Port or Starboard, forward or aft?

[Laurabearz]

What are the pros and cons of port side/starbaord side. I have read that they back in to CC more often than not, but then agian maybe more not than often, so starboard is more favored? What about other docking/mourings?


Forward and aft determines amount of roll right? Is there an advantage to being near one of the 3 sets of elevators over another.... or better to be in the hallway in between the midship and aft elevators?


We are debating about either two cat 5's or 6's connecting (with door) and are thinking about which combo is best.

Main difference between cat 5 and 6 is the deck it is on???correct? Maybe a little bigger..... Now for the repositioning cruise they could not garrentee (sp) two connectiong (with doors) cat 6's but they could two connecting cat 5's... is this standard on all cruises.... 7 and 4 day?

Thanks bunches!!!

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

It seems like half the things you want to see on the cruse is on port side and half is on starboard. At CC if you have a view of the beach (which is very nice) you don’t get to see the docking and undocking procedures (which I enjoy watching).

Aft has better access to the restaurants, but forward elevators are almost always way less crowded (except after shows in the Walt Disney Theater). I know many may disagree we me on this, but when the ship moves, THE WHOLE SHIP MOVES! After the first night it takes about 12 ft seas for me to notice any movement at all, and I normally enjoy what ever movement we do get (but the 20-24ft seas we had one night on one cruise was very much like a ride on Mission Space).

No difference in Cat 5&6 except deck. I don’t see any reason to pay extra for a cabin one deck up.

If this is your first cruise, don’t sweat the details. Our first cruise we booked only three weeks out, didn’t know anything, and had a blast discovering the ship and all it had to offer.

Enjoy!
Bruce

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by Magic_Fan_Bruce
If this is your first cruise, don’t sweat the details. Our first cruise we booked only three weeks out, didn’t know anything, and had a blast discovering the ship and all it had to offer.
Enjoy!
Bruce

Thanks Bruce. This would be our first cruise. I dont sweat the details, I live for them. Well oiled WDW machine here. Now I am here to tackle DCL.

Learn everything, plan a little, but know what all your options are, let the kids lead us...

Plus it kills time until cruising!

 

[webray]

We like the port side...mid ship.

We love watching the castaway cay dance in the morning..as they unload and get ready for everyone on shore..it is amazing...you would think the forklift drivers were trained in ballet..lol. Smooth, smooth operation.

Also, while in port at canaveral..waiting to sail...we have seen manatees in the water, dancing below our balcony.

 

[mrsltg]

Hi Laura-

While I've never been on DCL (will be in about 107 days!), I've cruised a bunch of times and found that I prefer Aft. I don't really care about sides, I just like the butt-end of the ship. We are booked in Barb's beloved 5650 for our upcoming cruise and I am really looking forward to having only one neighbor and no reason for anyone to be walking past our door (I despise hallway noise in the middle of the night).

I have to agree with Bruce, the whole ship moves! When DH and I cruised for our honeymoon on the Destiny (at the time one of the biggest ships afloat) we were all the way in the back. The seas were 20-23 feet and we felt it! No one was safe from the movement. I really think that it's just the luck of the draw. If you are afraid of getting sick, bring medication. Saltines also help a lot if you or your family ever get queasy.

Have a wonderful trip!

Erin

 

[Laurabearz]

Thanks bunches for your coments...

Any more thoughts out there?

 

[vikingfans]

I don't think it really matters which deck - 5 or 6. We've been on 3 cruises, going on our 4th in October. But we like the port side. We love to watch the captain dock the ship.

Also, we've stayed aft and we've stayed midship. Either one is great! We're just so happy to be cruising on the best ship at sea!!

Hope you have a great cruise!
Laura

 

[mmorizio]

On our last cruise on the Magic we were port side right by the elevators, and honestly crowds and noise were NEVER a problem. It is neat watching the Captain dock the ship from his eagle's nest, but I'm sure the starboard side is every bit as nice.

At any rate our cabin this September is almost exactly the same places as our last!

 

[2xcruiser]

The physics suggests that movement is greatest in the bow (bounces more as it breaks the waves) and in the upper floors (farther from the center of gravity - much like to end of a pendulum moves farther than the top).

That being said, I agree with Bruce - the whole boat moves, so I think any difference is probably minimal. Unless you are prone to motion sickness (in which case there may be some phsycological benefit to picking a spot you "think" moves less), I wouldn't worry too much about location for movement's sake.

 

[TheWog]

We loved our portside midship verandah. It was great to watch everything on the dock. Also, in St. Maarten got to see everything as well. That's our vote.

 

[alexandrew]

aft, starboard....most definitely...

aft - closest to the venues we enjoy most (restaurants, Buena Vista Theater, deck 9 bev station et al)

starboard - best views of Castaway Cay from stateroom....

 

[NejTheLion]

I don't think it really matters port vs. starboard because each time you pull into part it could be either direction. The ship doesn't always face the same way. Someone said starboard was the best CC view. Not for us on this past cruise. And on our last one, port would have been better as well. Although our St. Thomas view was nice.

I think you should give more consideration to forward, midship, or aft. Personally, I love aft behind the aft elevators because there's very little foot traffic in the halls and the aft elevators never seem to be as busy. (We stayed midship this past time).

 

[brack]

We've been aft and forward as well as port and starboard. It just doesn't matter.

I watch the docking from deck 9 or 10.

 

[Jeanny]

we stayed in cabin 7560 in January, which is about midship, starboard. I had a great view of CC from my verandah and of Port Canaveral, but next time I'm going to go Portside to see what that's like..... Except for CC, I was always up on deck 10 watching the activity when pulling into ports any way. It's so much fun!

Hey Brack & Annette!!! How are you??? I miss watching the sunrises with you guys!!!!

 

[budwmn]

My DH and DS get motion sickness from the vibration in the aft of the ship, regardless of the deck. It doesn't bother me, but I notice it when the ship is moving at full power.

We stay more midship or forward. It's true that you feel the movement anywhere on the ship, but not the vibration.

Hope this helps!