Disney Cruise Line is trying to upgrade its windowless interior cabins with a new feature: the virtual porthole.
High-definition cameras perched on the exterior of the ship will broadcast real-time video to the circular monitors in the cabins.
From a design perspective, it’s pretty clever, and I could imagine other cruise lines following suit if this is successful. Some airlines already offer a camera pointed forward and/or downward on the inflight video. Perhaps this is just the logical extension.
And heck, imagine other faux windows… a hotel with a broom closet room with floor-to-ceiling LCD screens with ocean views?… hmm… alert a venture capitalist!
But leave it to Disney to not leave well enough alone and to “improve” upon the real world:
One twist: Disney says every now and then an animated Disney character such as Peach the starfish from Finding Nemo or even Mickey Mouse may appear in the virtual porthole (superimposed on the live outdoor feed to look as if they were outside the ship).
Take that, natural vistas!
Now, I’m not attracted to cruise travel in the first place, so I’m not a fair judge of this upgrade of windowless rooms. But for those of you who like to cruise, what do you think? Is this a genuine improvement, or is it lipstick on a pig? Vote in the poll, and leave your comments below.
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November 3rd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
They should actually be recessed behind the “porthole” at least a foot or so, and be quite a bit larger, so as to give more of an illusion of depth and a view that changes depending on what angle you’re looking from. Hell, it’d be great if the screens were concave and a wide-angled camera view was projected on it.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I get the interior cabins because I like to sleep in the pitch darkness of them. If they had the fake windows I may as well get the real thing!
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Unless they are able to use some cool synchronizing technology that matches the rocking of the boat to the movement of the horizon on the monitor, it will just be distracting and make people sick. Having worked on a cruise ship, any view of the sea and horizon helps in the fight against seasickness as long as it’s fixed. If the horizon of the sea in the monitor is moving with the ship, that will just magnify the seasick problem.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:49 am
That’s a dumb idea and the money could be much better spent. I’ve been on more than 10 cruises and most have had a channel on the TV (using CCTV) devoted to the outside view (usually from the bridge level). This way people in interior cabins can check the weather (rain, sun, have we arrived in port, etc). The quality is usually terrible, but gives me a good enough idea of what’s going on outside for me to decide whether bring an umbrella or sunglasses. After that, I can go out on deck and enjoy the weather if I want. Therefore, I think the bridge camera fed to TV is sufficient.
Besides that, I don’t need yet another screen taking up an already tiny room. (I bring my laptop & iPhone, etc) And I agree with applezz–one of the benefits of interior cabins is the dark rooms and the chance to ignore the world for as long as you want (similar to casinos not having natural lighting).
November 4th, 2009 at 9:11 am
The idea is great however the execution may leave a lot to be desired. I consider my self a seasoned cruiser, 9 under my belt and just booked my 10th yesterday.
I have cruised twice in an interior cabin and after the cruiseline upgraded me to an exterior one year, I never went back. Interior cabins are fine if your primary goal is the bottom line. I certainly wouldnt recomment an interior cabin if you are doing scenic cruising.
I found the interior cabin to mess with my sleep cycle as there are no clocks in the rooms, there is almost total darkness except for the glow of the hallway lights around the cabin door and no window to the outside world to tell if it is day or night.
I like the idea of a real-time camera so at least there is some view and some way to tell time. I would hope that there is a way of turning off the video feed or drawing a curtain. My other fear is that it will be used to advertise for ship’s services or other subliminal messages.
When I travel alone with my wife i would continue to stay in a balcony stateroom, however, for family’s with kids, looking to save some coin, the virtual window may be a good compromise.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Not a bad idea. It would seem to dampen the claustrophobic feeling of an interior cabin. I agree with another poster who mentioned the capability to turn it off at night or if you don’t like it. RCCL started enhancing interior cabins by having windows onto the Royal Promenade, interior shopping/dining arcade. This is a novel way to expand the concept of making those interior cabins more enticing. One would wonder what % of passengers book interior cabins vs. outside cabins and if it has become a sales issue. That may be at the bottom of the virtual porthole decision.
http://www.zippyreviews.com/travel_blog
November 4th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I guess I should say up front, I wouldn’t cruise Disney. I’m something of a seasoned cruiser, and I definitely know what I like. But, if a cruise line I WOULD go on offered this, I would totally do it.
Fact is, you don’t spend very much time in your room on a cruise. Figure you’re in there for an hour in the morning and an hour at night. Maybe a little bit during the day to get ready for dinner, get out of your swimsuit, etc. I’ve had the nice room with the living room, flatscreen tv, refrigerator, room service 24/7, etc, as well as the small room with bunk beds and no view. It doesn’t make a difference. You still don’t want to stay in there.
I do agree with the commenter above who noted the problem with not having natural light – for me, anyway, that was only an issue with getting out of bed in the morning. But I know the same thing happens to me in hotels that have those big blackout drapes. Its easily enough dealt with.
I don’t mind the inside porthole-less rooms, and if this is just another way to create affordable rooms, I’m all for it. Just let me cover up the “virtual porthole” so I don’t have to see it.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I’d probably try it once. I’ve only been on 2 cruises, once with a porthole and once in an interior cabin and was not prepared for the level of claustrophobia and disorientation not having some access to the outside caused.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I agree with Stephanie – I don’t think I would want to sail with Disney, either! I have sailed in inside cabins, porthole cabins, and cabins with balconies. Of course having a window is preferable, but I wouldn’t pay extra to have a fake window. I only would if it looked completely like the real thing and helped with claustrophobia. But to be honest, I like portholes to see what we are really passing by — if they could project what it really looks like, that would be great, but if it’s just generic footage, no thanks. I’d rather watch the TV channel that shows the view from the bridge. I can go up to a deck if I get claustrophobic and want a real ocean view. And the fact that Disney characters will appear is super lame. I will pass on this one!
November 15th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I wouldn’t sail on Disney either, but if other cruise lines consider this, you won’t hear complaints from me. In three cruises, I’ve had three cabin categories: inside, ocean view, and a balcony. They’ve all had their merits, and I would book an inside cabin again, with or without this “porthole.” As long as I could turn it off or close the curtains to get my pitch-black room at night, I’m all for it.