While there are a few itineraries where being on the port or starboard side it can make a difference in the scenic view, most cruise ships are sailing round trip and this isnt the case. There is no doubt that the route can play a role in your choice of accommodation but (and well keep saying this), the open decks are often the best places to take in the views. ;Day 1 Ship departs Southampton, Great Britain; First Cruise Port Vigo, Spain 08:00 am 05:00 pm. 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. Join the Cruise Club. Recent passengers report a stellar onboard experience, describing the food as delicious, the ship as comfortable and the service as top-notch. Guests have a wide array of things to do while on board. Yet note the street cred of said ships: One of the two, the Grace, is the former yacht of Princess Grace of Monaco. Heres the general advice for seeing sunrises and sunsets on a cruise: Choosing a higher deck tends to come with more sweeping views, while some prefer lower cabins midship for greater stability from the natural sway of the ship. There's nothing inherently better about either the port side or the starboard side of a cruise ship. Here are 5 Tips You Need to Know, Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner, YouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips), Port (left side of ship when facing forward), Starboard (right side of ship when facing forward). Unless you have a specific preference, staying on either the port or starboard side of the ship shouldnt make any difference to your cruise holiday. Search for a cruise. Luckily, youll see incredible views during your cruise whether youre starboard or port side. We went off course and watched the volcano and the lava coming down into the ocean for at least two hours, and this was at 11 p.m. at night, Pool says. Youll need to look at your itinerary to know the direction youll be sailing. 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. A great way to remember port and starboard is to go by the number of letters in each word. Visit theCDC website for additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. Available itineraries include stops in cities like Lisbon, Portugal and Valencia, Spain. Keep in mind that the ports are different depending on which way you go.. Venice to Barcelona misses Mykonos. Recommended Reading: Where Is The Cruise Port In Venice. 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. For exciting destinations such as Venice, Istanbul and Lisbon that all provide unique entrances into port, you will be able to experience incredible views no matter which side of the ship you are on. Welcoming up to 930 passengers, the ship featuresall-veranda staterooms rangingfrom270 to1,448 square feet. Our cruise holiday seemed to go by far too quickly, as we took advantage of all the great shore excursions each and every day! starboard side If watching the sunset every evening is on your bucket list, make sure your chosen dinner time doesnt conflict with the hour that the sun dips below the horizon. Call your credit card companies before you depart. It is comfortable and the service is great. Amenities range from complimentary fitness classes to spa and salon treatments to a deck with private cabanas and a whirlpool. The word STARBOARD has an R in it, just like RIGHT. Increasingly, ships are being squared off in the stern to create rear-facing balcony cabins. Where are the ports of call on a Mediterranean cruise? When booking and planning a cruise, its clear that there are many things to consider. Choosing the best stateroom for your ideal getaway is understandably an important step in the planning process. Hope you enjoy! East Mediterranean And Greece Cruise Tips And Watch Outs. We visited The Parque del Castro and Historic Fortress, and a lovely afternoon strolling along Vigos historic Old Town. Related:;75 Genius Cruise Hacks and Tips: Get Organized, Save Money, Cruise Better, You May Like: What Is Concierge On Disney Cruise. LauraS Started June 21, 2021, By Part of the magic of setting sail on a cruise is the sunrises and sunsets youll see each day of your vacation. What is the Best Side of a Cruise Ship to Be On? - Pontooners 1 Which side of cruise ship is best for Mediterranean? In fact, these days, cruise ships might be docked with the starboard facing the cruise port, and vice versa. The ship also offers twopools and two whirlpools, including an infinity pool on the stern of the ship. Now if you pick it up, the most extravagant way to do thing is what is called POSH which is port outbound, starboard home. Many travelers choose staterooms with verandas so they can sip coffee from their stateroom early in the morning, or enjoy a golden-hour cocktail as the day wanes. Entertainment options include theatrical performances,live music, a casino, outdoor movie nights and more. And, as part of the Relais & Chateaux family, the cuisine is spectacular, incorporating regional dishes made with local ingredients. As a result, we had to skip one port and we arrived at our final destination, Brooklyn, a day early. In 2017, Windstar also became the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, introducing further special itineraries with culinary themes and guest chefs. On most itineraries which are round trip, leaving and returning to the same embarkation port, both sides of the cruise ship will be equally good for a combination of sunrises and sunsets. You'll find plenty of evening entertainment options, too, including themed bars and lounges, a club and a theatershowcasing a variety of productions. Azamara is ranked third among the best cruise lines operating in the Mediterranean. When we aild the Med it was a "one-way". Even within the small ship category you have afantastic breadth of choice in the Mediterranean, from resort-styleships offering dining choices and entertainment venues aplenty, totiny 100-guest vessels that are more like travelling on your ownprivate yacht. It depends on the number of ships in port and wind and sea conditions. Delfin, the first Relais & Chateaux cruise line, makes the journey incredibly comfortable, offering boutique hotellike accommodations aboard its three rustic-luxe ships. Port side is the left-hand side of a cruise ship when facing towards the front or bow of the ship, while Starboard is the right-hand side of the ship. Started August 27, 2021, By On 18 January 2012, the Chairman of the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure announced that it would hold a hearing, conducted jointly with the committees Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, to review the events of this specific incident, current safety measures and training requirements. The ships are designed for families through and throughthere are numerous themed activities every day, from meet-and-greets to full-blown parties with Disney charactersbut there are plenty of adults-only areas that provide a respite from little ones. If nostalgias the name of your game, book a trip with the American Queen Steamboat Company, whose four paddlewheelers sail the Mississippi, Columbia, Snake, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers. The fleet was joined by the new Silver Origin, a Galapagos-specific ship, in 2020. Relax on the lounge chairs of an upper-level pool deck as the sun fades. Come nighttime, cruisers can unwind at the alfresco Sky Bar, try their luck at the casino or enjoy a movie or dancing under the stars. Viking Sky sails to the Mediterranean, Europe, Central America and more. The stateroom you choose depends on what you most want to see. Using POSH you should book a cabin on the port side of the ship. 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. Italian cruise line Costa Cruises, which operates under parent company Carnival, has quite a history: It was founded in 1854 as a cargo shipping company, transporting olive oil and textiles around the world. Best European Cruise: Celebrity Cruises. If you're sailing Barcelona to Venice. We therefore arrive at a similar conundrum, and the choice of port or starboard comes down to personal preference of what views you might enjoy most from your balcony. Legal Information | Privacy Policy. One point to consider, however, is that Baltic cruises do often sail back the same way as they came from, so youll always have a view, no matter which side of the ship youre on. On the return trip you would want to be on the starboard side so that the sun was still warming your cabin. To avoid confusion, the nautical terms, port and starboard, were adopted as these terms indicate the direction which a sailor is facing. Her favorite itineraries include seeing the penguins and other animals in the Antarctic and South Georgia, and the culture and natural history in the British Isles. The ship also features new aft suites offering 270-degree vistas, nine restaurants (including S.A.L.T. Well, it all depends on the itinerary. Other itineraries double back to disembark at the original departure port, so youll enjoy views from both directions. In the evening, cruisers can catch a live show in The Theater or a destination-themed movie in one of two onboard cinemas. Which side of the ship is best for Mediterranean cruises? On some itineraries, being on the starboard side or port side, may give you a more scenic view as you sail. They can visit the spa's snow grotto and chill beneath the snowflakes, go for a swim in the infinity pool or let their worries melt away in the hot tub. The luxury, As the countdown continues to the naming ceremony of the brand-new P&O Cruises ship Arvia, details of the star-studded event have begun to emerge. Currently, the cruise line has scheduled the Cyprus cruise program to run through October 2021. People aboard the cruise ship Gemini in the port of Iskenederun, Turkey, Feb. 24, 2023. What Is The Best Cruise Line For Mediterranean In the evenings, passengers can enjoy live performances in the theater or watch destination-related movies in one of two cinemas. 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. Port or Starboard on a Mediterranean Cruise CC Help Jenn Looking to book either the Venice to Barcelona or Barcelona to Venice cruise. Which side of the cruise ship is better for transatlantic cruises or crossings? All suites boast verandas that overlook the ocean, plus standard amenities like a complimentary in-suite barand flat-screen TVs. These sailings last anywhere from a week to 10 days, making these cruises ideal for people who want to cover a lot of ground with their vacation time. 2 What is the average cost for a Mediterranean cruise? Our 13 Night NCL Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary. Ovation debuted in May 2018, making itthe newest addition to the Seabourn family. The 10 BEST Cruise Ports In The Mediterranean - Greta's Travels Come join my Facebook Cruise Community Thanks for reading and Happy Cruising!! Now that you know a few things about the difference between starboard vs. port side, youre ready to take the next step in your cruise vacation planning. The Ultimate Cruise Lingo Glossary: 85 Nautical Terms You Need to Know, origin of the word starboard comes from the Old English words Steor and Bord, 75 Genius Cruise Hacks and Tips: Get Organized, Save Money, Cruise Better, Going Whale Watching in Alaska? These are called closed-loop cruises or roundtrip sailings. For optimal weather and adventures aplenty, the best time to cruise the Mediterranean is in the spring, summer or fall season, from early April through late November. It was the highlight of the trip. Explore the top-rated Mediterranean small ship cruises below. starboard side of the ship is best to stay on. Some of the most popular one-way cruises are north or southbound Alaska cruises and Mediterranean cruises, like Barcelona to the east or Athens to the west. Your email address will not be published. Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line. For afternoon tea and light snacks, travelers can stop by Wintergarden, or for a heartier meal, the main dining room, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant or World Caf offer scrumptious European delicacies, Chinese fare and everything in between. Many passengers prefer to book starboard accommodations when sailing northbound in Alaska, and portside cabins when sailing south as this offers views over the North American mainland, facing Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, and Vancouver. 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 . Launched in April 2016, Viking Sea is the second vessel in Viking's Ocean Cruises fleet. As a result, cruises to destinations in the Mediterranean are offered on the brands smaller vessels. Depending on your cruise itinerary, you may have a preference for a port side or starboard side balcony cabin. Its been a few years now, but I just wanted to share Our NCL Mediterranean Cruise with you. Which side of ship - Mediterranean Please Read: COVID-related Discussion. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? If theres one thing Disney Cruise Line does well, its hospitality. The minus: Know where the engines are. How much does a cruise to the Mediterranean cost? Im an avid cruiser and have been giving out insider tips for more than 10 years! Guests also have their choice of cuisine, from alfresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace to Manfredi's Italian Restaurant. Aqua Expeditions has three river ships: Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera, which sail the Peruvian Amazon, and Aqua Mekong, which traverses the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam. Is Royal Caribbean sailing in the Mediterranean? When is the best time to go to the Mediterranean? Guest demand has made most areas on most ships non-smoking, but in this case the reason is largely safety. #1. In fact, when choosing a cabin location, many people wonder if the port or starboard side is better on a cruise ship. Related:Going Whale Watching in Alaska? Royal Caribbean, for example, has incorporated the North Star viewing pod onto some of its newer ships, which extends out over the sea, giving 360-degree views of your surroundings. Whats the best side to stay on for an Alaska cruise? However, avid cruisers have experienced rough seas in the spring and summer, so be prepared for anything. When youre picking your stateroom for an upcoming cruise, you might be wondering whether the port vs. starboard side of the ship is best to stay on. There is also no shortage of unique entertainment options; these range from acrobatic shows to juggling mixologist performances. How Much Does a Mediterranean Cruise Cost? Which Cruise Line Is Best For Mediterranean? - Elite Cruises The open-air venue can be repositioned alongside several decks, allowing it to transform from a live music venue to a bar to an exclusive specialty restaurant, depending on its location. Whats the difference between port and starboard? Luckily, youll see incredible views during your cruise whether youre starboard or port side. What It's Like Taking a $25,000 Luxury Cruise, Seven Seas Explorer