The answer to the question, “Do cruise ships dock on port or starboard side?” is especially important if upgrading to a balcony cabin or ocean view stateroom instead of one of the interior cabins. Upgrading gives the option to enjoy the views from the privacy of your own cabin.  Most of our cruises have been in balcony cabins, but we’ve also enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of an inside cabin on a few itineraries. 

 What is Port and What is Starboard?

When navigating a ship, the nautical terms “port” and “starboard” are essential for clear communication between the crew members.  When facing the bow of the ship (front) the ‘Port’ refers to the left side of the ship, and ‘starboard’ refers to the right side. These terms are fixed and do not change regardless of the direction you are facing. Understanding nautical language is especially helpful should there be an emergency situation.  

Ships and airplanes use red lights on the port side and a green light on the starboard side for navigation and safety. This is a maritime standard governed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). These lights help other vessels identify the direction and orientation of a ship, especially in low-visibility conditions.

Use this diagram to help you learn these basic nautical terms. Notice no matter which direction the ship is sailing, the starboard side of the ship is always on the right-hand side when facing the front of the ship. Beef up your vocabulary and learn more lingo before your next cruise.

An Easy Way to Remember Port and Starboard

To remember which side is which, you can use the number of letters in each word: “port” has four letters, the same as “left,” so it is the left side. “Starboard” has more than four letters, and several letter r’s, indicating it is the right side.

Why Don’t Cruise Ships Simply Use “Left” and “Right”?

 “Left” and “right” can change based on your orientation, whereas “port” and “starboard” are fixed locations. This consistency is crucial for navigation and communication on a ship. 

Passenger Orientation

While these lights are present on all ships, they are not typically used as a method for passengers to distinguish between the two sides of the ship. Instead, passengers often use other methods such as:

• Color-coded carpets: Some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, use different colored carpets on the port and starboard sides to help passengers identify which side they are on.
• Signage: Ships often have clear signage indicating the bow, aft, port, and starboard sides.

Historical Context of Port and Starboard

In the early days of boating, the Old English words “steor” (meaning steer) and “bord” (meaning side of the boat) eventually morphed into “Starboard”. Most sailors were right-handed, so the steering oar was placed on the right side of the stern, or the “steering side” of the boat – the “steor bord”. The left side, where ships would dock, was called “port”. 

Traditionally, when docked, the port side of the ship was usually closest to land and was the loading side of the boat, while the starboard side was typically closest to open water. This is not the case anymore. There are many variables at play when a large cruise ship prepare to dock.

_{Notice these two Royal Caribbean ships have docked at the same pier. One ship’s passengers embark from the starboard side. The other ship’s passengers embark from the port side of the ship. – Photos taken by Tony Phanord.}

Do Cruise Ships Dock on Port or Starboard Side?

Cruise ships can dock on either the port or starboard side, depending on several factors:

• Port Layout and Regulations: The design of the port and local regulations can dictate which side the ship docks on.
• Direction of Sailing: The direction the ship is sailing in can influence the docking side.
• Captain’s Discretion– The captain may choose the docking side based on various considerations such as weather, tides, and maintenance needs.
• Berth Assignment: The specific berth assigned to the ship can also determine the docking side.

Given these variables, it is generally impossible to predict with certainty which side a ship will dock on at any given port of call. Even in the exact same port, in the same berth, the ship may back in one time and pull in forward another time. When this happens, guests can always go to one of the open decks to take in the views.  

Does it Matter Which Side You Choose for Your Cabin?

General Considerations

For most cruise lines, especially closed-loop or roundtrip cruises, the experience on both the port and starboard sides are similar. Standard cabin designs are identical on both sides, and the views from outside cabins are generally the same when the ship is on the open ocean. Exceptions might include regions where you pass islands/coastline or whether you want catch the sunrise or sunset.

Here are some scenarios where the choice of side can be significant:

Scenic Cruises:

On itineraries that involve scenic cruising, such as Alaska or Norwegian Fjords, the side of the ship can make a difference. For example, on our Alaskan cruise within the Inside Passage, the starboard side offered better views of the coastline when traveling north. Conversely, on southbound cruises following the same itinerary, the port side is preferable.  This allows you to see the rugged coastline from the comfort of your stateroom. 

Sunrises and Sunsets:

The direction of your cruise can affect which side of the ship offers the best views of morning sun rises and evening sunsets. If sailing north or west, choose a port side cabin for sunsets. If sailing south or east, choose a port side cabin for sunrises and a starboard side cabin for a beautiful sunset.

 Alaska Cruises

Northbound Alaska Cruises: The starboard side offers the best views of the rugged coastline and sunrises, while the port side offers sunsets.

Southbound Alaska Cruises: The port side offers the best views of the coastline and sunrises, while the starboard side offers sunsets.

Mediterranean Cruises

The choice between port and starboard may depend on the specific route and whether you are sailing east or west. For example, on a cruise from Barcelona to Athens, the port side might offer better views of the coastline during the day, while the starboard side might offer better sunset views.

 Transatlantic Cruises and Crossings

On transatlantic cruises, the choice of side is less critical since the views are mostly of open ocean. However, if you prefer to see the sunrise or sunset, choose your cabin accordingly based on the direction of travel.

 Hawaiian Cruises

For cruises around Hawaii, the choice between port and starboard cabin may depend on the specific islands you are visiting and the direction of your cruise. Generally, both sides offer stunning ocean views, but the port side might offer better views of certain islands during the day, especially if your itinerary includes the Nā Pali Coast.

Norwegian Fjords

Similar to Alaska cruises, the side of the ship can make a difference in Norwegian Fjords. The port side might offer better views of the fjords on northbound sailings, while the starboard side is better on southbound sailings.  Generally speaking, the captain will usually turn the ship 360 degrees within a fjord, so both sides get great views. To get the best views of such stunning scenery, head to the top deck. It’s likely to be better than you would see from your cabin anyway.

One way Trips through Panama Canal

If you’re leaving Florida, going through the Panama Canal, and up the west coast of Mexico and California, choose a starboard side (right side of a ship) to see land – when there is land to be seen. 

So do cruise ships dock on port or starboard side?

Final Tips for Choosing Between Sides of the Cruise Ship

• Route and Direction: Consider the route and direction of your cruise to decide which side offers the best views and experiences.
• Scenic Cruising: If your cruise involves scenic cruising, choose a cabin on the side that will face the most scenic views.
• Sunrises and Sunsets: Choose your cabin based on whether you prefer to see sunrises or sunsets from your balcony.

Ultimately, many cruisers spend more time choosing the type of cabin and which deck its on over laboring between a starboard vs port side. Your personal preference of whether the cabin is in the middle or toward one end of the ship, and the size and category of your room are more critical factors than the side of the ship your cabin is on. This is because most people don’t spend much time in their cabin anyway. The best advice is to pick a cabin in a location you want and don’t worry about how it docks.

The ports of call, the style of ship, and the deck of the cabin are the most important thing about cruising. These are the main things that will ensure magical memories and an enjoyable cruise experience. If you still need help deciding on a cabin location, reach out to us for assistance, or your own friendly travel agent for more guidance.