Virtual Portholes on Royal Caribbean

ChuckElias

ChuckElias

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Just saw video of an inside stateroom on the Navigator of the Seas, which has a "virtual balcony". It's a live feed of on outside camera, just like the virtual portholes on the Dream and Fantasy. The difference on the Navigator is that it's a window that goes from floor to ceiling, not just a porthole.

I'm not posting the video here because it was made by an agent who works for the same travel company that I'm a part of. And I know that we're trying not to step on our hosts' toes. But there are pictures available that you can find very easily with a Google search.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
I would sail a virtual balcony room. Royal has been installing them onto their ships as they rotate thru drydock. I know the Navigator has advertised they have them. And the Quantum will have them. I'm sure the 3(?) new Oasis class ships will have them.

@Disneyfalcon , I think the desired effect is to create a feeling of spaciousness. Moreso than what's actually there. Also, it might create a connection to the sea. I know when I've sailed I would at least keep the curtains open just so I can see the water. If there's too much glow coming off the screens it would kill it because it would feel totally artificial. The execution on something of this scale will make or break it.
 
ChuckElias

ChuckElias

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Disneyfalcon said:
I'm not too sure what to think about it.
Click to expand...
I think it's great, personally. I think it brings a little extra light (even if it's not really natural light) into the room. It gives a view. It's definitely going to be a selling point for inside staterooms. Of course, it would be better if Disney characters floated across it every once in a while, but that's not going to happen!

What are your reservations about it?
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
I would sail a virtual balcony room. Royal has been installing them onto their ships as they rotate thru drydock. I know the Navigator has advertised they have them. And the Quantum will have them. I'm sure the 3(?) new Oasis class ships will have them.

@Disneyfalcon , I think the desired effect is to create a feeling of spaciousness. Moreso than what's actually there. Also, it might create a connection to the sea. I know when I've sailed I would at least keep the curtains open just so I can see the water. If there's too much glow coming off the screens it would kill it because it would feel totally artificial. The execution on something of this scale will make or break it.
Click to expand...

ChuckElias said:
I think it's great, personally. I think it brings a little extra light (even if it's not really natural light) into the room. It gives a view. It's definitely going to be a selling point for inside staterooms. Of course, it would be better if Disney characters floated across it every once in a while, but that's not going to happen!

What are your reservations about it?
Click to expand...

Oh I do like the light! Hate the darkness of the inside rooms. I think the virtual portholes were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I think a virtual verandah just seems like unnecessary overkill? Like they are desperate to one up Disney?

And I agree, the execution is going to be huge.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Disneyfalcon said:
Oh I do like the light! Hate the darkness of the inside rooms. I think the virtual portholes were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I think a virtual verandah just seems like unnecessary overkill? Like they are desperate to one up Disney?

And I agree, the execution is going to be huge.
Click to expand...
Gotcha and I totally thought the same thing about the one-upedness at first. It does seem like overkill. You can almost hear the conversation:

"Disney has virtual portholes. Their inside rooms feel like oceanview now."

"Well, let's make our inside rooms feel like a verandah room."

"Yeah! Burn Disney!"

Not exactly. Royal needs to make their rooms bigger and get that split bath before I'm impressed. If I want a verandah I'll just pay for one. And put my kids inside. I'm the best mom ever, huh? LOL!
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Gotcha and I totally thought the same thing about the one-upedness at first. It does seem like overkill. You can almost hear the conversation:

"Disney has virtual portholes. Their inside rooms feel like oceanview now."

"Well, let's make our inside rooms feel like a verandah room."

"Yeah! Burn Disney!"

Not exactly. Royal needs to make their rooms bigger and get that split bath before I'm impressed. If I want a verandah I'll just pay for one. And put my kids inside. I'm the best mom ever, huh? LOL!
Click to expand...

Yes! Burn! Lol!

Of course you are! They get their own room, everyone wins! :)
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
How much heat does this thing throw off? I know they are not as hot as a tube TV, but HD TVs still throw off a lot of hear (Put your hand on your computer monitor right now). I don't think I would want that in my room.


-dave
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Phonedave said:
How much heat does this thing throw off? I know they are not as hot as a tube TV, but HD TVs still throw off a lot of hear (Put your hand on your computer monitor right now). I don't think I would want that in my room.


-dave
Click to expand...
I'm no techie but don't LCD or LED tvs throw like barely any heat? I really don't know. My iPad doesn't feel warm. (???) We bought our big tvs just before the LEDs hit big so we have a 42" plasma & a 50" plasma. Both of them generate a LOT of heat.
 
Cesar R M

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
I just browsed on youtube a few videos of this stateroom. and It seems they are using either Linux Ubuntu type installation or Solaris.
Royal Caribbean is indeed investing a lot on their cruises. Lots of hype for the new Quantum Class.
 
wdwstateofmind

wdwstateofmind

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
I'm no techie but don't LCD or LED tvs throw like barely any heat? I really don't know. My iPad doesn't feel warm. (???) We bought our big tvs just before the LEDs hit big so we have a 42" plasma & a 50" plasma. Both of them generate a LOT of heat.
Click to expand...
They throw off quite a bit of heat when left on for long periods and will also start buzzing as well. The buzz is unavoidable and I'm sure they'll eventually get complaints about giant buzzing screens in their room and regret everything after they have to costly replace each one that buzzes. It might seem like nothing but just imagine sitting in bed at night, everything's quiet except for a slight buzz coming from a virtual balcony, even if it is in standby mode...
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
wdwstateofmind said:
They throw off quite a bit of heat when left on for long periods and will also start buzzing as well. The buzz is unavoidable and I'm sure they'll eventually get complaints about giant buzzing screens in their room and regret everything after they have to costly replace each one that buzzes. It might seem like nothing but just imagine sitting in bed at night, everything's quiet except for a slight buzz coming from a virtual balcony, even if it is in standby mode...
Click to expand...
My sons have a 42" Samsung LED & a 32" Samsung LCD. The LED is 2 yrs old. The LCD is over 3 yrs old. Both of those tvs are used more hours than not out of the day. That LCD, I couldn't tell you the last time it was turned off. I will say, the LCD does seem to throw more heat than I notice from my other son's LED. Neither make any buzzing sounds, tho.

I have no idea how much the monitors that are being used for these installations on the Royal ships cost. Mathematically it could make sense even if the monitors have to be replaced annually. Say 1 room is booked 30 times in a year at a premium of $200 more than the non-virtual balcony room. That's $6k. If Royal is buying these units in quantity they're prob'ly getting a good price. If they can get 18-24 months out of each monitor, cha-ching. Yes?
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
I have no idea how much the monitors that are being used for these installations on the Royal ships cost. Mathematically it could make sense even if the monitors have to be replaced annually. Say 1 room is booked 30 times in a year at a premium of $200 more than the non-virtual balcony room. That's $6k. If Royal is buying these units in quantity they're prob'ly getting a good price. If they can get 18-24 months out of each monitor, cha-ching. Yes?
Click to expand...

Not to mention they may experience the same phenomenon Disney did where it was able to sell inside rooms with virtual portholes not just for more than inside rooms on other ships, but more than oceanview rooms on the same ship!
 
Cesar R M

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
My sons have a 42" Samsung LED & a 32" Samsung LCD. The LED is 2 yrs old. The LCD is over 3 yrs old. Both of those tvs are used more hours than not out of the day. That LCD, I couldn't tell you the last time it was turned off. I will say, the LCD does seem to throw more heat than I notice from my other son's LED. Neither make any buzzing sounds, tho.

I have no idea how much the monitors that are being used for these installations on the Royal ships cost. Mathematically it could make sense even if the monitors have to be replaced annually. Say 1 room is booked 30 times in a year at a premium of $200 more than the non-virtual balcony room. That's $6k. If Royal is buying these units in quantity they're prob'ly getting a good price. If they can get 18-24 months out of each monitor, cha-ching. Yes?
Click to expand...
I think the former poster is confusing the LCDs with PLASMA monitors
PLASMA are the ones that get VERY HOT and buzz and creak ( plastic and metal expansion due of heat)
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Cesar R M said:
I think the former poster is confusing the LCDs with PLASMA monitors
PLASMA are the ones that get VERY HOT and buzz and creak ( plastic and metal expansion due of heat)
Click to expand...
Really? We have 50" & 42" both Samsung plasmas that are about 6 yrs old. Never heard any buzzing or creeking. They throw a lot of heat, tho. I've hated them both since we got them.
 
Cesar R M

Cesar R M

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Really? We have 50" & 42" both Samsung plasmas that are about 6 yrs old. Never heard any buzzing or creeking. They throw a lot of heat, tho. I've hated them both since we got them.
Click to expand...
I suppose it depends on the temperature differences room vs operating temps.
but here, my older samsung plasma used to "creak" after being turned off (as it cools down)
 

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