Transatlantic

[babyclaytonmom]

Hello- we will be doing our first TA in 2022 (fall). If heading from the Azores to Bermuda for sunsets is it best to have a balcony on the port or starboard side?

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, babyclaytonmom said:

Hello- we will be doing our first TA in 2022 (fall). If heading from the Azores to Bermuda for sunsets is it best to have a balcony on the port or starboard side?

 

Tough question to answer, as it depends significantly on the routing and any weather issues in the vicinity that could impact the route.

 

Bermuda is only about 5 degree of latitude (300 n/mls) south of the Azores, so if steering a Rumb Line the courses will generally be WSW to WxS, or almost towards the setting sun. The port side will have more sun throughout the day.

 

However, if you initially head South, sunrise will be port side and sunset stbd side. If you had to head back NW to reach Bermuda, the opposite would be true.

[HappyCamper49]

On 9/21/2021 at 7:00 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

Tough question to answer, as it depends significantly on the routing and any weather issues in the vicinity that could impact the route.

 

Bermuda is only about 5 degree of latitude (300 n/mls) south of the Azores, so if steering a Rumb Line the courses will generally be WSW to WxS, or almost towards the setting sun. The port side will have more sun throughout the day.

 

However, if you initially head South, sunrise will be port side and sunset stbd side. If you had to head back NW to reach Bermuda, the opposite would be true.

Some CC members gave me some good advice before my first eastbound TA:  Eastbound - Starboard cabin.  Westbound - Port side cabin.  It was correct for us!  We had so much sunshine on our starboard balcony en route from Florida to Southampton, UK.  Much more sun and lasted longer than our friends port side balcony.  However, it is a TA so just relax and enjoy, no matter which side you choose!

[Heidi13]

6 minutes ago, HappyCamper49 said:

Some CC members gave me some good advice before my first eastbound TA:  Eastbound - Starboard cabin.  Westbound - Port side cabin.  It was correct for us!  We had so much sunshine on our starboard balcony en route from Florida to Southampton, UK.  Much more sun and lasted longer than our friends port side balcony.  However, it is a TA so just relax and enjoy, no matter which side you choose!

 

For most Trans-Atlantics that rule works well. However, you should factor the ports of call, prevailing currents and the most likely route, as if the ship's latitude is lower than the sun's declination, the opposite is true.