Erin,
The balconies are just to step out on. You have a full-length sliding glass door that opens wide. There is a clear glass balustrade with a teak cap you can lean out on--you can see along the side of the ship. The balcony is just a step, really. The key is the open air, sunlight coming into the sitting area of the suite. At night, in port, with the balcony open and your waiter serving you dinner as you watch the harbor lights across the bay...well, it''s pretty amazing.