Why do ships are at berth?

A berth is a designated location in a port or harbour used for mooring vessels when they are not at sea. Berths provide a vertical front which allows safe and secure mooring that can then facilitate the unloading or loading of cargo or people from vessels.

Where does a ship berth?

In a more common usage, a ship's berth is its parking spot. Whether that spot is at a dock or an anchorage in or near the port, each ship is assigned a place to park in the harbor. Cruise lines pay for the privilege of parking in a port, with the price of the berth often tied to the size of the ship.