The 80-inch screen will show live, high-definition footage from outside cameras, affording you almost the exact view you would of had, had you actually booked a stateroom with a real balcony in the first place!
As for pricing, Royal Caribbean International, in a document sent to its travel partners, said “we would consider it unusual to find a virtual balcony stateroom priced higher than an ocean view stateroom.” Which indicates to me that these interior staterooms, which is still what they’ll be, will be priced as ocean view staterooms owing only to the fact that you’ll have a massive telly on the wall – Clever.
This whole concept may seem a little crazy to some, me included, but I suppose it shows originality and innovation through technology, and everyone loves a gimmick right?
Of course it raises the obvious question of whatever next? If we can save the cost of paying for a balcony stateroom by simply paying for an interior stateroom with a virtual balcony why not embrace the concept completely.
Could we not eliminate the queue’s and security checks at airports, the lugging around of the suitcases, the jet-lag and of course the expense by taking a virtual holiday from the comfort of our own home without going anywhere! – Crazy?…..well virtually.
I’d love to know what you think.