beachchick

We sailed Radiance in Alaska a couple years ago, and we found that for that sailing, guests were MUCH less likely to dress formally than on our previous warm-weather sailings.

 

I concluded that it had much to do with the itinerary. Alaska sailings seemed to us to be much more about the scenery and the ports than shipboard life. That was certainly the case for us. Also, people need to bring warmer clothes, leaving less room for formal wear.

 

Just my observation.

That is similar to our experience with an end-of-the-season 4 day Canada cruise (prior to repo for the winter). We were newbies with only 2 other cruises at the time and, even though we had a week in Vancouver before and a week in Seattle with our daughter after, we packed a suit for hubby and a long cocktail dress with all the "add ons" for me. Our table mates turned out to be less than an enjoyable, so we did Chops on formal night and casual the last night (yes, everyone, we found our MDR servers and tipped them personally). In Chops, only 1/2 the passengers were dressed as we were. It's okay though because we looked good and enjoyed ourselves. I suppose the upside of a cooler weather cruise is that there aren't many shorts or t-shirts worn day-to-day or in the evening, but lots of long pants/slacks and long sleeved shirts.

We don't really care what others wear, but I do think it's rude to come to formal night or really any night in the MDR--even if the evening's attire is only suggested--in shorts and a tank top. Have some self respect and wear slacks and a collared shirt at least. That's just basic manners.

I have to admit that the last time we did the whole formal deal with tuxes for the men and long cocktail gowns for the ladies was an anniversary cruise we took with my sister and BIL. Now hubby brings slacks, dress shirt, tie, and dark v-neck cashmere sweater and I bring a simpler dress and short heels (my docs won't allow high ones anymore:(). We started doing alternative dining on formal nights and wear those outfits then and through the evening (though hubby takes off the tie after dinner; fair enough with me as he's worn quite enough ties and tuxes in his life). It's our personal compromise with what works for us now, while not being total slobs. On non-formal nights, it's been casual slacks (not jeans) for hubby with collared shirt and sweater if it's chilly, and slacks or skirt with nice top or everyday dress for me since we started cruising. Our choice. And while I might privately roll my eyes at someone slobbish going to the MDR or what have you on formal nights, I don't think more than 3 seconds about it before moving on with whatever we are doing.

I guess my advice is to wear what is comfortable while not forgetting that manners matter. Is it really that hard to put on slacks, tie, and jacket for a few hours? Is it really so trying to pack one decent dress or dressy pants outfit? Nah. Some people simply don't care. They are the same people you see everywhere in life who have the attitude of "It's all about what I want, the heck with everyone else."

Okay, personal rant finished. And crud, now I am once again missing cruising even more. This whole bad health thing really sucks sometimes. Well, maybe it's time to ask the docs if we can go ahead and plan at least a short one. It's been too long.

beachchick

I dare anyone to try to take my little fan from me these days! Go ahead and see "menopause granny" come out. To think I was almost looking forward to not, well, you know... I used to carry a little battery operated fan in my day pack for hot climates. I didn't quite realize that "hot climates" could include just me.:D

beachchick

When was the last time there was a band playing as you sailed away?

 

A booklet with passengers names listed?

 

Charge for lounges at the pool?

 

Drinks that were cheaper than in the States because the liquor was duty free after sailing away?

 

All meals were served at your seating time not just dinner?

 

You got smutty from the engine soot up on deck?

 

Nost of the crew were the same nationality as the ship?

Band at sailaway: 2006, NCL.

Booklet with passengers' names: Never; started cruising too late for that and, frankly, would not have wanted our names in a booklet given to strangers under any circumstances. In fact, we would have made sure we were not listed. Privacy has always been a big deal to us and it is certainly a huge issue these days, so I can understand why cruise lines don't want the liability concerns.

Charge for lounges: Given the prevalence of chair hogs, that's not the worst thing in the world to reinstate.

Cheaper drinks: Don't recall; no doubt because we didn't cruise much until 2001. We did enjoy buying at the duty free shops onboard for take home, but now that airlines charge so much and given that we're not close to cruise ports so we have to fly, we don't even do that these days.

Assigned meal times for all meals (and no real room service or buffets or alternatives): Early 1980's on Princess and mid 1970's on a tiny Scandinavian ferry line. Hated it then and would hate it now. We don't care to have enforced dining times or cruise line assigned tablemates because we don't necessarily know when we'll be hungry and we prefer making new friends of our choosing and in less structured environments.

Soot: Again, Princess in the early 1980's. I hear that aft balconies can really get messy on some ships.

Crew nationality: I don't recall.

beachchick

We don't decorate our doors on cruises or any vacation. We also have no problem if others enjoy doing so. As long as the decorations are not obtrusive (once, there were balloons as part of the decorations that kept flapping into the passageway and causing a problem; they were taken down after the first day), insulting to others, or against cruise line rules, it's just something that makes people happy.

One note is that the cruise lines are very particular about passengers not using tape of any kind because it can harm the paint on the doors and walls of the cabins. I remember reading a few instances where people were actually charged for damages caused by the use of tape. Other than that, as long as it doesn't interfere with others or with safety, what's the harm?

beachchick

Although I did not envision this digression when I initially started this post (and I am guilty as anyone in promulgating this thread), the obvious point is that my wife and I recognize and will follow the "no pool for children who are not potty trained" rule. We were only trying to confirm what many people used as an alternative solution. The duckie was the answer we were looking for. We just purchased one. The highest point of the bathing area doesn't even reach the bottom of my calf muscles and it is 10 inches wide by 18 inches long. There are shoe boxes bigger than this thing. Now that we've seen it, we are actually more excited to use this as a bath in the bottom of the shower for our soon-to-be one year old (he will turn one on our cruise). For those of you who suggested the duck bath, thank you. Okay - time to have a Baby Ruth by the pool. :)

May I ask a question? You mentioned earlier that you would put the duck tub on a lounge if there is no deck room. Were you serious? I think that is really risky and may even be against the rules. The lounges are good, but not the steadiest things in the world. There is certainly the possibility of a fall. In any case, the lounges are not intended for that use.

I am not saying don't bring the duck tub, but I am saying that using a lounge for it is a bad idea for many reasons. Find an out of the way spot for it on the deck for everyone's sake.

beachchick

I just realized that I might have offended some people last night. I want to make it clear that I'm not saying couples who swing have sex in public, etc. Clearly, there are rules and customs that mean that is inappropriate--I don't know exactly what they are, but from reading here, it's obvious that they exist partly so that no one will be uncomfortable or embarrassed. I'm afraid I went a bit overboard in my examples.

beachchick

Umm ... beachchick .... sounds like you got some interest there! :D:p

Umm...No. We have no interest in the swinging lifestyle, period.

Having no problem with nudity or even somewhat provocative behavior (that is, behavior by others) in no way means having an interest in anything. Good grief, just because we enjoy topless/clothing optional beaches and just because the idea of an adults-only cruise might be enjoyable doesn't mean we want to have sex in public or with different partners or anything except simply enjoy sunbathing without clothing. It's rather irritating that anyone would assume otherwise. If there were standard adults-only cruises on the lines we prefer and can afford, we'd be all over that in an instant. There aren't, so we might consider other options. That doesn't mean we would participate in various activities. Not a chance.

beachchick

Last year we had booked the Dawn, aft balcony 10230 and the upsell fairy gave us a deal to a suite (boy, does that spoil you fast). I think it helps if you are in a room that they know they can sell or upsell easily.

I think so too. Very often members report that they were upsold from prime aft or other popular locations. We were as well.

I always see posts about the upgrade fairy. I'm already booked in a penthouse suite. Does the fairy ever offer upgrades from penthouse to let's say haven???:D Lol anyone ever have that happen to them? Fingers crossed :o

Upgrades (no extra fare): Rarely, very rarely, as in "less than once in a blue moon." Upsell: Yes, but not all that often. However, we were upsold from an aft mini to the one bedroom Haven. It does happen, especially on cruises that are not selling well. It's easier, I think, for them to resell a regular penthouse or to upsell someone in a mini or balcony into the penthouse and then resell the mini or balcony.

beachchick

I love lobster bisque, and was very disappointed the first time I ordered it, then mad at myself the next time I ordered it a few years later, having forgotten what it was like. In general that does happen to me on occasion, as I tend to forget that recipes used on the ship come from all over the world, so those unwilling to take a gamble must remember to ask appropriate questions when ordering. That doesn't necessarily solve the problem, as the language differences with your server can be a problem as well. Though I don't often return food once it is ordered and served, at least that is more common on a cruise ship than at your local restaurant, especially a local mom and pop where the wasted food could be more of a problem than on a large ship.

 

In any event, thanks for the reminder! We are sailing in May.

I am so glad that I'm not the only one who hated the lobster bisque. I admit to being picky about seafood quality and we do live by the coast (west, so no Maine lobster unless flown in...but I digress). But the entire flavor was off and it was an unappealing consistency. Ick.

beachchick

I can't fully make it out on the photo of the menu, but it appears to me that they are trying to say that the Certified Angus beef they serve is considered by restaurants to be a "step above" prime grade beef.

 

Uhhhh... REALLY !! :rolleyes:

 

Tom

Guess someone at NCL doesn't understand the difference between a type of beef (e.g., Angus, Kobe) and a grade of beef (e.g., prime, choice, select). It's idiotic to say that a type of beef is a "step above" the grades of beef.

Ah well, we will pass on Cagney's dinner next time because of the new menu. There are plenty of other dining options.

beachchick

Oh, no. Those people who followed the schedule and got on the bus before you, and waited for you to board, should ask you (politely, hat in hand), if you would prefer their seat. Are you joking?

Wow, that was harsh and wrong. Please read the post again. This is where a tour bus, day trip or otherwise, has several pickup points (e.g., hotels) where passengers gather. Those who are last on the scheduled pickup route are following the schedule. No, it's no joke that those people might be reasonably peeved if they are on a multi-day trip to be told, "Tough luck that the tour company picked you up last. They don't care that you paid the exact same fair as the group of people picked up first. Your view for the entire trip will be of the onboard potty." Geez, it's not as if the passengers get to create the pickup map! I think in these circumstances that tour companies should insist on a reasonable rotation of seats.

beachchick

Very interesting points of view. For me, this just reinforces one of the many reasons my hubby and I have never taken bus tours unless there is no other option and this tour is something we don't want to miss. Of course, it's not really an option now because of our current physical disabilities. There is no way, just no way, that he could physically tolerate a bus tour of any kind.

beachchick

I'm afraid my hubby and I frustrated our (Haven) butler. Our usual category is balcony and we are unused to that kind of service. Plus, we're usually so self-sufficient that we felt funny asking for too much. He, on the other hand, wanted to do much more for us. At that time, the Gem-class Haven suites received soda and water (bummer that they don't now) and he made sure our mini-fridge was stocked with our preferred ones. He remembered what treats we liked and brought more of those. He checked in with us a few times every day when he knew we "at home" to see what else we needed. He took care of any issues we had, such as the night we were ignored at a busy Cagney's for 20 minutes and left the restaurant. He immediately phoned to the concierge, who phoned the restaurant. Then he brought us a bottle of wine (compliments of the concierge), took our order, and served us course by course in our suite. And he was really fun to chat with about life, travel, cruising, etc. We always got the feeling that he enjoyed his job and not that he wanted to do more for us to earn higher tips.

I have told my hubby more than once that the next time we are blessed with a suite (fingers crossed), we will not be so self-sufficient and will take full advantage of the perk--with the appropriate attitude ("please" and "thank you" are really big in our vocabulary) and tips to match. One thing we would never do, even though it's been listed as a perk, is ask the butler to unpack for us. Aside from the fact that we prefer to put our things away ourselves, we think that is a bit much to expect and just seems a bit too "Upstairs, Downstairs" or "Downton Abbey," if you prefer.

beachchick

Thanks for this review. My hubby and I are not in the lifestyle ("in the lifestyle" is correct?) and have no interest in it, but have always wanted to take a no-kids cruise on one of the lines we enjoy. It would never have crossed our minds to look for a charter like this. Truth is that I would have been afraid we'd feel like outcasts or prudes or, well, whatever. But it sure would be nice to have the option of sunbathing topless and having some of the freedoms not available on regular cruises. May I ask how overt the activities were? We're comfortable with nudity, sexy attire, and even somewhat provocative behavior, but would be very uncomfortable with things like sex in public places, etc. It sounds like that was not the case and I know that people in the lifestyle are usually very committed to their partners and have specific "rules" for appropriate behavior both in public and between consenting adults in private. I just don't quite know how that works.

beachchick

Have been reading this thread just because it amazes me what will launch folks into "conversation" :D

Now am very glad to have kept reading and found out about truelemon! Began drinking a lot of Crystal Light lemonade after kidney stones and not too sure I should drink so much, considering all the stuff in it. Now can try something new and, hopefully, purer!

CC offers something for everyone!

I cannot stand the taste of aspartame, but of more concern is that my body can't stand it either. Splenda is not as bad, but I still don't like it much and I really don't like how it's made. Of course, much of it is personal taste. My beverage of choice is sparkling water (love, love, love our Soda Stream and RO water) and most often these days use either the Soda Stream pure flavorings (no sweetener of any kind, just oils and extracts) or a splash of pure juice such as black cherry or a squeeze of lemon or lime. More and more I'm finding that it's better to just have regular cane sugar in small quantities, so I have been using raw Maui sugar for my coffee and agave syrup for my tea. I have been using True lemonades for quick beverages when traveling or on the go if I don't want plain water.

Often the sweetner is not just made of stevia-but has sugar alcohols that are added with it. It is more the sugar alcohols like isotol/maltitol and very little stevia, (stevia alone has an aftertaste) which many cannot tolerate. I cannot tolerate sugar alcohols-they turn me into "f*rtzilla." So like "Tru" brand which is stevia and sugar alcohol, that I cannot use. At least I can't and socalize with others anyway.

 

I do not like nutrasweet-too many bad side effects. I will use Splenda but I use it sparingly. It is a sugar alcohol also-but my system tolerates it-not sure why I can use splenda but not other sugar alcohols. I do use stevia some too-the one that is pure stevia that is-it does have an aftertaste, but nothing like "sweet and low". As far as taste-splenda tastes the most like sugar, but who knows what it does to your system. I use it some because sugar is a bigger "evil" for me.

 

However adding a bit of lemon juice to water is great-and it does not have to be sweetened-so the healthiest! I do that alot.

Funny, isn't it how picky our bodies are and how different? My body cannot tolerate aspartame, especially coupled with caffeine, but is okay with Splenda, which I don't care for all that much. I think you're right that sometimes we have to go with whatever is "less bad" for us. I guess one good thing for me is that I've been off diet colas for quite a while now, so I'm not getting the phosphoric acid that can leach calcium from the bones. At my middle age, I need all the calcium my bones with absorb.

I just checked the True site and discovered that they've changed the lemonade formulas!:( I have a bunch I bought on sale a while back before the change. The ones I have contain stevia and evaporated cane juice for sweeteners, but no sugar alcohols, no refined sugar, and no color added. I do not like this new formula, so I'll probably be off True once I've finished what I have at home. Bummer. Also, I noticed that the plain True lemon now have cane juice, so they are no longer truly sugar free.

I am becoming a big fan of lightly juiced club soda as a good alternative for my body. Have you tried agave syrup? It dissolves easily and just a bit adds plenty of sweetness for my taste. I can have regular sugar as long as I pay attention to how much and how I combine it, so I do make old fashioned lemonade from fresh lemons and cane sugar sometimes. OTOH, we like our lemonade on the tart side, so it's not that much sugar per glass.

beachchick

I second True Lemon as a good choice. Both the Original Lemonade and Raspberry Lemonade have stevia, but it is a natural sweetener. Some people do not care for it and, I'm sure, some people can't tolerate it, but I've gotten quite used to it and the nice tartness of the lemon (oils and dehydrated juice) balances it nicely. It's pretty darn yummy and super easy to take traveling.

beachchick

I don't think it's tacky at all. Tacky is going to a restaurant and ordering ice water, then asking for a bowl of lemon wedges to make your own lemonade--particularly when they have lemonade on the menu.

 

I see adding the Mio about the same as bringing your own sugar or salt substitute. If the cruise line offered Mio flavored water then it would be tacky. They don't, so it's not.

I don't think it would be tacky even then. What if they don't offer the flavors someone prefers or if someone wanted to use more or less flavor? Mio is added to water, it's not a packaged drink, so there is definitely personal preference in flavors and strength.

It would be no different from people who bring their preferred tea, soda, or water. It would be no different from people who, when allowed by the cruise line, bring their preferred wines. The cruise lines offer tea, soda, water, and wine. Yet, they don't necessarily carry the items that everyone wants or needs.

Adding flavor to water at any venue would be not tacky, IMO.

beachchick

Please add my condolences to you and your family. Just the thought of losing my dear hubby makes my throat choke up, and we've already had 30 years together with our daughter now grown and with a daughter of her own.

My only perspective here is really from my mom's life. My dad died suddenly at 71, again of course after many decades together and the kids all grown and married. But I suspect the shock was similar. By the time the holidays rolled around that year, she had decided to take a 3 week trip (Elderhostels, not a cruise) over their anniversary, Christmas, and New Year. We always have our side of the family together for a long Thanksgiving weekend, so we still had that. It was just that she wanted to be away and distracted during a time when they always traveled together (usually camping in their small RV). She said it was the best thing she could have done and we, of course, were not at all upset at her choice.

One of the things she mentioned was that by then she was tired of everyone worrying about her and making sure she was okay and, her words, hovering over her. Getting away allowed her to both grieve on her own and learn to enjoy her life in a different way. I mention this because I wonder if by then your children will be overwhelmed or sick of everyone hovering over them all the time. It might be a perfect opportunity for you to start to live again, to draw you and your children together without the distractions (as kind as they may be) of everyone else wanting to help all the time. That can be exhausting and painful in it's own way, when you have to spend your precious energy reassuring others that you're okay. Taking the cruise could be a time for you to spend that energy helping your children and yourself begin to heal.

If you decide to go, please, please, I urge you to take some time just for yourself. Go to the spa, have a massage, lie by the pool, or even just spend time alone to cry if you need to, to remember the wonderful times, to rest/nap, or whatever you find restorative. I can only imagine how exhausted you will all be by then and getting away from the day-to-day stresses could be the best thing to do.

Of course, you are the only one who can say whether it will be healing for you and your children. Do not listen to anyone who says you must go or who says you shouldn't go. The only right answer is the one that you feel is right.

Be assured that you will be in the thoughts and prayers of many, many of us here.

beachchick

Bus cost $2.00. Takes 30 minutes

 

Leaves Kakului on the hour.

Leaves Lahaina on the half hour

Actually, it's about an hour by bus from Kahului to Lahaina.

beachchick

Sorry - I meant Kahalu'u Beach Park, as mentioned by Beachchick!

That's okay. I meant to write south end of Ali'i, not north. Duh.

beachchick

Wow. I agree that it's too much.

Notes about Mauna Kea: You must spend an hour at the Visitor's Center before going to the summit. Yes, you must have a commercial excursion unless you are renting a 4 wheel drive vehicle (from a company that allows driving to the summit). Commercial excursions do not leave from the Visitor's Center; they leave from Hilo or the Kona area and last many hours. Visitors may not remain at the summit itself after sunset. Your plan to drive to the summit after sunset will not be allowed. The University of Hawaii has stargazing at the Visitor's Center every clear night of the year. Poor night vision and night driving from Mauna Kea is a risky mix. Going to the summit of Mauna Kea is an all day activity.

Regarding your second day: Yes, trying to go to the green sand beach is too far with your flight time. It also takes time to hike in and out. Yes, you will need to kayak in across to the K-Bay snorkeling area or take an excursion boat. It's not a "drive down and hit the water" place. The drive to the place where you'd launch to kayak is about 1 hour, depending on traffic, from where you're staying. There are no facilities at all at the K-Bay snorkel areas. Don't forget that you need to be at the airport at least 1 hour before your flight and traffic in and around Kona can be a buggah.

I urge you to continue reconsidering your extremely aggressive (and IMO, unrealistic) schedule and decide on exactly what is most important to you. For us, the Mauna Kea summit was amazing and well worth the effort, but we were on the island for 5 days the trip we went up and did it with the UoH weekend tour where you must have a 4 w/d, meet at the Visitor's Center, have an hour orientation, and then caravan up with the UoH guides. Last trip, we finally made it to K-Bay and thought it was wonderful too. But with your short time frame, you might want to consider snorkeling up on the Kohala coast near and north of where you're staying or go down to Kahalu'u at the north end of Ali'i in Kona. It's super, super, super easy snorkeling, but turtles are almost guaranteed.

Regardless, I hope you have a wonderful time.

beachchick

Did I say I couldn't afford it? I don't think I did. It's not about affordability, it's about discrimatory pricing. Why am I cruising? Because I like to, but that doesn't mean I don't look for deals and when I think there are ones that are unfair, I'll speak out. That's my right.

 

Has the world gone crazy looking for deals, of course. No more so than my friends in the US IMHO. No charge for changing staterooms, no loss of deposit, price drops, state specials, I could go on. Do we get them over here in the UK? No.

Since my hubby and I cruise most often just the two of us, I tend to agree. It's irritating to know that we can only do this when we cruise with others. OTOH, I am just as irritated by children's pricing in the specialty restaurants. Why? Because many or maybe most 10 year olds (especially boys, cliche but true) eat as much or more than many adults (especially "mature" folks). Yet, many cruise lines have reduced surcharges for children, sometimes to include anyone younger than 18. Is it really fair to charge a 17 year old teen 50% what a 75 year old pays?

I suppose that any discount of any kind can be seen as discriminatory by those who aren't included. I know I often feel that way and have to remind myself that these are business decisions and that I never say no to any discount that we do qualify to have.

beachchick

It may be your private balcony where you think you can do anything you want anytime you want but there are exceptions.

 

While in port we (probably hundreds of us) saw a man completely naked on his "private" balcony showing off his assets to the world. :eek:

 

Even in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you would be arrested if caught doing this.

There is a time and a place for everything.

Agreed! In port, especially with other ships nearby, is not the appropriate time/place for it. No way--And this comes from someone who enjoys clothing-optional and topless beaches, etc. and believes there's not a thing wrong with toplessness and nudity. Just please, keep it to appropriate times and places.

beachchick

Has anyone tried giving ginger capsules (or meclizine) to a dog that gets car sick?

You absolutely must talk to your vet about that. Although there are many meds that work well for both humans and dogs (or cats, etc.), the dosages, side effects, and uses are different. Some medications that humans take are toxic to other animals. I'd say that ginger would probably be fine, but even that isn't certan considering that onion and garlic, delicious and healthful for me, are dangerous for dogs and cats.

beachchick

Beachchick, did you read my comment a few days ago about how the judgemental and myopic people always feel the need to randomly chime in on topics on which they know nothing? TopDeck fits that category. I find it kind of ironic that, going by his early post about surreptitiously checking out, from behind dark sunglasses, the topless deck on the Carnival cruise that he was on (because he HAD to see it for himself), he would come across as now making negative comments about the very people he was ogling. Sounds pretty hypocritical to me.

Good point.

You're attitude that "If kids want to look--they look" is a bit cavalier and risky. IF you can be seen from an adjacent balcony, you should proceed with caution. I'll be traveling with my young child and if we're on our balcony and can easily see you through a gap, I would probably make a report. It will be hard to tell if you're a "naturist" or just creepy. You should be aware of who your neighbors are and how much they can see. You have the whole free-style deck--why push the boundaries.

You really can't easily see through the gaps. On most ships, you would actually have to be actively trying to look at your neighbors. If you or your child are doing that, then you are in the wrong. Trying to make sure your neighbors are clothed by peeking onto their balconies seems pretty creepy to me. BTW, the "whole" Freestyle deck is very small.

I agree, that is then the way it should have been worded and therefore I wouldn't have felt it was "full of it". Sorry I was just going by the actual wording.

 

I don't agree or disagree with your position on the explanation of children, nor do I really care as my children have far grown past the kiddie stage and have little ones of their own. However yes I did feel you were chastizing that poster (and perhaps it was borne from the threat). But they were just answering your question in your original post complete with an explanation and what they personally would do if they saw someone like you lounging "au naturel". And since they could not read minds to know that that really wasn't what you were trying to ask. In all fairness they were just answering.

 

As for the threat, if you do offend someone because, as I said, regardless to you being told this is your "private balcony" (and I have read that write up on the NCL site). I wouldn't be a bit surprised, if I were you, to have a knock at your door asking you to refrain because it isn't private in the sense of others viewing only in the fact that the only people that can sit there is whoever you invite to join you. Think about this a resort may have the word "private beach" in their write up but they don't mean you get the pleasure of doing whatever you wish, but that outsiders (not staying at that resort) do not have the privelege of using it.

 

In answer to your reworded, I have no idea. I personally wouldn't and that has nothing to do with naked=sexual but in turn the word modesty comes to mind. As well clothes are my best friend and they actually make me feel good. As I also said above basically to each their own and I am not about to judge what you wish to do.

It's not at all like a resort with a private beach. The comparison on a ship would be a private beach (owned by the resort) and the pool deck (owned by the cruise line and only for the passengers). A private balcony with closed and opaque partitions is not open to all other guests/passengers. A comparison here would be a private balcony off a resort guestroom and a private balcony attached to a ship cabin. I would have a real problem with that knock on my cabin door if I'm on my private balcony not in general public view and someone next door "reported" me because they or their child intentionally tried to look.

Cabin balconies (with certain exceptions such as the large forward suites) are not open to the rest of the ship. Other passengers have to intentionally attempt to see onto the adjoining/other balconies.

I notice that you and others have mentioned not being nude on a private balcony because of modesty or similar beliefs. No problem, but to then say that you don't judge others who you would deem immodest for doing so is, well, judgmental. That's fine too because we all judge each other--it's human nature. I just think it's important to acknowledge it.

beachchick