Views in port and which side of ship

[Iowa-Cruiser]

Here is what we had during our 10-day Panama Canal Sunfarer cruise on the Zuiderdam:

 

Aruba:

Docked on: port side

Best views: port side

 

Curacao:

Docked on: port side

Best views: port side

Note - we were at the megapier. If you docked in the waterway, there are good views on both sides.

 

Panama:

Docked on: port side

Best views: starboard side

 

As a bonus, we went down the right hand set of locks as we left Gatun Lake, so all the action (other ships) was on the port side where our stateroom was.

 

Costa Rica:

Docked on: starboard side

Best views: aft (we actually backed into the port area, so the town was behind the ship)

 

We were quite lucky to have a port side stateroom. Aruba and Curacao were beautiful.

 

 

Anyone else want to add their experiences? It could help someone trying to pick a stateroom on a particular cruise.

[Mary Ellen]

Anyone else want to add their experiences? It could help someone trying to pick a stateroom on a particular cruise.

Unfortunately there isn't any guarantee from cruise to cruise that the ship will dock at the same side of the pier, or even the same pier, as it did previously. Same deal going through the locks. I know I'd hate to have someone book a cabin location based upon where we docked - only to have it different for their cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Here is what we had during our 10-day Panama Canal Sunfarer cruise on the Zuiderdam:

 

Aruba:

Docked on: port sideSame

Best views: port sideSame

 

Curacao:

Docked on: port sideSame

Best views: port sideSame

Note - we were at the megapier. If you docked in the waterway, there are good views on both sides.

 

Panama:

Docked on: port sideYou don't dock here -- we were anchored -- best view on both of our cruises -- Port Side

Best views: starboard side

 

As a bonus, we went down the right hand set of locks as we left Gatun Lake, so all the action (other ships) was on the port side where our stateroom was.Entering the canal -- since we did 2 cruises -- both on right side to enter -- encellent -- starboard side -- have done that in the past -- not great. Leaving the Canal in the afternoon -- starboard side had the best view on both of our cruises.

 

Costa Rica:

Docked on: starboard side

Best views: aft (we actually backed into the port area, so the town was behind the ship) On both of our cruises we pulled straight in -- port was facing the walk way to walk to the shops and buses.

 

We were quite lucky to have a port side stateroom. Aruba and Curacao were beautiful.

 

 

Anyone else want to add their experiences? It could help someone trying to pick a stateroom on a particular cruise.

 

We also had a port side cabin.

BUT -- in 2009 when we were on the Noordam -- also had a port side cabin -- Aruba -- starboard faced the island -- Curacao -- faced the island.

We have been to these ports and others in the Caribbean many, many times and this was the Noordam was the only ship that did everything the opposite of what we have done in the past.

So -- nothing is set in stone.

[sail7seas]

Never count on the same ship, in the same dock, doing the same itinerary docking the same side of the ship to the dock. We have done the same itinerary repeatedly on several ships and there is no promise of which side they will dock. On back-to-backs with repeat itinerary, it has varied.

[suse]

:)And actually totally confusing. Maybe if you call the Captain ahead of time, he'll let you know. I think it is very exciting to be held in suspense. There's so much information on this board that this information remains the last mysterious variable! Great fun.

[Iowa-Cruiser]

Panama:

Docked on: port side You don't dock here -- we were anchored -- best view on both of our cruises -- Port Side

Best views: starboard side

 

KK- the docking I was speaking about was in Cristobal, not in the lake.

 

 

Apparently this topic is way more confusing than I had anticipated.

[Mary Ellen]

Apparently this topic is way more confusing than I had anticipated.

No, the topic isn't confusing, the docking just isn't consistent.

[sail7seas]

Sometimes they will dock one side to the dock in order to wash windows or paint or do other maintenance. Next time in that port, they may reverse the side to the dock in order to do the same maintenance on the other side.

[Gardyloo2]

We have port side for our trip next month, so we'll have to let you know how it turns out.

It doesn't matter to me, I'm just looking forward to ten days of relaxation with my best buddy HAL. :)