QM2 - Balconies

What is a "sheltered" balcony

How bad is the obstruction on an "Obstructed" Balcony

The sheltered balcony has a hull front (not clear glass). So when sitting down you cannot see out. However when standing you can view everything as normal. It also has more protection from the wind as well. I had it recently on the Caribbean sailing and was quite pleasantly surprised by it.

Tried to upload a picture, but was too large to upload, sorry.

Karin

Some people have an issue with sheltered balconies because you can't "see the sea" unless standing. On the other hand, sheltered balconies have been mentioned frequently on cruise critic as a favored location.

How obstructed the view from your obstructed balcony would be would depend on your stateroom. Most of these cabins have balconies blocked by large orange lifeboats. But a few, like the one we had two years ago, are barely obstructed at all. You can see what you might get here https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/qm2_obs

What is a "sheltered" balcony? ...

Photos of QM2 "Sheltered Balcony" cabins and "normal" balcony cabins can be found via the link below, under "QM2 Cabins".

On QM2 "balconies" on Decks 4, 5, 6 are "sheltered", balconies on Decks 8-12 (and from next summer, 13) are "normal" glass-fronted balconies.

"Sheltered" balconies are slightly larger/deeper than "normal" Britannia grade balconies.

Think of "sheltered balconies" as another room to the cabin with a picture window (without glass). I love sitting out there reading or dozing. Many regular passengers prefer them, esp on a crossing.

I much prefer "sheltered" balconies to "normal" ones on a transatlantic crossing as they offer more protection from the wind and spray.

Whereas if you're thinking of a slow cruise in a hot climate, and want to do a lot of sunbathing, then a "normal" balcony might be better.

Hope this, and the photos, help :)

Hello Red, We were very pleasantly surprised with a sheltered balcony.

Rodger.

We've been on QM2 four times, and always had a sheltered balcony. In fact on our last voyage we were upgraded to a sheltered balcony from an obstructed view. We were quite happy with the switch of cabins.