If departing out of NYC, a starboard side cabin may give you better views of the SOL, however, you can also go forward on the ship....this is an awesome sight!
For Newport, the ship will be on the anchor outside of Newport harbor so how the boat will face depends upon the wind that day.
The rest I am not sure of although I did see several ships at the dock in Halifax and all of them had the port side facing the dock.
The only place it really matters to me is FLL......upon departure I really want to be on the port side. Enjoy your cruise