Observation Deck Rules

[phillyguy31]

As I was reading about the complaints about how the observation deck on the new ships start to look like a homeless shelter, I was wondering how would you handle this issue if you were in charge? It is obvious that signs alone don't work and the ships crew really don't want a confrontation, so how should this be handled. From what I have been told the new ships will also have the observation deck in their design so it benefits all to stop this now. Since we all know that the cruise line all read the respected threads maybe us the users of this space can make some suggestions on how to stop it instead of just complaining. 

[ColeThornton]

Change the furniture.  Don't have couches/loungers that people can lay out on.  Maybe just some comfy armchairs.

[bones774]

Don't forget the Waterfront spaces either, those are great areas also taken over by selfish slobs and its a much smaller area than the lounge. On sea days its disgusting, people and couples taking up multiple couches while they sleep.

[JamieLogical]

I really don't know what the solution is. I myself am guilty of dozing off in the Observation Lounge while reading, so I can't fault the people who succumb to that. It's really the people who sprawl out, bring blankets, and clearly intend to sleep there that are the problem. I never understood it, since, as far as I know, NCL provides a bed of some type to all passengers. When I genuinely intend to nap on a cruise, I do so in my room!

 

For me, by far the worst thing I saw regarding sleeping in public spaces though on my Bliss sailing last month were people sleeping in the Atrium in the evenings. If you are familiar with the entertainment on the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class ships, you know that the cushy chairs in the Atrium are truly PRIME real estate. There are people desperate to get seats to see the game shows and performances and I think it is just downright rude for people to be sleeping through those things when other people desperately want to enjoy them. And there were several people doing this on several separate nights (though sometimes the same people doing it on separate nights). I thought it was disrespectful and offensive to both the guests and the entertainers.

[smplybcause]

Nothing. Same thing like nothing to be done about the people on chairs on the pool deck. People sleep on those loungers too! And on the waterfront.

 

I've accidentally fallen asleep while reading in the observation lounge and on loungers around the pool/spice. 

[NLH Arizona]

I would have a officer do rounds and for those that are laying on the couches, taking it all up by themselves, let them know that they need to sit up so others can also use the couch.  Passengers might not like it, but too bad.

[Two Wheels Only]

Send the "washy washy" people to spray the seating areas. If you snooze, you get washed.

[beerman2]

59 minutes ago, smplybcause said:

Nothing. Same thing like nothing to be done about the people on chairs on the pool deck. People sleep on those loungers too! And on the waterfront.

 

I've accidentally fallen asleep while reading in the observation lounge and on loungers around the pool/spice. 

You aren't comparing apples to apples. Sleeping on Lounge chairs by the pool deck is one thing. They are designed for 1 person.

 

Couches are designed to hold multiple people. 

 

Huge difference in the 2 scenarios. 1 is OK the other not so much!

Edited January 10, 2020 by beerman2

[smplybcause]

13 minutes ago, beerman2 said:

You aren't comparing apples to apples. Sleeping on Lounge chairs by the pool deck is one thing. They are designed for 1 person.

 

Couches are designed to hold multiple people. 

 

Huge difference in the 2 scenarios. 1 is OK the other not so much!

 

But a lot out people take photos of people in the chaise loungers in the observation deck and complain about them - even though those seats are made for one. I've also seen it about chairs too.

[beerman2]

6 minutes ago, smplybcause said:

 

But a lot out people take photos of people in the chaise loungers in the observation deck and complain about them - even though those seats are made for one. I've also seen it about chairs too.

The key word in most of the complaints is about "couches". If a piece of furniture is designed for 1 so be it. It's those sleeping on couches that are the problem.

 

If only people would use common sense.

[PositiveThomas]

3 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

I really don't know what the solution is. I myself am guilty of dozing off in the Observation Lounge while reading, so I can't fault the people who succumb to that. It's really the people who sprawl out, bring blankets, and clearly intend to sleep there that are the problem. I never understood it, since, as far as I know, NCL provides a bed of some type to all passengers. When I genuinely intend to nap on a cruise, I do so in my room!

 

For me, by far the worst thing I saw regarding sleeping in public spaces though on my Bliss sailing last month were people sleeping in the Atrium in the evenings. If you are familiar with the entertainment on the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class ships, you know that the cushy chairs in the Atrium are truly PRIME real estate. There are people desperate to get seats to see the game shows and performances and I think it is just downright rude for people to be sleeping through those things when other people desperately want to enjoy them. And there were several people doing this on several separate nights (though sometimes the same people doing it on separate nights). I thought it was disrespectful and offensive to both the guests and the entertainers.

  
 

I think most of look for a quiet place to read, especially on sea days. Look forward to the Bliss next week. Enjoy Norwegian Cruise lines. 
 

[EllieinNJ]

Do you think this should be brought up at the meet and greet to the officers?

[casofilia]

There is a "Dear GM" box at reception.   Put the complaint in there, and then get someone else to do it next day, ad infinitum.   Nothing will happen!!

[MJSailors]

   I agree with the poster who suggested changing the furniture. Armchairs in the Observation lounge and padded one person  deck chairs on the Waterfront venues maybe a better choice.The couches are inviting to people to stretch out and nap.

      The Observation Lounge could also be better used as a place for entertainment,lectures,games (trivia for example) so that people would engage in some activity there rather than sleeping. It would offer another space other than the crowded Atrium for entertainment activities.

       Celebrity Summit has ( it could have been changed  after the recent refurb) a forward facing lounge area outfitted with armchairs. During the day,we found it to be a quiet place to read and/or watch the sea. No couches there,so no people laying down for a nap. 

       Also, IMHO, the unlimited bar package offered by NCL, maybe creating a situation where passengers over imbibe and feel the need to sleep off a day into night of too much drinking . Perhaps NCL needs to look at the drinking packages offered on board their ships to eliminate people using the public spaces to recover from over indulging.

[ray98]

I just cannot fathom how this is a problem.  I cannot fathom how sleeping in a public space would be enjoyable in any way when you have a private cabin available.  It would be like sleeping in the airport for me.

[beerman2]

9 hours ago, MJSailors said:

   I agree with the poster who suggested changing the furniture. Armchairs in the Observation lounge and padded one person  deck chairs on the Waterfront venues maybe a better choice.The couches are inviting to people to stretch out and nap.

      The Observation Lounge could also be better used as a place for entertainment,lectures,games (trivia for example) so that people would engage in some activity there rather than sleeping. It would offer another space other than the crowded Atrium for entertainment activities.

       Celebrity Summit has ( it could have been changed  after the recent refurb) a forward facing lounge area outfitted with armchairs. During the day,we found it to be a quiet place to read and/or watch the sea. No couches there,so no people laying down for a nap. 

       Also, IMHO, the unlimited bar package offered by NCL, maybe creating a situation where passengers over imbibe and feel the need to sleep off a day into night of too much drinking . Perhaps NCL needs to look at the drinking packages offered on board their ships to eliminate people using the public spaces to recover from over indulging.

Why is it that pax always want to point a finger at those who indulge in alcohol? Kinda like stereotypeing , you drink it must be your fault.

 

There are always going to be "bad apples". Yes there are some that overindulge as there are some that overeat, some that overspend (Casino).

 

ALL of those can exhaust people.

 

NCL knows full well how much profit is made on alcohol and that along with spending in casino is a Huge money maker.

 

I have seen Bartenders on NCL cut someone off from drinking on two different occasions. 

 

 

 

[Peachypooh]

There was a family playing cards in the Observation lounge on the Encore. They moved furniture around

so a table with chairs and a couch (or maybe two chairs pushed together hard to tell)

were close together. They put their child to sleep on the couch while

they played cards. Don't know how I felt about that but it definitely created a road block for people to

walk around and took up a lot of the real estate especially since one or two of the chairs they moved

were piled high with board games and blankets, etc.

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, ray98 said:

... how sleeping in a public space would be enjoyable in any way when you have a private cabin available.  It would be like sleeping in the airport for me.

 

Well, when the furniture & surroundings is reasonably comfortable, if not inviting to do so.  Some airports, including its club lounges, are designed well to discourage sleeping - stretching out across.  Others are not, at least not in certain areas, designated or not, some in semi hideaway locations.  

 

That sofa and the other loungers looked good enough, comparable to taking a quick "power nap" in the business class cabin with lie-flat seating ... add eyeshades & noise-isolating earplugs - bingo !

 

Perhaps, just perhaps, it will take a combination of modifying and redesigning some of the lounge furniture to make it less inviting; and, announcing/publicizing rules about certain behaviors - by NCL - to try to change.  Chair hogging happens on the pool/sun decks and in the newer ship's atrium lobby too, as well as the waterfront ... if you sail often on NCL and look around closely, those are problems to some.  

 

I dunno, get security to patrol and do the "Gong Show" every 30 minutes, let's beat the drums loudly ... and risks unpleasant & nasty confrontations & shouting matches. The hot potatoes, really, in NCL's courtyard.   

Edited January 11, 2020 by mking8288

[AliceIn02]

I'm shocked that a problem like this exists.   I just can't fathom coming in and seeing someone sleeping on a couch in a crowded Atrium in the evening while a show is going on- that is absolutely shocking to me.   The level of rudeness, lack of commonsense and decency goes beyond anything that I've ever seen on land.      I haven't sailed on a ship with an Observation deck yet (we do have an Encore sailing coming up in December).   I'm hoping enough complaints go in that Norwegian does something about this issue.   

 

It's one thing to sleep in a chair or a lounger - clearly that is a seat meant for one - sleep if you like and enjoy it.   You aren't ruining anyone else's enjoyment.   A family may want to sit together on a couch - lying down on the couches is just rude.  That's for your own living room, not the ship's.

[Tutontow]

21 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Send the "washy washy" people to spray the seating areas. If you snooze, you get washed.

If they are sleeping really tight have the crew move them and the couch out to the Lido Deck.  That would be a heck of a surprise when they wake up.  Of course we could all go back to playing our summer camp pranks on them.  You know dip their hand in warm water.  Shaving cream on the hand and then tickle the nose.  Tape them to the couch.  

[disneylover89]

22 hours ago, NLH Arizona said:

I would have a officer do rounds and for those that are laying on the couches, taking it all up by themselves, let them know that they need to sit up so others can also use the couch.  Passengers might not like it, but too bad.

I agree with this! If people are sleeping on a lounge chair fine, they are seats for one but someone sleeping across a couch made for 2/3 people is unacceptable and officers should not allow it.

Edited January 11, 2020 by disneylover89

[Da-Painter]

On 1/10/2020 at 7:53 AM, phillyguy31 said:

As I was reading about the complaints about how the observation deck on the new ships start to look like a homeless shelter, I was wondering how would you handle this issue if you were in charge? It is obvious that signs alone don't work and the ships crew really don't want a confrontation, so how should this be handled. From what I have been told the new ships will also have the observation deck in their design so it benefits all to stop this now. Since we all know that the cruise line all read the respected threads maybe us the users of this space can make some suggestions on how to stop it instead of just complaining. 

I was on the Bliss in October, and the Observation Lounge area was about 80% empty. It had great little items to eat, teas, and was a nice and quiet to spend time. If a few folks are sleeping, is it really a problem? If it was 80% full of folks sleeping like a homeless shelter, I guess that would be another issue. Is this really an issue on other ships? 

I find a bigger issue finding a place to sit out at the pool, its packed, and all the chair hogs reserving seats for the day are a bigger problem. So if folks have to go to the OL, with 4,000 folks on board, where else do they go?

[david_sobe]

Remove the buffet and food items.  People love to graze and just hang out and eat and then sleep.  Although part of me has no problem with anyone sleeping anywhere on the ship. If they want to sleep on their vacation more power to them. I do agree the people who camp out and bring blankets take things too far.  2 hours for a chair is enough IMHO.  I admire people that can sleep in chairs because I cant.  Even 10 hour flights, I cannot sleep in a chair.

Of course anyone that drools and turned on the side is taking sleeping way too far.  But if someone falls asleep in a chaise lounger at sea, that is what vacation is for IMHO.  If they want to limit the masses then remove the food IMHO.

Edited January 11, 2020 by david_sobe

[PortFees45]

retractable spikes on the furniture...you swipe your card and get 30 minutes for a set rate (for your convenience). You get a 60 second warning beep before your time runs out, then the spikes pop up. 

[DomoYoshi]

7 minutes ago, PortFees45 said:

then the spikes pop up. 

 

That’s quite inconsiderate...

 

...of the poor staff that will have to sanitize the spikes.