Tips for Choosing the Best Side of the Yacht for Views (Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
Tips for Choosing the Best Side of the Yacht for Views (Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
How to Pick the Perfect Side of the Yacht for Sunsets, Sail-Aways & Destination Views
Choosing the right side of the yacht—port or starboard—can elevate your entire experience aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Whether sailing on Evrima, Ilma, or Luminara, your suite’s position shapes everything from sunrise coffees on your private terrace to dramatic cliffside arrivals in the Greek Isles.
Because these yachts explore both classic and off-the-beaten-path itineraries, choosing the ideal side isn’t always obvious. And unlike large ships, where certain sides dramatically differ, Ritz-Carlton’s yacht-style vessels offer more intimate, nuanced vantage points.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about selecting the best side of the yacht for views, with practical advice tailored to specific regions, itineraries, and suite types. As an SEO-optimized resource, it also answers popular search queries such as “Which side of the ship is better in the Mediterranean?”, “Starboard vs. port views,” and “Best cabin location on small luxury yachts.”
Let’s set sail.
Understanding the Basics: Port vs. Starboard on a Yacht
Before comparing which side is “better,” it's helpful to revisit definitions:
Port side → Left side of the yacht when facing forward
Starboard side → Right side of the yacht when facing forward
On The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, almost all suites include private terraces, meaning both sides offer excellent views. But depending on the itinerary, sun direction, and planned dockings, one side may deliver more dramatic panoramas during specific portions of the sailing.
1. Choosing the Best Side for Sunrises and Sunsets
This is one of the top search queries among future Ritz-Carlton Yacht guests. The answer depends on your destination, but here’s the quick guide:
If you want the best sunrise views:
Choose the port side when sailing northbound or eastbound
Choose the starboard side when sailing southbound or westbound
If you want the best sunset views:
Choose the starboard side when sailing northbound or eastbound
Choose the port side when sailing southbound or westbound
This logic applies across regions—Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, and beyond.
But there are destination-specific nuances worth knowing, explored below.
2. Best Side of the Yacht in the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is one of the most visually spectacular regions for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, especially in summer. But it’s also where travelers most frequently ask: “Port or starboard for the best views?”
Here’s what you need to know:
Greek Isles (Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete)
For iconic cliffside views—especially the whitewashed architecture of Santorini’s Oia—choose starboard on most Cycladic itineraries. Approaches to these islands typically favor the starboard side for postcard-perfect panoramas.
Best side: Starboard
Italian Coast (Amalfi, Sorrento, Portofino, Sicily)
This is the region where yacht arrivals are truly dramatic. When approaching the Amalfi Coast or anchoring off Portofino, you want your terrace facing the shoreline.
Amalfi & Sorrento arrivals: starboard is often best
Portofino arrivals: port or starboard varies by anchorage, but starboard tends to catch the best village views
Best side: Starboard for most itineraries
French Riviera (Monaco, Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez)
The Riviera is less predictable. Because these destinations often use tenders, the yacht may anchor in various directions. However:
In Monaco, starboard often faces the harbor
In Cannes and St. Tropez, port side can offer sweeping coastal views toward town
Best side: Starboard for Monaco, port for St. Tropez and Cannes
Spain (Balearics, Barcelona, Málaga)
The Balearic Islands—especially Ibiza and Mallorca—offer excellent views from both sides.
Ibiza Old Town / Dalt Vila: starboard
Palma de Mallorca cathedral approach: port
Best side: Depends on itinerary, but starboard wins more often
3. Best Side of the Yacht in the Caribbean
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection winter seasons in the Caribbean are particularly breathtaking thanks to dramatic turquoise water, lush mountainous islands, and sunset sail-aways.
Eastern Caribbean (St. Barts, St. Lucia, Antigua, Virgin Islands)
St. Barts (Gustavia) → starboard faces the pastel-colored harbor
St. Lucia → starboard for Piton views
Virgin Islands → either side is gorgeous; many anchorages rotate
Antigua → port for English Harbour panoramas
St. Kitts & Nevis → starboard for Nevis Peak views
Best side: Mostly starboard
Western Caribbean (Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Cayman)
The real star here is the ocean itself. For turquoise water lovers, both sides deliver, but port side often captures shoreline views on approaches.
Best side: Port, especially for the Bahamas
Southern Caribbean (Grenada, Barbados, Aruba, Curaçao)
Southern Caribbean islands often have mountainous interiors.
Grenada → starboard for best coastal views
Aruba → port for Oranjestad
Curaçao → port for the colorful Handelskade waterfront
Best side: A mix, but port wins on charm-filled harbor views
4. Best Side of the Yacht for Alaska & Northern Europe
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is expanding its global range, and itineraries into cooler regions bring some of the most dramatic views.
Northern Europe (Norway, Baltic, British Isles)
If your itinerary includes fjords, such as Geiranger or Eidfjord:
Starboard is better for northbound routes
Port side shines for southbound routes
Fjords offer towering cliffs on both sides, so you won’t be disappointed either way. But photographers often prefer port for southbound sailings because it captures more consistent mountain exposure.
Best side: Depends on direction, but port for southbound, starboard for northbound
Iceland
Views vary significantly based on wind and docking position. That said:
Reykjavik arrival → starboard for skyline
Akureyri fjord entrance → port
Best side: Balanced; pick based on sunrise/sunset preference
Arctic sailings (Greenland)
Landscape-centric. Both sides deliver massive ice formations, whales, and glaciers.
Best side: Both equally excellent
5. Best Side Based on Suite Category on Ritz-Carlton Yachts
Certain suite categories offer better view potential regardless of side:
The Owner’s Suite
Located at the most desirable forward position, offering nearly 180-degree views. Side matters less; the forward-facing perspective is the star.
Grand Suite & Signature Suite
Large terraces with sweeping views, but depending on itinerary, choosing starboard often elevates Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings.
Terrace Suites
Because these suites are lower and mid-ship, choosing a side becomes more impactful. If views are important, starboard is the safer all-around option for year-round itineraries.
Forward or Aft Suites
Aft suites offer incredible wake views, always stunning regardless of side
Forward suites get the first look at arrivals, especially breathtaking in fjords or cliffside ports
6. Tips for Picking the Right Side Based on Your Travel Style
The “best” side depends on how you travel. Here’s how to match views to your priorities:
If you love photography:
Choose starboard for Europe & Caribbean itineraries.
If you love sleeping in:
Choose a suite on the sunset side (usually starboard on eastbound routes) so you avoid early-morning light.
If you love sailing days:
Choose port side for calmer, less glaring light during the day. The sun will be higher on the opposite side.
If you love watching port arrivals:
Pick a suite forward or starboard for the highest chance of dramatic approaches.
If you want privacy on your terrace:
Choose port side. It receives slightly softer light and tends to face open sea more frequently.
7. Should You Worry About the Side at All?
On mega-ships, choosing the right side is a significant decision.
But on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, the yachts are deliberately designed to offer exceptional views from both sides due to:
Smaller size
More flexible anchorage positions
More tender-based destinations
More frequent 360-degree scenic cruising
Oversized private terraces
Indoor/outdoor observation lounges
Many guests remark that the yacht rotates during anchorages, allowing both sides to enjoy the scenery over time.
8. When Your Side Matters Most
Suite side matters most on these sailings:
Santorini or Amalfi Coast arrivals
St. Lucia Piton approach
Norwegian fjords (direction-specific views)
Bahamas shallow-water approaches
Monaco Grand Prix weekend
Suite side matters least here:
Caribbean island-hopping
Mediterranean itineraries with multiple tender ports
Transatlantic sailings
Iceland and Greenland exploration routes
9. Final Recommendation: The Side That’s Best Most of the Time
After analyzing dozens of Ritz-Carlton Yacht itineraries, guest feedback, and port approaches, here is the overall takeaway:
The best side of the yacht for views—most of the time—is the STARBOARD side.
Why?
Better sunrise or sunset positioning across the most common itineraries
More dramatic approaches in Greece, Italy, St. Lucia, and St. Barts
More shoreline views vs. open water
More predictable angles for photography
But remember: the beauty of yacht-style cruising is that the scenery moves around you—not the other way around.
