Alaska Cruise - Port or Starboard side stateroom?

[pittsburghmarc]

Thanks, hope to book Wednesday.

 

[Dug720]

Since DCL is round-trip, what one side gets going up, the other will get coming down.

 

[anricat]

Like Dug720 said, it doesn't really matter. I've heard some folks claim that Starboard gets more viewing time at the glacier, but that wasn't our experience. Perhaps just perception. We were Port side and were happy with it.

 

[st0nehedge]

We were portside. While initially at Dawes glacier starboard side got the first viewing, we got a looooong stretch of viewing the glacier.

And calving. Plenty of it.

Ditto to the views seen on both sides due to loop cruise.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

For the port views Skagway the ship docks on Port side but there are views on both sides. Juneau Ship docks on Starboard side with views of the dock area (town if Disney is lucky enough to get the close berth but they were not on our cruise) and mountain views on the Port side. Ketchikan docks on the Starboard side with great views on the town, Port side again has nice natural views. Hope that helps.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Is it true that the port side has better views of the wildlife going in to Tracy/Endicott arm? I feel like I read that somewhere but it didn't really make sense to me since both sides should be able to view the land alongside the ship. What about wind exposure on sea days?

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

Is it true that the port side has better views of the wildlife going in to Tracy/Endicott arm? I feel like I read that somewhere but it didn't really make sense to me since both sides should be able to view the land alongside the ship. What about wind exposure on sea days?

You go in and out the same way in Tracy/Endicott arm so you will see both sides no matter what. That being said we took the Tracy Arm port adventure an our tiny boat had viewing on the Starboard side on the way in and thats where we saw bald eagles and baby seals. On all but the first and last sea days you are traveling the inside passage so there is minimal wind. On the sea days I guess it depends on the way the wind is going that day!

 

[mmmears]

I honestly think that this is an itinerary where it really doesn't matter. We were starboard (from habit) and had lovely views in both directions. Watched the gorgeous scenery entering Tracy Arm from our balcony, saw the glacier from there but then went to the top deck for a more expansive view (amazing views from the front of the ship but it was pretty windy up there when I stepped in front of the windbreak). As for the ports, we got off the ship, so I didn't pay too much attention.

 

[GPaLarry]

As I have posted before, do not book 8002, 4, 6 or 8 (port side, deck 8), unless you want smoke and ashes to rain down on your verandah during glacier day. The smoking section is just above and just about ruined our day watching the seals and glacier. "For the enjoyment of all of our guests..." DCL posts in having the smoking area there, but they should add, "...at the expense of some of our guests."
As others have said above, both sides get views of the shore...one up and the other down. However, do check where the smoking sections are on the Wonder before you said and select a stateroom accordingly.

 

[Ravenne]

As I have posted before, do not book 8002, 4, 6 or 8 (port side, deck 8), unless you want smoke and ashes to rain down on your verandah during glacier day. The smoking section is just above and just about ruined our day watching the seals and glacier. "For the enjoyment of all of our guests..." DCL posts in having the smoking area there, but they should add, "...at the expense of some of our guests."
As others have said above, both sides get views of the shore...one up and the other down. However, do check where the smoking sections are on the Wonder before you said and select a stateroom accordingly.

Would you say those rooms on deck 7 would be ok? Or do they still smell and experience the smoking area as well?

 

[RedSox68]

We had port and loved it, but I think Dug720 is right, if it's round-trip you'll get both views. Our's (on HAL) was not because we got off in Seward to do a land portion, so we chose port.
HAL

 

[GPaLarry]

Would you say those rooms on deck 7 would be ok? Or do they still smell and experience the smoking area as well?

We seemed to get the worst of it...who would expect ashes. A bunch of smokers leaned over the rail above us and flipped their cigs causing ashes to land on our deck chairs, table and floor. The wind was dead calm that day. We called Guest Services and they put up a rope and pole thing near the railing, so they stayed back about two feet. However, the tables with ashtrays were there and the smoke kept coming down nearly all day. When we were moving you don't notice the smoke, of course. We like forward staterooms and will always request starboard on the Magic and Wonder from now on.
Now, I don't know if the mess got down to deck 7. I would steer clear of probably five or six of the most forward staterooms of port side deck 7, if you have a choice.