Panama Canal Cruise -- Port or Starboard

[shburks]

Hi all! Just booked PC fall 2015 and wondering if there is a "better side" of the ship to be on. The Wonder is the only ship I haven't been on and never Panama Canal!

We're currently book aft and port side. We generally cruise forward and starboard (Fantasy) and once forward and once mid-ship port (Magic).

We're booked in a 5C so mid-ship isn't an option!

Thanks.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Just got off the WBTA. We actually did stay on both sides of the ship (moved on day 5 due to noise issues). Went thorough the canal on port, but I really don't think it matters.

 

[ironwill1979]

We've been through the Panama Canal twice on the Disney Magic. First time was on the starboard side, second was on the port side. Doesn't really make a difference - there's nice stuff to see on both sides and half the time it's jungle.

 

[CruznLexi]

We are on the Oct sailing to and have starboard 6a. Can't wait to sail the ditch again.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I'm starboard on this cruise. First time through the canal I was in an inside cabin, so that didn't matter. For the canal itself it really doesn't matter.


(Has anyone started a meets thread for this cruise?)

.

 

[lbgraves]

It honestly doesn't matter because the best viewpoint is on decks 4 and 10. If you stay in your room or on your verandah, you will miss watching the locks operate, water fill/drop, etc.

 

[jrabbit]

10 sea days, 1 canal transit day, 3 ports (typical DCL PC cruise).

Being ON the ship is the only important thing.

Our first PC cruise we were on deck 10 ALL Day (and it was LONG)

Second PC cruise we were on deck 10 for the first half and on deck 4 for the second half. We were by one of the "elevator" doors -- so we could easily walk across the ship to the other side. You get a totally different (and cool) perspective of the lock operations from deck 4.

Even if you spent part of your day on your veranda - either side of the ship will be fine.

 

[KalamityJane]

That's great to hear it doesn't matter if you have a verandah! We have 2 inside rooms booked

Would love if someone started a thread, I can do it if no one else wants to?

 

[tomoyo]

deleted

 

[shburks]

Awesome! Thanks everyone! I felt like it didn't really matter, but I'm glad to hear it doesn't.

 

[SillyInventor]

The only thing I can think of is the sun. The south side of the ship will be facing the sun during the canal crossing. This can be fun if you like sitting in the sun and looking into the sun. The north side will be a view with the sun, which is better for photography (better than back-lit landscapes) and provides a shaded Verandah. Just choose what you like most and figure out if it will be port or starboard facing north/south.

 

[lbgraves]

10 sea days, 1 canal transit day, 3 ports (typical DCL PC cruise).
....

I read DH the ports listed and we were shocked that there are only 3 now. In 2008 we stopped at 7 on the EBPC in 15 days.

 

[CruznLexi]

I thought there was 4 with Cozumel.

 

[KalamityJane]

I thought there was 4 with Cozumel.

There are, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel and Cartagena.

 

[CowboyKell]

The only thing I can think of is the sun. The south side of the ship will be facing the sun during the canal crossing. This can be fun if you like sitting in the sun and looking into the sun. The north side will be a view with the sun, which is better for photography (better than back-lit landscapes) and provides a shaded Verandah. Just choose what you like most and figure out if it will be port or starboard facing north/south.

This isn't an issue since the majority of the transit the direction of travel is north/south. The transit starts early in the morning and ends late in the afternoon. Also note that the majority of the time its cloudy.

 

[bobyetman]

The sun actually matters more on the at sea days, if you want to sit on your balcony. If you're on the starboard/right side going south, or on the port/left side going north, the balcony will be in bright sunlight all afternoon long. it may make the balcony unusable.

 

[jrabbit]

I read DH the ports listed and we were shocked that there are only 3 now. In 2008 we stopped at 7 on the EBPC in 15 days.

Our first PC cruise was on the Magic in 2005 going from LA to PC.

First Port was supposed to be Cabo - But Hurricane Hillary (no joke) was to the south and west of us and the ship was rocking an rolling. So we stopped in Manzanillo (where - Bo Derek ran on the beach in "10" there), Acapulco, Curacao and Castaway Cay (hey that's 4 stops). And we were just south of Katrina as she was heading toward New Orleans.

Last May we stopped at CC, Cartegena, Puerta Vallarta and Cabo (hey that's 4 stops again )

But still, lots of sea days and only a few port days. Some of the best Cruises we have been on!!