Cruise ship balconies are one of the best places to relax at sea. It’s lovely to have your own bit of outside space to retreat to if the top decks are busy, and you want to have some quiet time.
But when you have dozens of balconies packed closely together, what you do on your balcony can very quickly affect everybody around you.
I was recently sailing onboard Norwegian Epic when my balcony neighbours did something I genuinely never expected.
They cut their toenails whilst out on the balcony – then let the clippings blow straight across onto mine! It was disgusting!
So, inspired by that delightful experience, here are five things you really shouldn’t do on a cruise ship balcony.
1. Cut Your Toenails and Let Them Blow Onto the Next Door Balcony
When I sailed on the Norwegian Epic, I had a nice balcony. Just below me were the lifeboats, where seagulls tended to gather, but I have no problem with that at all….
I could hear a cabin neighbour out on the balcony next to mine, although I had no idea what they were doing…
It was quite windy that day, and I soon noticed toenail clippings blowing under the balcony dividers! (They could have been fingernails, but they seemed too big!)
Balcony dividers don’t mean your balcony is completely isolated from the others around it. There are gaps around the top and the bottom, and partition doors that the crew can open when balcony cleaning is taking place.
(You can also ask for these doors to be opened if you are travelling with the people in the adjacent cabins and you want a larger balcony that you can all share.)
You can see from the photo above that anything from the next door balcony can easily blow underneath the barriers; they aren’t always fixed down to the floor.
It’s just not polite to shake crumbs, hair, nail clippings or any other rubbish off your balcony. You don’t know where it will end up.
You shouldn’t be throwing things off of the side of the ship, but even if you do, it is quite likely that they will blow back onto the ship – and end up with someone else!
Have a look at my unique Norwegian Epic cabin in the video below. It is very different from all other balcony cabins I have stayed in. Some people love it, but many hate it…
2. Play Loud Music
Your balcony might feel private, but it absolutely isn’t soundproof.
People nearby may be trying to read, nap or enjoy the sound of the sea.
Music and loud phone or video calls can travel across multiple decks and balconies.
This is especially annoying early in the morning or late at night.
Headphones exist for a reason – be considerate to your fellow passengers.
3. Sit or Climb on the Balcony Railing
Never sit on, lean far over or climb onto the railing for a photo.
Cruise ship railings are designed as a safety barrier, not a seat!
I regularly seem to hear in the news that people have “fallen off” a cruise ship. Going overboard would mean getting past substantial barriers.
No photo or TikTok video is worth risking your life for – and if the cruise line finds out that you acted in this reckless way, they are well within their rights to disembark you at the next port with no compensation.
You may also find yourself banned from the cruiseline for life!
Find out more about that in the article below:
Is It Possible to ‘Fall’ Off a Cruise Ship? (Real Pictures of Safety Barriers)
Never let children climb on balcony furniture positioned near the rail – that should be common sense.
Cruise ships are safe places for children, but they must be supervised closely when on top decks, open decks or balconies.
Have a look at examples of cruise ship decks and safety barriers if you are concerned about taking your child on a cruise ship here:
4. Throw Anything Overboard
Don’t throw rubbish, food, cigarette ends – or anything else into the sea.
Even seemingly harmless things shouldn’t be tossed overboard.
Also avoid leaving light items unsecured on the balcony because wind can pick them up and send them over the edge.
Items might end up on the balconies below, rather than in the sea, which isn’t very neighbourly!
When my parents were on their balcony on Norwegian Epic, the guests below called up to them to see if the pair of shorts that had landed on their balcony belonged to them! They certainly didn’t – they could have blown down from any of the surrounding balconies.
Towels, paperwork and clothing can very quickly disappear over the side at sea.
(You shouldn’t leave clothing or towels out on your balcony, but if you do, make sure it is tied or pegged down very firmly – or who knows where it might end up!)
If the cruise ship is entering a period of bad weather with stormy seas expected, it is not unknown for passengers to be instructed to bring the balcony furniture inside the cabin.
The crew are within their rights to enter guest cabins to secure or remove loose balcony furniture if you haven’t done so.
This is standard safety protocol to avoid chairs and tables from becoming dangerous projectiles in strong winds.
I have never personally experienced this. Even on my rough transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2, the balcony furniture in my parents’ cabin stayed firmly on the balcony!
5. Invade Your Neighbours’ Privacy
When people sit out on their balcony, they want to have some privacy.
This can sometimes be difficult, depending on the layout of the balcony cabins, and I am often aware that I am being overlooked by the people on the balconies above.
There are certain things I would suggest you don’t do, for example:
- Don’t peer around the balcony divider to see who’s next door!
- (unless you know them and they are part of your travelling party, of course – then it’s fair game!)
- Don’t deliberately film or take photos of the occupants of neighbouring balconies.
- Remember that voices travel when you are on your balcony.
- Having a personal argument on the balcony may mean ten cabins now know about your disagreement!
- Don’t forget that balconies are semi-private, rather than truly private.
…. And most importantly, whatever personal grooming you’re doing over there, please make sure none of it arrives on my side!
When I sailed on P&O’s Iona, I had a Conservatory suite cabin, with a balcony that opened straight out on to the promenade deck! People could literally stop for a chat with me as they walked past!
Have a look at that very unusual cabin here:
Before You Go
The buffet on embarkation day can be rammed. Here is what I do to avoid it:
How I Avoid The Huge Buffet Queues On Embarkation Day
It isn’t always a good idea to cruise during peak season. Find out when my preferred time to cruise is here:
The Best Time To Cruise Isn’t When Most People Think
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