How do you set up ports when you don't use the new "frames"
In the 3-4 player game you start with placing a port on the hexside at the end of a long (5 piece) row.  You then place a port every other space around the map.  Each port is placed oriented towards the hexside of the longest row it is next to.

In the 5-6 player game it is more complicated.  Here is a snapshot of the rules so you can see how to place the ports correctly: