Cruise Talk: Grand Princess Balconies

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Topic: Grand Princess Balconies

luv2cruz
First Class Passenger
Member # 1129

posted 04-02-2000 02:50 PM

We are going on the grand princess on May 7th and are concerned about the balconies. We have a penthouse suite and really demand privacy, but it looks like the people above you can look down onto your balcony! Does anyone have any responses to this? Please let me know, we have paid a lot of money for this special room and it looks like the whole ship will be looking in on us!

Posts: 12 | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 04-02-2000 04:04 PM

I think it was the Grand Princess that was docked across from us in Martinque. From what I saw, yes you can look down and see much of the balcony below you. Where is the penthouse, aft or fore?

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

luv2cruz
First Class Passenger
Member # 1129

posted 04-02-2000 08:51 PM

Thanks for responding Gizmo! We are actually right in the middle of the ship. That is supposed to be the best location, and it's where we usually want our room to be, but it looks like the suites on the end of the ship have no one looking down on them? I don't understand how I can be spending a lot more money for a penthouse suite when there are several levels above me free to peek in!

Posts: 12 | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 04-02-2000 09:11 PM

luv2cruz,
The suites I saw from our veranda were aft and looked like they could see down into the next deck.
Along the side of the ship the veranda's were much smaller and I cannot remember if you could see down from those. Check around the internet , you may find more info on this. Look for reviews. I know I read something about this recently but I cannot remember where. I think I read the Norweign Sky had this set up. Hope you make out ok.

[This message has been edited by gizmo (edited 04-02-2000).]

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

starfish
First Class Passenger
Member # 986

posted 04-02-2000 10:08 PM

I recall being able to look down from the level of the pool deck and seeing all the balconies on each level.I believe they are tiered.I'll check out my video and get back to you.

Posts: 225 | From: Dallas,PA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

luv2cruz
First Class Passenger
Member # 1129

posted 04-02-2000 10:46 PM

Hey starfish!Thanks for your info. Please let me know after you look at your video. I spoke to someone who was just on the Grand and said that he's pretty sure that only a small portion of of balcony is exposed. I hope you understand our urgency, we have been waiting to go on this cruise for a year and really want to get what we paid for!

Posts: 12 | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 04-03-2000 12:50 AM

Luv2Cruz, Sorry to tell you this but passengers in some of the "BC Categories" on Baja Deck can indeed look down onto your "private" deck area on Caribe Deck. But I think there is a lip that you could stay under so that no one from above could see you. I find this to be a poor design move on the part of Princess and their ship designers. I could stand out on the wing above the Bridge and look down on nearly every cabin balcony on the side of the ship. Go see your Travel Agent and tell them about your concern. You may want to see if your Agent can switch you to Category "PS" or upgrade to "OS" which are all the way aft. This ship is very big and the difference in movement from the middle of the ship to all the way aft should not be too great. Hope this is helpful.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 04-03-2000 08:38 AM

Indeed you can see the balconies below you. I was in a BC category and was able to see the balconies two decks below me with NO problem by just looking over my railing.

Very poor design for any privacy, as there really is NO privacy with this design of balcony cabins.

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 04-03-2000 08:43 AM

This design bugs me too. I also remember being able to look down from the pool deck area.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

luv2cruz
First Class Passenger
Member # 1129

posted 04-03-2000 01:10 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice on my balcony problem, especially Barryboat.I called my travel agent at home yesterday and left my distress message and haven't heard back from him yet! I actually called Princess myself yesterday to try to re-book us into a higher category, but they told me all the rooms were "wait listed". We were told a few weeks ago that we may qualify for an upgrade, but I think the chances of this happening are kind of slim! So if I make a big enough "stink" about this, do you think I could get moved! If I had known this I would have been more particular about choosing the location of the room. But who would think they would have these expensive rooms in such a stupid location! What should I do now????Help!

Posts: 12 | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

starfish
First Class Passenger
Member # 986

posted 04-03-2000 07:48 PM

luv2cruz the wing above the bridge as Barryboat reported was where I saw the balconies.I think that is the only spot where you can see the balconys except as you already know now,from others above you.Hope you have a nice cruise reguardless.

Posts: 225 | From: Dallas,PA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 04-05-2000 02:39 AM

I wouldn't blame Princess, It's your travel agent who booked you into that cabin. If you would have come to me and told me how inportant your "privacy" was, I would not have booked you in that category. But perhaps your travel agent isn't familiar with the Grand Princess. Many people make the assumption that if it is a suite, then it's the best location, and best all around cabin, but the travel agent should truly understand what "your" needs are and then fit you to a stateroom that best fits "your" needs. I will say that it would be an easy mistake to make, so don't be too hard on your travel agent. The location of those PH suites are the perfect location, middle of the ship, and I think that you could sit out on your balcony and not be seen by other passengers, if you keep under the canopy over your balcony. When you step out onto your balcony and look up, if you can see the cabins above you, or the decks above you, then just stay back, closer to your sliding door, and move your deck chair accordingly, and you should still have acceptable privacy. However if you step out to the edge of your baclony and hang out at the railing, then people would probably be able to see you, not that they would care, unless you were unclothed. I wouldn't let this balcony situation stress you out. Go and enjoy your cruise.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

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