The dreaded Deck 8 balcony cabins

[PassMuster]

Hi - we are on a cruise next month (November 2025) and have been allocated one of the balcony cabins on deck 8/Promenade deck. Has anyone got any tips for trying to maintain any privacy at all while in the cabin please? Obviously we will have lights off in the cabin so it's harder to see in, and fortunately we're not where the deck slopes and it goes from little privacy to absolutely none, but we would like not to feel like we're in a goldfish bowl at least when in the cabin - we accept that we will have no privacy on the balcony and just won't use it, but having the door open and having some fresh air would be a nice option.

We couldn't afford to pay the extra umpteen hundred quid to pick a better cabin grade, so it would have been hard to avoid getting dumped on that deck (despite our oh-so-valued repeat custom, lol!). We asked to downgrade to an inside cabin and get a partial refund but have been told no. Obviously I'm grateful we're getting a holiday, but it would be great to hear any ideas for enabling any privacy. I have been looking at the reflective film that just sticks on with static so doesn't cause any damage, or getting a net curtain to hang up... any other ideas appreciated!

PS not really sure why P&O can't put reflective film on the balcony doors, but I guess if they did, that would mean acknowledging that the cabins have no privacy!

[oldbluefox]

If you're talking about Arvia we have seen these cabins and they seem to have a large balcony which is raised above the promenade deck. People passing by didn't seem to pay much notice of those sitting out on their balconies so it didn't appear to be much of an issue. Plus you got a good view of the sea and a bit of people watching albeit just head and shoulders!!!
Hope that helps. Hopefully somebody has had one of these cabins and can speak from first hand experience.

[Onelife]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n67bdG3Uvd4

Hi, not sure if theses are the balcony cabins you are referring to but if they are I think it very unlikely anyone will be able to see into your cabin unless they are standing on the chairs. If, however, someone has the audacity to do this make she you have a water pistol handy

Enjoy!

[Stephen]

Which ship?

[Portsmouth]

Is this your Joey Essex moment Stephen & OBF ?
The post is under P&O ships in the Iona sub forum .....so I'm guessing the ship " PassMuster " asks about is the Iona
If I'm wrong then I'll accept the Katie Price award for special effort

[Stephen]

Just testing

[oldbluefox]

And this week's prize for Observer of the Week goes to....

[Stephen]

And this week's prize for Observer of the Week goes to....

Chocolates sound good. Where do we know a supplier.

[oldbluefox]

I know where you can get vintage chocolates.....just saying

[Ray B]

Not the same, but simular situation. We had aft facing cabins on the terrace deck whilst on Aurora with net curtains. The amount of times I went out on deck to check nothing could be seen inside during the day.
As foxy has said, passengers just don't notice the windows to look in, and we were confident enough to change with just the nets, I would say so long as no lights were on I wouldn't think you could see in if the net were open.The nets remained closed, we weren't that confident.
Night time, as you came from the shower, with just the nets, you could get a gathering out on the deck looking in.

[Onelife]

Not the same, but simular situation. We had aft facing cabins on the terrace deck whilst on Aurora with net curtains. The amount of times I went out on deck to check nothing could be seen inside during the day.
As foxy has said, passengers just don't notice the windows to look in, and we were confident enough to change with just the nets, I would say so long as no lights were on I wouldn't think you could see in if the net were open.The nets remained closed, we weren't that confident.
Night time, as you came from the shower, with just the nets, you could get a gathering out on the deck looking in.

I bet they were doubled up with laughter

[Mervyn and Trish]

Probably needed therapy

[Ray B]

We had a lay-by just a few miles from the city which the police closed because of that type of person, so a friend told me.