If you use Server Management Studio, the default settings will not allow you to see your database on the server. This is due to a minor error in Server Management Studio that arises from the new Object Explorer. By default, you will be presented with the following error message:
Failed to retrieve data for this request. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Mangement.Sdk.Sfc)
Additional information:
An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch.
(Microsoft.SqlsServer.ConnectionInfo)
The server principal “username_xx” is not able to access the database “database_xx_db” under the current security context. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 916)
The problem is solved by selecting "Databases" in Server Management Studio and pressing "F7".
This will show "Object Explorer Details" in the window to the right. Here, right-click in the upper tables, marked in red in the picture below, to deselect the "Collation" view.
Then "Databases" are re-selected and an update of the list will show the databases on the server.