Will they bring you a chaise lounge for your balcony or not?

[kymbakitty]

I should have posted this a long time ago, but when I was first booking our cruise, I noticed that the drawing (dimension) of the balcony was not large enough to accomodate a chaise lounge (deal breaker for hubby)...so I knew that the category/cabin I was looking at would not not work.

 

I had read a lot about the "extra large" balconies on the Grand's Emerald Deck, more specifically, E729/E728. I even saw pictures of the balcony and the two chaise loungers on it.

 

Then I started to read a few posts that discussed that the loungers were no longer allowed (something to do with a fire on the Star years earlier)...and other than suites, loungers are NOT permitted on balconies anymore--regardless of the size of your balcony.

 

This was an issue---I was not going to book the cruise. I explained the information to my TA (in the biz for 30 years) and he said he had never heard this before and proceeded to contact one of the reps he had at Princess.

 

He got back to me and told me he was ASSURED this was not the case and all we had to do was request the configuration of 2 chaise loungers and they would be on our deck (trust me, I wouldn't bet $1.00 that this would happen, but this part is not important). I told him of the many threads discussing this very topic (no chaise loungers on balconies!!!) and I even sent him a few of the threads. He responded again telling me it simply is not true and he has confirmed with the "ship manager" (I know, no one knows what/who a ship manager is) and was assured it was NOT going to be a problem.

 

This guy is a little bit older (remember, he's been in the business for 30+ years), so I don't want to be disrespectful to his knowledge in the field, but I have to tell you, I still have my doubts about this.

 

Someone had suggested I start a new thread asking this specific question (the discussion a couple months ago was buried into a completely different thread).

 

So....has anyone successfully (or unsuccessfully) requested chaise loungers for their mini suites....preferably the large E729/E728...or even better....were they already there when you got on board?

 

Any information would be very much appreciated. Trust me, I'm leaning towards believing that they will not let us have one....and I also know that my TA's email stating that they will let us will not be worth 2 cents once on board.

 

Thanks!!!!

 

Dawn

[Toto2Kansas]

Most of the pictures I have found of these two staterooms with the extended balconys are older pictures that were taken before the rules changed (the ones I have posted both here and on webshots included, since we have had these mini suites in the past several times, but not recently).

 

Since the Star Princess fire, they no longer allow the chase lounges from the pool deck to be taken to passenger's balconys. Yes, I am saying your TA is incorrect on this one, totally incorrect, completely incorrect. We have actually discussed this while onboard attempting to have a chase lounge brought in for the balcony, and the answer has been a definite NO, not allowed.

 

This used to be done all of the time, until Princess changed the rules, now it is forbidden.

 

Now, the only chase lounges on balconys are those found in full suites (which I would guess must have some sort of fire retardent materials on the cushions).

 

You are going to be out of luck on this venture, sorry!

[Clutterlady]

Sorry, on the standard balcony cabins, loungers are not allowed. On the Caribe deck, their balcony's are larger and they do have 2 semi loungers where just the backs recline.

[SingerEsq]

In 2008, our traveling companion had one of the aft regular cabins with the extended balcony. Upon her request, they happily brought her a lounge chair from the pool deck.

[michigan tim]

Just drag your mattress out there :D :eek: :cool: :rolleyes:

[cruzendude]

If its a deal breaker for your husband you may have to look at other lines for this....I know on Royal Carib the "hump cabins" on the Radiance class have larger balconies and your room attendent will bring you a lounger...

[Toto2Kansas]

In 2008, our traveling companion had one of the aft regular cabins with the extended balcony. Upon her request, they happily brought her a lounge chair from the pool deck.

 

The Tahitian aft cabins are totally covered and seperated by metal walls between balconys, totally different than those on the larger ships.

[kymbakitty]

Sorry, on the standard balcony cabins, loungers are not allowed. On the Caribe deck, their balcony's are larger and they do have 2 semi loungers where just the backs recline.

 

 

I'm actually referring to a mini suite, although I doubt that makes any difference (only a full suite make a difference, or so it seems).

 

I think if the chair actually reclines (wonder how far....flat?)....he should be fine. But I know he would not want to "sit" on his balcony for 14 days!!!

 

He loves laying in the sun....I avoid the sun like the plague....he will be able to get some sun at the end of the covered balcony and I won't have to worry about being in the sun!!!

 

Dawn

[SingerEsq]

The Tahitian aft cabins are totally covered and seperated by metal walls between balconys, totally different than those on the larger ships.

 

True, there are bulkheads on the sides, but hers certainly was not totally covered as we could look up to the aft decks of the ship, as well as sit in the suh.

[Colo Cruiser]

I guess you will find out if he is full of it or not once you are onboard.

If it does not happen you probably won't trust him again right? :eek:

 

I say no. :)

[Toto2Kansas]

I guess you will find out if he is full of it or not once you are onboard.

If it does not happen you probably won't trust him again right? :eek:

 

I say no. :)

 

Colo, excellent answer. :)

[bhopal21]

I guess you will find out if he is full of it or not once you are onboard.

If it does not happen you probably won't trust him again right? :eek:

 

I say no. :)

 

I think you have a better chance of being upgraded to the Grand Suite.:rolleyes:

 

Mike:)

[cherylandtk]

I can only say that since the Star fire, I have not seen any posted pictures of full loungers with the new furniture nor do I recall seeing any posts saying pax were able to get them. This is specifically on the Grand Class ships.

 

The high back loungers do not fully recline; cannot lie on your tummy, for example.

[LuvTheGoodLife]

We have sailed the past 5 years in the extra large/covered balconies that face fully aft (C752/53 or B748/49). These balconies can easily fit 2 loungers and many of the older photos of these balconies show them with 2 pool loungers in place.

 

Our first time in one of these cabins, prior to the Star Princess fire, I believe - we arrived to our C752 balcony to find 2 pool loungers. Lovely!

 

The next year, we arrived to find no loungers and asked our steward to provide them. He hemmed and hawed and said he was having difficulty locating them for 4 days and finally one appeared. Fast forward one year, next cruise, same balcony-no loungers. Asked the cabin steward and after some hemming and hawing finally told us - he could not bring them to our balcony and quoted the rules about insufficient fire retardancy for use in passenger cabin areas. One year later, next cruise, same balcony - no loungers. Asked cabin steward and he said No - due to fire rules and please do not take it on ourselves to bring them down from pool because if cabin services supervisor saw them, he would reprimand our cabin steward for not following the rules.

 

I now look at the balconies visible from the side of the ship as we leave and exit from tender ports and I no longer see any pool loungers on passenger balconies as I had several years ago.

 

So, our experience has been pool loungers are definitely been disallowed for use on passenger balconies, even when the balconies are large enough to accommodate them. We have learned to make due with the partially reclining chairs and the small table as foot rest. Would I prefer an actual lounger on my balcony? Absolutely, but it would not be a deal breaker for me to book the cruise knowing they would not be provided.

 

So, I would trust the reported experiences of those who have sailed on Princess ships and requested these over a TA who was talking to Princess over the phone...

[kymbakitty]

I guess you will find out if he is full of it or not once you are onboard.

If it does not happen you probably won't trust him again right? :eek:

 

I say no. :)

 

My gut has always told me that the postings of the message board were always more accurate that what a TA reports--even if they've been in the biz for 50 years! Heck, most of the TAs selling cruises today in local offices have never cruised before!!!!!

 

My TA said not to believe 90% of what I read on message boards (as if I was a 16 year old) and that "they" traced down one poster only to have him admit he was just causing a rukus and it was not true. Yah....whatever. I would much rather rely on folks that have been on the ship recently because most people have no reason whatsoever to make anything up.

 

We'll see....

 

Dawn

[psklak]

Fire on the Star happened when we were passengers on the Carribbean Princess. Lots of discussion even then. 18 months later we sailed to Hawaii on Carnival and had a suite. We asked for loungers and were told they were not allowed since the Star fire. Hope that helps.

[kymbakitty]

We have sailed the past 5 years in the extra large/covered balconies that face fully aft (C752/53 or B748/49). These balconies can easily fit 2 loungers and many of the older photos of these balconies show them with 2 pool loungers in place.

 

Our first time in one of these cabins, prior to the Star Princess fire, I believe - we arrived to our C752 balcony to find 2 pool loungers. Lovely!

 

The next year, we arrived to find no loungers and asked our steward to provide them. He hemmed and hawed and said he was having difficulty locating them for 4 days and finally one appeared. Fast forward one year, next cruise, same balcony-no loungers. Asked the cabin steward and after some hemming and hawing finally told us - he could not bring them to our balcony and quoted the rules about insufficient fire retardancy for use in passenger cabin areas. One year later, next cruise, same balcony - no loungers. Asked cabin steward and he said No - due to fire rules and please do not take it on ourselves to bring them down from pool because if cabin services supervisor saw them, he would reprimand our cabin steward for not following the rules.

 

I now look at the balconies visible from the side of the ship as we leave and exit from tender ports and I no longer see any pool loungers on passenger balconies as I had several years ago.

 

So, our experience has been pool loungers are definitely been disallowed for use on passenger balconies, even when the balconies are large enough to accommodate them. We have learned to make due with the partially reclining chairs and the small table as foot rest. Would I prefer an actual lounger on my balcony? Absolutely, but it would not be a deal breaker for me to book the cruise knowing they would not be provided.

 

So, I would trust the reported experiences of those who have sailed on Princess ships and requested these over a TA who was talking to Princess over the phone...

 

I think this is correct....I don't really care what my TA said.

 

As far as the deal breaker, everyone has different "currency." I will have to ask hubby if it was a deal breaker. I have no idea if the pseudo lounger with table will suffice. He has been surprising me for nearly 20 years, so I will just have to wait and see.

 

But not to take away from what is important to him....he spends an awful lot of time on his balcony....so it wouldn't so much be a deal breaker per se, we would just have to make sure we had a full suite. Neither one of us spend a dime in the casino--I know for others that if the ship didn't have a casino, they wouldn't bother going--ha! Everyone has something that is important to them...and this just so happens to be one for him. Hopefully the make-shift lounger will suffice!!!

 

Thanks all...

 

Dawn

[billet]

Here is the normal configuration on a balcony. The short back chairs do recline somewhat if that helps but they are certainly not lounge chairs

 

[kymbakitty]

Here is the normal configuration on a balcony. The short back chairs do recline somewhat if that helps but they are certainly not lounge chairs

 

 

 

Yes, I've seen that diagram (similiar) before...but the E729/E728 on the Grand has an unusually extra large balcony....definitely can handle 2 chaise loungers with plenty of room for chairs, etc.

 

Dawn

[Pam in CA]

As far as the deal breaker, everyone has different "currency." I will have to ask hubby if it was a deal breaker. I have no idea if the pseudo lounger with table will suffice. He has been surprising me for nearly 20 years, so I will just have to wait and see.

As has been said, it's a fire hazard to have one of the full loungers brought to your balcony. While it's always possible a steward might be accommodating enough to do so, it still remains a fire hazard and if reported, the steward could be reprimanded and a black mark put on his/her employment record. There are some who don't care that by asking their steward to bring a lounger anyway they could be putting his job or promotion in jeopardy. They are pleased that they got what they aren't supposed to have and that's all that matters. But most of us do care about these wonderful people who make our vacation special.

 

As for the half-loungers, they really are fine on a balcony. When you use one of the chairs for your feet, it's almost the same thing. The high-back reclining half-lounger goes all the way back. Here's a close-up of the loungers and chairs.

[cynbar]

We have had those semi-reclining chairs on our balcony, and honestly, I don't think they compare to full loungers. If this is really a deal breaker for your hubby, I would be hesitant to book. It could make for a really LONG cruise!

[Toto2Kansas]

We have had those semi-reclining chairs on our balcony, and honestly, I don't think they compare to full loungers. If this is really a deal breaker for your hubby, I would be hesitant to book. It could make for a really LONG cruise!

 

I totally agree with you on this. If having a fully reclining lounge was a deal breaker for my cruise, either I would book a full suite or find another cruise line that supplies loungers on balconys. I am not all that fond of those straight back semi reclining chairs either, and although they are OK for a short time, for someone who spends all day out on the balcony and likes to recline, they may be annoying, to say the least.

It won't matter how large the balcony is if a lounge chair is what you are after, as it will not be given to you in a mini suite on Princess larger ships.

[ginbuck]

On both the Pacific and Royal we were in an aft cabin between the suites. There was room for a lounger. I asked the cabin steward on both ships if he could bring me one and he said it was no longer possible. Now on one ship I did see a passenger walking down the stairway carrying one to his room from the pool. I would do that in the dark of night if you must.

[Pam in CA]

Now on one ship I did see a passenger walking down the stairway carrying one to his room from the pool. I would do that in the dark of night if you must.

Oh, great. I would have reported them so it's removed. Sorry, I don't think someone's personal preference trumps safety.

[AFT_LOVER]

then there is no fire hazard. Nothing with a flame & we can have loungers. I am Caribe with a 200 sq ft balcony & I want a lounger to sun in instead of the pool deck & chair hogs.

 

 

As has been said, it's a fire hazard to have one of the full loungers brought to your balcony. While it's always possible a steward might be accommodating enough to do so, it still remains a fire hazard and if reported, the steward could be reprimanded and a black mark put on his/her employment record. There are some who don't care that by asking their steward to bring a lounger anyway they could be putting his job or promotion in jeopardy. They are pleased that they got what they aren't supposed to have and that's all that matters. But most of us do care about these wonderful people who make our vacation special.

 

As for the half-loungers, they really are fine on a balcony. When you use one of the chairs for your feet, it's almost the same thing. The high-back reclining half-lounger goes all the way back. Here's a close-up of the loungers and chairs.