Big white balls on deck ?

They're the protective covers over the satellite communications equipment used to provide Internet service (and sometimes other communication services) on the ship. Most cruise ships have some type of similarly shaped equipment on their top decks nowadays.

Don

Thanks, Don -- I also always thought they were radar covers.

Silly me. I thought they were giant golf balls on tee's for Paul Bunyan. 

The radar antennae are usually bar-shaped devices spinning on a mast (or several masts) closer to the bow of the ship. Many ships have two or more of these radars to provide different types of navigation assistance. So you may see several radar antennae of different sizes spinning at different speeds. These radar antennae are far less sensitive to weather than the communication equipment protected within the ball-shaped covers.

Internet and passenger-accessible communication services on cruise ships are satellite-based, which requires line-of-sight orientation to the relevant satellite(s) to maintain signal strength. The equipment is more delicate than navigation radars, and the round covers deflect wind and rain to protect sensitive electronics while simultaneously simplifying the task of controlling proper alignment to maintain a stable signal.

Now THERE’S someone who should have complained about the deck being too hot !

I remember how excited DW and I were when we prepped for our first cruise. I did a lot of online work to learn about the ship's features ahead of time. It's like entering a different world. Thanks for asking about the golf ball object. Now I have a clearer knowledge of what is what on deck.

He could get his point across for sure!

I’ll bet he’s a baritone

Excellent info Don. Thanks much

Thanks everyone for the explanations and comments. Everytime they come up on a video the debate starts so now we know.  Really enjoying the community here at Cruiseline too! You all are so fun!! 

Can't wait to get on board and relax!!