First TA in April does a port or starbord balcony matter?

[nimbex1970]

We are headed from San Jan to Lisbon in April.  As the title suggests, is there a better side of the ship for a balcony room?

[TheOldBear]

If you want sun, the starboard side of the ship will generally face south [toward the sun] on an eastbound sailing.

[LocoLoco1]

ANSWER: Yes. Starboard (right) side will be sunshine/warm. Port side will be shade/cooler. 

[CruiserFromMaine]

The term “posh” comes from “starboard out, port home” from the British point of view. So, heading west, starboard (southern) side and the port side for the return. 

[TheOldBear]

2 hours ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

The term “posh” comes from “starboard out, port home” from the British point of view. So, heading west, starboard (southern) side and the port side for the return. 

I think that is exactly backward [Port Out, Starboard Home]- sailing  west, in the northern hemisphere, the port side will generally face south (toward the equator ).

We book round trip crossings so it evens out (and we get our eastbound  five hours back on the westbound crossing..

[Heidi13]

3 hours ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

The term “posh” comes from “starboard out, port home” from the British point of view. So, heading west, starboard (southern) side and the port side for the return. 

 

Sorry, the acronym "POSH" means Port Out Starboard Home, and it has nothing to do with heading West.

 

It originates from the P&O and British India ships providing liner service between UK and India, before ships were air conditioned. When sailing through the Red Sea, which is predominantly North/South, the more affluent pax wanted a cabin on the Port side when outbound. Therefore, when steaming southerly course they received morning sun, with the cabins having hours to cool before retiring for the evening. The Stbd cabins had afternoon sun and did not cool by the time pax retired.

 

On the homeward bound voyage they steamed N'ly courses through the Red Sea, so a Stbd cabin had morning sun and was cooler in the evening.

 

When steaming East or West, before determining which side has more sun, you need to compare the ship's latitude to the sun's declination. When heading East, the sun will be on the Stbd side, provide the ship is further north than the sun. If the sun is further north than the ship, in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will be on the port side.

 

Steaming West, the sunny side is to Port, provided the ship is further north than the sun.

Edited December 20, 2023 by Heidi13

[CruiserFromMaine]

10 hours ago, TheOldBear said:

I think that is exactly backward [Port Out, Starboard Home]- sailing  west, in the northern hemisphere, the port side will generally face south (toward the equator ).

Oops, of course! Not sure how I messed that up!

Edited December 20, 2023 by CruiserFromMaine

[CruiserFromMaine]

9 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

It originates from the P&O and British India ships providing liner service between UK and India, before ships were air conditioned. When sailing through the Red Sea, which is predominantly North/South, the more affluent pax wanted a cabin on the Port side when outbound. Therefore, when steaming southerly course they received morning sun, with the cabins having hours to cool before retiring for the evening. The Stbd cabins had afternoon sun and did not cool by the time pax retired.

Thanks, now I know.