IMHO- West would be my choice, as a Brit.
25 hour days
iconic arrival views.
Still having time in New York to look forward to, post cruise (walk off a few of the calories). Always find new things to do there, time after time.
Practicality wise, allows us to fly back to a local airport - instead of arriving back to Southampton still facing a 5 hour train journey (as car would be at home). All of that is faffing dealt with on the way out. Granted this is not so much of a Problem for those located in the south of England.
I would still never turn my nose up at an eastbound crossing though…😊