Starboard or Portside

[vicky]

I will be on the Diamond Princess on 6/5 for the Inside Passage out of Seattle. I have booked a balcony and they have given me a cabin on the Starboard side of the ship. Is this the best side for viewing the inside passage or should I ask to change to Portside?
Appreciate any opinions.

Hi

I spent 20 years in the Navy and my opinion is that it doesn't matter. HOWEVER, if you're on the starboard (right side while looking at the bow from any point aft of the bow) side and you travel north, you will see land on that starboard side. If you're in a chanel, you'll have land on both sides. Considering that you're going the inland passage you can't miss out regardless of where you are.

[PeterC]

We've been both port and starboard in the inside passage and it didn't make any difference in the scenery. A lot will depend on the route the Captain chooses as well. On our last voyage we were in some really tight channels which was incredible. On another we weren't in such tight spaces. In either case the view was basically the same from either side. Spectacular.

We took the Inside passage on the Island Princess. It didn't matter which side you were on.

[Karen16]

The Diamond route does more outside passage sailing in open seas. But once inside passage- there are views on either side part of the trip. I encourage you to get out on deck often however- there is nothing like a full front view- especially on your glacier viewing day- why miss 50%?

If you are heading north, on the starboard side you may be on the side of the vessel tied up to the dock. The port side sees the activity in the harbor. It really does not matter which side you are on. The sighting of a whale always seems to be on the opposite side of the vessel or when you are sitting down for dinner. If you go to Sitka you anchor in the harbor and Skagway is does not matter if you are on one side or the other.

Stay where you are. Port side going North has you staring into a setting sun.

We have taken many,many, so many cruise in Alaska and it really makes little difference which side of the Vessel your stateroom is.
Heading north from Vancouver your ship will usually dock on the Starboard side. The same with Ketchikan. This means you may enjoy the sights of the harbor from the port side, if that is where you are . But then you can watch the float planes taking off and landing.

You can be assured of one thing whichever side of the vessel you are on. The whales sighted always seem to be on the opposite side of the vessel where you are. By the time you get to the other side, the whales are usually gone.