Have you ever slept on your stateroom balcony?

[jmadams]

I am new to cruising and I really want to sleep on my balcony at least one night. Anyone ever do this? I was thinking I could take the mattress from the sofa bed and put it on the balcony. I’ve read you can also request an extra pad for the sofa bed to make it softer.

 

If I’m sleeping inside, will it be convenient/a good idea to leave the door open? I have read people prop the door with a chair or sometimes bring bungee cords or duct tape.

 

I have a problem with insomnia. Is the cruiseship empty at night?  If I am on one of the decks walking at 3 AM will I be alone?   I am really glad the international café is 24/7,  I’m used to having hot tea anytime I want… 🤓

 

[cherylandtk]

Well, it’s not the best idea, as romantic as it sounds.  If you really want to do it, bring a disposable blow up mattress so the humidity and salt spray will not damage the actual furniture.

 

As for leaving your door open, the cruise line asks you not to do this, and your fellow passengers will appreciate it if you follow that request. Leaving your door open upsets the air conditioning balance for all the cabins in your section. And your neighbors will know it’s you from the whistling sound coming from your door.

Edited September 6, 2019 by cherylandtk

[Coral]

Please don't take the mattress from the sofa bed onto the balcony.

 

I am curious why people think they can take indoor items from a ship and take them outdoors? The mattress could be ruined by the elements and may have to be replaced by the cruise line costing $$$$.

 

Bring sleeping bags.

Edited September 6, 2019 by Coral

[skynight]

24 minutes ago, jmadams said:

I am new to cruising and I really want to sleep on my balcony at least one night. Anyone ever do this? I was thinking I could take the mattress from the sofa bed and put it on the balcony. I’ve read you can also request an extra pad for the sofa bed to make it softer.

Not recommended. It gets very humid at sea overnight. If you are on one of the ships with the new bedding the extra pads are not necessary. Don't really know if the cabin steward has any of them. Sleeping on a balcony is sleeping on a steel floor. Also if you are on a Royal Class ship, there is not enough space to sleep on the balcony. Standard balconies on these ships are 9' x 4' and have two chairs and a small table. Full suites and a few cabins have larger balconies.

If I’m sleeping inside, will it be convenient/a good idea to leave the door open? I have read people prop the door with a chair or sometimes bring bungee cords or duct tape.

It is possible leave the balcony door open. It's a slider nothing needs to be done to keep it open. Just push the handle down and it stays in place. With the door open and the vessel in motion you will have a fairly loud whistle of air rushing under the door, there is a suction created. The cruise line does not recommend leaving the door open for long periods of time. It can effect the a/c in your cabin and in others around you.

I have a problem with insomnia. Is the cruiseship empty at night?  If I am on one of the decks walking at 3 AM will I be alone?   I am really glad the international café is 24/7,  I’m used to having hot tea anytime I want

Princess ships pretty much are empty after 1am. Most everyone is in their cabin. No activities except maybe the casino. The International Cafe says it is open 24/7, but on some ships it actually closes for a short time in the early morning to clean and service the counters.

🤓

 

See above

Edited September 6, 2019 by skynight

[EDDY0827]

" The mattress could be ruined by the elements and may have to be replaced by the cruise line costing $$$$. "

No way Princess would eat this loss from a passenger's poor decisions. OP, Princess has your credit card # on file and will charge you for any losses, just like taking towels, bath robes or umbrellas. If you want to sleep outside, go to the upper decks and crash on a lounger, take your MUTS blanket.

[capriccio]

Some balconies are easily visible from the bridge so if you don't want the possibility of being watched while you sleep (or do anything else 😃) you might have second thoughts!

[Coral]

36 minutes ago, EDDY0827 said:

" The mattress could be ruined by the elements and may have to be replaced by the cruise line costing $$$$. "

No way Princess would eat this loss from a passenger's poor decisions. OP, Princess has your credit card # on file and will charge you for any losses, just like taking towels, bath robes or umbrellas. If you want to sleep outside, go to the upper decks and crash on a lounger, take your MUTS blanket.

If they put the sofa bed back together before the room steward sees them, they will not find out. But I completely agree - you can easily be charged for it.

[tailspintom]

1 hour ago, jmadams said:

I am new to cruising and I really want to sleep on my balcony at least one night. Anyone ever do this? I was thinking I could take the mattress from the sofa bed and put it on the balcony. I’ve read you can also request an extra pad for the sofa bed to make it softer.

 

If I’m sleeping inside, will it be convenient/a good idea to leave the door open? I have read people prop the door with a chair or sometimes bring bungee cords or duct tape.

 

I have a problem with insomnia. Is the cruiseship empty at night?  If I am on one of the decks walking at 3 AM will I be alone?   I am really glad the international café is 24/7,  I’m used to having hot tea anytime I want… 🤓

 

Hello jmadams. Since some of the other folks addressed the balcony question(s), let me add something about the night walking.  You will be likely be alone just about anywhere on the ship at 3 AM. You may pass by some security folk and most certainly will see some International Cafe personnel down / over there. Tea in the IC is really quite good and properly hot. Consider getting the coffee card as it offers unlimited Mighty Leaf tea.   

[Iamcruzin]

This is one step above sleeping on a fire escape. On Royal Caribbean the room AC turned off automatically when the door was left open. I don't know if this is a feature on the newer Princess ships. Be aware if you leave the balcony door open and proceed to open the door to the room you will create a wind tunnel and any papers or light weight items  will go flying.

[New Cruiser Girl 2]

1 hour ago, jmadams said:

I am new to cruising and I really want to sleep on my balcony at least one night. Anyone ever do this? I was thinking I could take the mattress from the sofa bed and put it on the balcony. I’ve read you can also request an extra pad for the sofa bed to make it softer.

 

If I’m sleeping inside, will it be convenient/a good idea to leave the door open? I have read people prop the door with a chair or sometimes bring bungee cords or duct tape.

 

I have a problem with insomnia. Is the cruiseship empty at night?  If I am on one of the decks walking at 3 AM will I be alone?   I am really glad the international café is 24/7,  I’m used to having hot tea anytime I want… 🤓

 

I get why you would be tempted to do this but for the reasons stated, probs not the best idea. Go camping for that.  As for as the ship being empty in the middle of the night.  Its pretty quiet in the middle of the night on board but you might run into the odd person here or there wandering. I did it once and it was kinda cool to have everything quiet and peaceful ~ Have a great cruise!

[Potstech]

I have taken several naps on the balcony but just while sitting on the chairs with my feet propped up on the table.  I would never take a mattress out on the balcony to use it there.

Yes ship personnel can observe you out there but unless you are doing something you should not why worry about it. 

Edited September 6, 2019 by Potstech

[MissP22]

32 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

This is one step above sleeping on a fire escape. On Royal Caribbean the room AC turned off automatically when the door was left open. I don't know if this is a feature on the newer Princess ships. Be aware if you leave the balcony door open and proceed to open the door to the room you will create a wind tunnel and any papers or light weight items  will go flying.

Not on Princess ships as far as I know. 

Although it should be. 

[GottaLuvCruising]

We did it once.  We had an aft minisuite on Royal Caribbean with a huge balcony.  We put one mattress out there and shared it.  (yeah, I know, blah, blah, blah...)  It was wonderful for a few hours then the humidity got to us and we moved back inside.  

 

But to answer OPs question, yes, some of us have done it.  

[Colo Cruiser]

Fire Hazard as well. Don’t do it.

[Casey12]

So stupid - would any of you take an expensive mattress outside at home where it could be exposed to bugs and elements? I am appalled that anyone would even consider this. If you want to sleep outside - - bring your own inflatable mattress. Some people maybe should not cruise.

[pms4104]

I wonder if the OP has considered, rather than a cruise, a week at a river- or ocean-side campground 

... or perhaps a houseboat rental

[cougaraz]

There is someone here on the Princess boards who prefers to sleep outside and takes his own inflatable mattress and sleeps outside on this balcony, even has pictures to prove it.

 

However, I would caution you, if you haven't slept outside, no tent, no improvised shelter under the stars before it can be a very different experience and not necessarily conducive to good sleep.

 

I wouldn't take any of the cabin items outside or prop the door, but it is your cruise, if you really want to try it, take an inflatable mattress and go for it and then come back and let us know how it went.

[JF - retired RRT]

4 hours ago, jmadams said:

I have a problem with insomnia. Is the cruiseship empty at night?  If I am on one of the decks walking at 3 AM will I be alone?   I am really glad the international café is 24/7,  I’m used to having hot tea anytime I want…

The public areas of the ship are actually never truly empty. You'll see security, cleaning crew and an occasional fellow insomniac.

For your insomnia, you might as your doc what he thinks of Trazodone. Amazing stuff. Turns of the spinning wheels so you can fall asleep.

[neverbeenhere]

Is passed-out considered sleeping? 😀

[Steven_&_Daniel]

I've walked many ships in the middle of the night due to insomnia. You'll see some people cleaning but normally you'll feel like you're the only one on the ship. It's actually very peaceful, unless they're still playing that "background music" and something annoying comes on, LOL. I'm not sure who the music is for in the middle of the night. Maybe the sleepwalkers. I've sat out on the Promenade deck for a while, sometimes reading my Kindle. Pick a spot or try several spots until you find one you really like, or just keep walking.

[Mike45LC]

1.  Sleeping on the balcony:  You are not going to ruin a mattress by dragging it outside, unless it is raining!  I have rarely found many insects on my balcony to disturb my sleep or to infest a mattress.  But my own time sleeping on the balcony has been napping during the day or evening.  I have slept on the pool deck once or twice, and was disturbed by a crewmember asking me "are you alright?"

 

2.  Leaving balcony door open:  This can create tremendous winds, and  it can mess up the A/C for your section of cabins.  Close the door!  (Serious wind problem on the Edge when the "infinite window" and the stateroom door were both open!)

 

3.  Early morning strolls:  I often have the entire pool deck to myself, except for a few crew members, in the early hours.  

 

[mcrcruiser]

Best advice sleep in your cabin . Take meds so you get a good night sleep . Then you will have a much better cruise experience 

[1emerald1]

Or get a mini on a Grand class ship.  Larger balcony where you can fully extend the lounge chair and you have a foot rest.  Just take your pillow, shut your door and enjoy the stars and the ocean waves.

[tailspintom]

And a red neck is..... what exactly?

[Colo Cruiser]

22 minutes ago, CaribbeanIsland said:

Yes you can easily ruin it by being outside. There is a reason why they are wrapped in plastic when they are shipped.

 

Would anyone here go to a friend's house and take the mattress outside to sleep? 

Because it is their cruise and they will do what they want.  smdh