POSH – is it all it’s dressed up to be?

You’d be forgiven for surmising this may be a feature on dress codes and formal attire when cruising, however this particular article is in reference to the old adage ‘port out, starboard home’ or ‘POSH’; phrases coined back in the 1930s… however, do they still ring true?

In a bygone age of cruising, the tale is that travelers would request ‘port out, starboard home’ in an effort to protect themselves from the heat of the sun and take advantage of the cool breezes during the crossings between the UK and India. This theory has of course been debunked over the years, mainly because of the fact that the vast majority of the ships sailing at the time offered relatively few outdoor staterooms; if any at all… yet this phrase has stood the test of time and is still widely used today.

So when it comes to cruising, is port or starboard the best option?

Well… it all depends on the itinerary!

When sailing to Alaska for example, many passengers prefer to book starboard staterooms when sailing northbound, and port-side cabins when sailing south; as this offers views over the North American mainland. However if your itinerary takes you through the Inside Passage, you have the benefit of breathtaking views from both sides of the vessel. Many ships will also turn at glaciers, safety permitting, to offer passengers on both sides of the ship the opportunity to take photographs, and of course the most exceptional vantage points can often be found out on deck.

It is often argued that the best vantage point for viewing the scenery whilst sailing the Panama Canal is out on the upper decks of the vessel, however with many ships entering the canal in the early hours of the morning, savvy passengers choose to select their cabin carefully to ensure they can  make the most of the views from the comfort of their private balcony. Whilst it is widely reported that the odds of which side of the Panama Canal your ship is likely to sail are 50/50, ships typically stick to the right wherever possible; meaning that port-side cabins will often overlook the canal  and passing vessels, whilst starboard staterooms will have views of land as you traverse the canal.

When it comes to the Norwegian Fjords though, there is really no argument when it comes to port or starboard… when you enter a fjord, the only way to get out again is to go back from whence you came, and as such you’ll be sure of majestic scenery whichever side of the vessel you are on; the only difference being whether you see it in the morning as you arrive, or in the evening as you sail out. This is, in fact, a sailing itinerary where perhaps the very best place to make the most of the views is indeed out on deck where you are able to enjoy panoramic views both in the morning and later in the evening.

It is widely believed that ‘port out, starboard home’ is a phrase that actually explains the origin of the word ‘posh’… and to be honest when taking into account the timeless elegance of the traditional transatlantic crossings form the UK across to New York it is easy to see the link. However, it is interesting to note that this mantra only rings true on westbound transatlantic crossings!

A popular question from our clients is often which side of the ship they should book to get the best views on the iconic transatlantic sailings.. and given that the main excitement in terms of views is often the experience of sailing either in or out of New York City, with the key feature being The Statue of Liberty, the answer in this case is indeed ‘POSH’.

If you’re sailing from Southampton to New York, you are likely to find that port-side staterooms book up significantly more quickly than their starboard counterparts. This is due to the fact when sailing westbound into New York, port-side cabins offer amazing views of the Statue of Liberty as you come into port; whereas if you look to the starboard side, you’ll see the delights of Brooklyn. Choosing a port-side stateroom also means that you’ll experience the heat of the sun as you approach New York, rather than the cool breeze of the Atlantic.

Of course, it is true to say that these views are also breathtaking from the various vantage points out on deck, and not surprisingly, starboard cabins sell like hotcakes on the eastbound transatlantic voyages back to  the UK as they offer views of Lady Liberty as you depart The Big Apple.

When it comes to cabin selection, it is always worth speaking to the experts as we’re happy to discuss the benefits and to guide you on the best options for your chosen sailing itinerary, to ensure to make the very most of your cruise. So as always, when you’re thinking about your next cruise be sure to make me your first port of call 🙂