Please post your experiences, pros and cons, for port and starboard cabins and what itinerary they were on.

Just a mnemonic to remember port and starboard. Port and left both have four letters. Also, port is a shorter word that starboard; left is a shorter word than right. With respect to the running lights on ships and aircraft, port is red wine so the red lights are on the port or left side and the green lights are on the right or starboard side.

As for the original question, I have no preference. If something is that spectacular to see (e.g., leaving Venice, Stromboli, Panama Canal), you are going topside anyway.

marc

We are cruising on the VTC (Voyager Through the Canal) in 32 more days. It goes from LA down the coast and through the canal on the way to FLL. I usually think it does not matter what side I am on. But Ngaire pointed out that as we traveled down the coast, the port side would have a few of the land while the starboard side would be facing out to sea. So the itinerary could have a big influence on which side was "better".
Mike

I would go for starboard "sea" side as better chance to see whales. You should see dolphins on both sides but again, a better chance on starboard side.

More port and starboard related trivia. A "Starboard Running Light" is made with green Creme de Menthe and soda; so the lights on the Starboard(right facing forward) are (you guessed it) green. For your night observations at sea it's fun to see if you can tell the aspect of the ship at which you're looking. Also, port and starboard running lights are only visible for two miles or so while mast head (white) lights are visible for 5 or more miles.
Greg

Oh definitely starboard - one gets less spray from the starboard side. Port side travellers invariably find their balcony glass doors covered
with salt from the overnight winds. Starboard folk do not incur this problem. Definitely starboard...It has something to do with the rotation of the earth creating clockwise ocean currents, therefore the winds strike the vessel on the port side, etc...but make it starboard-less hassle and more visibility
Marty

Marty,
That's except in the southern hemisphere, right?
Greg

Greg,
I forgot!! Yes, absolutely! In the southern hemisphere the whole process is reversed where the ocean currents rotate counter-clockwise thus causing the salt spray to land on the starboard side. How nice of you to remind me.

By the by, USNA72 is either a carrier or battleship. Which one and when did you serve on her?

Marty

I believe that USANA72 means that he is a "Ring Knocker"
US Naval Academy 1972

Mr. Kimmi (stealer of identities!)
You are 100% right. Just after I signed off, a bolt of lightning struck me and told me that I'm a complete dummy! USNA must mean Naval Academy class of '72 - what else? There must be a ship out there, though, USN 72. I wonder which one it is? I bet it's a carrier. I don't know the answer, and would appreciate someone pushing back the barriers of darkness.

Remember John - The Sheik RIDES AGAIN !!!

Actually the current DDG 72 is the USS Mahan http://www.mahan.navy.mil/ (and yes my class spnsors the wardroom ). The interesting turn here is that my Father in Law was on the USS Mahan DD 364 when she was sunk by kamikaze attack at the Battle of the Phillipine Sea. The final irony is that I now work for the US Army :ohmy: .
Greg

Greg,
If you work for the army now,but graduated from Annapolis, whom do you root for at army/navy football games? Since my father graduated from West Point, I believe your loyalty should be with the USMA - "On brave old army team!, etc." We await your reply avidly...

Marty

Blue and Gold through and through.

Ok Marty...starboard for us! Although I'll admit we sometimes choose port if we want to see the sunset from our balcony...love to enjoy cocktail and view before dressing for dinner. The itinerary dictates our choice.

BTW...we were starboard in the South Pacific - didn't have any problem with sea spray, but the seas and winds were unusually calm.

Editing to add...Marty - I'm glad you're not selling bridges in Brooklyn....I'd probably buy two! :eek:

We did port ont he way down to Mexico...it was great, because we got to see the coastline as we headed down. The seas were generally calm so no spray issues. So we want port again on the November cruise. But I can see that this choice is really dependent on where you are going. For example, heading north towards Alaksa, I would think Starboard is the way to go!

Well sure, if you're going to ignore the spray issues. Right Greg? (black and gold forever!)
Marty