Balcony Questions

[akcruz]

Not what the OP asked originally but I will agree with the others we use our balcony a lot.  Mornings for early breakfast and getting ready for the day, during the afternoon with a cocktail and book, evenings while getting ready for dinner, and late night to watch the stars.  The more obnoxious people get around the pool and other areas the more I appreciate a quiet area where I can go.  

[fla33023]

We spend lots of time on the balcony as we're not "sit around the pool" people.  I'm so looking forward to my corner aft balcony on Indy in Nov. I have lots of magazine reading to do!

[HaveWeMetYet]

Very few people who get balconies make much use of them.

This is easily verified by simply looking up at them when you are in port. Also, when you are sailing out look at the other ships. Less than 5 percent of them have anyone out. Most of the time, it is almost none. I see more towels and clothes hanging out on balconies than people most of the time.

 

While some make good use of the balcony, it is only a tiny percentage who pay for them.

[Ocean Boy]

6 hours ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

Very few people who get balconies make much use of them.

This is easily verified by simply looking up at them when you are in port. 

Maybe when the ships are in port so are the people?

[PATRLR]

20 hours ago, MD_Dan said:

 

Is this video showing a standard-sized balcony?  Should we expect a similar size balcony on our coming Oasis trip?  This looks quite a bit larger than a typical NCL balcony, my most recent point of reference.  ("quite a bit larger" meaning maybe 18-24" deeper.  With balconies as small as they are 2' is a lot)

 

[PATRLR]

9 hours ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

Also, when you are sailing out look at the other ships. Less than 5 percent of them have anyone out. Most of the time, it is almost none. I see more towels and clothes hanging out on balconies than people most of the time.

 

While some make good use of the balcony, it is only a tiny percentage who pay for them.

I agree and I base my opinion on what we see when sailing and able to look at other ships.  

For us it's more about having that big window and the ability to open the door and not feel claustrophobic.  

[Ocean Boy]

Why does it really matter what anyone else does with their balcony? As long as you don't interfere with anyone else's enjoyment of their balcony, feel free to use yours as much or as little as you want. What other issues, that are none of one's business, can people find to stick their noses in and argue about?

[deliver42]

Royal's balconies are considerably larger thank NCL's or Princess's Royal class.

[NoShoes2]

22 hours ago, MD_Dan said:

After ten RCL cruises in inside staterooms (one with a virtual balcony), we've booked a balcony on Allure in November.  We're looking forward to breakfast on the balcony; sunrise/sunsets; and some quiet times there.  But I had a few questions ...

 

1. I've read online about putting up a hammock.  Any advice on this (pro or con)?  Are the balcony supports strong enough to hang it?

 

2. Are the curtains dark enough to not wake me at the crack of dawn?  Remember ...  We are used to inside staterooms?  Or should we just embrace the balcony sunrise and leave the curtains open all night!  What do you do?

 

3. Are headphones suggested or can we play music at a reasonable volume?

 

Any other advice for a balcony newbie?

Thanks!!

 

We find that the curtains block plenty of sunlight, although it won't be like an inside cabin. We notice some light around the edge of the curtains, but the sun won't be shining directly into the cabin just before your breakfast is due to arrive. 🙂 

 

We always bring a small speaker, but rarely use it on the balcony when our neighbors are out. Personally it wouldn't bother me if a neighbor we playing some nice tunes while we were our enjoying our balcony, but you never know. 

Reminds me of our last cruise, we were in line near this family who had a boom box with them blasting some nice cruise/beach themed music. It was a bit loud, I thought, but it was fun. They were obviously ready to get the party started. 

Enjoy your ocean view balcony. We booked a balcony on our second cruise and it spoiled use for anything else. I won't even book a cruise if I can't have a balcony now! 

[cruiseguy1016]

Everyone's taste in music is different and everyone's preference for volume level is different. Please use headphones if you are going to enjoy your music on your balcony.

[NoShoes2]

13 hours ago, Jcol5786 said:

Don't agree.We have room service breakfast on our balcony every morning. Naps in the afternoon, pre-Windjammer drinks in the late afternoon and a late night sitting looking at the ocean. Balconyviews are one of my favorite parts of the cruise.

 Agreed. When we've been away for our cabin I go straight to the balcony when we return. The balcony is one of my favs as well. 

[NoShoes2]

13 hours ago, Rusty_lock said:

DW would stay home if I didn't book a balcony.  

Me too!

 

[mjkacmom]

If we are docked we are usually off of the ship, or enjoying a less crowded ship. While sailing we are out there a lot, absolutely love it. At home we have a large wrap around porch which we also enjoy.

[Bxc53]

We really enjoy the balcony outdoor personal space. As far as music: AirPods or similar( mic drop) 😉

[gmerick]

1.  I bring a hammock.  I've never been asked to take it down except for days when the balcony is power-washed.  On sea days I spend hours during the day reading, watching, chilling. On nights warmer than 72 degrees I grab the duvet off the bed, and sleep on the balcony.  Set your hammock up at home, and measure distance between the end loops, then check your balcony size -- a standard 55 sq ft balcony is only 10 feet wide and 5.5 deep.  Diagonally, the longest distance between hanging anchors is 11.5 feet.  My habit is to attach one end to the balcony door sliding track, and the other to the divider panel lock, as that gets me the longest diagonal distance, and elevates the "head" end of the hammock.

 

2.  Don't know -- I never shut the curtains.  I tie a string arround the curtains on day 1 as a holdback, and the steward lets them remain open.

 

3.  If you listen to Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, and Lester Flatt, reasonable volume is OK.  Academy of St Martin in the Fields, quiet background music would be pleasant.  Something else -- I'll vote with my SuperSoaker.

[BecciBoo]

And no it isn't forbidden and they don't take it down.  Some cabins are better than others, this is aft on Voyager.  Side cabin balconies are harder but possible, they are mostly not wide enough.  We also had Voyager aft balcony 7388 but can't find the good pic.

In the next one you can barely see the end of the hammock  We use  these 

Edited July 31, 2023 by BecciBoo

[LEMJMcC]

16 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

Really?? I beg to differ. Maybe some people fit this category, but I doubt that the "vast majority" do. I drink my morning coffee on the balcony. I have never had a cup of coffee in my stateroom. Quite often I have a before dinner drink on my balcony while my wife gets ready for dinner. I have never had a before dinner drink in my stateroom. We get balcony cabins because my wife likes to sit on the balcony and read a book, she rarely reads a book in the cabin.

I totally agree with cruiseguy1016.  If we're in the cabin, we're on the balcony, unless in the shower or asleep!  Pre-breakfast tea/coffee & pastries as we watch the day begin and post-show snacks & desserts on it as we look at/for the lights of other ocean-going vessels.  If I couldn't get an unobstructed balcony, I wouldn't book the cruise.

[Ocean Boy]

8 hours ago, gmerick said:

 

2.  Don't know -- I never shut the curtains.  I tie a string arround the curtains on day 1 as a holdback, and the steward lets them remain open.

 

The first thing I do when getting back to the cabin for the night is open the curtains. I didn't pay for all that glass just to have it blocked. In the morning I am up before the sun anyway so don't need curtains to block it.

[cruiseguy1016]

17 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

The first thing I do when getting back to the cabin for the night is open the curtains. I didn't pay for all that glass just to have it blocked. In the morning I am up before the sun anyway so don't need curtains to block it.

 

We always ask our room steward to not close the curtains.

[CatieM80]

On 7/30/2023 at 8:14 PM, akcruz said:

Not what the OP asked originally but I will agree with the others we use our balcony a lot.  Mornings for early breakfast and getting ready for the day, during the afternoon with a cocktail and book, evenings while getting ready for dinner, and late night to watch the stars.  The more obnoxious people get around the pool and other areas the more I appreciate a quiet area where I can go.  

I’m with you! When I find myself starting to feel overwhelmed by the crowds of a full sailing on sea days, it’s so nice to have a place to go where you know you can be alone for a bit but still enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and sea views. 

[roupa]

I love a balcony but would settle for an ocean view if that’s all that’s available. An inside makes me claustrophobic!

a balcony is a luxurious perk in my opinion and I am thankful for that luxury in my senior years.  For those who are unable to book a balcony, you should feel thankful you can cruise!  There are plenty of opportunities to be out and about so you will be a able to enjoy a wonderful experience.

[bigque]

We are always in a cabin with a balcony and I think the black out curtains do a real good job of keeping the room dark when the sun comes up in the morning. If you have to have a completely dark room then that another story and you might be a vampire! 😂

 

I love my balcony and enjoying breakfast as we are closing in on the port for the day. I love it for getting away for the crowds for a while on sea days and enjoy my private spot to chill. I love sitting on it and enjoying a cocktail before getting ready for dinner for the evening. I love coming back to my balcony late night after hanging out in the shows, clubs or casino with a couple of slices of pizza and then laying back on my lounger looking up at the states and listening to the sounds of the waves as the ship glides through the sea! For me a balcony is priceless and did I mention that I love it??! 😎

[bigque]

Deleted double post

Edited August 1, 2023 by bigque

[MD_Dan]

1 hour ago, bigque said:

and then laying back on my lounger looking up at the states and listening to the sounds of the waves as the ship glides through the sea!

OK, I need to ask a followup question.  It looks like the standard oceanview balcony has a chair.  Do other rooms come with a lounger on the balcony?  If I had a lounger, I wouldn't be considering a hammock!

[CatieM80]

24 minutes ago, MD_Dan said:

OK, I need to ask a followup question.  It looks like the standard oceanview balcony has a chair.  Do other rooms come with a lounger on the balcony?  If I had a lounger, I wouldn't be considering a hammock!

I think some do, depending on the category and/or layout. There’s a video of 11162 on Allure, which is an Ultra Spacious Oceanview with Large Balcony. It appears to have a lounger. If you know your cabin number, check to see if there are any videos or pictures of it posted online. With a little digging, I bet you will get the info you’re looking for! Either way - enjoy your balcony and your cruise on Allure!!