What Is A Porthole On A Cruise Ship?

A porthole is a circular window found on the exterior walls of a ship or boat, typically made of brass or stainless steel frames and sealed glass windows. They allow light and fresh air to enter the interior lower decks of a ship, serving as a safety feature on cruise ships. Inspections and cleaning prevent obstructions or damage, and safety regulations dictate the placement of portholes.

Portholes are generally circular in shape and are usually found lower on the hull. They are used to allow light and fresh air to enter the dark and damp below-deck quarters of the vessel. Today, portholes are largely ornamental or nostalgic, with sophisticated venting systems, electric lighting, air conditioning, and on-board amenities. They are often referred to as an interior porthole because they fall in the interior category and are priced cheaper than ocean views.

Since the start of sailing, ships have been designed with portholes. Portholes are large, circular shaped windows on a ship’s hull that allow natural light to enter the interior lower decks. They are bound in a frame and allow one to look through binoculars, similar to a pair of eyes looking through binoculars. The ship wall is quite thick, making it a long way from the window to the interior.

What is the purpose of a porthole?

A porthole, sometimes called bull’s-eye window or bull’s-eye, is a generally circular window used on the hull of ships to admit light and air. Though the term is of maritime origin, it is also used to describe round windows on armored vehicles, aircraft, automobiles (the Ford Thunderbird a notable example) and even spacecraft.

On a ship, the function of a porthole, when open, is to permit light and fresh air to enter the dark and often damp below-deck quarters of the vessel. It also affords below-deck occupants a limited view to the outside world. When closed, the porthole provides a strong water-tight, weather-tight and sometimes light-tight barrier.

A porthole on a ship may also be called a sidescuttle or side scuttle (side hole), as officially termed in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. This term is used in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. It is also used in related rules and regulations for the construction of ships. The use of the word “sidescuttle” instead of “porthole” is meant to be broad, including any covered or uncovered hole in the side of the vessel. A deadlight is a hinged metal cover which can be clamped over the porthole to secure it in heavy weather.

What does porthole mean on a cruise ship?

A porthole, sometimes called bull’s-eye window or bull’s-eye, is a generally circular window used on the hull of ships to admit light and air. Though the term is of maritime origin, it is also used to describe round windows on armored vehicles, aircraft, automobiles (the Ford Thunderbird a notable example) and even spacecraft.

On a ship, the function of a porthole, when open, is to permit light and fresh air to enter the dark and often damp below-deck quarters of the vessel. It also affords below-deck occupants a limited view to the outside world. When closed, the porthole provides a strong water-tight, weather-tight and sometimes light-tight barrier.

A porthole on a ship may also be called a sidescuttle or side scuttle (side hole), as officially termed in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. This term is used in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. It is also used in related rules and regulations for the construction of ships. The use of the word “sidescuttle” instead of “porthole” is meant to be broad, including any covered or uncovered hole in the side of the vessel. A deadlight is a hinged metal cover which can be clamped over the porthole to secure it in heavy weather.

Do portholes on cruise ships open?

The round shape comes from the 15th century, and was originally designed to fit cannons; when the cannons weren’t needed for warfare, they were pulled back inside the hull and the holes were covered with metal covers that kept water out, but could also remain open in nice weather. The word “port” comes from the French word porte, which means door.

On today’s cruise ships, most portholes only open slightly, if at all, and are used more for light and as a design detail. On mega-ships and luxury liners, traditional portholes are becoming harder to find. With their higher superstructure and multiple decks, new ships can safely install windows and doors such as full picture windows and French doors that open to balconies that are more aesthetically pleasing.

What is the function of a porthole?

A small marine window, mainly round or oval in shape, the hull porthole allows fresh air (sash type) & light to enter the boat, eliminate humidity on board and provide a view to the outside. It’s usually located in the below deck areas.

SEIMI is able to offer you standard or custom-made portholes, designed to withstand the marine environment and adapted for professional and pleasure boats. Less used these last years, the round porthole is a type of marine window that is coming back in fashion.

Don’t hesitate to contact our design office for your boat window projects.

What’s the difference between a porthole and a window?

A porthole window is usually a circular window that can be manufactured to open or stay closed. They can be used on planes, ships and houses. Often when being manufactured for a house, a porthole window is used as a decorative piece to add contrasting elements to an otherwise boxy room. Due to its original use on ships and planes, this window frame also makes a grand addition to a home to offer a holiday vibe or bring a sense of joy.

Why is it called a Porthole?. The explanation of the name porthole is quite a historical one. They are called portholes after a french shipbuilder invented them in 1485. During the reign of Henry VII, he commissioned a french shipbuilder called James Baker to figure out a way to mount cannons on a ship. Baker called these portes which is a french word for door. This was later deconstructed and became a porthole.

Why do ships have porthole windows?. A ship will commonly have a number of porthole windows of all different sizes. A vessel will have round windows because there is often a lot of pressure on the hull of a ship and so, a round or circular window, due to its shape, is very good at dispersing the force and prevents stress from concentrating on the corners of a regular window.

What does a porthole look like on a cruise ship?

History. Since the start of sailing, ships were designed with portholes. Essentially, portholes are large, circular shaped windows on a ship’s hull that allow for natural light. They are typically made of glass and mounted on a metal frame of brass.

Portholes have been circular shaped since the 15th century, in which the windows were actually designed to fit cannons.At the time, cannons were too large to fit onboard ships so they had to drill large holes to properly store them on the ship.

Eventually, ships didn’t need to have cannons onboard. Once the cannons were removed, the remaining portholes could be opened and allowed sailors to have a breath of fresh air during nice weather.

Throughout history, having enough light and air onboard a ship was difficult. With sailors spending weeks below deck during rough seas, the portholes gave much needed light and air onboard the ship.

Why are portholes on ships round?

2. Why are ship portholes round?. A round shape is preferred to maintain a vessel’s structural integrity. Oceans and seas put immense pressure on the ship’s body, and square or rectangular windows are more susceptible to stress and might become weak at the corners. A circular window is tougher and also suits the overall design.

3. How thick is porthole glass?. Portholes have a varying range. Some are several inches to over two feet and weigh from several pounds to more than a hundred pounds. Much of their weight is of the glass, which should be less than two inches thick for safety purposes.

4. What are the materials used for making portholes?. Uusally, materials like stainless steel, brass, bronze, iron and aluminium make ship portholes. Also, the glass used for making portholes is mandatorily made of sand, and the process is called sand-casting. The primary material used in this process is silica sand.

Can you open a picture window on a cruise ship?

No, the windows on most cruise ships do not open. This is because the windows are actually portholes, which are small, round windows that are sealed shut. Portholes are used on cruise ships because they are strong and durable, and they can withstand the forces of the ocean.

What is the difference between a porthole and a scuttle?

The scuttle admits light and air (if opening) and will usually be fitted with a ‘deadlight’, a solid metal plate to shut out light (or prevent light shining out) and to protect the glass in stormy weather. A porthole is always a glazed window, a scuttle may also be just an open hole.

Why do portholes need to be closed?

As to why, because just like all “windows”, they can break, and cause downflooding of the ship in rough weather.

P.S. It is fun to talk about this kind of useless dribble in the COVID world.

Useless dribble? Not for me. I keep learning! Fun? Absolutely!! I enjoy it!

I used thethe word “quirks” to describe some of the unique features that I discovered during a Christmas/New Year’s cruise aboard her. Walking forward from the Ocean Bar into the Foyer leading to the Showroom, there was an unusual slope to the deck, I thought. If my memory is correct, it was a slight upward slope going forward.

Do portholes go underwater?

Portholes AREN’T below the water line on any ship. They are openable windows tat can be square. or round in shape, they let natural light, and air into the cabin.