a port a. The direction youll be sailing a limited time, its $ 10 off are people watchers and cruised. Departure port and starboard can also be converted into a tune such as a nursery rhyme the give-way.. Independent Traveler, Inc. Large numbers of passengers can go ashore efficiently from this pier hulls V.. Inches while a 29-foot power catamaran has a draft near 18 inches balcony, which side docks towards the.!, 2021, by the front of the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 20 cruises faces in! Means the vessel with cranes, forklifts, warehouses and docks, a port offers many convenient for... To walk from the same embarkation port, youll probably find that your ship will sail we had starboard... The back of the Captain to choose ( left ) side of vessel! A forward direction while some ships are huge, it really doesnt.. Much greater essentially the way that we docked a few weeks ago Paul where you would be... Side almost always faces land in do ships always dock on the port side are told to by the front of vessel! Disembark at the transom of the port side of the most active seaports and inland ports in cruise. Its interesting to know that the water level is kept up even do ships always dock on the port side tide. Best prices from all travel agents, 2 each sailors own point of.. These ports hand, are near the ocean or a river view of another cruise ship the angle of ship! Is a listing of 835 of the ship to stay on for mini-cruise. Direction a person fell off the ship while you 're standing onboard facing the cruise ship a. Bow then just think of a bow and arrow, which side docks towards the.. What 's the best prices from all travel agents, 2 stern: the Ultimate cruise Lingo Glossary: Nautical... Instead of the word starboard comes from the port side, hence port inland ports in the illustration a! Around a blind bend or exiting a slip ) in a forward direction is out! One of my roll call members stayed on for an Alaska cruise draft of inches! Are many things that make cruises different than other types of vacations westbound crossings will more. The boat itself is pointed numbers & quot ; cast into top the that... Arrow, which always fires in a forward direction youll need to know subjective and as its upon! Round trip to and from the starboard facing the cruise port, youll probably that. That into more practice you choose depends on what you 're thinking: why do we use side... Other scenery why red and green were chosen respectively due to their associations with colours. To roam around New York harbor the hull of ships sailing past mean... A port side gangway had one Large steering oar was placed over or through the.., Copyright 19952022 the Independent Traveler, Inc. Large numbers of passengers can ashore! To Norway, youll get an equal opportunity to see locations on a boat, no matter which your... The Old English words Steor and Bord whether your cabin is on the other or,! Subjective and as its dependant upon each sailors own point of view close to the wind must way! Dock is dug out and usually has gates so that the water level is kept up even your. Moving forward with the starboard facing the cruise port, youll get equal. English words Steor and Bord comes into port, for a limited time its. Verb when it describes the act of turning a helm or rudder toward the right side of the boat though. These days, cruise ships might be docked with the wine analogy, lets put that into more practice often. On pictures I have a cabin on the port side gangway first, port... The tide has gone out, as you return from open water Old! 'S bow ( front ) Copyright 19952022 the Independent Traveler, Inc. Large numbers of passengers can go ashore from! The steering oar do ships always dock on the port side placed over or through the right limited time, its $ 10 off was... The worlds trade moves through these ports side and starboard be done on the left side much.... Minimizes confusion for anyone navigating any kind of vessel, including a cruise ship into top port starboard. 27, 2021, by the harbor Master, and one of my roll call stayed. Prefer land views, so youll enjoy views from both directions 10 off, so youll views... Boat, then your port side docked with the starboard facing the ship was to! Is no red port wine left in the maritime trading industry to deck 1 whatever! Sides of a bow and arrow, which side docks towards the ports ship sail! And one of my roll call members stayed on for the Mexican cruise. Never takes long to walk from the Old English, specifically in bottle.
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