Thanks so much for watching! If you're reading this please comment "Towel Monkey" so I know you've got this far! 😂🥰 Like looking around cabins? I sure do! Staying in the Smallest Cabins on Cruise Ships: th-cam.com/video/Y64KDlkrjKg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=AFDqiS0QjTpcvtj5 4 Days in a Cabin With a Bizarre Layout and "BAD" Location: th-cam.com/video/oyM4-fHDuk0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=xyNnqCD_iSBSebta 7 Days in The Most Controversial Cabin at Sea: th-cam.com/video/g-ca_e_nU-M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sdsdbyDStTDPAfne
Towel monkey! I think the best thing about the window being a TV screen, you get the benefits of a window but you don't have to worry about people seeing into your room, so the "window" can stay open when you're not clothed.
I went on the ovation of the seas in a similar room. I was lucky there was an extra remote for the virtual balcony tv. I just turned it off of a night time.
I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska last year and had an inside cabin with a virtual balcony. This turned out to be a blessing because on the first day at sea I ended up spraining my ankle and being on crutches for most of the cruise. Because of this, I spent a lot of time in my cabin and found it pleasing to be able to at least have some sort of connection to the outside world.
It was great. I’m disabled but I did go into the ports and wander around while my family was out adventuring. I was happy because my family was happy. And watching the beautiful Alaska scenery was wonderful.
I like the idea of that "virtual" view. It would be great if it gave you the option to change views, like front, back, or either side of the ship. Great video, as always.
Hotel curtains around the world are notorious for not closing completely. I have a pack of spring clips in luggage at all times that I can use to seal the gaps.
I am 52 years old and never been on a cruise. I think your video's are brilliant and after watching quite a few of them I have been inspired to look into booking a cruise trip for me and my wife. It will be a small one from Southampton to start, but I really am intrigued to try as they look wonderful. Thanks so much for your videos, they are all informative, helpful and enjoyable to watch. No hesitation in subscribing to your channel.
You really should go. It's expensive, but well worth it. Don't go with Carnival. I've been on 3 cruises with Norwegian. 21 days from Hong Kong to Sydney, 2 7 days Caribbean. It does get boring after a while. Internet is very slow & expensive.
If I'm not mistaken, Disney Cruises started the concept with their "magical portholes" implementation. Kinda neat to see how different lines adapt the idea for their ships.
MSC Meraviglia has "virtual portholes" on some or all inside cabins. I'm not sure how prevalent the practice is within MSC. The screen I saw was maybe a 35" screen(?) not huge but a nice touch, and it could show a live feed of the left or right side of the ship, as well as be turned off or set to show a cartoonish night sky view.
Few thoughts on the virtual screen: allow guests to turn it off completely, or create schedules for it to turn on so that you can have it off at night and on near dawn. Have the view be aligned with the direction of the room so that people who are sensitive could have the view synchronized with the motion of the ship (maybe). Allow guest to select views instead of just the rear. Allow for screen casting so you can use it as a giant phone screen. Screens generate heat so this is something to consider when adding them to anything. I assume they've factored in the extra heat?
We had the vituak balcony and we were at the back of the ship, with the bed facing the back, but the virtual window was on the side. It was so disorienting! We just put the TV on which was on the correct wall for the back view
Those are all great suggestions! What I would add, is why not save money and space and use the same screen for the balcony and for the TV? Most people won’t mind if they can’t watch both at the same time.
I agree with you. An interior cabin with the faux view would be better than nothing at all. I don't mind the isolation of an interior cabin but as you noted, no windows has a few downsides to it. Love your vlogs and love your charm and charisma! Fair winds and following seas! 😎😎😎😎
But only it that thing works. If it is blurry, has all shades of colors from pink to purple and after a while does mit work at all any more, then you fell betrayed. No other room No compensation. Just.... That.
A cruise we went on had one hanging from the ceiling, I knocked it down and left it on the floor. That evening our cabin boy collared me and sternly said 'you've killed my monkey', well worth the $5 tip 😀
1:22 I think the cause of the seasickness is the difference between what you're seeing and the movement your body feels. Maybe there's some delay or some people are just sensitive to this.
i think if the image was at a slight angle cause the camera was not level would totally make me sick, i have a very sensitive equilibrium and get motion sickness easily
@@andrewholden1501I believe on this ship the view was looking off the rear of the ship (towards aft), so if the TV isn’t also positioned on the aft wall of your cabin, your eyes and your body would be mismatched and I could easily see that it could make you seasick!
I feel like a towel monkey in a mostly dark bathroom would be terrifying and hilarious at the same time! I loved your dress for Formal Night, and I think the faux-balcony made a beautiful backdrop...you truly do have the nicest smile I've ever seen. This was a wonderful video!
I love your reviews! I think that screen is an excellent idea. I usually just put the tv on the channel that shows the front of the ship when I go to sleep. Sound stays off and when the sun comes up I know its time to get moving. Travel safe and God Bless!
Same concept in the NCL solo cabins. I wasn’t fond of the size of the cabin but the virtual window helped me to know where we were and what the weather was like outside. It was handy that you can turn it off by pulling the shade down.
If the camera showed the view looking aft, but you were actually facing to Portside, then your inner ear would be getting different messages than what you are looking at. This could certainly make you seasick.
We had this issue! The bed was facing the back of the ship, and the room was right at the back of the deck, but the virtual window was on the side, was extremely disorienting!
We've been in these cabins twice and loved them both times. Really brightens the cabin and even has sound. Save money and get one! You CAN turn off the screen if the light at night bothers you. Ask your steward. If not you can use a trouser hanger's clips to keep the curtain closed better.
Actually they do offer cabins like this on their newest ship. We just booked on the Utopia and unwittingly ended up with an interior “virtual balcony” cabin, so yes, they do offer this on other ships.
@@EmmaCruises we shall see how it goes. We were just looking for an interior and when my wife was looking and the details after she booked, she asked "what is a virtual balcony" lol.
I came across your channel and videos by accident and thought I'd watch it for a lark. Even though I've never cruised in my life, I am now completely hooked on this channel! Love your videos (and I may end up going on a cruise because of it some day!)
Towel Monkey!!! Emma ... I love your cruise videos. I have taken one cruise in my life, almost 40 years ago, but your videos bring back fond memories of the way things were back then. I will cruise again, primarily thanks to you and your videos. My best to Captain Hudson!
I can understand folks who found the screen made them queasy. If the ship is moving one direction but the video feed shows different direction that the way you're facing, it could make someone a bit sea sick if they're prone to it.
Emma, is Katie Knowles still the Cruise Director on Anthem of the Seas? She was our Cruise Director on our Anthem of the Seas cruise back in December from New York to the Bahamas. She was amazing and kept all of the entertainment and activities very fun! She was very, very good. She was extremely approachable and friendly and had a good sense of humor. She is full of energy and a genuinely nice person. Best cruise director we've ever had! I hope we get to cruise with her again soon. (And being from Florida, we loved her accent just like we like yours!!) And Martin was the Entertainment Director.....he was also amazing and very personable and friendly as well as approachable. He spent quite a bit of time talking with my family while we were spending some time in the Two70 area. Thank you for this video. On our Anthen of the Seas cruise, our daughter and her family chose an inside cabin with the Virtual Balcony. We had a rough cruise so I'm not sure she liked the virtual balcony. We enjoyed our balcony cabin on Deck 8. Loved it!! But a December cruise for a Floridian was cold!
Hi, I've been dipping in and out and back in again for years on your channel, and I noticed that this is the most elegant dress I've seen you in. Very stylish. I hope that you got to see our light night up here in Scandinavia whilst having that false window. I can understand if you get bothered by the light if you come from somewhere with dark nights and is thrown in close to the Arctic Circle in June and July. I was talking with a friend from Phoenix, AZ last week at three in the morning CET, and he was so surprised to see out the window that it was full daylight. It actually took me a double take or two to realize what the fuss was about. Fair winds to you and Captain Hudson. Yours, Ann
For you Emma, surely "Best thing since choc chip cookies". We always travel in a stateroom with a balcony and always say to each other, whilst sipping an afternoon glass of sauv.blanc that we wish there wasn't a balcony rail which blocked the horizon line when seated. So virtual or real - the balcony rail is a pain in the proverbial xxxx.
I loved the cabins with the virtual balcony. It was an absolutely awesome experience and I truly enjoyed it. They need these types of cabins on more of their ships.
Absolutely brilliant video! I never even knew this was a thing! Thank you for sharing your review on this clever in cabin feature. Always love your videos! 🥰
Thank you! I'm usually a "never-cruise" traveler. Thanks to your presentation, I've moved it over to a "maybe." Usually, influencers go on and on about the venues on board. Your focus is a big seller for me. I've learned quite a lot from you - one thing: modern cruise ships differ from my grandmother's. And this virtual idea... that's pretty cool. I think that's a big seller, but that suite rocks. And thank you for the brit slang lesson. Looking for a way to use "bagsy" - brilliant!
Some Disney ships have virtual portholes, which I have enjoyed. In addition to being able to see how light or dark it is outside, sometimes Disney characters will pop up on the screen. Not so often that it was annoying or distracting, just cute. I think I would really love to have one of those virtual balconies, because it IS helpful for one's circadian rhythm to be able to see how light or dark it is outside. I would not be bothered by the morning light peeking in, because I always carry clothespins or large paper clips or safety pins to keep any curtain gaps closed up. That looks like a lovely cabin, and I think I would enjoy it very much. Thanks for the nice video.
Hi Emma! Tip from a frequent traveller - i hav home versions for tooth brush, hair brush & hair products, lotion, facial moisturizer... the basics. Other things wd live in the toiletry bag or the same shelf and I'd return them there after i use them at home. That way i was always mostly-packed re: toiletries. Happy travels! Hugs to Capt. Hudson
Emma the total experience you had shared makes incredible impact learning in one go. You are excellent in describe things to the minute details...just it's bit fast . And it's resonate many hours too.... it's too a great experience for your viewers like me🎉
Recently came across your channel and have been learning a great deal from your videos, am starting to learn as much as possible as future planning for booking a cruise as it might only be our first and last. Thankyou for all your expertise. I will be in touch when I'm finally about to book something somewhere lol
My Studio cabin on the Bliss had a virtual window as well and I loved it! I would have the bridge cam on the TV or navigation and the side view on the virtual window. I made the most of my tiny cabin and could care less the size!
The first ship I worked on, I had an inside cabin for a while. I used the TV's bridge camera view channel to find out the weather. It was also good for going through canals that I had been through before. Much more comfortable to lie in bed and watch the ship transit the keil Canal.
Thank you so much for your regular videos ❤. As a cruise noobie I’ve found them educational and inspirational. So much so, me & my wife just got back from our first ever cruise… Vancouver to Alaska with Celebrity (part of royal Caribbean I think…. The overhead cabin storage looked very familiar 😂).
The virtual balcony room reminds me of when I lived in New York City for a year for work. The apartment my company put me in was an interior apartment and only had a window that looked out into like a air shaft that ran through the middle of the building, so I never could tell the weather by looking out my window. So every morning when I woke up I would open up my laptop and view a webcam from Times Square, since I lived only a few blocks from it, and so that webcam was basically my window that told me what the current situation outside was lol.
Just delightful...i guess it was not wonderful enough to keep doing but O am so glad there are some being enjoyed and as usual..you find the pros in everything....thanks again Emma!!!
Thanks for this video Emma! Going on this ship next month in the same type of cabin and am looking forward to experiencing it, especially after your review.
@@EmmaCruises Hah you're right. You know I wish you could do a higher budget room review maybe one time. I've loved them all so far but I wonder if you'd ever do a crazy cabin with a porch one day. I'd think it's funny for someone to be so humble getting one of those crazy rooms.
We previously took the kids on a cruise on Disney Dream that has the Magic Portal in the interior cabins, and it was among the many highlights of the cruise for our family. So much so that as we started planning for an upcoming Disney cruise, the kids asked if we could get another Magic Portal room, and were slightly disappointed to learn that the Disney Wonder doesn't have them. One nice thing, they were easy to turn off.
I sailed on Anthem back in Spring 2023. I also had a virtual balcony cabin. I asked my stewart to turn off the balcony lol (tv) It was a nice inside cabin the rest of the week. Keep up the great videos, Emma. Love them. Next cruise for Capt Litterbox (Hudson) and myself. Adventure of the Seas sept 2024
I can't decide if I'm sold on these virtual balconies. I thought I'd find it beneficial for outfit planning but, thinking about it, this screen only shows a picture of the outside and doesn't give any information about the weather (maybe this is something that they could add in the future?). Totally echo your points re: storage - I always find that 'over the bed' storage to be SO useful, and I rarely fill it! Another excellent video, Emma!
4:22 - Huge THANKS! I love this, Could you touch more on accessible cabins and cruising in your future videos? It's often hard to find information and while there are 'specialised' yourtube channels they don't always go on the cruises I'm interested in, and of course it would be nice if accessibility was considered more 'normal'. Thanks :)
I had this kind of cabin on the same cruise ship in Norway last summer. It was a first for me too. I did like it a lot more than a regular inside cabin. It was nice to see outside in real time. My only complain is that I found it less soundproof than a regular cabin. I could hear a guy singing in his shower very late at night, every night, from the other side of the wall.
We stayed in a similar room. Was fantastic! Barely in the cabin and when we wanted to see where we were in the morning. The tv window was great and good quality picture too.
I stayed in ship with a virtual window back in 2014 or so, and we liked it. I don't think I'd pay extra for it, but it was a nice feature. I liked being able to look and see what the weather was like outside, if we were in port, etc.
Noticed you have some hangers that have clothing clips on them. Use the clips on one of those, turned vertical, like clothespins, to keep the curtain shut and cut back on light from the screen. We use this in hotels.
You should put together a collage of old videos of you in childhood on cruises! I’d love to see the look of the ships back then!!:) and you could talk about them over the video!
I love how you had three Britishisms in a row-bagsy, crisps, and caravan! Most of us ‘Mericans think of the Oregon Trail game when we think of a caravan. 😂❤
Yep, I always have “ that chair “ lol. I also make strange combos with the fizz machine! I’ve hit on some good ones but done so many I can’t remember what I’d put in it 😂
What we've started to do if/when we have an inside cabin is to leave the TV on and set to the Bow Camera. It can provide a little bit of light at night, but we don't need absolute dark to sleep. The plus is that you can see how dark or light it is outside whenever you wake up.
Hi Emma, would stocking say 5 zip loc bags w your travel size toiletries and a toothbrush in each help? If you made up bags in adv then re stock the used one when you return, you'd always have your necessities. I'm an executive assistant and i prepacked extra large zip loc bags for a female boss w her undergarments, and same for toiletries and she said it made packing a breeze (she travelled every week). No more oversights 😂
I use to travel a lot for business around South Africa and have had some really unusual bedrooms in small hotels. The worst being the one behind the bar, where my door backed onto the dartboard. I have a travel kit in.a suitcase with all my travel requirements so I don't have to think about a toothbrush. My kit includes duct tape. String , masking tape, bin bags, pegs, a small kettle, small electric fan, first aid kit, small heater apart from toiletries
I love this idea of a virtual window and I often wondered why the heck don't they do this for all non-balcony rooms. I would prefer this to a porthole, for example. If I had this option, I would definitely get it every time. On the other hand, I would probably *never* get an inside balcony cabin. For us it is proper outside balcony or inside room. No in-betweens. Thanks for doing this video.
The virtual window is a good idea, but there are technical considerations which may not have been taken care of for every monitor. If it has a too low refresh rate you will get nauseous, and the low resolution will also cause headache. A screen that can go completely dark would make the immersion more real as well.
I am so glad you did a review of this room type, I received an email about upgrading our interior state room on Symphony of the Seas. I think I will bid on this room. Thanks, Emma.
In relation to the seasickness. In slightly rougher seas the camera not matching up with the movement of the ship (either due to placement or a slight delay) very well could induce some kind of motion sickness.
Interesting depending on the video processing delay one could be feeling the move of the ship out of time with the picture or the picture out of time with the ship movements. Or it could be directional since the cameras facing the back of the ship your seen it move backwards but you're feeling it move forward. I could see that causing some people to be sicker. It's an interesting concept but I hope there's at least an off button and a timer it would be neat to have it turn on automatically in the morning but then be able to go off when you're not in the room or when you don't want it..
Hey Emma! I just wanted to say thank you for your content! I am so happy I stumbled across your channel a few weeks ago and watched a lot of your videos since. Personally, I have never been on a cruise before but if everything goes as planned, I will take a transatlantik/caribbean cruise in december (with a real balcony, haha ^^) and I already learned so much from your videos! Keep it up and have a great day! Greatings from germany! :)
To get complete darkness with your curtains: I overlap the two curtains and use both clips on a clamp hanger (like the monkey is hanging from) to block 100% of the external light.
Great review! We had one of these rooms randomly assigned to us on Symphony last November and loved it. They're not the same as a real balcony but as someone who doesn't mind an interior room, but they really do solve for the biggest interior room drawbacks -- that daylight reference point and trying to navigate the room successfully when all the lights are off by providing just a bit of light. One difference I noticed is that ours didn't have that railing in the shot and was a feed from one of the bridge cameras, which in hindsight kind of aligned with the location of our room on the ship... Also -- Towel Monkey :D
The interior cabins can be made very dark by placing a towel at the door threshold. I love sleeping that way, but extra effort is necessary to keep track of time.
In the US it's the same meaning but just 'bag' as a verb. You bagged the cabin, you can bag a chair at dinner, I bagged a bunch of eggs before they ran out, etc.
Anthem of the Seas is a fantastic ship I wish more newer ships would build to this standard. I like the giant open walkways down the middle of the ship with everything accessible from it. I've since been on a newer ship that despite being much bigger, reverted back to the old fashioned art of trapsing through other venues and tiny narrow corridors rammed with people. Regarding the virtual balcony I think the problem mostly comes in rough seas imo. Mine didn't feel like it matched the movement I was actually feeling which is a very odd sensation (although Anthem is a very stable ship) There should have been a remote somewhere to turn it off at night if prefered. Although iirc it still leaves a dim glow from the screen being on. I wouldn't avoid them but I'm not totally sold on the idea of virtual balconies, I'd like to see it done more as virtual portholes or windows in inside cabins as I wonder if the scale might work better and it can be put behind a real bit of glass for authenticity. I wonder if they would be much better with newer OLED panels where the blacks are properly black and theres less backlight glow.
Thanks so much for watching! If you're reading this please comment "Towel Monkey" so I know you've got this far! 😂🥰
Like looking around cabins? I sure do!
Staying in the Smallest Cabins on Cruise Ships: th-cam.com/video/Y64KDlkrjKg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=AFDqiS0QjTpcvtj5
4 Days in a Cabin With a Bizarre Layout and "BAD" Location: th-cam.com/video/oyM4-fHDuk0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=xyNnqCD_iSBSebta
7 Days in The Most Controversial Cabin at Sea: th-cam.com/video/g-ca_e_nU-M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sdsdbyDStTDPAfne
Towel monkey! I think the best thing about the window being a TV screen, you get the benefits of a window but you don't have to worry about people seeing into your room, so the "window" can stay open when you're not clothed.
I went on the ovation of the seas in a similar room. I was lucky there was an extra remote for the virtual balcony tv. I just turned it off of a night time.
@@EmmaCruises towel monkey was one thing but that swan thing looked exciting.... or was that excited?
@@EmmaCruises Towel Monkey is the name of my next band. 😁
Two toothbrushes is a good plan. Keep one in your travel kit.
I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska last year and had an inside cabin with a virtual balcony. This turned out to be a blessing because on the first day at sea I ended up spraining my ankle and being on crutches for most of the cruise. Because of this, I spent a lot of time in my cabin and found it pleasing to be able to at least have some sort of connection to the outside world.
Oh goodness, hope all was okay!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
It was great. I’m disabled but I did go into the ports and wander around while my family was out adventuring. I was happy because my family was happy. And watching the beautiful Alaska scenery was wonderful.
Wow, you couldn't even go and get the breeze. Deplorable. Shame on RC. You should sue.
The chair for clothes not dirty enough to wash but not clean enough for the wardrobe is a "chairdrobe"!
I love it!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I have one of those!
@@lorigrimaldi194Just one? I think we have three and an ottoman.
Mine is a dedicated spot on the floor :) “Floordrobe!”
@@jonathanj8303 😂
I like the idea of that "virtual" view. It would be great if it gave you the option to change views, like front, back, or either side of the ship. Great video, as always.
That would be so cool!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
like the ship camera station on the TV... it would be better if you could pick which camera to stick with
I assume its synchronisation to match the bulkhead it's on. Imagine if it's one side with video from another 🤢
@@sillysailor5932 Yes, it approximates what would be seen from the nearest outside camera.
@@sillysailor5932 I don't think they are. I think all the virtual windows are the same, it's the back of the ship.
Hotel curtains around the world are notorious for not closing completely. I have a pack of spring clips in luggage at all times that I can use to seal the gaps.
Very clever! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises thanks. Definitely not my original idea. Can’t remember where I learned it
Almost every hotel room has the hangers with the clips on them like the towel animals were hanging from. They hold the curtain closed very nicely.
if you didn't bring anything, you can use the clips on the hanger to keep curtains closed
Hotels have hangers with clips called clothes hanger curtain closers for closing curtains
I am 52 years old and never been on a cruise. I think your video's are brilliant and after watching quite a few of them I have been inspired to look into booking a cruise trip for me and my wife. It will be a small one from Southampton to start, but I really am intrigued to try as they look wonderful. Thanks so much for your videos, they are all informative, helpful and enjoyable to watch. No hesitation in subscribing to your channel.
im 59 and have never been on a cruise....mainly cause i have no desire to. its fun to watch these type of videos so i dont have to go on one
I hope you have a lovely time! I’m 58, and took my 3rd cruise last month to Alaska. Outstanding trip!
I’m getting ready to book my first cruise- solo…this channel has been such a great resource.
You really should go. It's expensive, but well worth it. Don't go with Carnival. I've been on 3 cruises with Norwegian. 21 days from Hong Kong to Sydney, 2 7 days Caribbean. It does get boring after a while. Internet is very slow & expensive.
I love the little things Emma does including the Capt. Hudson cameos. Just makes me smile. Thank you Emma for being you.
Thanks Joe! Me too so I'm glad you do too!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
M my ⁰òó 80th mo no😅@@EmmaCruises
If I'm not mistaken, Disney Cruises started the concept with their "magical portholes" implementation. Kinda neat to see how different lines adapt the idea for their ships.
Ooo yes I've heard about that, we didn't see any magical creatures! ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Those are the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream
It immediately reminded me of the space windows on their infamous and short-lived Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel.
MSC Meraviglia has "virtual portholes" on some or all inside cabins. I'm not sure how prevalent the practice is within MSC. The screen I saw was maybe a 35" screen(?) not huge but a nice touch, and it could show a live feed of the left or right side of the ship, as well as be turned off or set to show a cartoonish night sky view.
Yeeesss I loved those. A slightly cheaper room with a little porthole screen so u can see the outside world. That's a win in my book
Few thoughts on the virtual screen: allow guests to turn it off completely, or create schedules for it to turn on so that you can have it off at night and on near dawn. Have the view be aligned with the direction of the room so that people who are sensitive could have the view synchronized with the motion of the ship (maybe). Allow guest to select views instead of just the rear. Allow for screen casting so you can use it as a giant phone screen. Screens generate heat so this is something to consider when adding them to anything. I assume they've factored in the extra heat?
That would be cool! Oh my, imagine going on TikTok this big. ha ha! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
We had the vituak balcony and we were at the back of the ship, with the bed facing the back, but the virtual window was on the side. It was so disorienting! We just put the TV on which was on the correct wall for the back view
Those are all great suggestions! What I would add, is why not save money and space and use the same screen for the balcony and for the TV? Most people won’t mind if they can’t watch both at the same time.
I agree with you. An interior cabin with the faux view would be better than nothing at all. I don't mind the isolation of an interior cabin but as you noted, no windows has a few downsides to it. Love your vlogs and love your charm and charisma! Fair winds and following seas! 😎😎😎😎
Thanks so much for watching and your kind words! I appreciate it 😀❤️
But only it that thing works.
If it is blurry, has all shades of colors from pink to purple and after a while does mit work at all any more, then you fell betrayed.
No other room
No compensation.
Just.... That.
The towel monkey was adorable!!!!!!!!!!! I love when the attendants are so creative! I am sure your niece loved it too.
So much! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
A cruise we went on had one hanging from the ceiling, I knocked it down and left it on the floor. That evening our cabin boy collared me and sternly said 'you've killed my monkey', well worth the $5 tip 😀
I've stayed in this type of cabin twice. Loved both.
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
i’m watching this right now during my lunch break and I’m very excited to see it
Thank you! 😁❤️ e
My mom and I love watching your videos. We are planning on going on a cruise next year because of it!
Ooo how exciting!!! Have the best time ever!!!! 😀❤️ Thank you! 😁❤️
1:22 I think the cause of the seasickness is the difference between what you're seeing and the movement your body feels. Maybe there's some delay or some people are just sensitive to this.
Yeah, I do get travel sick quite a bit but id just close the curtain if it bothered me, ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I could also see it being a problem if the screen doesn't face the same direction as the camera. Then you'll see one motion while feeling another.
i think if the image was at a slight angle cause the camera was not level would totally make me sick, i have a very sensitive equilibrium and get motion sickness easily
@@andrewholden1501I believe on this ship the view was looking off the rear of the ship (towards aft), so if the TV isn’t also positioned on the aft wall of your cabin, your eyes and your body would be mismatched and I could easily see that it could make you seasick!
I feel like a towel monkey in a mostly dark bathroom would be terrifying and hilarious at the same time!
I loved your dress for Formal Night, and I think the faux-balcony made a beautiful backdrop...you truly do have the nicest smile I've ever seen. This was a wonderful video!
Thank you! 😁❤️
Cool, thank you for showing the gorgeous 'accessible' cabin! 😃
Nice wasn't it! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I love your reviews! I think that screen is an excellent idea. I usually just put the tv on the channel that shows the front of the ship when I go to sleep. Sound stays off and when the sun comes up I know its time to get moving. Travel safe and God Bless!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
6:40 Your Canadianism for the day is, making different drinks from the choices at the soda machine is called Swamp water.
Ha ha, I LOVE that! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Oh yeah! We would call it a graveyard
When I was a kid we called this drink a “suicide”. It appealed to our naive adventurous side I guess.
@@mommat1306I’m 55 and still call it a suicide. That’s what it is.
Floridian: Swamp water, of course! 🐊
Same concept in the NCL solo cabins. I wasn’t fond of the size of the cabin but the virtual window helped me to know where we were and what the weather was like outside. It was handy that you can turn it off by pulling the shade down.
Yesss!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
If the camera showed the view looking aft, but you were actually facing to Portside, then your inner ear would be getting different messages than what you are looking at. This could certainly make you seasick.
Yeah that's true. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
That's why i always get motion sick when i watch tv of people driving on the left side of the road.
We had this issue! The bed was facing the back of the ship, and the room was right at the back of the deck, but the virtual window was on the side, was extremely disorienting!
We've been in these cabins twice and loved them both times. Really brightens the cabin and even has sound. Save money and get one! You CAN turn off the screen if the light at night bothers you. Ask your steward. If not you can use a trouser hanger's clips to keep the curtain closed better.
Actually they do offer cabins like this on their newest ship. We just booked on the Utopia and unwittingly ended up with an interior “virtual balcony” cabin, so yes, they do offer this on other ships.
Oh really? I thought they scrapped the idea!! Maybe they got rid of Icon then bought them back, I was just looking at Icon. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises we shall see how it goes. We were just looking for an interior and when my wife was looking and the details after she booked, she asked "what is a virtual balcony" lol.
I came across your channel and videos by accident and thought I'd watch it for a lark. Even though I've never cruised in my life, I am now completely hooked on this channel! Love your videos (and I may end up going on a cruise because of it some day!)
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
4:00 “Unless, of course, they are literally your twin …”.
Wow! Two Emmas! Super cute!
Double the noses eh?? ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Towel Monkey!!! Emma ... I love your cruise videos. I have taken one cruise in my life, almost 40 years ago, but your videos bring back fond memories of the way things were back then. I will cruise again, primarily thanks to you and your videos. My best to Captain Hudson!
Love this, Thank you! 😁❤️
I can understand folks who found the screen made them queasy. If the ship is moving one direction but the video feed shows different direction that the way you're facing, it could make someone a bit sea sick if they're prone to it.
Hello!
We saw our cabin door in your video! Yay! 🎉 I am so glad we ran into you that one day and I had the opportunity to meet you in person. 😊
Emma, is Katie Knowles still the Cruise Director on Anthem of the Seas? She was our Cruise Director on our Anthem of the Seas cruise back in December from New York to the Bahamas. She was amazing and kept all of the entertainment and activities very fun! She was very, very good. She was extremely approachable and friendly and had a good sense of humor. She is full of energy and a genuinely nice person. Best cruise director we've ever had! I hope we get to cruise with her again soon. (And being from Florida, we loved her accent just like we like yours!!) And Martin was the Entertainment Director.....he was also amazing and very personable and friendly as well as approachable. He spent quite a bit of time talking with my family while we were spending some time in the Two70 area.
Thank you for this video. On our Anthen of the Seas cruise, our daughter and her family chose an inside cabin with the Virtual Balcony. We had a rough cruise so I'm not sure she liked the virtual balcony. We enjoyed our balcony cabin on Deck 8. Loved it!! But a December cruise for a Floridian was cold!
We were on this cruise and yes she was, though she was going back home after the cruise!
Love that cabin. The window is such a great idea
Thank you for the shout out - Much appreciated 🥰😎
Abby appreciates you ❤
Woohoo!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Hi, I've been dipping in and out and back in again for years on your channel, and I noticed that this is the most elegant dress I've seen you in. Very stylish.
I hope that you got to see our light night up here in Scandinavia whilst having that false window. I can understand if you get bothered by the light if you come from somewhere with dark nights and is thrown in close to the Arctic Circle in June and July. I was talking with a friend from Phoenix, AZ last week at three in the morning CET, and he was so surprised to see out the window that it was full daylight. It actually took me a double take or two to realize what the fuss was about. Fair winds to you and Captain Hudson. Yours, Ann
Thank you, very kind!! 😁❤️
We have sailed in the virtual balcony cabin and loved it. We also were able to turn off the light but perhaps I remember incorrectly .
You might have! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
The amount of times I forget my toothbrush and have to buy a new one when travelling! Excellent video again Emma :)
Ha ha, you must have lots!!! Thank you! 😁❤️
I'm surprised the "window" didn't have a switch you could use to turn it off. That seems crazy.
Not that I could find anyway! ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I enjoy your videos Emma, great work
For you Emma, surely "Best thing since choc chip cookies". We always travel in a stateroom with a balcony and always say to each other, whilst sipping an afternoon glass of sauv.blanc that we wish there wasn't a balcony rail which blocked the horizon line when seated. So virtual or real - the balcony rail is a pain in the proverbial xxxx.
Ha ha, so true!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Love these virtual windows!
I'd love to see you stay in one of these rooms! ;)
@@EmmaCruisesme too😂 love your videos Emma 😊 Will, I’ve been a fan for years
Thank you for the love Emma and all! 💕 And gotta love towel monkeys 😆
You're very welcome!!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I loved the cabins with the virtual balcony. It was an absolutely awesome experience and I truly enjoyed it. They need these types of cabins on more of their ships.
Hi! I have traveled to over 40 countries. Make a checklist of what to bring with; you'll never forget your toothbrush again! Happy sailing!
I do have one, I'd ticked off the toothbrush... ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Wait, what...a list? Make a list? Well ok then, lets do this.
Absolutely brilliant video! I never even knew this was a thing! Thank you for sharing your review on this clever in cabin feature. Always love your videos! 🥰
Thank you! I'm usually a "never-cruise" traveler. Thanks to your presentation, I've moved it over to a "maybe." Usually, influencers go on and on about the venues on board. Your focus is a big seller for me. I've learned quite a lot from you - one thing: modern cruise ships differ from my grandmother's. And this virtual idea... that's pretty cool. I think that's a big seller, but that suite rocks. And thank you for the brit slang lesson. Looking for a way to use "bagsy" - brilliant!
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
I love the towel monkey! What a great room. Never been on a cruise but I think I’d spend most of my time outside of the cabin.
Some Disney ships have virtual portholes, which I have enjoyed. In addition to being able to see how light or dark it is outside, sometimes Disney characters will pop up on the screen. Not so often that it was annoying or distracting, just cute. I think I would really love to have one of those virtual balconies, because it IS helpful for one's circadian rhythm to be able to see how light or dark it is outside. I would not be bothered by the morning light peeking in, because I always carry clothespins or large paper clips or safety pins to keep any curtain gaps closed up. That looks like a lovely cabin, and I think I would enjoy it very much. Thanks for the nice video.
Hi Emma! Tip from a frequent traveller - i hav home versions for tooth brush, hair brush & hair products, lotion, facial moisturizer... the basics. Other things wd live in the toiletry bag or the same shelf and I'd return them there after i use them at home.
That way i was always mostly-packed re: toiletries.
Happy travels! Hugs to Capt. Hudson
Yess I really need that, Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Emma the total experience you had shared makes incredible impact learning in one go. You are excellent in describe things to the minute details...just it's bit fast . And it's resonate many hours too.... it's too a great experience for your viewers like me🎉
Thanks so much for watching and your kind words! I appreciate it 😀❤️
@vtourist don't forget you can adjust playback speed in your settings if you find a video too fast
Emma, you can always use the clips attached to the closet hangers to clip the blackout curtains closed around a window or screen 😊
Nice video emma. Rreally enjoyed.
Recently came across your channel and have been learning a great deal from your videos, am starting to learn as much as possible as future planning for booking a cruise as it might only be our first and last. Thankyou for all your expertise. I will be in touch when I'm finally about to book something somewhere lol
I’ve stayed in this cabin type before. You can ask your attendant to switch it off as I am sensitive to light when sleeping which was brilliant!
LOL when you said "have a chair like that", I looked over at the chair in my bedroom, with my jumper and jeans on it :P
My Studio cabin on the Bliss had a virtual window as well and I loved it! I would have the bridge cam on the TV or navigation and the side view on the virtual window. I made the most of my tiny cabin and could care less the size!
The first ship I worked on, I had an inside cabin for a while. I used the TV's bridge camera view channel to find out the weather. It was also good for going through canals that I had been through before. Much more comfortable to lie in bed and watch the ship transit the keil Canal.
This is great! I’ll be in one of these rooms over Halloween. Thank you for sharing!
Have a great time! 🥳🥳
Thank you so much for your regular videos ❤. As a cruise noobie I’ve found them educational and inspirational. So much so, me & my wife just got back from our first ever cruise… Vancouver to Alaska with Celebrity (part of royal Caribbean I think…. The overhead cabin storage looked very familiar 😂).
Thanks so much for watching and your kind words! I appreciate it 😀❤️
The virtual balcony room reminds me of when I lived in New York City for a year for work. The apartment my company put me in was an interior apartment and only had a window that looked out into like a air shaft that ran through the middle of the building, so I never could tell the weather by looking out my window. So every morning when I woke up I would open up my laptop and view a webcam from Times Square, since I lived only a few blocks from it, and so that webcam was basically my window that told me what the current situation outside was lol.
Just delightful...i guess it was not wonderful enough to keep doing but O am so glad there are some being enjoyed and as usual..you find the pros in everything....thanks again Emma!!!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises xoxo. I just learned that the Navigator...I am closest to west coast ports...has some of those cabins!!!!!
Hey Emma! Great video as always!!!
Thanks for this video Emma! Going on this ship next month in the same type of cabin and am looking forward to experiencing it, especially after your review.
Have a great time! 🥳🥳
I just love your videos Miss Emma, always informative and entertaining, thank you
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
you're so free and happy. and I wish I had that life.
Don't forget it's literally my job to make you think that, ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises Hah you're right. You know I wish you could do a higher budget room review maybe one time. I've loved them all so far but I wonder if you'd ever do a crazy cabin with a porch one day.
I'd think it's funny for someone to be so humble getting one of those crazy rooms.
@@RR-yr4sd ha ha!! I am going in the MSC yacht club soon that’ll be the most luxurious 😀❤️ Watch this space!!
We previously took the kids on a cruise on Disney Dream that has the Magic Portal in the interior cabins, and it was among the many highlights of the cruise for our family. So much so that as we started planning for an upcoming Disney cruise, the kids asked if we could get another Magic Portal room, and were slightly disappointed to learn that the Disney Wonder doesn't have them. One nice thing, they were easy to turn off.
I sailed on Anthem back in Spring 2023. I also had a virtual balcony cabin. I asked my stewart to turn off the balcony lol (tv)
It was a nice inside cabin the rest of the week. Keep up the great videos, Emma. Love them. Next cruise for Capt Litterbox (Hudson) and myself. Adventure of the Seas sept 2024
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
“Towel Monkey.” 😃
Emma, I just love your videos; informative, and you always crack me up. Thank you.
I can't decide if I'm sold on these virtual balconies. I thought I'd find it beneficial for outfit planning but, thinking about it, this screen only shows a picture of the outside and doesn't give any information about the weather (maybe this is something that they could add in the future?).
Totally echo your points re: storage - I always find that 'over the bed' storage to be SO useful, and I rarely fill it!
Another excellent video, Emma!
Given some of the weird and terrible cabins you've had... you'd love this one!! ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises ha, that reply made me chuckle - at least you had a bed…!!
I was there too! Had an amazing time! Norway is gorgeous! Thank you for your wonderful videos! I was watching you before the cruise! 🚢 🥰
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
4:22 - Huge THANKS! I love this, Could you touch more on accessible cabins and cruising in your future videos? It's often hard to find information and while there are 'specialised' yourtube channels they don't always go on the cruises I'm interested in, and of course it would be nice if accessibility was considered more 'normal'. Thanks :)
My daughter and I had a virtual balcony on our 1st Alaska cruise, we liked it a lot
I had this kind of cabin on the same cruise ship in Norway last summer. It was a first for me too. I did like it a lot more than a regular inside cabin. It was nice to see outside in real time. My only complain is that I found it less soundproof than a regular cabin. I could hear a guy singing in his shower very late at night, every night, from the other side of the wall.
We stayed in a similar room. Was fantastic! Barely in the cabin and when we wanted to see where we were in the morning. The tv window was great and good quality picture too.
I stayed in ship with a virtual window back in 2014 or so, and we liked it. I don't think I'd pay extra for it, but it was a nice feature. I liked being able to look and see what the weather was like outside, if we were in port, etc.
Noticed you have some hangers that have clothing clips on them. Use the clips on one of those, turned vertical, like clothespins, to keep the curtain shut and cut back on light from the screen. We use this in hotels.
You should put together a collage of old videos of you in childhood on cruises! I’d love to see the look of the ships back then!!:) and you could talk about them over the video!
Great video. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day.
I love how you had three Britishisms in a row-bagsy, crisps, and caravan! Most of us ‘Mericans think of the Oregon Trail game when we think of a caravan. 😂❤
Great advice about your cabin!!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
5:04 I'm currently living in a tiny Apartment, I have a toothbrush in my bedroom,, and the kitchen, and the bathroom!! :)
Yep, I always have “ that chair “ lol. I also make strange combos with the fizz machine! I’ve hit on some good ones but done so many I can’t remember what I’d put in it 😂
I like to call those onboard Coke machines the "Coca-Cola Jukebox". LOVE your work and my Captain Hudson!
What we've started to do if/when we have an inside cabin is to leave the TV on and set to the Bow Camera. It can provide a little bit of light at night, but we don't need absolute dark to sleep. The plus is that you can see how dark or light it is outside whenever you wake up.
This idea is so cool! And you don’t have to get dressed to look out the window 😂
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I would ADORE that virtual window. I would sail that so specifically for that.
Hi Emma, would stocking say 5 zip loc bags w your travel size toiletries and a toothbrush in each help? If you made up bags in adv then re stock the used one when you return, you'd always have your necessities. I'm an executive assistant and i prepacked extra large zip loc bags for a female boss w her undergarments, and same for toiletries and she said it made packing a breeze (she travelled every week). No more oversights 😂
I use to travel a lot for business around South Africa and have had some really unusual bedrooms in small hotels. The worst being the one behind the bar, where my door backed onto the dartboard.
I have a travel kit in.a suitcase with all my travel requirements so I don't have to think about a toothbrush.
My kit includes duct tape. String , masking tape, bin bags, pegs, a small kettle, small electric fan, first aid kit, small heater apart from toiletries
I love this idea of a virtual window and I often wondered why the heck don't they do this for all non-balcony rooms. I would prefer this to a porthole, for example. If I had this option, I would definitely get it every time. On the other hand, I would probably *never* get an inside balcony cabin. For us it is proper outside balcony or inside room. No in-betweens.
Thanks for doing this video.
The virtual window is a good idea, but there are technical considerations which may not have been taken care of for every monitor. If it has a too low refresh rate you will get nauseous, and the low resolution will also cause headache. A screen that can go completely dark would make the immersion more real as well.
I am so glad you did a review of this room type, I received an email about upgrading our interior state room on Symphony of the Seas. I think I will bid on this room. Thanks, Emma.
Ooo, exciting!! Hope you get it. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Towel Monkey! 😂. I did enjoy this video! Thank you for all you do. 😊
2:00 Remarkable sights, the Norwegian Views? Beautiful plumage ...
In relation to the seasickness. In slightly rougher seas the camera not matching up with the movement of the ship (either due to placement or a slight delay) very well could induce some kind of motion sickness.
Yeah I suppose so, I'd just pull the curtain in that case. Ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
The fact that they don't give you the option to turn that thing off at night is insane!! I'd hate to try to sleep in a room with that bright light.
It's got a curtain in front of it which blocks out most of the light, so it's not worse than having a window I reckon
Interesting depending on the video processing delay one could be feeling the move of the ship out of time with the picture or the picture out of time with the ship movements. Or it could be directional since the cameras facing the back of the ship your seen it move backwards but you're feeling it move forward. I could see that causing some people to be sicker.
It's an interesting concept but I hope there's at least an off button and a timer it would be neat to have it turn on automatically in the morning but then be able to go off when you're not in the room or when you don't want it..
Hey Emma! I just wanted to say thank you for your content! I am so happy I stumbled across your channel a few weeks ago and watched a lot of your videos since. Personally, I have never been on a cruise before but if everything goes as planned, I will take a transatlantik/caribbean cruise in december (with a real balcony, haha ^^) and I already learned so much from your videos! Keep it up and have a great day! Greatings from germany! :)
Thanks so much, that sounds AMAZING!! Have a great time! 🥳🥳
To get complete darkness with your curtains: I overlap the two curtains and use both clips on a clamp hanger (like the monkey is hanging from) to block 100% of the external light.
Great review! We had one of these rooms randomly assigned to us on Symphony last November and loved it. They're not the same as a real balcony but as someone who doesn't mind an interior room, but they really do solve for the biggest interior room drawbacks -- that daylight reference point and trying to navigate the room successfully when all the lights are off by providing just a bit of light. One difference I noticed is that ours didn't have that railing in the shot and was a feed from one of the bridge cameras, which in hindsight kind of aligned with the location of our room on the ship...
Also -- Towel Monkey :D
Yeah!! ha ha, Thank you! 😁❤️
The interior cabins can be made very dark by placing a towel at the door threshold. I love sleeping that way, but extra effort is necessary to keep track of time.
In the US it's the same meaning but just 'bag' as a verb. You bagged the cabin, you can bag a chair at dinner, I bagged a bunch of eggs before they ran out, etc.
Never heard of bagged used in this way.
Anthem of the Seas is a fantastic ship I wish more newer ships would build to this standard. I like the giant open walkways down the middle of the ship with everything accessible from it. I've since been on a newer ship that despite being much bigger, reverted back to the old fashioned art of trapsing through other venues and tiny narrow corridors rammed with people.
Regarding the virtual balcony I think the problem mostly comes in rough seas imo. Mine didn't feel like it matched the movement I was actually feeling which is a very odd sensation (although Anthem is a very stable ship) There should have been a remote somewhere to turn it off at night if prefered. Although iirc it still leaves a dim glow from the screen being on.
I wouldn't avoid them but I'm not totally sold on the idea of virtual balconies, I'd like to see it done more as virtual portholes or windows in inside cabins as I wonder if the scale might work better and it can be put behind a real bit of glass for authenticity.
I wonder if they would be much better with newer OLED panels where the blacks are properly black and theres less backlight glow.
It seems like constant blue light from the "black" at night would be bad for sleep.
@@Skittl1321 Yeah, see this is what would concern me. i don't know, maybe when the curtain is drawn it 'filters' out the blue light somewhat?
I loved her too! Cute ship. The porthole idea is a good one. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Emma have you heard that Cpt Wesley is leaving P&O Iona to work for Disney Cruise line. He has one more sailing on Iona before he moves.