Which side of ship best?

[Donald's#1Fan]

Planning for an Eastern Carribean cruise and just wondering when requesting a room which side of ship is more preferable as to views when ship is docked at the ports of call, any advice is greatly appreciated, Jeff.

 

[missmulan]

i'm not going to be of any great help but i'm fresh off the boat (eastern 11/27) and i can say that both sides are great! at castaway cay you get beach/ocean view, on the other is the characters photo op view. at st thomas: one side is ocean, sailboat and homes, while the other is "town" with shops & containers. at st maartens we had the celebrity cruise line ship on one side and the island on the other. you should just let DCL surprise you!

 

[kiddisney]

hi - it'll probalby depend on how your want to be woken up - when arriving back in port - if you want to wake up early - then get a room on the "right" side of the ship - because you'll hear the ship docking - but if you want to sleep a little later - then book the "left" side of the ship - coming back from castaway cay - we were exhausted and docking before 7am woke us up -

 

[DBBN]

We recently completed the Eastern and for us the Starboard (right) side was preferred. We chose the Starboard side because the ship is always backed into the dock at Castaway Cay and we like having room service deliver breakfast early to enjoy eating while viewing the the family beach from our balcony. The Port (left) side at Castaway Cay is the dock side and we find it less appealing. Forklift loading and unloading can create some noise but I wouldn't say it was a problem.

We have been on both sides while at PC and have no preferrence while at the home port. The Starboard side faces the terminal and the Port side faces the channel and other ships.

On our sailing, at both St. Maarten and St Thomas, the Starboard side was on the dock side. We've only sailed the Eastern once so I can't speak to whether this is always or usually the case.

Have fun.

 

[Donald's#1Fan]

Thanks for the responses, now a follow up question as we may now be considering a Western Cruise are there any recommendations as to side of boat for that cruise?

 

[disneybride96]

On our sailing, at both St. Maarten and St Thomas, the Starboard side was on the dock side. We've only sailed the Eastern once so I can't speak to whether this is always or usually the case.

Have fun.

Port was dockside on or St. Thomas stop. It was neat to wave at the RCL ship as we departed .

 

[DrCavin]

We chose the Starboard side because the ship is always backed into the dock at Castaway Cay and we like having room service deliver breakfast early to enjoy eating while viewing the the family beach from our balcony.

Not true we pulled into CC & we were starboard & got to watch them load/unload the ship. The characters also do some photo ops & that was fun to watch.

 

[NejTheLion]

There really is no preferable side. We've cruised the Eastern twice, and from reading other responses, it's clear that the ship will dock from either side in any port. We sailed port, then starboard, and both times at Castaway Cay, the port side faced the main part of the island, and the starboard side faced the dock. That's the opposite of what someone else posted. So, I don't think there's any way to know how you will be oriented.

I think you should worry more about forward, midship, or aft and if there's anything you might be above or below.

 

[DBBN]

Not true we pulled into CC & we were starboard & got to watch them load/unload the ship. The characters also do some photo ops & that was fun to watch.

The first time we sailed in September 1998 the Magic did in fact pull in to the dock, Starboard side on the dock side.

Our second sailing in August 2001 the Wonder was backed in to the dock, Port side on the dock side. I discussed this with one of the officers and he indicated the standard procedure was to back the ship into position to allow for an easier departure. He reported that wind conditions at the time of departure from CC could make it difficult to back out from the dock.

Our third sailing in October 2003 the Magic was backed in to the dock (consistent with what was reported as SOP for the ships officer).

Our fourth sailing in November 2004 the Magic was backed in to the dock (consistent with what was reported as SOP for the ships officer).

I notice from your signature that you sailed on the May 2004 Eastern - I stand corrected with respect to my statement that the ship is "...ALWAYS backed into the dock at Castaway Cay". In the case of your sailing I would like to know what compelling reason caused them to pull the ship into the dock rather than back into position?

 

[SandraLee]

Twice I've been on the Magic -- twice we backed into CC. I was port side once(looked at the dock) and starbord side once(looked at the island). I think I'm in the minority, because I prefer to watch the hustle and bustle of the dock side. Some prefer to watch the island.

I would be on backing into CC and go from there .. .

 

[DrCavin]

Pulling in does seem to be a rare event. Not sure why they decided to pull in, maybe it is due to wind or something???

I have read a few other posts that they pullled in as well.

 

[jel0511]

We've always sailed on the Starboard (right side) and love it. Both times we've backed into CC, so we had the view of the family beach. On the Western, I feel the Starboard side is more preferred. In Key West, we were on the dock side, so got a wonderful view of the island, in Cozumel, we faced the island, and in Grand Cayman had a wonderful view of Seven Mile beach (and all the horrible destruction ).

 

[jrabbit]

Which side of ship best?

In-side the ship when it's really hot and humid and there isn't a nice ocean breeze to cool you off. Out-side on deck when the temperatures are "nicer" (for me that's below 92 degrees). And it's always preferable to be aboard the ship (inside) than back home at work (outside).

 

[Donald's#1Fan]

In-side the ship when it's really hot and humid and there isn't a nice ocean breeze to cool you off. Out-side on deck when the temperatures are "nicer" (for me that's below 92 degrees). And it's always preferable to be aboard the ship (inside) than back home at work (outside).

Wonderful response! That really sums it up for me also, I was just wondering if one side was preferable or not and I know that as long as I am on the inside of the ship that all will be Magic! I also agree with the statement that knowing what is above or below you is probably more important, esp. w/ small children that will be with us! Thank-you everyone!

 

[crisi]

We were starboard side last time. We saw them loading the luggage at Port Canaveral (not a great view), the city of Nassau (four day cruise), the family beach at CC, and stood in the hot sun for our safety drill. We are trying the other side next time - my husband's only reason is that he hopes he won't be in the sun for the drill. Apparently the CC view wasn't worth the sweat.