My wife and I have been on many cruises, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Pacific. We always get a cabin with a balcony.
At night on a calm sea it's wonderful to sit out there, miles and miles of black inky sea. The rail comes up about 48 inches, easy to lean on with your elbows.
In rough seas, however, the balcony gets wet, sea spray makes everything slippery. On two occaisions, when the ship breaks through a big swell I have been thrown against the rail once hard enough to bruise my hip. A scary moment to be sure!
One hand for the ship, one hand for you!
Perhaps I should wear a leash and harness! ;)
susie