Coral connecting balcony doors E727,31,25

[makentake]

Traveling with friends in June and have 3 cabins next to each other. Wondering how the balcony doors open. We did this before on a Carnival trip and when the door was opened it blocked our window. I am wondering if anyone knows how these doors open. I don't want to do it if a view gets blocked! Thanks.

[tracyd1014]

We're going to Panama in September on the Coral but this past summer we were on the sister ship (twin sisters) Island Princess. We were with friiends who had the cabin right next door - all on the Emerald Deck. The room steward will open the doors between the cabin balconies with a special tool - just ask him. The doors fold back onto the wall part of the balcony divider and not against the cabin door so your view is not blocked. We took 2 small bungies to keep the doors open so they wouldn't swing shut from the motion of the ocean. It was nice having double sized balconies to share. We knew not to disturb each other when we had the sheers drawn shut. Lots of people say they don't stay in their cabins so much but we have found that when we have a balcony we DO stay more in our cabin - well on the balcony. It's fun to share! Have a great time!

[makentake]

Thanks for the information Tracy. I'm glad to know we'll be able to do this. Good hints about the bungee and the sheers. We also spend a lot of time on our balcony, prefer the privacy, peace, and quiet to read and relax. Also love our private happy hours and morning coffee on the balcony too. Might be a little different in Alaska though, might not be warm enough in June to spend a lot of time out there. We'll bring lots of layers and hope for the best! You enjoy Panama, we loved that trip.

[tracyd1014]

Layer are the best for Alaska. Our friend who went with us wore shorts and a parka most days. Keep in mind we live in Arizona and on a summer cruise to Alaska it was odd to pack sweaters and coats when it was 110 outside. Enjoy ALaska, it's so beautiful we would easily go for a 4th time. What kind of weater should we expect for Panama end of Sept to first part of Oct?

[makentake]

Actually this will be our second trip to Alaska, different ports this time. Last time we went toward the middle of August, it was very warm and nice with only one rainy day. June, who knows! We will bring the layers and rain gear. We did the partial transit on HAL more toward the middle of October. You can expect hot and humid and you better bring some rain gear as well. Weather was alot like our Florida weather in the summer. We were very lucky and didn't experience any rain. Our ship started going through the locks very early in the morning and they opened all the forward decks for people, set up coffee and served Panama Buns. I don't know if that was a HAL thing or if they all do it. It was not at all uncomfortable at that time of the day but by the time the sun fully came up it got very hot and uncomfortable to stand outside. We loved having the balcony on that trip to get a very up close view of how they guide the ship through the locks. We had a covered balcony so it was fine. It is a great trip.