Privacy on balcony

[vpoopsy]

I posted this under "balcony size", but figured I'd start my own.

How "private" are the balconies? I know some ships are set up where the decks stair step so you can look down and see the balcony below you. Just wondering in case I wanted to sit out on the balcony.....:) :p

[Krazy Kruizers]

Not on HAL ships - no "step" - I know what you are referring to - sailed on the Grand Princess.

Unless you have a cabin on the hump on the Vista class ships - lots of privacy!!

[vpoopsy]

Sweet!!! Now I've just got to keep praying for a nice upgrade.

[TedC]

I posted this under "balcony size", but figured I'd start my own.

How "private" are the balconies? I know some ships are set up where the decks stair step so you can look down and see the balcony below you. Just wondering in case I wanted to sit out on the balcony.....:) :p


On Vista ships you can look down on at least sections of some of the stern balconies from upper decks.

And riders of the glass elevators on Vista ships can get a brief "vista" of balconies directly adjacent to the elevators.

Both locations are great for exhibitionists!

[Copper10-8]

I posted this under "balcony size", but figured I'd start my own.

How "private" are the balconies? I know some ships are set up where the decks stair step so you can look down and see the balcony below you. Just wondering in case I wanted to sit out on the balcony.....:) :p

Uh huh!;)

The majority of HAL's balconies are pretty "private". Somebody last week mentioned the "Balcony cam" that's installed to help the pilot get on board . That's the only thing you have to watch out for when you're "sitting out and reading your book"

[vpoopsy]

Balcony cam to get the pilot on board? I'm confused.

:confused:

[Copper10-8]

Balcony cam to get the pilot on board? I'm confused.

:confused:

Just kidding vpoopsy! No cams! The balconies on HAL are as private as your're gonna get with the exception of those on the aforementioned Vista class ships (the aft ones and the ones on both sides of the glass exterior elevators) Can't beat sitting out on your balcony having breakfast, reading a book, sipping a drink, watching the sunset and/or whatever else you want to do! Go out and enjoy them!:)

[vpoopsy]

Boy, am I gullible or what!! Should have known coming from you, copper, that it was a line of BS.:rolleyes:

[tomc]

I think I'm the one who mentioned the Balcony Cam, but it wasn't for the pilot. I forget what the context was, but it had to do with the crew's choice of tv channels. As vpoopsy pointed out, pure bs.

[Copper10-8]

I think I'm the one who mentioned the Balcony Cam, but it wasn't for the pilot. I forget what the context was, but it had to do with the crew's choice of tv channels. As vpoopsy pointed out, pure bs.

Looks like you and I have a reputation to uphold then......as BS artists;)

[FRANKIEDNYC]

Private, Yes But The Partitions Have Ears

[DougandEric]

The balconies are private unless steps up to the divider and looks around. I figure if they do that, they get what they deserve for peeking!

On the Oosterdam this past January, I decided to sit out on the balcony for awhile while the DH was in the library. I was wearing a suit although I thought about not wearing it! Good thing; while sitting out there, the steward came in and delivered a bottle of champagne compliments of the hotel manager. I never heard him and he didn't let me know he was there. However, same rule applies to staff. Good thing DH wasn't there and we were 'reading' a novel!:D

[vpoopsy]

oh, that would have been awkward. I'll remember the "ears"

[turia]

The balconies are private unless steps up to the divider and looks around. I figure if they do that, they get what they deserve for peeking!

On the Oosterdam this past January, I decided to sit out on the balcony for awhile while the DH was in the library. I was wearing a suit although I thought about not wearing it! Good thing; while sitting out there, the steward came in and delivered a bottle of champagne compliments of the hotel manager. I never heard him and he didn't let me know he was there. However, same rule applies to staff. Good thing DH wasn't there and we were 'reading' a novel!:D


What's the name of that novel you would be reading?

[Copper10-8]

What's the name of that novel you would be reading?

The Encyclopedia Brittanica!;)

On the Oosterdam this past January, I decided to sit out on the balcony for awhile while the DH was in the library. I was wearing a suit although I thought about not wearing it! Good thing; while sitting out there, the steward came in and delivered a bottle of champagne compliments of the hotel manager. I never heard him and he didn't let me know he was there. However, same rule applies to staff. Good thing DH wasn't there and we were 'reading' a novel!:D

Just curious, did you have the "Do not disturb" sign in the outside facing slot on your door when the steward came in ?

[DougandEric]

No - I didn't have the sign up. It was early to mid-afternoon and wasn't expecting anyone to come by until turndown. Good thing I was just reading and napping!

[OceanLiner]

They are "private enough". That being said several dozen people on RC Mariner of the Seas discovered that their balconies were not private enough.

We had been parallel parked in port with the Mariner all the way at the far end toward the sea. For those of you who have not seen this class of ship, it is very large, and the sides are all glass with balconies. Our ship was in the middle and kicked out it's stern and slowly backed out while passing along side of the Mariner, only about 25 feet away. It was late afternoon and many couples had been showering from a day on the beach, and many more were testing to see how private the balconies really were. Also, no one had their drapes drawn, so we even had chance to help people test the privacy of their staterooms with floor to ceiling glass.

Needless to say no one on the Mariner expected to have 1500 people pass by their glass rooms at a distace of 25 feet. It was one of the most entertaining and instructional segements of our cruise.

[vpoopsy]

Thanks for sharing that story. I hope no one took pictures!!!

[babyher]

Thanks for sharing that story. I hope no one took pictures!!!

Or pointed and laughed *LOL* :)

[dorothyl]

My DH and I have one of those aft balconies. If anyone has a picture could thry post it. How unprivate is it? This is our first time on HAL.

[sail7seas]

My DH and I have one of those aft balconies. If anyone has a picture could thry post it. How unprivate is it? This is our first time on HAL.

Depending upon which deck, your entire balcony is visible from above. People in cabins above and people standing at the rail at aft pool can look down on just about the entire balcony except a small area closest to the door.

But they are huge and most people say it is worth it to them.
We prefer being in an "S" on the side of the ship.

[BillandJen]

Hello All:

I recently booked cabin VB6091 on the Noordam's Upper Verandah Deck. Are there any major or minor concerns to this cabin location. I see from layout that the balcony is next to the elevators on the side of the ship. I was thinking that the mid-ship location would be good. This is the the first on Holland America and the first where the elevators travel on the side of the ship. Overall, does anyone have any experience with the impact...if any...the elevators or location present.

Thanks.

Any other info would also be GREAT for a Holland nubie.

[RevNeal]

CLICK HERE (http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/.Pictures/oosterdam2005/outside/aft1.jpg) to see a downward looking view from the aft Lido Deck of the Oosterdam. This is how much privacy those with aft Verandah cabins and suites have.

[RuthC]

I see from layout that the balcony is next to the elevators on the side of the ship.
If your's is the cabin immediately adjacent to the glass elevator then your verandah is completely visible to anyone on the elevator.
I paid particular attention to that when I sailed the Noordam.

[turia]

I guess no tanning nude:(

[vpoopsy]

CLICK HERE (http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/.Pictures/oosterdam2005/outside/aft1.jpg) to see a downward looking view from the aft Lido Deck of the Oosterdam. This is how much privacy those with aft Verandah cabins and suites have.
Well, the picture tells it all!!

[BillandJen]

Well, the verandahs themselves are well-shielded from view by the walls
on either side and the deck above, so people looking out the side of the
elevator (which doesn't stick out very far at all from the side of the
ship) wouldn't be able to see you on it (unless possibly you were
leaning over the railing).

This is the reply I got from Holland America.......concerning the balcony next to the elevator.

[RuthC]

This is the reply I got from Holland America.......concerning the balcony next to the elevator.

They are sadly mistaken. :D

[BillandJen]

Thanks for the reply. Do you think I would be better to change. A cabin 1 in from the end near the elevator is available. The cabin next to the cabin that is next to the elevator. Or....will I be fine.

[TedC]

Thanks for the reply. Do you think I would be better to change. A cabin 1 in from the end near the elevator is available. The cabin next to the cabin that is next to the elevator. Or....will I be fine.

For normal balcony use I don't think it's a big deal. The elevators are quiet and zip by. But on one Vista ship I was on, I forget which one, the balcony adjacent to the elevator looked extra small. We've been on all the Vistas except the Noordam.

[CruiseBumm]

WE were in an aft cabin on RCCL. It wasn't very privat. I could see parts of the balconies on eigther side and the ones bellow. Don't know about HAl aft cabins with balcony. But I certianly won't book one on RCCL again.

:rolleyes:

[jackkip]

Not on HAL ships - no "step" - I know what you are referring to - sailed on the Grand Princess.

Unless you have a cabin on the hump on the Vista class ships - lots of privacy!!

ok, this might be a dumb questions but what is a "Hump"?
Jackie

[RuthC]

Thanks for the reply. Do you think I would be better to change. A cabin 1 in from the end near the elevator is available. The cabin next to the cabin that is next to the elevator. Or....will I be fine.
That's strictly up to you! I'm a cave-dweller, so if I were to have the balcony cabin next to the glass elevator I would be thrilled! Ted, it did look to be the same size as the others along the side.

Mid-ship is the smoothest ride. A cabin nearer to aft is handy to food, but is a long distance from the entertainment and lounges at night. So, is it easy to coffee in the morning? Or a quick walk home after a long night out and about?

[caviargal]

Not on HAL ships - no "step" - I know what you are referring to - sailed on the Grand Princess.

Unless you have a cabin on the hump on the Vista class ships - lots of privacy!!

The aft cabins on Vista class ships (except for deck 8) have a mostly exposed balcony.

[Tricia724]

ok, this might be a dumb questions but what is a "Hump"?
Jackie

The "hump" or "bump out" refers to the area of the ship where the width changes. You really need to look at a deck plan to understand the layout.

On HAL's Vista class ships, there is a forward section, center section, and aft section. The center section is indented (narrower). The end cabins of the center section all have pie shaped balconies. If you stand at the far corner of the balcony, you can see the entire balcony of the cabin next to you.

[jackkip]

So are the hump cabins better? Is the Balcony larger? Thank you everyone for the info.
Jackie

[OceanLiner]

Ohhhhhhh, there was pointing and yelling; and have you ever seen a ship enter or leave a port without everyone at the rail with a camera?

In fact one startled guy was coming out of the shower and decided the heck with it, walked to the glass rail, and waved to all of us!

[Sea King]

Every balcony on HAL is private SORT OF;)

remember this: no matter what, if you have a next door neighbor who likes to imitate being an emu, you could be in for a shock:eek:

then again, so might the neighbor:eek::eek:

have fun:D