Starboard or port

Hi,

DH and I are taking a HAL Canada/New England cruise in 2019 leaving from Fort Lauderdale. Looking for opinions concerning port or starboard. We will be getting an ocean view due to the promotion that was offered.

Thanks for comments.

I would ask this on the HAL board here, as some may have taken that cruise and can tell you how the ship docked. It often changes, though, and some of your ports may require tendering. EM

In port, you'll be off the ship 99% of the time. If this is a round-trip, one side will face land on the trip up, and the other side on the trip back...not that you can even see land while sailing!

In other words, it doesn't matter!

Are you perhaps on the Veendam or Zuiderdam repo cruises from Canada TO Fort Lauderdale? There are no cruises to New England/Canada from FLL. In any case, most of the OV cabins have the heads of the beds beneath the windows, making it hard to view much without crawling up on the bed. Separating the beds doesn't help. EM

In port, you'll be off the ship 99% of the time. If this is a round-trip, one side will face land on the trip up, and the other side on the trip back...not that you can even see land while sailing!

 

In other words, it doesn't matter!

Actually it does, but for only one reason. The OP will be sailing a South to North route when sailing to Canada which means that the sun will be rising on Starboard for most of the cruise. Early morning sun at sea is a beautiful sight - unless you are a 'late' sleeper. Try as you may, cruise ship curtains can only do so much.

I'd be more concerned about what deck you're on (height above the water) and how far forward or aft your cabin is located because every now and then the Atlantic can get 'bumpy' and you've got some sea days.

Other than Newport or Bar Harbor [where you'll be using a tender to get ashore] very few docks in the world are terribly scenic. I wouldn't be too concerned as to being on the 'best' side for your trip. For fun, look up the word 'Posh'.

Have a great time, you've booked a fun trip :).

I would say port side for several reasons.

1) Land will be on the port side.

2) You will get the sunset on the port side.

3) No dealing with sunrise in the morning through the window.

4) Since most people go to the right the left side (port side) should have less people traffic.