Alaska cruises--how many people did you see on the "secret viewing deck"?

[kay1864]

On the R/S ships (and maybe on the Vistas), there's a observation deck outside the gym that's almost deserted, and great for glacier viewing. When we last went to Alaska in 2003, the CD told us about it on the ship's tour. I was one of maybe 8 people on the deck, all of us snapping photos with no crowding, while on the deck above us I could hear dozens of people, presumably 3 and 4 deep.

Anyone used that deck during glacier time? Is it crowded now, or still sparse?

[jtl513]

When we were on the Lido forward deck on the Statendam (9/07) at a glacier it was less crowded than down on the bow, but when we were on the Amsterdam going through the Panama Canal (4/08) the forward Verandah and Lido decks were both as crowded as the bow. Maybe the temperature makes a difference! :)

[dandro]

We used that area a few times. I didn't realize it was supposed to be a secret. There were a few other people there. I preferred the view from the bow.

[themerle]

We used it last year when it was misty out. Most of the time, maybe three couples were present. Very nice spot for viewing.

[Himself]

You get onto that deck through the gym. If I am in Glacier Bay I would rather be down on the bow

[VegasK]

I was out there for a short time glacier viewing while I was waiting for my pilates class to begin.

Our instructor locked the doors to it about mid class because people kept walking through our class.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done quite a few Alaskan cruises on various shipa.

The area in front of the gym is NOT a secret.

On all our cruises -- there were quite a few people there all the time.

[sunviking90]

I agree the secret is out. On our recent Amsterdam cruise it looked quite crowded up there.