Port or Starboard

We usually prefer port side for an odd quirk of mine. At the start of a cruise I tend to wake very early (5 or 6 ish) while at the end I am better able to sleep a bit longer (say 7 or 8 ish). Probably because I am more keyed up at the start and more relaxed at the end. In our case as we usually sail out of NY and head south the first 2 days (sea days) the port side of the ship faces east to the open sea and sunrise whereas the last day or 2 (also sea days) the port side faces west so coast and sunset view.

You never know which side of the ship will be facing the port, in many cases. We choose our cabin for the cabin, regardless of whether it is port or starboard. We look at layout and location.

I’ve learned location from front/middle/or rear can make a huge impact on your sailings. But I’m prior navy so I’m used to walking sideways on a ship.😎 Starboard or port hasn’t made a difference for me.

It doesn't matter, you probably won't be spending much time there anyway. You'll probably be by the pool or out exploring.

Doesn't matter because ships don't always dock on port side anymore. Research for the cabin you want and enjoy.

I don't believe I've ever gone UP on deck.

If you just go up on deck, you can go to either side. Problem solved.

The story I heard was that the trip from England to India the sun made the Starboard side hot (before air conditioned cabins) so the most wealthy would choose the Port side (the cooler side) going to India and reverse the choice when returning. After awhile the pursers would abbreviate it to POSH (Port Out Starboard Home). Either way, someone didn't get to be posh.

Outstanding info!! who knew?? I guess if we knew the view would be so massively different we would take that into consideration...as it is, most of the time it doesn't much matter...we've been in ports that were so ugly and dingy we actually PREFERRED a view "out to sea"....I think the thrust of my question had more to do with the old mystery of which shoe you put on first?....theres lots of things humans do that we aren't even aware of and can't explain why we do it....(this really is more fun than covid isn't it??? heheheh)

This question is related to the British term POSH. When sailing from England to India, for a large portion of the trip the view of land was on the Port side. On returning back to England, the Starboard side had the best view. Therefore, experienced travelers when booking accommodation would request cabins on the Port going Out and Starboard coming Home. This led to the acronym POSH also meaning the best.