Balcony neighbor horror stories

[dplusd]

We always sail with a balcony and have never had a "horror story" with our neighbors. Oh, little things maybe, but nothing to impact our vacation or to cause us to consider NOT having a balcony.

 

The only negative experience I've had was on Princess in one of their mini-suite balcony rooms on Dolphin Deck, which are totally uncovered (on their Grand Class ships). Definitely didn't like the lack of privacy and the lack of any shade made the space uncomfortable may times. Occasionally we would find trash from above on our balcony and on a couple of days soot from the chimney coated all exposed surfaces! Princess...what in the world were you thinking with this design!

[TBone2K]

Only had two negative balcony experiences:

 

The upwind neighbours smoking and the smoke would swirl around in our balcony. That had not happened before, so may have been the ship design (Independence).

 

Only other problem was a one-off, the teens about four rooms ahead decided to fire party poppers off the balcony and besides the noise (which sounded like fireworks), the confetti and streamers from them got pasted along our balcony.

 

Not CREs (cruise ruining events) in either case. Never had a problem with nosey neighbours.

[Mimosa09]

Here is another thing that can happen on a balcony. When we cruised New Zealand-Australia, we were in Milford Sound in NZ (technically a fjord) looking at all the sights; geology, flora & fauna. There was a naturalist Princess brought on board to announce to us what we were seeing - like they do in Glacier Bay in Alaska. Well, a huge water bird - size of a pelican - decided to come "visit". It landed on someone's balcony (2 balconies over from us) and decided to check out the other balconies by ducking under the dividers and waddling along. :) Everyone keep trying to get it to fly off, but no go. The ship personel finally called up the naturalist to remove it! It almost went into someone's cabin. So funny!

 

-Rose

[Donut23]

After my divorce I moved into a condo complex . I had the pleasure of being right next door to the "Supreme High Executioner of all Condo Association Rules and By laws" :)

 

This whiny little thing, he reminded me of Ed Koch the former mayor of New York.

 

He used to ride around the grounds on his big adult tricycle with a pad of post it notes writing down "Infractions" (real or made up in his mind ) and leave them on peoples doors.

 

When I finally met my current wife and we bought a house for us and our kids to move into , The first house I fell in love with was on a large lot with my nearest neighbor 2 full lots away from me at the end of a dead end .

 

We loved the house too of course , but the location was the deal cincher.

 

Sometimes the best "Good Neighbor Policy" is a NO Neighbor policy :)

 

 

 

OMG! Do you live in Queens?

 

DH lives in a Co Op in Queens. I have lived in MD caring for my Mom.

 

Last Christmas Shadow (24 lbs. of terrier love) and I went up for Christmas weekend and kept a Megga low profile. Alas, the wicked witch of the north spotted us and reported us to the dreaded Co Op Board.

 

They in turn started the process to have DH evicted. 22 years of paying all fees on time, house on the market so we can buy one where we can all live together and 3 days to share Christmas. Go figure.

 

DH continues to come here to visit till both houses sell.

 

Gotta love those NY Co Ops-----NOT!

[babyher]

OMG! Do you live in Queens?

 

DH lives in a Co Op in Queens. I have lived in MD caring for my Mom.

 

Last Christmas Shadow (24 lbs. of terrier love) and I went up for Christmas weekend and kept a Megga low profile. Alas, the wicked witch of the north spotted us and reported us to the dreaded Co Op Board.

 

They in turn started the process to have DH evicted. 22 years of paying all fees on time, house on the market so we can buy one where we can all live together and 3 days to share Christmas. Go figure.

 

DH continues to come here to visit till both houses sell.

 

Gotta love those NY Co Ops-----NOT!

 

 

Pretty close .....Connecticut...Fairfield County , The Land of "Do You know who I am ?" :(

[avalon007]

Alas, I think we ARE the horror story since we've only had one minor annoyance but have probably caused a few.

 

The first year we cruised, you could still smoke in the cabin. The next door neighbors were a family of four with two teens. They were often out on the balcony so we wouldn't smoke out there (yes, we're smokers) but the teenaged son bought some kind of a drum at one of the ports and persisted in "playing" it late into the night...and all freaking day. We didn't say anything because, shoot, if his parents could tolerate it, so could we so we just let it go.

 

The next year, smoking in the cabins was prohibited, so I made the major mistake of peeking around the partition once to see if our neighbors were outside so that I could smoke without bothering them. My neighbor was in his tighty whites standing on the balcony. He was appalled. I was humiliated. Neither of us said a word but I've learned not to do that again. Now, my husband peeks UNDER the balcony divider (when that's possible) to see if he sees feet when we go out there to smoke. If there are feet, we wait to light up. Does it look nosey? Yep, and probably a little creepy, too...but we're trying to minimize the inconvenience for our neighbors.

 

We also have a bad habit of striking up conversations with our neighbors when we're all at the railing. I've never thought about it bothering somebody...I figured that, in such close quarters, people expect it and even embrace the socializing (it's a cruise ship after all). But I can see how some folks might not like that...so we'll try to be more sensitive in the future.

 

 

Good on you, nice to hear a smoker that is so considerate & also that you take on board what others say about socialising etc & are willing to adapt.

 

I have had 2 balconies, the first on Radiance in a forward cabin deck 8, no problems what so ever. I could see people below us on deck 7 smoking(the balcony extends out further on that deck) but it never wafted up our way.

 

Our second experience on Voyager this year was a hump cabin on deck 8, which was very bad for collecting smoke, due I think to the way the balconies on Voyager are more enclosed by the ships construction.

 

I will still book balconies, but it does bug me if others lack sensitivity for their neighbours with whatever they do. I try very hard to be quiet & keep our voices down so as not to disturb our neighbours, we don't smoke or play music or leave lights on.

 

I'm afraid to approach smokers as if they take offence then I feel there will be bad feelings the whole trip & I hate feeling that way. I get the impression from some of the smokers on this thread that I would get a mouthful of abuse if I approached them about it.

 

Sure, there are many smokers on here also that would be friendly & considerate if approached, but how do you know which sort your smoking neighbour is likely to be? Is it worth taking the risk & ending up in a worse situation where they may smoke extra just to p--- you off :confused:

[ticktoneer]

Our only balcony 'horror' was in an aft balcony cabin on NCL Jade which we were 'upgraded' into.

 

2 decks above was the buffet restaurant with an outside area. At night the deck crew hosed down the outside restaurant area and every morning all over our balcony and balcony furniture we had a myriad of different food bits, straws, straw wrappers, sugar/sweetener wrappers, hot drink stirrers, dust and dirt.

 

When i say "all over" I'm not exaggerating. You couldn't go out or else you'd stand on something. It was really gross and made me feel nauseous every morning.

 

All guests services said was "what do you expect us to do other than clean your balcony?"

 

(Which often didn't happen until around 1pm when our stateroom attendant got to us, so we were unable to use it).

 

:-(

[mrsfecura]

After our first 2 cruises in ocean view cabins we switched to balconies and will never go back to OCV. Love our balconies and have had no problems yet.

[Starry Eyes]

Pretty close .....Connecticut...Fairfield County , The Land of "Do You know who I am ?" :(

 

thanks for the laugh.

[bigque]

Forget the smoking issue because that dead horse has been beaten in the mouth for ever on here! What amazes me however are the people who think that their balcony is their own little private sanctuary that they should be able to sit out there and have peace and quiet 24/7. Kids are never to be out there making noise, you should never be out there speaking above a whisper, can't get loud and excited playing cards, etc. my God people there is nothing that says your balcony is your private little island that you can dictate every little thing that is an annoyance to you to be done away with. First you want smoking balconies on one side of the ship, then what's next... You can only rent cabins on the port side If you agree not to make any noise and starboard side is smoke free and noise free??? Geeze!

[KPfromCT]

Betcha I can top the list:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Lido balcony on the Carnival Breeze this past April...out there in the morning enjoying the sunrise and my coffee, when the neighbor (male) decides to come out...It's all good. Well, I think people forget that the glass windows under the railing are reflective, so yes, you can see what they're doing. I start to hear some weird noises, and yes.....this guy decides to start pleasuring himself, right on his BALCONY, while his wife and daughter were asleep in the room:eek::eek: DH came out, and went RIGHT BACK IN, as he was laughing too hard to stay out there....We couldn't make eye contact with him for the rest of the cruise:D

[Luvmesomeme]

Betcha I can top the list:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Lido balcony on the Carnival Breeze this past April...out there in the morning enjoying the sunrise and my coffee, when the neighbor (male) decides to come out...It's all good. Well, I think people forget that the glass windows under the railing are reflective, so yes, you can see what they're doing. I start to hear some weird noises, and yes.....this guy decides to start pleasuring himself, right on his BALCONY, while his wife and daughter were asleep in the room:eek::eek: DH came out, and went RIGHT BACK IN, as he was laughing too hard to stay out there....We couldn't make eye contact with him for the rest of the cruise:D

 

Since the glass was reflective perhaps he knew that you were there and was giving the show on purpose.:eek:

[KPfromCT]

Since the glass was reflective perhaps he knew that you were there and was giving the show on purpose.:eek:

 

:eek::eek::eek:EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WetToes]

Note to the 'spanker', 'if' you 'don't' want an audience, hang a towel (or 2 :eek:) strategically over the rail.

PS: I think some of you are looking too hard. ;)

[KPfromCT]

Note to the 'spanker', 'if' you 'don't' want an audience, hang a towel (or 2 :eek:) strategically over the rail.

PS: I think some of you are looking too hard. ;)

 

Are you speaking from "experience"?:rolleyes:

KIDDING!!!!!

Again, I was NOT being nosey, but when you hear "noises", yup, you are going to look.

[VillaHappy]

:eek::eek::eek:EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

x

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

x

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WetToes]

:eek::eek::eek:EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Are you speaking from "experience"?:rolleyes:

KIDDING!!!!!

Again, I was NOT being nosey, but when you hear "noises", yup, you are going to look.

 

 

Yes, I am. Not kidding (balcony club. I wasn't alone)! lol :p

I wasn't really referring to you. I agree if you hear "noises" you are going to look, but I don't think, in your case, I'm going to hang around for the finish. EWWWWW!!!

[Folk Singer]

I have gone on quite a few cruises but had a balcony only once. After that I never booked another balcony because I felt that I did not spend much time out there. Well for my birthday in January I have treated myself to a GS. I plan to spend quite a bit of time relaxing in my suite and on the balcony. Recently I was reading a post where someone stated that they stopped booking balcony staterooms because of the nosey neighbors. Is this common? What have your experiences been?

 

we never had any problems and with you in a GS you will probably have similar around you and so no peepers.

[jerrib]

I agree with most of your comment. However, as a smoker I would "Love" balcony sections segrated for smoking (I'm sure non-smokers would love it also).

 

Many posters have stated that as a non-smoker there is a 50/50 chance that you may end up being located near a smoker thereby curtailing your use of your balcony. Certainly disappointing and not what you paid for.

 

As a 'considerate' smoker I run the same 50/50 chance. I do not smoke when others are out on nearby balconies. So my favorite time in the morning with a cup of coffee and a smoke, in the afternoon with a good book or in the evening with a cocktail has not been possible in some cruises. 50/50 rule.

 

Both have booked balconies with hopes of enjoying it fully, both run the risk of this not happening. I would think that both sides would welcome and benefit from the line finally addressing the issue by defining sections. And "no" they don't have to know each passenger's smoking habits. They would simply state which cabins allow smoking on the balconies. Passengers would simply choose their cabins accordingly. Nothing would stop anyone from booking either.

 

I know I run the risk of being 'flamed' for my ideas. Especially from the non-smoking folks who would like to see a smoke-free ship altogether. I do not wish to offend anyone, just voicing my personal opinion.

[RockeyBullwinkle]

On our Oasis cruise last month, we were between 2 families with teens who were traveling together. One day, we returned from the port to relax on our balcony, opened the balcony door and there was loud music playing next door. I made them aware we were there, and they turned it off without us saying anything,thankfully. I can never understand why people think it is OK to play their own music without earbuds when others are in close proximity. Had that happen at the pool as well one day.

 

Another afternoon, I was sitting on my balcony and I could tell that the teens were out on both sides of us. All of as sudden a WET "something" ?washcloth, maybe? was pummeled across our balcony to the kid on the other side! Really??? The one kid sheepishly apologized when he realized I was sitting there.

Even tho' they didn't really talk back and forth over our balcony, I kind of felt like an intruder.

 

As with the smoking, it is always a crapshoot who your neighbors are.

 

sounds like some nice kids.. why would them being out on THEIR deck be a problem. I would blame the cruise company for putting you between family. why wouldn't they play music it's what teenagers do. they turned it down when they knew you were there.

 

 

Forget the smoking issue because that dead horse has been beaten in the mouth for ever on here! What amazes me however are the people who think that their balcony is their own little private sanctuary that they should be able to sit out there and have peace and quiet 24/7. Kids are never to be out there making noise, you should never be out there speaking above a whisper, can't get loud and excited playing cards, etc. my God people there is nothing that says your balcony is your private little island that you can dictate every little thing that is an annoyance to you to be done away with. First you want smoking balconies on one side of the ship, then what's next... You can only rent cabins on the port side If you agree not to make any noise and starboard side is smoke free and noise free??? Geeze!

 

[Retired LEO]

Our only balcony 'horror' was in an aft balcony cabin on NCL Jade which we were 'upgraded' into.

 

2 decks above was the buffet restaurant with an outside area. At night the deck crew hosed down the outside restaurant area and every morning all over our balcony and balcony furniture we had a myriad of different food bits, straws, straw wrappers, sugar/sweetener wrappers, hot drink stirrers, dust and dirt.

 

When i say "all over" I'm not exaggerating. You couldn't go out or else you'd stand on something. It was really gross and made me feel nauseous every morning.

 

All guests services said was "what do you expect us to do other than clean your balcony?"

 

(Which often didn't happen until around 1pm when our stateroom attendant got to us, so we were unable to use it).

 

:-(

 

WOW! Feeling nauseous over a few pieces of paper and a little dirt?

 

Ha Ha Ha

 

A little drama?

[Luvmesomeme]

I agree with most of your comment. However, as a smoker I would "Love" balcony sections segrated for smoking (I'm sure non-smokers would love it also).

 

Many posters have stated that as a non-smoker there is a 50/50 chance that you may end up being located near a smoker thereby curtailing your use of your balcony. Certainly disappointing and not what you paid for.

 

As a 'considerate' smoker I run the same 50/50 chance. I do not smoke when others are out on nearby balconies. So my favorite time in the morning with a cup of coffee and a smoke, in the afternoon with a good book or in the evening with a cocktail has not been possible in some cruises. 50/50 rule.

 

Both have booked balconies with hopes of enjoying it fully, both run the risk of this not happening. I would think that both sides would welcome and benefit from the line finally addressing the issue by defining sections. And "no" they don't have to know each passenger's smoking habits. They would simply state which cabins allow smoking on the balconies. Passengers would simply choose their cabins accordingly. Nothing would stop anyone from booking either.

 

I know I run the risk of being 'flamed' for my ideas. Especially from the non-smoking folks who would like to see a smoke-free ship altogether. I do not wish to offend anyone, just voicing my personal opinion.

 

Very well said! I wonder if anyone has every suggested this to the cruiselines?

[KPfromCT]

Very well said! I wonder if anyone has every suggested this to the cruiselines?

 

I know it's been mentioned to John Heald, Carnival's brand ambassador, and as of right now, it's not going to happen. I am a smoker, but I am a considerate smoker. I really try not to smoke at ALL if neighbors are on their balcony, however, with that being said, I would be ALL FOR IT. One side of the ship for smokers, and one for non. Seems logical to me, and keeps everyone happy. Hopefully, one of these days, we can all just get along:rolleyes:

[Retired LEO]

I know it's been mentioned to John Heald, Carnival's brand ambassador, and as of right now, it's not going to happen. I am a smoker, but I am a considerate smoker. I really try not to smoke at ALL if neighbors are on their balcony, however, with that being said, I would be ALL FOR IT. One side of the ship for smokers, and one for non. Seems logical to me, and keeps everyone happy. Hopefully, one of these days, we can all just get along:rolleyes:

 

That is not possible and can not work.

[ticktoneer]

WOW! Feeling nauseous over a few pieces of paper and a little dirt?

 

Ha Ha Ha

 

A little drama?

You didn't see it. It wasn't a few pieces of paper it was an outside restaurant floor full of paper, mushy wet food and dirt on a small balcony.

 

:-)