A ferry or piloted boat holds all the symbolism of the journey across the river styx after death. Today it signifies the giving up of selfish desires. Having been able to do this, we may be ‘reborn’ into a better life, or way of living.
A small rowing boat would suggest an expedition of emotional discovery but one often undertaken alone.
A yacht might suggest a similar journey done with style, whereas a large ship would suggest creating new horizons but in the company of others. Early seafarers referred to their ships as ‘she’ largely, it is thought, because of the close dependence they had on them for life and because they were difficult to manage. Today ships have lost that personal association. What a boat does in the dream will have relevance as a reflection of our waking life, e.G. Running aground, pulling into harbour etc.
To dream of disembarking indicates the end of a project, successful or otherwise.
If we dream of missing a boat it shows we have not paid enough attention to detail to a project in our waking lives. Also consult the individual entry for boat / ship. [1]
See also: Mother.
(2) Leaying one’s own shores for a foreign country may symbolize entry into the unconscious insofar as the latter is unknown and frightening - alien, in fact.
(3) If the boat is crossing a narrow stretch of water, it may symbolize death or some other transition: for example, moving from one phase of life to another, or making a new start and a clean break from the past.
See also: Dead/ Death, Ferry.
(4) If in the dream you miss the boat, the meaning would seem to be obvious: you have failed to take advantage of an opportunity that has offered itself - perhaps an opportunity to open new vistas in your life. [2]
An ocean liner, carrying a large cargo of people and often goods, may or may not make it to port in our dreams.
If it does, it would suggest that you will reap the riches you deserve. [4]