NYC-Bahamas Magic cruise: Port or Starboard? Please vote!

[SeaSpray]

Even thought we've sailed this itinerary before, and have sailed the Magic 3 times (always Port side), I'm wondering if the Starboard side might be a better choice because I know that the ships usually back in to the dock at Castaway Cay, providing a view of the island from your verandah.

We're currently booked Port side in a good mid-ship location, but I see a good cabin that is available on the Starboard side, and it's in a slightly better location regarding elevators.

Which side of the ship would you choose, and why?

Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Roughly, this is the starboard side view at Castaway Cay:


And the port side view:


full view from aft of ship:

 

[SeaSpray]

Roughly, this is the port side view at Castaway Cay:
View attachment 181120

And the starboard side view:
View attachment 181123

full view from aft of ship:
View attachment 181124

Thanks!

Here is a picture that we took from our midship verandah on the port side, which looked over the area where you got off and on the ship:

Here's a picture we took while sitting at the far end of the family beach; you can see the entire starboard side of the ship:

I know there's no guarantee whether the ship will pull in or back in, but it seems to back in almost all of the time from my personal experience and reading reports.

 

[KristiMc]

I have been on both sides and really don't think it matters much. On Castaway Cay we don't spend much time in our room so the view doesn't really matter to us.

 

[dcassetta]

Roughly, this is the port side view at Castaway Cay:
View attachment 181120

And the starboard side view:
View attachment 181123

full view from aft of ship:
View attachment 181124

Shmoo, I think your captions might be reversed. We've always pulled into Castaway backwards, with the stern closest to the island. With the ship positioned that way starboard has the view of the family beach and port has the view of the undeveloped part of the island.

Love the port view at Castaway, very peaceful I think. I also really enjoy watching the CMs who live on island take their bow as we're leaving.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Shmoo, I think your captions might be reversed. We've always pulled into Castaway backwards, with the stern closest to the island. With the ship positioned that way starboard has the view of the family beach and port has the view of the undeveloped part of the island.

Love the port view at Castaway, very peaceful I think. I also really enjoy watching the CMs who live on island take their bow as we're leaving.

Fixed - thanks.

 

[hanscarlet]

i always book starboard because of the view of CC

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I have only stayed port side & loved it. Booked it again for my next Disney cruise. Either cabin is going to be great!
Have a fun cruise!

 

[mmouse37]

In all honesty it does not matter to me at all which side of the ship I am on. While leaving NYC I stay on Deck 4 so I can pass through the ship and see whichever side I want at the time. As far as CC it does not matter to me which view I am looking at. It's all good!!!

MJ

 

[SeaSpray]

Just *being* on the ship is awesome enough, that's for sure!!

I ended up having my TA (the always excellent Beth Czada of Dreams Unlimited) switch us to the starboard cabin.

It's in a better location for me, closer to elevators (I have to use a rolling walker due to RA

[it keeps me out of a wheelchair!] so the less hallway walking that I have to do, the more strength I have for the fun parts of the ship!), and I've never sailed starboard on the Magic before, so just for something a little different this time.
Mainly I'm happy about the closer proximity to the elevators and areas of the ship that we use most often.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

We have had both. I agree the view at CC on the starboard side is beautiful. Having main dining, we always come back to the ship a little early to get ready. So being on the starboard side allowed us to still view CC from our balcony while the other person was getting ready. Plus, if your on the starboard side you have a clear view of CC while leaving and you can dream that you picture yourself living there for the rest of your life…LOL. When we were on the port side, there wasn't much to look at. When you leave CC you just see the ocean. Honestly, it just depends on what you want to look at. The pictures posted above are exactly what it looks like on each side.

 

[MinnieMouse64]

This was our view from starboard side, midship.