Safety is always a concern for those who are considering a balcony cabin – especially if there will be young children with access to, or, staying in a balcony cabin. The purpose of this article is to provide you with general information about safety measures on balcony cabins. Also, we present an attractive alternative if you are looking for the beautiful view that a balcony affords, but, find the possible safety concerns too disconcerting.
DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IF YOU ARE BOOKING A BALCONY CABIN, IT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. IF YOU CHOOSE TO READ BEYOND THIS POINT, YOU AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS THIS WEB SITE AND ITS PARENT COMPANY FOR ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE.
When booking a balcony cabin, you should give appropriate consideration to safety concerns for every member of your party. If there is any doubt, YOU SHOULD NEVER BOOK A BALCONY CABIN.
Unfortunately, there are one to two news stories a year about someone going overboard on a cruise ship. All too often, excess amounts of alcohol leading to acts of stupidity are determined to be a contributing factor. Also, while there are safety measures in place with balconies, they should under no circumstances be viewed as foolproof when faced with a determined, curious, or mechanically inclined-child.
The first safety measure on Carnival Cruises balcony cabins is a safety lock on the glass door inside the cabin leading to the balcony that is 65" high (5 feet, 5 inches). This is out of reach for most toddlers and many young children as well. However, there are chairs in the cabin that can be moved such that a child could gain access to the safety lock. So, a child in the cabin should always be supervised.
Second, the glass railing on the balcony is 45" high (3 feet, 9 inches). On an average 6-foot tall adult, this places the top of the rail roughly about navel (belly button) height. On an average 5 foot 6 inches tall adult, the top of the rail comes to roughly mid-torso – 4-6 inches above the navel. For children, according to the US government's Center for Disease Control's growth charts for children, the average boy and girl (50th percentile) is not 45" inches until just before their 6th birthday. Starting around age 6, an average height child will not even be able to see over the top of the glass railing. Around age 9 or 10, the average child should be able to get their chin over the railing.
However, like the ability to access the safety lock on the glass door, the railing height should not impart a false sense of security when it comes to children. There are typically chairs, and sometimes a table, on the balcony that any two or three year old child could push-up against the railing and stand-on. Thus, circumventing the safety measure of the railing height. CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNSUPERVISED ON A BALCONY.
There are alternatives to balconies on some of the Carnival ships that provide a unique view. The Carnival Conquest, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Valor and Carnival Glory feature 230 square foot "family staterooms" with fabulous views from a floor-ceiling glass windows.
So, one last reminder, if there is any concern over the safety of anyone in your party with respect to having a balcony attached to your stateroom, YOU SHOULD NEVER BOOK A BALCONY CABIN.
Helpful Resources: Balcony Cabin Pictures of Carnival Cruise Lines Ships
Carnival Conquest Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Dream Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Destiny Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Ecstasy Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Elation Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Fantasy Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Fascination Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Freedom Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Glory Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Imagination Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Inspiration Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Legend Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Liberty Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Magic Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Miracle Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Paradise Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Pride Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Sensation Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Splendor Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Spirit Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Triumph Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Valor Balcony Cabin Pictures
Carnival Victory Balcony Cabin Pictures