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Research isn't the only reason we're out here.
Tucker readies himself for shore leave in an aloha shirt
Shore leave was time spent at liberty from a military vessel. In many ways a synonym for the civilian terms vacation and holiday, it referred to a period of time that officers and crewmen could spend off-ship at a given port-of-call. During such time, participants were relieved from their normal duties, but could be recalled at any time by emergency or the will of their commanding officers.
Like Earth Starfleet before it, the Federation Starfleet took an enlightened view of shore leave, as it offerred as much opportunity for its crews to explore new cultures as "official" contact made in the line of duty. However, as Federation vessels evolved, they were designed with an increasing number of civilian comforts and holodecks, mitigating the medical necessity of frequent shore leave. Nevertheless, shore leave could be compelled upon an officer, at the judgment of the Chief Medical Officer or the commanding officer. (ENT: "Home"; TOS: "Shore Leave"; TNG: "Captain's Holiday")
Earth Starfleet
Famed shore leave destination, Risa, as it appeared to the first Humans who visited it
The benefits of shore leave became were discussed by the command heirarchy of the first Earth starship within its initial year of service. The earliest recorded mention of a shore leave in the history of either Starfleet came within weeks of the launch of the Enterprise (NX-01). On an away mission to an apparently idyllic world Archer suggested that it could be "a little bit of both" shore leave and mission. However, the first genuine shore leave in the history of Earth's Warp Five program was suggested by a Vulcan. Noting a 3% drop in efficiency amongst the mostly Human crew of the NX-01, first officer T'Pol suggested a remedy. She advanced the theory that a period of shore leave, during which the crew might find sexual release, would be an appropriate solution to Starfleet regulations forbidding fraternization amongst officers in the same chain of command. Archer and Tucker agreed with the assessment and made several attempts to visit the leisure planet Risa. After several false starts, the NX-01 became the first Earth vessel to reach the resort world. (ENT: "Fallen Hero", "Desert Crossing", "Two Days and Two Nights") An extended shore leave was granted to the crew after their return from the Delphic Expanse in 2154. ENT: "Home".
Federation Starfleet
As the Federation lacks a form of proper currency or a commerce driven economy, it gives crew an account of spending money when they visit a culture that requires it. (citation needed • edit)
23rd century
Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Sulu, and Chekov were on shore leave in North America when it was interrupted when Sybok took hostages on Nimbus III. (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)
Jean-Luc Picard in informal attire while on shore leave on Risa.
24th century
Captain Jean-Luc Picard was notorious, at least to the medical staff that oversaw his well-being, for not taking shore leave. He was practically, but not quite, ordered by Beverly Crusher to take shore leave in his third year of commanding the Enterprise-D. He was only convinced to take leave on Risa by the concerted efforts of his senior staff, and the warning that Lwaxana Troi was due for a visit to the Enterprise-D. (TNG: "Captain's Holiday")
In the aftermath of the Battle of Wolf 359, Picard — along with most of the crew of his ship — were given shore leave. He used the opportunity to visist La Barre, France, his hometown. (TNG: "Family")
Even with these excursions, by the time of the Ba'ku incident, Picard was owed a staggering amount of shore leave — so much that he probably never got around to taking it. (Star Trek: Insurrection)
After conducting a survey of the Amargosa Diaspora and experimentation by solanagen-based lifeforms, the crew of the USS Enterprise-D was in need of some shore leave, according to Geordi La Forge. (TNG: "Schisms")
Klingon Empire
The IKS Gr'oth visited Deep Space K-7 in 2268 for shore leave. (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles"; DS9: "Trials and Tribble-ations")
After his Klingon task force arrived at Deep Space 9 in early 2372, General Martok asked Benjamin Sisko if his troops could take shore leave on the station, to which Sisko agreed. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")
Romulan Star Empire
Senator Kimara Cretak had the crews of the Romulan warbirds Dividices and Genorex put their shore leave on Deep Space 9 on hold until several Klingon starships had left the station. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")
Cardassian Empire
When Damar voiced his idea of an orbital assault against Gowron's command center on Ty'Gokor, Odo told him to ask Dukat for shore leave, as he had "been in space too long". (DS9: "Apocalypse Rising")
Episodes involving shore leave
- TOS:
- TAS: "Once Upon a Planet"
- Films:
- TNG:
- "Captain's Holiday"
- "Family"
- "The Game"
- DS9:
- VOY:
- "Prime Factors"
- "Sacred Ground"
- "Random Thoughts"
- "Virtuoso"
- "Tsunkatse"
- "Drive"
- ENT:
See also
- Rest and Relaxation