Port or Starboard?

[5Stringer]

Is there really any difference between picking a cabin on the port or starboard side?

We are going on a Caribbean cruise on the Princess Emerald and this will be our first balcony, so I need to know the pros and cons.

The only thing I can think of is that it would be nice to be on "land" side when docking. With that said, is there a list somewhere of each port and if the ships tender or dock on the port or starboard side?

[pisces1]

Usually your cruise brochure includes a small chart that shows how you will be traveling to and thru the various islands. Our biggest deciding factor is where the sun will be hitting and you can more or less figure that out by the direction your cruise ship will be traveling. We always get balconies and that is where we like to sit in the sun rather than worrying about getting good loungers around the pool. (Also sun rises and sun sets.) If you are doing a round-trip than at least for some of the way you will experience the same sea from each side.

[sesh]

There is no real difference between port and starboard on a 'round trip' apart from the berthing side too. This can change even for the same rotation as various local operational factors may change which side the ship has to come on to the berth.

 

The only difference between port and starboard are on transit cruises (like the suez canal - where to stay out of the sun the well off travellers had the cabins Port Out Starboard Home - giving us the word POSH).

 

The only other difference is on some vessels they designate a smoking side to the ship .. whilst no-one is allowed to smoke on their balconies (like that rule is enforced - NOT); it may be a consideration for passageways through the vessel - best to check with the operator about the smoking policy on the vessel.