My curiousity is piqued. If you've ever taken a cruise, has this really impacted your cruise experience that greatly?

In my opinion, they are nice and all, but it always struck me as funny that most observation lounges are deserted during the day. And most are also deserted during the evening as well, with only a handful of guests occupying what are usually vast spaces.

This is due in great part to the fact that they're located at the top of the ship, away from all the other bars, casino and dining spaces. And evening entertainment only attracts a handful of guests.

Curiously awaiting your input and thoughts.....

Having said all that above, I would travel on a ship without an observation lounge, but I'd miss it.

However, just to add fuel to the fire, I am very unlikely to cruise on a ship that I think is ugly (or at least unattractive) no matter how low the fare is or how appealing the itinerary is!

[ 04-10-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

The Starlight Lounge on the Loveboat is also well attended.

Canberra's Century Bar and Crows nest: 2 of them! however I was too young to drink when sailing her.

The Spinnaker lounge of the Norwegian Dawn is the only room that connects to the sea. Besides the Dazzles disco it is the only dancing venue.

Stella Oceanis Plaka Taverna was an early [piano bar] and late night [disco] watering hole with the midship Minos Lounge at other times.

The QM1 observation bar in Long Beach is a draw for locals and has great live music.

You are looking for a new sofa and walk into a furniture store., the store offers a very comfortable sofa with the most ghastly printed fabric you could ever imagine, would you buy it? The ghastly print does not weaken the sitting enjoyment in anyway! So tell me does the ghastly appearance make enough impact for you to decide not to buy the sofa, or do you still buy it because that specific furniture store offers only that sofa?

Onno

[ 04-10-2005: Message edited by: Onno ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
..... Likewise I like dedicated Cinema’s onboard ships, but I might only watch one movie all cruise. The danger with removing public rooms that appear infrequently used, is that you are taking away an element of passenger choice.
....

However, just to add fuel to the fire, I am very unlikely to cruise on a ship that I think is ugly (or at least unattractive) no matter how low the fare is or how appealing the itinerary is!

[ 04-10-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Sadly most ships use only video projectors and no proper film projection anymore. I know this is much more complicated, but for me it makes a big difference.) Following the trend of "cocooning" the cabins are getting more and more important compared to public rooms, so some of them are just disappearing.

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Originally posted by Ernst:
Why these lounge are usually empty I do not understand...I guess a lot of people just don`t find them....

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When I spend a week or two on a ship I of course explore every inch and every public room. It amazes me at the emd of a cruise when some people say that they never found certain public rooms! This is particularly true of public rooms which are located many decks above or below the main deck/s.

but to come back to the topic: (sorry, I guess this will be a long one again, but I have to stay awake, and have nothing elese I could do right now ...)

What do you prefere: Windows „leaning forward“ (like on a bridge) - having less reflections at night but less sun light - or “leaning backward” windows – having more sunlight, but maybe disturbing reflections?

Should there be a bar and some music, or should it be a silent room focused on the view, maybe with just a coffee machine, a radar screen and some charts?

Do you like the option to get outside quickly e.g. like on the Crystal Harmony – or do you prefer a view not obstructed by others standing outside e.g. like on the Crystal Symphony?

And to make it again a long post, a list of my favourite observation lounges (gosh, am I bored …):

Stella Polaris / Royal Viking Sun (Prinsendam)

The ship was/is a mess, but has some really nice public rooms like this fantastic lounge. The round shape also helps avoiding the “columns” of the windows to overlap, which usually is the case when sitting on a table close to a window and looking at gracing incident angle.

Club Belvedere / Europa (V)

One of the most elegant lounges I have seen. Weak link is the obstructing open deck space, which can not be reached directly from the Club Belvedere. The Club Belvedere on the Europa VI is a very, very nice lounge, but I would have expected an oberservation lounge from a new Europa, and also the only (!) open deck with a forward view is just in front of it.

Observation lounge on Crystal ships:

The Harmony has obstructing wide columns. Therefore it is possible to get outside quickly, which on the other hand might obstruct the view for those who stay inside. -> The Serenity seems to offer the perfect compromise.

Observation Lounge on Galaxy / Mercury:

A reason to book these ships - I guess the best large observation lounges, due to their high ceeling.

"Passenger bridge" on Finnjet:

Surprisingly a “bridge” dedicated to passengers has not been copied on any other ship.

Lounge/Restaurant on Silvia Regina / Finlandia (now Stena Saga / Queen of Scandinavia):

What looks like a giant TV-set from the outside is an interesting room extending over two decks with a superb view to the bow. Has somehow been copied on the new Hurtigruten vessels.

Norwgian Crown / Crown Odyssey:

Having “leaning forward” windows, with less reflections it is still a room with a lot of daylight due to a big skylight - sadly the recently added superstructure is obstructing the view a little bit.

“new” Hurtigruten vessels:

I usually pick the ship based on the amenities it has and never actually considered how important an observation lounge was until the Carnival Destiny when I went to find it considering almost every other ship I have been on has one and couldn't find it. I guess I took it for granted that the observation lounge would be present on every ship.

Sincerely,

Below are some photos of the observation/show lounge "Galaxy Of The Stars" onboard SuperStar Virgo.
These photos were taken during embarkation, so there were not too many people about. But, this room was used at all times of the day by the pax during the cruise.

Regards,
Mike

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I recall that it is almost impossible to get a seat in 'Black Watch's' obsevation lounge when entering or leaving port.

However, while in the open sea it is often quiet as there is of course little to observe.

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As to whether these lounges are a good use of space or not depends wholly on how they are used... On the Norwegian Sky for instance, the forward observation lounge was quite popular because they used it for high tea, pre-dinner snacks and drinks and entertainment in the evening. It was a very popular spot because you could sit/eat/drink most of the day and still view the sea whithout listening to the ruckas of the buffet lines as in the lido...

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Originally posted by bulbousbow:
Who are the majority of patrons of the Observation Lounge? The seniors (oldies)?

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Cheers

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I, for one, paractically live there. Since my first cruises on the original "Love Boats'" Starlight Lounges, HALs' Crowsnests and the Celebrity Stratosphere, these are places where you can sit, chat, make personal log entries on daily progress and sights (which I read later when planning my next one), meet first time cruisers on their honeymoon, retirees on their umpteenth cruise. and practically everything in between. In almost all cases these are the kind of people who are not afraid to climb the falls in Ocho Rios or Heli-Land on a glacier outside of Juneau. It just seems to be the place to "hang" when at sea when you are tired of barbequeing yourself at the lido.

I cruised the QE2 twice and my only complaint was the lack of forward looking lounge. I know she had one when launched but it was relagated (as part of the Galley??) after her first or second year. Does anyone know why? Anyway I was glad to see that the QM2 has one and look forward to one day crossing on her.

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I recall that it is almost impossible to get a seat in 'Black Watch's' obsevation lounge when entering or leaving port.

However, while in the open sea it is often quiet as there is of course little to observe.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Likewise I like dedicated Cinema’s onboard ships, but I might only watch one movie all cruise. The danger with removing public rooms that appear infrequently used, is that you are taking away an element of passenger choice.
]

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I have never been a big fan of the stage shows after dinner. They're just not my cup of tea. When I cruised on RCL's Crown Odyssey I would almost always go the the Cinema after dinner and quite often the theatre would be at least half full. Unfortunatly the cinema has been replaced with inside staterooms and a teen center.

quote:

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Originally posted by bulbousbow:
Who are the majority of patrons of the Observation Lounge? The seniors (oldies)?

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quote:

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Originally posted by bulbousbow:
Who are the majority of patrons of the Observation Lounge? The seniors (oldies)?

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No...anyone that enjoys a sea view especially when entering or leaving port!

[ 04-13-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Malcolm wrote:
No...anyone that enjoys a sea view especially when entering or leaving port!

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I suppose, but I would rather be outside when this occurs or on my own balcony if the action was on my side of the ship. How about during sea days? Lounging with a drink (or cocktail), relaxing and enjoying a passage through islands or viewing the passing of ships in a shipping lane.

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