Headed south or east? Luckily, youll see incredible views during your cruise whether youre starboard or port side. In fact, when choosing a cabin location, many people wonder if the port or starboard side is better on a cruise ship. Learn this quickly and it will be much easier to find your way back to your cabin. For those of you that have been on the ship, which side would be the best to book? Rough Waters: Cruise travelers might experience rough seas in several places in Europe. How much does a cruise to the Mediterranean cost? 1 Which side of cruise ship is best for Mediterranean? To enjoy stunning water views, enjoy Celebrity's "Magic Carpet," a large platform that hangs off the edge of the ship and moves from deck to deck. Also Check: Are There Any Pet Friendly Cruises. The front of a cruise ship is noisier than the back. Then you fly home from Barcelona. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. I'm a budget cruiser. Here are 8 easy strategies I used on my recent Youll find these behemoths sailing the Caribbean and Mediterranean throughout the year, but with so many activities on board, you might not even want to leave the ship. This can be dependent on a few factors including the number ships that will also be in port, the direction that the ship is sailing in, government regulations and the discretion of the ships Captain. While neither is better, this information may help you to decide what you prefer. If its a round-trip then what you see going, you'll see the other side returning to port. Vigo Spains Beautiful Side Streets and Old Town, Enjoying the Musicians and Sites of Old Town Vigo Spain. NEW VOYAGE COLLECTION We are now taking pre-registrations for Cunards new cruises from Oct 2024 May 2025 including Alaska 2024. Simply put, port is the left side of the ship and starboard is the right side of the ship. Is Royal Caribbean sailing in the Mediterranean? 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Request a callback now. Recommended Reading: When Is Jungle Cruise Coming Out. Given their size, these ships provide every amenity you can think ofand plenty you cant even imaginefrom waterparks to world-class musical productions to autonomous bars staffed by robots to double-decker suites with slides for the kids. Should the restaurant be fully booked, guests can dine at one of four other casual and fine dining venues, such as the Japanese-focused Sushiand the buffet-style Colonnade. 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. Now if you pick it up, the most extravagant way to do thing is what is called POSH which is port outbound, starboard home. There is also the North Star observation capsule, which hoists guests 300 feet above sea level over the cruise ship to enjoy unparalleled views below. Visit the CDC website for additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. You are closer to areas you want to see, whether its a wildlife area, natural history, or a cultural area, says Lindblad fan Judy Pool of Denver. Plan to arrive at least one day before your ship departs. Although propulsion systems tend now to be relatively quiet electric pods with small propeller blades rather than a big whirring drive shaft, there can be more vibration at the stern of the ship. Where do Mediterranean cruises depart from? Don't miss Gaudi's fantastical buildings or a meal of tapas. Keep in mind that the ports are different depending on which way you go.. Venice to Barcelona misses Mykonos. But a small ship cruise opens up a wholedifferent side to the Mediterranean, allowing you to visit thesmaller ports and secluded bays that a bigger ship just cantreach. Cruise ships dock at the end of Las Ramblas, the main thoroughfare in the old part of the city, so it's easy to leave the ship and simply wander. Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas top the lists in terms of passenger count , length , and gross tonnage . Read Also: What Is Included On Viking Ocean Cruises. In October, She Vanished While Walking To A Friend's House Just Hours When sailing westbound, this means that youll experience the heat of the sun rather than the cool breezes of the Atlantic, and youll also have an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty as you approach the United States (if you look to the starboard side, youll see Brooklyn). Looking to book either the Venice to Barcelona or Barcelona to Venice cruise. The 930-passenger Viking Sky which debuted in February 2017 receives rave reviews from past cruisersfor its port-heavy itineraries (fares include one complimentary excursion per port) and luxurious, comfortable staterooms. Enjoy one-of-a-kind venues on your ship, like a sunset dinner on the cantilevered Magic Carpet on Celebrity Edge, which transforms into new experiences depending on which deck its stationed on. Visit the CDC website for additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. We had starboard side, my favorite, and we sat on our erandah for breakfast each morning at 5AM ready to slide into port & the workers waving, etc. When on the cruise ship and get off the elevators, its easy to get disorientated and forget if youre on the port or starboard side. The future cruise consultant has a desk off to one side. The port side may be mainly blue with red details, for example, and the starboard side carpet may be mainly red with blue details. Seabourn Ovation adhere's to the line's penchant for luxury, offering all-suite accommodations, fine dining experiences and indulgent onboard activities. Most cruisers dont have a strong preference between starboard and port side, as both sides of the cruise ship are equally good for most itineraries. Visit the CDC website for additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. Depending on your cruise itinerary, you may have a preference for a port side or starboard side balcony cabin. Your comments will surely help others! ; We could be so lucky! One of the highlights of Celebrity Beyond is its 4,500-piece art collection, which includes works by travel photographers and international artists. While a cruise is known as the best way to see Alaska, choosing the perfect side to stay on depends on the direction that your ship is traveling in. To avoid confusion, the nautical terms, port and starboard, were adopted as these terms indicate the direction which a sailor is facing. Silver Spirit. For exciting destinations such as Venice, Istanbul . Best luxury cruise lines in the Mediterranean are: Seabourn Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are the best for the luxury Mediterranean cruises. The sushi side, however, offers a prix fixe menu for only $35 per person. What Is The Best Cruise Line For Mediterranean If youre sailing from Southampton to New York with Cunard Line, for example, you might find that portside accommodation sells out quite quickly. For a Mediterranean cruise, dont be overly concerned with which side of the ship is best. Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaskas scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship. So it really comes down to chance. The key attraction is The Statue of Liberty and a regular question from our clients is which side of the ship they should book to get the best views. Depending on your cruise itinerary, you may have a preference for a port side or starboard side balcony cabin. The word STARBOARD has an R in it, just like RIGHT. What are Tips to Find Cruise deals to the Mediterranean? Even if you prefer an interior-facing stateroom or one with a window instead, youll still have your pick of onboard venues to watch the days wax and wane. In 2017, Windstar also became the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, introducing further special itineraries with culinary themes and guest chefs. MSC is a mainstream cruise line that specializes in affordable cruises in the Mediterranean region with more than 14 of its vessels cruising there - that's nearly the entire fleet. The port side may be mainly blue with red details, for example, and the starboard side carpet may be mainly red with blue details. Your email address will not be published. If you found this helpful, please dont keep it to yourself ;-). Many people wonder if its better to have a cabin on the port or starboard side of the cruise ship. 4 How much does a cruise to the Mediterranean cost? On some of Royal Caribbeans big ships, a cabin near the stern can also give you a balcony view of the aqua shows. Corrado Clini, Italys Minister of Environment, said that sail-by salutes, a custom that has resulted in an outcome visible to all, should no longer be tolerated. And, as part of the Relais & Chateaux family, the cuisine is spectacular, incorporating regional dishes made with local ingredients. Taucks nine river ships specialize in navigating Northern Europe, with itineraries that highlight the castles of Germanys Rhine River or explore Paris and Monets gardens at Giverny on a Seine cruise. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. As a result, cruises to destinations in the Mediterranean are offered on the brands smaller vessels. Whats the best side to stay on for an Alaska cruise? ; Please let me know if you prefer a starboard or port side cabin, and share any tips for the the best cabins for Alaska, the Caribbean and other itineraries. starboard side of the ship is best to stay on. Most sailors were right handed and the right side was the steering side, which later became Starboard. CC Help Jenn This has, of course, been debunked numerous times over the years (mainly because many of the cruise ships of the 1800s offered relatively few, if any, outdoor staterooms), yet this mantra has stuck around. But you can filter your search based on price, region, traveler type and brand to find the best ship and itinerary for you. How do I record 401k match in QuickBooks? Western Mediterranean Cruise: Essential Tips, Ports & NCL Epic Review Looking to book either the Venice to Barcelona or Barcelona to Venice cruise. Visit theCDC websitefor additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. However, if you are sailing a one way itinerary or simply want to check, something to note is that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. The side that your ship docks into port will vary depending on such factors as weather conditions and how busy the port is on that particular day. For the first time, the ship will have its homeport in Limassol, Cyprus. 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.).