Port Or Starboard?

Is there a "madness to the method" regarding whether a ship moors with the pier to the port or starboard? If it is the Captain's choice, is there a pattern that most use?

In short...is it possible to predict with some assurance which side of the ship will be the pier side when they dock at each of the ports of call on a cruise?

Get an inside room...then it doesn't matter...lol

The best luck I've had it playing with google maps - using the satelite view. Quite often you will see ships in port or coming into port which will help give you an idea of what might happen for that port.

Get an inside room...then it doesn't matter...lol

LOL, true!

It's hard to see flying fish from an inside room. ;)

Personally - when I pick sides - I choose based on what I will be passing in case I will have a chance to see something other than water. (using the route maps)

I read a few years ago that a captain, when on the bridge, would always consult a little piece of paper. One time, so the story went another set of eyes read what the captain always saw.

It was 'PORT LEFT, STARBOARD RIGHT!' :D

Does that answer the question?

john

I read a few years ago that a captain, when on the bridge, would always consult a little piece of paper. One time, so the story went another set of eyes read what the captain always saw.

It was 'PORT LEFT, STARBOARD RIGHT!' :D

Does that answer the question?

 

john

HAHAHA. That's a good one.

It's up to the Captain and the port officials.