Unless you happen to be the captain of a cruise ship, you can’t beat the views from a front-facing balcony. Sure, you don’t get that wake view that aft balconies offer but seeing where you’re going as you keep an eye on the horizon is a rewarding experience in itself.
But before you book that cabin in the very front of a cruise ship, there’s one very important thing you need to understand.
When the ship is in motion, those forward balconies can get very windy—surprisingly so. It doesn’t take a physics major to know you will experience more wind in front when the vessel is on the move, but it’s much windier than most people anticipate.
Many cruisers are drawn to these unique cabins, overlooking the bow. They can offer great views, especially when entering or leaving a port of call, or while cruising through scenic areas like Glacier Bay in Alaska.
However, the experience while the ship is sailing at cruising speed can be very different from what you might imagine.
The Wind Factor: More Than Just a Breeze
Imagine the ship cutting through the water at 15-20 knots. Now add natural wind speeds on top of that. For a forward-facing balcony without a windscreen, this can translate into what feels like hurricane-force gusts.
Passengers who have experienced these balconies often describe the wind as “unusable” or “like a hurricane” when the ship is sailing. Deck chairs might even be tied down to prevent them from blowing away.
Why is it so windy? You’re essentially at the very front, directly in the path of the wind created by the ship’s forward movement.
Unlike side or aft balconies, there’s no protection from the ship’s structure to break the airflow.
When Can You Use It?
While the wind can make these balconies unusable when the ship is moving at full speed, they can be absolutely fantastic in other situations:
- In Port: When the ship is docked or at anchor, the wind factor disappears, making these balconies a great spot for enjoying port views, people-watching, and taking in the local surroundings.
- Scenic Cruising: If your itinerary includes slow cruising through fjords, bays, or past glaciers (like in Alaska), the reduced speed will significantly lessen the wind, allowing you to fully appreciate the panoramic and unobstructed views.
Other Things to Know About Forward Cabins
Besides the wind, here are a few other things to keep in mind about forward-facing cabins:
- Motion Sickness: The front of the ship tends to experience more motion than mid-ship cabins. If you’re prone to seasickness, you might want to reconsider.
- Light Restrictions: For safety reasons, the ship’s bridge needs a clear, dark view of the bow at night. On some ships you’ll be required to keep your balcony curtains closed after dark, and in some cases, even during the day while at sea.
- Steel-Fronted Balconies: Some forward-facing balconies are “steel-fronted” meaning the lower part of the balcony railing is solid steel rather than plexiglass. This can limit your view when seated.
- Privacy: Depending on the ship’s design, some forward balconies might have less privacy than those on the sides, as they can sometimes be visible from the bridge or other forward areas of the ship.
Know Before You Go
If your heart is set on a forward-facing balcony, do your research.
- Check for Windscreens: Some ships, like within MSC’s Meraviglia-class, have windscreens on their forward balconies, which can make a huge difference. Club Balcony Suites with Norwegian Cruise Line have good wind protection as well as Breakaway-class ships with the cruise line. Reports on Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships vary, so a little research about the specific ship and cabin can go a long way.
- Review Itineraries: Consider if your cruise is port-intensive or has a lot of “sea days.” A port-heavy itinerary will give you more opportunities to enjoy your balcony.
- Watch YouTube Videos: A great tip from experienced cruisers is to search for videos of your specific ship and cabin location. This can give you a realistic idea of what to expect.
Bottom Line
The #1 thing to know about forward-facing balconies is that while they offer incredible views in port and during scenic cruising, the truth is you won’t always want to be out there, limiting how much use you get out of that outdoor space.
A good, protective windscreen can make all the difference though.
If you’d rather have a consistently usable balcony for enjoying the open ocean, an aft (back of the ship) balcony, or a mid-ship side balcony, might be a better choice. However, if you’re willing to trade some “at sea” balcony time for those great forward views, it could be the perfect fit for your next cruise.