Port or starboard traveling south on west side of South America?

[syracuselax]

Princess January 2020 cruise Ft Lauderdale thru Panama Canal, travel down/south on west side of South American, around tip, then up/north us east side of South America.  Should I book a port (even) room or a starboard (odd numbered) room?  I’m thinking port side would face land when cruising close to land and would provide better scenery?

[crystalspin]

Port. Which nonintuitively will also put you in the shade in the afternoon going through the canal (look at a zoomed in map). 

 

We did PC FLL-LAX in a starboard balcony and the heat/sun drove us in! We did Santiago-Buenos Aires in a port-side balcony and while someplaces the views are everywhere, and someplaces the captain will turn the ship so all get a view -- There were times when the view was better and not shared!

 

People will say you should be out and around the ship in the Canal. IDK, I figure you're always missing something unless standing on a pinnacle with a 360view! I like to find a place where I am comfortable and soak up the experience.

[cb at sea]

While you are "at sea" you won't be close enough to land to have a view.  It really doesn't matter which side you choose.    It's true that while you are transiting the canal, you will want to roam about the ship.  There are views everywhere!