Quick (silly) question about docking at St. Thomas ?

[Wishing on a star]

I was thinking that the ship would usually pull in forward.  But I am now seeing where two ships are backed in at port.

Then the Starboard side would be overlooking the Harbor.

Can any of you frequent cruisers tell if they usually back in or if they usually pull in forward.

 

 

 

[1025cruise]

It will depend on the needs of the ship, maintenance, wind, etc. There is no way to predict which way a ship will dock. I know Mahogany Bay requires the ships to pull in aft first.

[Steelers36]

My observation has been that the large PCL ships do head in bow forward, but I wouldn't take that to the bank as my data set is not large enough to make it a SOP.

[kitty2264]

We have been there three times this year on Enchanted and the bow was facing out with port side at dock each time.

[chrysalis]

35 minutes ago, kitty2264 said:

We have been there three times this year on Enchanted and the bow was facing out with port side at dock each time.

Not trying to "one up" you, but we were there 4 times on the Enchanted....3 times bow facing out and once facing in.

[Abercrombie2019]

Only been once, but this is how the Enchanted was docked then (February 19th).

[Rick&Jeannie]

53 minutes ago, Abercrombie2019 said:

Only been once, but this is how the Enchanted was docked then (February 19th).

@Abercrombie2019 wins with photo evidence! 😄

[Steelers36]

9 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

My observation has been that the large PCL ships do head in bow forward, but I wouldn't take that to the bank as my data set is not large enough to make it a SOP.

See above posts and I proved the point that things can change over time.

 

BTW, I always back my car into parking spots as it is much easier getting out.  IDK why the ships don't do the same all the time.  LOL.

[arizonaperson]

Also, in St. Thomas aren’t there two docks that Princess uses? I seem to remember being at both of them over the years and yes, I’m sure bow in or out is very subjective and changeable.

 

[Torfamm]

3 minutes ago, arizonaperson said:

Also, in St. Thomas aren’t there two docks that Princess uses? I seem to remember being at both of them over the years and yes, I’m sure bow in or out is very subjective and changeable.

 

Princess normally uses Havensight. You can check port schedules here

https://www.viport.com/schedule-cruise-ports

[Steelers36]

7 minutes ago, arizonaperson said:

Also, in St. Thomas aren’t there two docks that Princess uses? I seem to remember being at both of them over the years and yes, I’m sure bow in or out is very subjective and changeable.

 

I have read they got away from using Crown Bay docks and perhaps X is using them sometimes?  PCL used to park the "jewel" ships there at times.  It seemed to depend on number of ships in port on a particular day.  I recall where Wednesdays in STT were crazy with the number of ships.

[Abercrombie2019]

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

@Abercrombie2019 wins with photo evidence! 😄

I just wanted an excuse to look back at the photos (instead of working like I should be).

[arizonaperson]

1 hour ago, Torfamm said:

Princess normally uses Havensight. You can check port schedules here

https://www.viport.com/schedule-cruise-ports

Yep, I definitely can check the port schedule, but I have no cruises scheduled to St. Thomas at the moment.. I was just trying to decipher and give a little bit of information  to the author/ op that it’s very subjective ,so who knows which way the ships dock. 
definitely great information for those that want to check the port schedule.

Edited March 12 by arizonaperson
Oops as always

[555]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

PCL used to park the "jewel" ships there at times. 

"jewel Ships"

I never heard of those. Ate you sure they were Princess?

[arizonaperson]

5 minutes ago, 555 said:

"jewel Ships"

I never heard of those. Ate you sure they were Princess?

Yes. I’m answering for @Steelers36.

Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald,etc. are “Jewel “ Princess ships

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks everyone...  The cabin we want is only available on the Port side..

We would be the only large ship there that day...  And will be there until later at night.

But, looks like there will be no way to tell if we will be on the right side for that harbor view!

[Barter123]

This was February 3, 2024, we were backed in and NCL drove in!

IMG_9260.HEIC

[Arizona Wildcat]

6 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

See above posts and I proved the point that things can change over time.

 

BTW, I always back my car into parking spots as it is much easier getting out.  IDK why the ships don't do the same all the time.  LOL.

The reasons include any maintenance needed on one side of the ship, weather that could be different when departing vs docking, time schedule and lots of others.

I park away from stores so that I can simply pull through.  Lots easier and I get a tiny bit more walking.

[Steelers36]

18 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

The reasons include any maintenance needed on one side of the ship, weather that could be different when departing vs docking, time schedule and lots of others.

I park away from stores so that I can simply pull through.  Lots easier and I get a tiny bit more walking.

I know (for the ships).

 

But don't you find someone comes and parks in the way?  Of course, the best is a drive thru spot with no curb and you drive in and thru to other side so heading front out!