Thread: Which Cruise Ships Have Good Passenger Viewing Areas On Lower Decks And Which Do Not?

I really enjoy cruise ships that have nice unobstructed views on the lower decks. I like being down closer to the water where you can hear it rush by. In my limited experiences, I've liked and not so liked ship designs. I'd like to get some more input on other's experiences. Here are mine:

RCCL Voyager and Freedom Class Ships - Deck 5 right off the Royal Promenade provides a complete open air stroll around the ship including the bow area which is probably one of my favorite places to hang out. There are benches at the bow to just sit and watch the ocean go by. It's also a great place to be for sail aways. The life boats are tucked away over head on deck 5 so they do not obstruct the view like on some ships.

RCCL Oasis Class Ships -Deck 5 right off the Royal Promenade provides decent to good views at that level. The life boats are the biggest you'll see and they couldn't tuck them away overhead like they could on Freedom or Voyager Class so they obstruct the views along much of the jogging track. The view from the rear of the ship on the deck is very nice. There are chairs there to sit watch the prop wash. There are actually several decks aft that offer really nice public viewing areas. Deck 6 around the Aqua Theatre has nice access. There are also three or four decks above there with nice terrace views as well. Those are also a great place to watch the dive show if you don't have a ticket for that show. The rear terrace viewing areas were not on the deck map so you have to search for them, but they are there. One thing I was disappointed on Oasis class is that the bow is closed to passengers. It's used as a outdoor crew area which is a bummer because it would be a really nice and wide open viewing area. The only place you can get a view of the bow is the viewing area above the bridge so you're way up there to see in the direction the ship is going.

Norwegian Epic - We're sailing on this ship soon but I wanted to comment on what I've read and it's not good. Deck 7 is the lower viewing area and I'm reading that the life boats obstruct the view pretty much the entire length. Plus, the jogging track is only on one side of the ship so no path all the way around. Also, no access to bow area and I don't believe there are any open air views aft on that deck or any other but the top decks. Please add any first hand comments you have. I'll comment again after I sail on her in March 2012.

I'm anxious to read other ship's lower deck view reviews so bring em' on.

Cheers!

On both my NCL cruises, the Gem and the Spirit, deck 7 ws the promenade deck and we took many walks around it. It was low enough to enjoy thesound of the water.

Are there any views from the aft or bow directions on those Norwegian ships?

Nice post

Silja Serenade has some decks where open great view. In bow, under bridge lie opened deck. There see in front of ship. It is wonderful sight to see how she sail on clear sea. I love sea watching and I may follow sea unlimited time. There can forget yourself and feel free.
Lol, on Silja Serenade sun deck can look in promenade. in middle ship lie glass and fun was viewing in promenade. There can follow people on the promenade deck. Someone had shopping, someone walked for nothing.
The cruise ferry the Silja serenade is such lovely ship. In front of ship, on lifeboat deck can walk around on ship. In stern can look, how sea foam in back of ship. The ship propellers put sea water foaming on the foam is nice look in dark. In front of the same deck lie fun place. The place is with windows closed deck area but it is empty. There echo if tell loud lol. There can look in front of ship. no so good as from upper deck.

May I write about Venice small boat? Hope, may . I was in Venice 2010 spring and the best moment was on sailing back to inland. I was on top of bow with captain hat and stupid sunglasses. There was mighty. The best view open on top of ship bow. Sad but the most of ships has the area closed for passengers.
I can imagine, how mighty was Rose's view in front of ship at titanic movie.

I forgot to mention M/S Superstar. The ship have three decks high viewing area in bow slice. In front of ship lie big glassed area vith view in front.

The Superstar is foreign ship for you, so I would to post a picture for show the ship front:


M/S star have bad outside decks. Three opened decks area are in stern only. Good view is back directly but big wall block viewing to side. Lifeboats deck is small and there see off ship side.