Today, we are going to share some Easy Ways To Remember Port And Starboard, Bow And Stern On A Ship. Cruise ships are huge these days, and it’s so easy to get lost until you get your bearings. Thus, it’s helpful to understand cruise terminology and some basic nautical terms to help you get around the ship.

Every time I board a ship I often forget so it’s great to have a few easy ways to remember port and starboard in the hope that one will stick and help navigation of your cruise ship that little bit easier. When cruising with kids, these navigation points are crucial to any successful scavenger hunt, knowing port and starboard will keep them one step ahead!

Easy Ways To Remember Port And Starboard, Bow And Stern On A Ship

How many times have you been on a ship when the captain announces over the tannoy that there are dolphins on the starboard forward? I have to rely on the flow of people to get me to the right destination. Or on a river cruise when the captain announces free cocktails on the top lounge starboard side? I mean, considering factors like this, it’s important to remember port and starboard, right?

We have also created a cute handout with rhymes, designed for kids to print and take on their cruise. However, as I struggle with port and starboard myself, I thought I would share a little insight into how to remember basic nautical navigation on a ship and bow and stern for adults, too.

What Is The Bow And Stern On A Ship?

Let’s start with the bow and stern of a ship, otherwise known as the forward and aft.

• The Bow is the front of the ship, the captain with call this forward.
• Whilst the back of the ship is called the stern, the captain will call this the aft.

Ways To Remember Bow And Stern On A Ship?

Right-click and save the image above for the kiddies. Also see our printable language sheets for travelling kids.

Remembering The Bow of a Ship

• If you were pulling a bow and arrow you would shoot forwards, so bow forwards.
• Forwards, going forward has to be the front right.
• Also take an actual bow, you are leaning forwards.
• Remember the rhyme Billy Bow stands at the front.

How to Remember Stern On A Ship?

• I used to tell my kids to remember, stern Stan stands and the back, that seemed to work!
• Whilst the aft sounds like after, which is always behind the front. So aft, at the back.

Understanding Port and Starboard: Ship Directions Explained

Ships are divided into two halves, the port and starboard, imagine an imaginary line going right down the middle of the ship.

Historically, before ships had rudders on their centerlines, boats were controlled using an oar to steer. This was in the days where left handed people were considered inferior, this the steering oar was always placed to the right hand side of the stern. In time the right side became the steering side, which soon became “starboard” by combining two Old English words: stéor (meaning “steer”) and bord (meaning “the side of a boat”).

Thus meaning the left hand side was the side that you docked in port, using the starboard side to steer in. Of course now days this is not the case, but the names stuck and is how a sailor will always refer to areas on their ships or boats.

How To Remember The Port Side of A Cruise Ship

The key to getting this right is to face the front of the ship when using the points.

• Remember the words port and left both have 4 letters, if you can remember that one thing you will always get both right.
• Also remember the saying sailers had a wife or girl in every port and think of your wedding finger. So the left hand is port.
• Also remember Lucy left lives in port.
• For little ones it’s a great idea to get a friendship band on their left arm, or ask the cruise staff to put the cruise line kids band on the left arm, this will help them remember.
• Which arm do you wear your watch on? Note that if your watch is on your port or starboard arm, you only have to look at it to remember: my watch is always on my left arm.

How To Remember The Starboard Of A Ship

• Remember steer to the right, is always starboard.
• Also remember right handed Starboard.
• And a little saying, Suzie Starboard rows to the right.

Hope that helps, we all remember things differently, we have tried to think of a few different ways, easy but logical and cute rhymes. Happy Cruising.