Cruise Talk: Balconies: a necessary evil?

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»	Cruise Talk » Technically Speaking » Balconies: a necessary evil?

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Topic: Balconies: a necessary evil?

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 08-25-2004 06:02 PM

Balconies can really ruin a ship but they are now an accepted part of the cruise product. Which ships do you think have dealt with them the best? My favourite solution is the Sun Princess sisters treatment; the balconies actually look like large windows from a distance and also serve to make the ships look much smaller than they actually are. Worst balconies? The rows of mismatched doors and windows on the Vista Class ships.

Mike

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-26-2004 01:21 AM

I also liked Crown/Regal Princess' cut-out style verandah openings. Even though they do not give the passengers as good of a sea view from their cabin, the profile of the ship is much cleaner. On the slightly newer Regal Princess, the openings were slightly enlarged for a better view and more natural light in the cabins.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 09-05-2004 06:42 PM

I believe that the DISNEY MAGIC and DISNEY WONDER have dealt with it the best overall.

Of course, there is the QM2 hull balconies, but there is no escaping the upper deck ones.

[ 09-05-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 09-05-2004 06:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
I also liked Crown/Regal Princess' cut-out style verandah openings. Even though they do not give the passengers as good of a sea view from their cabin, the profile of the ship is much cleaner. On the slightly newer Regal Princess, the openings were slightly enlarged for a better view and more natural light in the cabins.

These type of balconies are the same type used on VOYAGER, EXPLORER, and ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS. They are all essentially "hull balconies". I also prefer the look, and it's one of the reasons I think these are handsome ships .... or at least as handsome as a 140,000 gt ship can be.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 09-21-2004 09:17 AM

In my conversations with naval Architects is that balcony cabins are sold at a much higher mark up than windowed cabins. This is why we get 7 decks of them.

Their usefullness on a X-Atlantic or speeds over 18 knots is nil due to the wind.

Unless one is a misanthrope, most people do not use them for more than 15 minutes to an hour a day, or to read a book in silence.

What I like most about a balcony is to shut off the A/C, prop the door open to sleep to the sound and scent of the ocean through the night.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 09-21-2004 09:42 AM

[QUOTE] [What I like most about a balcony is to shut off the A/C, prop the door open to sleep to the sound and scent of the ocean through the night.

/QUOTE]

People who do this on a Carribbean cruise should be tared and feathered. On HAL ships, you cannot turn the AC off - you can only turn it up or down. There is a sign right on the balcony door requesting that you not prop open the door as the outside air (usually humidity) affects the AC, not only in your room but throughout the ship.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 09-21-2004 10:20 AM

Ist't it a bit technology gone berserk, if you are absolutely forbidden to enjoy the night sea breeze (in the mythic caribbean) because of the effect of it on the A/C...?

Modern technology should surely be capable of manufacturing A/C installations, where in a closed of room, the A/C can be put of, and a window opened ?

Some thoughts

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

ttbryson
Just Boarded
Member # 4367

posted 09-22-2004 12:08 AM

I agree with sympatico in that its a crime to leave your door open when you cannot turn off the AC. It affects the rooms around you and likely un-nessecarily adds pressure to the air condtioning systems. I do however, believe that some people believe that they have a right to keep their door open and do so regardless of what the sign says. I believe there should be a door sensor for the balcony attached to the AC system. When the patio door is open, no AC to the room. Simple as that.

[ 09-22-2004: Message edited by: ttbryson ]

Posts: 5 | From: Vancouver, BC | Registered: Jan 2004 | IP: Logged

soundsailor
First Class Passenger
Member # 4164

posted 09-22-2004 01:00 AM

If you want to sleep to the sound and scent of the ocean, then that should be your right to do so. Just close the door behind you as you make yourself comfortable on the balcony.

Posts: 150 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 09-22-2004 08:55 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Johan:
Ist't it a bit technology gone berserk, if you are absolutely forbidden to enjoy the night sea breeze (in the mythic caribbean) because of the effect of it on the A/C...?
Modern technology should surely be capable of manufacturing A/C installations, where in a closed of room, the A/C can be put of, and a window opened ?
Some thoughts
J

Johan thene its fun to open the balconie door and let the AC go grazy througout the ship that will learn theme. I believe HAL and the other lines must do something about this one must enjoy there balconie without worry iff the door is open ore closed.

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 09-22-2004 09:01 AM

There are no such signs on the QM2. I simply turned off the A/C and propped the door open a crack with a rolled magazine.

If there was a notice I would have complied.

PS: On the old Sea Breeze:

The plumbing systems on the ship are necessarily complicated. Do not flush any paper towels or sanitary napkins down the toilet or it will clog.

On the SSNorway:

one clogged toilet can affect 50 others in the same line

quote:
Originally posted by ttbryson:
I agree with sympatico in that its a crime to leave your door open when you cannot turn off the AC. It affects the rooms around you and likely un-nessecarily adds pressure to the air condtioning systems. I do however, believe that some people believe that they have a right to keep their door open and do so regardless of what the sign says. I believe there should be a door sensor for the balcony attached to the AC system. When the patio door is open, no AC to the room. Simple as that.
[ 09-22-2004: Message edited by: ttbryson ]

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Barrys
First Class Passenger
Member # 5053

posted 09-22-2004 12:16 PM

I too enjoy sleeping with the balcony door open to hear the sounds of the ocean below and feel the Caribbean breezes. On QM2 I saw no sign that suggested we could not leave the door open because of the airconditioning. I wonder what it would be like to leave the door open, however, on a trans-Atlantic crossing? Would it be too windy or too cool?

Posts: 44 | From: AKA Barryboat from the Midwest | Registered: Sep 2004 | IP: Logged

Hi Seas
First Class Passenger
Member # 5085

posted 10-14-2004 04:43 PM

It was either on board Carnival Legend, or Golden Princess where the set up was the A/C shut off automatically with the balcony door open. There's your technology!

Posts: 449 | From: Rockland County..A little above New York City | Registered: Sep 2004 | IP: Logged

sslewis
First Class Passenger
Member # 3649

posted 10-21-2004 07:56 AM

On mvClipper Adventurer, I managed to open the window, and know what sleeping with the sound and smell of the sea is!
On a balconied ship, I am not sure, as it may affect the rest of the cabins.
On the QM2, they really should have a way of turning the balcony into a verandah, as they do for patio....imagine reading a book there in mid-winter and sunbathing at the same time?

Posts: 2513 | From: Shipspotting Solent shores when weather allows.... | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 10-21-2004 11:45 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sslewis:
On mvClipper Adventurer, I managed to open the window, and know what sleeping with the sound and smell of the sea is!
On a balconied ship, I am not sure, as it may affect the rest of the cabins.
On the QM2, they really should have a way of turning the balcony into a verandah, as they do for patio....imagine reading a book there in mid-winter and sunbathing at the same time?[/QUOTE

The 'hull hole' style cabins could have been fitted with windows that could be opened. This would have given passengers the feel of a larger cabin if the window is closed as the verandah would become an extension of the main living area.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

bmajor
First Class Passenger
Member # 1754

posted 10-22-2004 02:43 AM

Have you ever tried to open the door to your cabin when someone is inside
and they have the balcony open???

Posts: 1371 | From: Orewa.New Zealand. | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

sslewis
First Class Passenger
Member # 3649

posted 11-01-2004 10:34 AM

I wonder if someone has knowledge of fitting sliding/folding doors to balconies?
They can be a real problem on Transatlantic just by the ship motion!
Many older liners had permanently enclosed Verandah, sometimes built into former promenades.
Victorian Conservatories have sold well in the UK.
Now, homes are built with much glass toallow light and sun whilst keeping the wind away.
It is a very sensitive Eco approach that modern cruiseships seems to ignore...

Posts: 2513 | From: Shipspotting Solent shores when weather allows.... | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

sslewis
First Class Passenger
Member # 3649

posted 11-04-2004 12:14 PM

QM2 should have winding windows linke cars.
I am sure it could be made remote controlled like the drop head roof on convertible cars.
One could just read his book in the hull-hole balcony, pressing the up button when the wind gets too strong...wonderful!

Posts: 2513 | From: Shipspotting Solent shores when weather allows.... | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

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