What side of ship is better to book?

[over50visits]

I know people are typically all about starboard because of Castaway Cay, but honestly I prefer the views of the undeveloped side you get on the port side. I think it's far prettier and more natural than looking out at a bunch of people on the beach.

And if you look out at the horizon you can see a large, hazy island! (Great Abaco, just hazy enough to look exotic and mysterious)

 

[Kimberly thomas]

On the Dream or the Fantasy I love the aft rooms . Great views of CC and Nassua! On deck 9 or 10

 

[TimeAndTide]

Considering you are not supposed to be on you verandah during fireworks, that should be a moot point.

Could be completely wrong but I thought only certain starboard staterooms received a notification not to be on their balconies during the fireworks....

On another note, on our last Magic sailing, the port side was the best view of the fireworks. They shot up and over the ship and were most visible from the port side. A crew member told us this when we asked. We were actually on one of the upper decks so we could see what he meant. Not sure if that had to do with wind, though. Sounds like that's not typical.

 

[Dug720]

Could be completely wrong but I thought only certain starboard staterooms received a notification not to be on their balconies during the fireworks....

On another note, on our last Magic sailing, the port side was the best view of the fireworks. They shot up and over the ship and were most visible from the port side. A crew member told us this when we asked. We were actually on one of the upper decks so we could see what he meant. Not sure if that had to do with wind, though. Sounds like that's not typical.

I don't typically cruise in balcony staterooms, but plenty of people have reported getting the notice.

That said, as hyper as a lot of people on here get about safety issues, I would think that most of them would want to stay off their balcony even if ONE cabin got that notification.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yikes - I am a total cruise newbie - how do you know what side is port side and what side is starboard? We are staying in room 7574 on Disney Magic.

As you face the front of the ship (the pointy end) starboard is right, port is left (port & left = both 4 letters ending in "t").

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I don't typically cruise in balcony staterooms, but plenty of people have reported getting the notice.

That said, as hyper as a lot of people on here get about safety issues, I would think that most of them would want to stay off their balcony even if ONE cabin got that notification.

I've only ever had a balcony once, and we were in 8658 on the Fantasy (starboard side, aft) but did not receive a notice that we could not watch from the balcony. The fireworks are actually shot out over the ocean, but I imagine there could be some risk of fire if people were standing out there with their doors open and an ember made its way into the stateroom. We did see one glowing ember land on a balcony a couple decks bellow us and stay glowing for several minutes. Luckily it was on the floor of the balcony, and those things are nearly indestructible.

 

[jayohjayoh]

On our cruises, I'm pretty sure it said in the Navigator not to be on your balcony during the fireworks. I can't recall getting a notice as well, but about 98% it's mentioned in the Navigator.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

P.O.S.H. Right?

 

[Trera]

Another vote for Starboard if you are on the Dream. We love waking up to the beach view at Castaway Cay!

 

[mhconley]

We were deck 9 midship starboard side on our first cruise and had a beautiful view of Castaway Cay. This cruise we booked deck 9 midship port side - exact same stateroom on the opposite side of the ship - for a view of the other ports of call, people coming and going, and the docking activities. We watched the fireworks from deck 11 where we sat on the steps leading to the Aquaduck.

Martin