port of call

American  

noun

1. a port visited briefly by a ship, usually to take on or discharge passengers and cargo or to undergo repairs.

---

port of call British  

noun

1. any port where a ship stops, excluding its home port

2. any place visited on a traveller's itinerary

---

Etymology

Origin of port of call

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The first port of call if you think you should seek medical help is to call 111 or go to your GP.

From BBC

The problem was in evidence earlier this month at the German armed forces’ “career lounge,” the first port of call in the German capital for people contemplating a military career.

From The Wall Street Journal

Through heavy static, barely audible answers crackle over from a crew member, who gradually lists the ship's insurance details, flag state and last port of call – Suez, Egypt.

From BBC

The tags also documented the ship’s point of departure, its intended route, its intended ports of call, and its final destination.

From Literature

"Part of our job is to have extremely difficult and challenging conversations with patients in our care, and sometimes we are their first port of call," she said.

From BBC