Port-Side Balcony Staterooms - Southern Caribbean

[Wake2port]

Port-Side Balcony Staterooms - Southern Caribbean Is there a specific side of the ship that is always facing the Islands when approaching the piers at the ports. I called Carnival to ask this and they told me its always the left side of the ship (even # staterooms) does this make sense? Our first cruise was Eastern Caribbean out of Miami and we got lucky that we had nice views of the islands as we were docking, the rooms on the other side of the ship were viewing the open water. For this cruise I wanted to make sure we were on that "port" side again. The room they assigned us is mid-ship on Deck 7 - Empress. Has anyone stayed on this deck, just curious to get some helpful info.

[cb at sea]

"Port" means "left" in nautical terms. It has nothing to do with which way the ship will dock.

At one port, you may be dock to "port"...at the next port, you may be docked to "starboard" (right)....there's no way to tell, as it changes everytime! Even if you are on the side away from the dock, you will not be viewing open ocean...there are myriads of little islets and beautiful things to see!

[serene56]

When we sailed this route with Carnival-- one port docked starboard- the next port we docked the other side.

 

one time we backed in - the next time we pulled in.

the ship may pull in the "right: way but your view may be another cruise ship.

 

Do not book a cabin based on facing the port

[Wake2port]

I was reading a review and found this detailed info:

"which side of ship" would be good for balcony views--knowing subject to change based on captains decision.

These are only my observations and opinions

 

San Juan-think port side (even numbers) has slight edge. Can see terminal,gangway,luggage loading and view of shore towards Sheraton.

 

St.Thomas-have always taken starboard side as like people watching, can see gangway,Havensight mall and some of hills. Port side-Charlotte Amalie,yacht club marina,hills.Also saw water tours coming back from this side. So this is a 50/50 no real bad view.

 

Dominica-Pulled in parallel to shore with port side (even numbers) facing the shops,shoreline and hills. The starboard had some hills at bow end, water otherwise. Definite Port side better here.

 

Barbados-Pulled into port, with bow facing cruise terminal, and gangway would be on port side. Port side had industrial view,gangway and some activity to watch. Starboard had water only. No real winner hear as nothing to look at. If had to say-port side to people and machinery watch.

 

St.Lucia -Port side had colorful cruise terminal shopping area,hills and some bay side water view. Starboard more of downtown St.Lucia Seraphine?,hills and water. Almost equal in views with edge to port side again.

 

St.Kitts - St. Kitts arrival backed into port, the port side of ship was facing the gangway. The orientation of ship if parallel to pier, but perpendicular to shore. It is a very long dock, and gangway is at far end of ship near front. When considering which side the view is better in St.Kitts it is an equal call with edge going to port side. Basically the terminal area can be viewed from the stern (back) really well and leaning outward from either balcony side. The thing we liked about port side view was just a bit more color across inlet, and ability to see gangway.

 

St.Maarten- St.Maarten-the ship pulls in, and we were only ship there today. The port side faces the gangway-pier and also has view across harbor of water taxis and Phillipsburg. The starboard a bit of the hills. Hands down the port side today has best view. Had their been another ship in port-the starboard would have been facing another ship and its cabins.