Balcony Dividers on Koningsdam

Just wondering if the balcony dividers/flaps can be opened on the new class of ships. Thanks.

Just wondering if the balcony dividers/flaps can be opened on the new class of ships. Thanks.

By law, they have to for fire fighting capability. Whether the are allowed open is HAL's policy, and I can't answer that. Most lines have a fixed total number, and a number of adjacent, dividers that can be opened, at the Captain's discretion.

Our family has gone on two group cruises, one on Celebrity and the other on NCL. One of our fondest memories from the first cruise on Celebrity is that we opened the dividers among 9 adjacent rooms and essentially made one mega balcony. We were displeased to learn that NCL does not allow any to be opened but went on it anyway. It's not a deal breaker, but something we would prefer.

Yes. We were on Koningsdam in May with two cabins and the steward opened the divider at our request

NCL used to allow the Captain's discretion in allowing dividers open, but there were so many complaints about "why we can't have it, when others can" that they changed to the blanket no opening policy.

The only reason they were made to be opened in the first place was because of the problems the fire teams had in fighting the Star Princess fire, which due to combustible dividers jumped from balcony to balcony, and the fire fighters could not access balconies except from inside a cabin. Prior to the SOLAS changes from the Star Princess fire, no dividers were capable of opening.

I'm really surprised, and a bit concerned, from my shipboard fire fighting viewpoint, that they allowed that many adjacent dividers open, particularly if underway, as the dividers act as fire breaks.

We have not been on the Koningsdam, but on other HAL ships, Vista, Signature -- it was only a small door by the railing that could be opened. Not the entire divider.

Just got off kdam....yes they do open back, and I think the size of the balconies are a little larger too with nice patio chairs that recline and a foot stool and table. Alot nicer than ncl and carnival.

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We sailed on Koningsdam last November with a large group. The room steward opened 2 of the dividers at our request. Please know that they have two sections and one is folded back on the other, so they really only open half-way. We did enjoy the balconies immensely!!

Thanks, everyone!