Which Side of Ship is Best, Port or Starboard? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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How about some quick recommendations on which side of the ship I should ask for when requesting an outside stateroom? Probably won't spend much time in the room, but in the morning when I wake up and look out that porthole during our 4-day Disney Wonder cruise next January, what will I see looking out port versus starboard windows? Thanks!
Re: Which Side of Ship is Best, Port or Starboard?
We were on the starboard side which is nice because when we docked at Castaway Cay, we could see the island from our room before we were allowed off the ship, and of course after our return. Other than that, though, it doesn't make any real difference.
Re: Which Side of Ship is Best, Port or Starboard?
This would be one of the least of my concerns. To me, it's more important to be reasonably close to an elevator/stairway, preferably aft so it's easy to get to meals. You have to get around the ship constantly, but your view is often of just passing interest, and varies considerably from port to port as well as between ports.
Views are unpredictable. When berthed in Nassau you might have a nice view of downtown Nassau from the port side, and of Paradise Island and the open ocean from starboard. Or there could be another huge ship pulled up along either or both sides, blocking your view. Same is true of a variety of other ports. At Castaway Cay, the starboard side has a view towards the beaches and developed side of the island, while port looks towards the wharf, open ocean and undeveloped parts of the island. Draw straws, and don't sweat the results.
Re: Which Side of Ship is Best, Port or Starboard?
Thanks for the comments. When I requested a 'secret porthole room' (can we come up with another term, since they are no longer a secret?) for our Jan '07 cruise, I found out that both rooms 5020 and 5520 were available. I thought one view or the other might be worth requesting, but evidently not. We are just happy to have reserved 5020. As long as we're not looking out onto a local garbage dump, I'm sure we'll enjoy just having some daylight coming into the room! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
Re: Which Side of Ship is Best, Port or Starboard?
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Thanks for the comments. When I requested a 'secret porthole room' (can we come up with another term, since they are no longer a secret?) for our Jan '07 cruise, I found out that both rooms 5020 and 5520 were available. I thought one view or the other might be worth requesting, but evidently not. We are just happy to have reserved 5020. As long as we're not looking out onto a local garbage dump, I'm sure we'll enjoy just having some daylight coming into the room! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
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I agree it's no longer a secret.... so what is it's status now? The "Only if you know about it Port Hole Room" or.... "You own a Passporter or lurk on the DisBoards Port Hole Room".... or "I know it's there but you don't Port Hole Room".... sorry... I'm in a strange mood this morning... LOL.
Re: Which Side of Ship is Best, Port or Starboard?
:::chuckle::: Yes, the "I know something you don't know porthole room." To begin with, it was just one of those little-known things a great travel agent or frequent cruiser will know - DCL reclassified a handful of staterooms because of guest dissatisfaction (nobody wants to pay full outside stateroom rates for an obstructed view). They didn't really belong in Cat 9, but they don't quite belong in Cat 10, either. But if DCL had created a new category just for them, there would be 13 categories. Not very auspicious. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
"Secret porthole" is a brilliant "brand name." We don't want to take credit for "outing" it, since by that time plenty of agents and frequent cruisers (especially DISboarders) knew the "secret." Too bad for DCL that they haven't figured out how to offer those rooms as a separate category - the demand-driven pricing system would push those room prices up. As it is, they book-up very early, so they tend to go for a lower price than the average Cat 10 room. For the cruisers' sake, let's hope DCL leaves things as-is. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Re: Which Side of Ship is Best, Port or Starboard?
What I found shocking is that the travel agent I used hasn't even read PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line! I was tempted to dump the travel company, but instead I chose to educate the poor lady that she needs to read the PassPorter so she'll become an even better travel agent in the future. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
On the EBTA, would you recommend starboard or port, for a veranda room? Both are still available. It seems the starboard might be sunnier, but I'm not certain. Any advice?
Thanks!
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Eastbound? Yes, starboard is likely to get more direct sunlight, as it'll be facing south most of the time, and you'll be north of the equator. If that's what you want, then that would be "best." If sun streaming through the windows in the morning isn't your thing, port will have its benefits.
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