San Pedro port of call - do all ships back down the channel?

[dmwnc1959]

I was watching the Norwegian Encore on Marine Traffic and on her bridge cam this morning, and once inside the Los Angeles Harbor breakwater she did a 180° pivot and backed all the way down the channel to Berth 92. Is this common for all cruise ships visiting San Pedro as a port of call? The Radiance of the Seas was on her turn-around day occupying the World Cruise Center. 
 

[smarterman64]

generally, ships point their bow out for when they leave to make ite asy to leave. same with ports. same as why some people back into parking spots to make it easy to leave. 

[lx200gps]

Returning to Pier 92 (next to the Iowa) back in Feb, we "drove straight in" on our return, but had backed out all the way down the channel on our way out a week earlier. This may be due to the fact that Pier 92 is where the ship docks in the channel, so does not afford an easy way to turn around. We have also left Pier 93 many times, which is in the small cutout and on those trips, I'm pretty sure we always were able to back out and maneuver so that the ship was able to sail directly down the channel both departing and arriving.

 

[93yearsyoung]

Yes it is common for Berth 92.

[smarterman64]

as you're coming in to dock, if you look out on the dock, you may see a light flashing, a blue light. that's where the bridge goes. THey put out a light indicating where they expect the bridge to go before they tie up.