Venice to Rome - Port or Starboard?

[GRBlizz]

We are booked on the Riviera for August 13, 2012 Venice to Rome. We're trying to decide which side we should choose for the best views. Does anyone have any recommendations? In particular, do they usually dock on the port side?

 

It's early enough to change, so we'd love any advice.

[JimandStan]

We are booked on the Riviera for August 13, 2012 Venice to Rome. We're trying to decide which side we should choose for the best views. Does anyone have any recommendations? In particular, do they usually dock on the port side?

 

It's early enough to change, so we'd love any advice.

 

Sorry, but you're asking one of those questions that has no real answer (although everyone wonders about it).

 

Where the ship will dock or tender is unpredictable because the local port authorities make that decision on a cruise by cruise basis.

 

As for scenery, the ship does not typically sail within sight of land, unless entering or leaving a port.

 

It's all really luck of the draw.

[bbwex]

As JimandStan said, you don't steam close enough to land to make any difference.

 

It's also hard to say which side will be better at any given port as the ship's actual approach might be from almost any angle. Often the ship has lots of time between ports, so even though you figure that you will be coming down the x shore on the port side, the ship might have sailed beyond the entrance a bit, and then makes its approach from the starboard side!

 

Also, while large ships will obviously approach land from one side or the other, bear in mind that large ships do not cruise right along the beach and then turn in at the last second. They will be in the shipping channel from a long way out, so the only part that is certain to have a good view is the pointy end -- the bow.

 

Horizons is always a good place to be to watch the ship go in and out of port, and of course up on deck anywhere.

 

Docking is another "anybody's guess." One time they might have docked at dock A and they docked port-side-to. Another time they might dock at dock B, and they tend to be starboard-side-to there. All at the same port.

 

In most ports, either view is pretty good, and there is no predicting, or at least no perfect predicting.

 

On an Alaska cruise, we were told to be in a port side cabin, but I had already selected starboard side cabins. After all was said and done, it made little to no difference.

 

If it were me, I would forget it, and plan the rest of a great trip.

[aZ4me]

I spent way too much time wondering the same thing before our Marina cruise in April. It really made no difference at all. It looks like you'll be entering ports early in the morning, and you'll probably be up on Terrace Cafe's deck having breakfast and enjoying the view from there.

 

You will love Marina's sister ship. Have a great cruise!