Which side to book on Independence

[jjtt]

Planning on booking a balcony on Independence cruising to the Eastern Caribbean this summer. When docked at ports we want to see the island from our balcony, which side do we book (aft or starboard)? In other words, we want to go out on our balcony and look down onto the pier below. Thanks!!

Edited February 6, 2015 by jjtt

[FLACRUISER99]

Planning on booking a balcony on Independence cruising to the Eastern Caribbean this summer. When docked at ports we want to see the island from our balcony, which side do we book (aft or starboard)? In other words, we want to go out on our balcony and look down onto the pier below. Thanks!!

Makes no difference.

[cruiseguy1016]

There is no way to know how the ship is going to dock. Sometimes the pier is on the port side, sometimes it's on the starboard side. Sometimes the ship pulls in forward, sometimes they back in. It all depends on how many ships are in port and who got there first.

Edited February 6, 2015 by cruiseguy1016

[aftop]

There is no way to know how the ship is going to dock. Sometimes the pier is on the port side, sometimes it's on the starboard side. Sometimes the ship pulls in forward, sometimes they back in. It all depends on how many ships are in port and who got there first.

 

On a recent stop at Antigua there were three ships docked at the pier. A NCL ship was fourth in line and docked at what appeared to be the cargo loading area quite a distance from the pier.

[MichaelCMTX]

Planning on booking a balcony on Independence cruising to the Eastern Caribbean this summer. When docked at ports we want to see the island from our balcony, which side do we book (aft or starboard)? In other words, we want to go out on our balcony and look down onto the pier below. Thanks!!

 

The exact score on our 8-night was port for St. Kitts and St. Maarten, starboard for San Juan and Labadee. As other have mentioned though, with the exception of Labadee it was probably "what parking place was available" that determined how we docked.

[cruiseguy1016]

On a recent stop at Antigua there were three ships docked at the pier. A NCL ship was fourth in line and docked at what appeared to be the cargo loading area quite a distance from the pier.

 

I'm not sure how many ships were already in port but we had to dock at the commercial shipping pier in St. Kitts a few years ago.

[cb at sea]

Seldom will a Captain dock to the same side at every port....they try to give every one a "view"!

[molsonschooner]

There is no way to know how the ship is going to dock. Sometimes the pier is on the port side, sometimes it's on the starboard side. Sometimes the ship pulls in forward, sometimes they back in. It all depends on how many ships are in port and who got there first.

I have no knowledge on this but I would think parking spots are assigned to the ships before they ever show up at the port

[oneputt18]

Most of the Eastern Caribbean Ports you can see the island from both sides of the ship. Labadee is an exception to that as you can only see a very small portion of the island if you are on the wrong side of the ship.

[stevea36]

Most of the Eastern Caribbean Ports you can see the island from both sides of the ship. Labadee is an exception to that as you can only see a very small portion of the island if you are on the wrong side of the ship.

 

Port vs starboard is based on the following.....

Tides

Winds

Traffic

Does the crew need to do any lifeboat drills on a specific side

Is there any maintenance planned for a specific side

 

So, there is really no way to determine exactly how the ship will dock

 

Steve

[Ocean Boy]

Seldom will a Captain dock to the same side at every port....they try to give every one a "view"!

 

Seriously?

[bouhunter]

Seldom will a Captain dock to the same side at every port....they try to give every one a "view"!

 

No they don't...................:rolleyes: CB posts this everytime it comes up....

Edited February 6, 2015 by bouhunter

[kontraxed]

I like to book the side that is least expensive!

[jjtt]

Thanks for all of your answers! So it sounds like it is the luck of the drawl. Now to make the choice...

[alenushka]

.... Labadee is an exception to that as you can only see a very small portion of the island if you are on the wrong side of the ship.

 

which side will be the "right" side for the nice view in Labadee?

[Desert Cruizers]

We usually book on the Port side but if I need to view something on the Starboard, I walk out unto the Promenade or upper deck and take my pictures, If we come in and we are on the Pier side fine, if not that is alright also.

[Clarea]

which side will be the "right" side for the nice view in Labadee?

Not predicable.

[Little Buddy's Mom]

Seldom will a Captain dock to the same side at every port....they try to give every one a "view"!

 

Your answer is just silly.

Edited April 17, 2015 by Little Buddy's Mom

[bouhunter]

Your answer is just silly.

 

Yep. CB posts the same reply EVERY TIME this question comes up and it's a joke. But then, she NEVER returns to reply to any comments to any of her posts......:rolleyes:

[WisconsinFan]

I believe in Labadee the ships always pull in forward and the starboard side would have the view of the island. One other item to consider is smoking is allowed only in public areas on Freedom class ships on the port side decks 4 and 5. This sometimes leads to some smoke smell.

[alenushka]

I believe in Labadee the ships always pull in forward and the starboard side would have the view of the island. One other item to consider is smoking is allowed only in public areas on Freedom class ships on the port side decks 4 and 5. This sometimes leads to some smoke smell.

 

thank you. :)

[cruiseguy456]

We have always booked on the Port side. seemed to work in our favor