Tips for booking obstructed view cabins on your next cruise
Savvy cruise shoppers have always known what a great value an obstructed view cabin can be. But for newer cruisers who aren’t familiar with the good and the bad of an obstructed-view cruise cabin option, we’re here to let you know what to look for and what to expect!
what IS an obstructed view cruise cabin / stateroom?
Any objects that may even MINIMALLY alter a fully open view from a porthole window or balcony will be considered obstructed. The object may be as simple as a piece of window washing equipment barely in sight or as extreme as a fully obstructed view by a lifeboat. Researching the specific cabin is key to getting the best bang for your obstructed buck!
In short, what is considered an obstructed view can vary tremendously, but USUALLY isn’t a fully blocked view. For example, the most common reason a cabin is considered an obstructed view cabin is being able to see the roof of a lifeboat when standing at the edge of a balcony. So it’s not really blocking a view out, but the lifeboat blocks a few DOWN to the ocean. If you’re sitting on the balcony, you’ll likely never be bothered by it.
The good about obstructed view cabins & Staterooms
The most popular reason people choose obstructed-view cabins is the discounted price. This is one of our favorite tips for saving money when booking a cruise! Sometimes you can book a balcony obstructed view stateroom for the price of a regular inside stateroom or ocean view stateroom. For people on a budget who want outdoor space, this is a great option!
The other great thing about these cabins is they’re often not fully obstructed. The cruise lines will offer discounted partial obstructed view cabins that have almost no obstructions, but they know they have to discount these and disclose even a minimal obstruction to avoid complaints.
One perk of the obstructed view cabins is they are often in the best locations on a ship. Because most of the obstructions come from lifeboats, the cabins are usually in a central area of the ship, one of the most desirable locations.
The bad about obstructed view cabins
Sometimes these staterooms can, in fact, be FULLY obstructed by equipment or lifeboats. Additionally, the discounts may not be enough to make the obstruction worth it.
For example, this ocean-view cabin has a window that is fully blocked by a lifeboat. While you might get some natural light anyway, the question would be how good of a value is this versus an inside cabin:
Cruise lines have been less willing to discount some rooms as ships sail at a fuller capacity. So discounting isn’t as aggressive as it once was for these cabin types.
Is an obstructed view cruise cabin worth it?
Oftentimes, yes! Especially balcony cabins that can be hundreds or even thousands less expensive than a similar cabin without an obstruction.
It’s important to check the location of the cabin you are considering booking. Usually, a travel agent will have the best information, but you can research on your own by going to Cruise Deck Plans and looking at the specific stateroom.
Photos of obstructed view cabins on a cruise ship
Here are some great pics of what to expect when booking an obstructed-view cruise cabin:
In general, we advise avoiding obstructed cabins when you cannot specifically choose the stateroom. So when you book a cruise with an obstructed view and the option is (GTY), meaning, “guarantee” – that means the cruise line will assign the cabin and you have no ability to research just how obstructed a specific cabin is.
Additionally, obstructed-view ocean-view cabins are generally not worth the small discount. There is such a limited amount of view and light that comes into an oceanview stateroom that saving a few dollars on one of these already (relatively) inexpensive cabins isn’t worth the obstruction. In this case, be safe and go with an ocean-view stateroom without anything blocking the view!
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In some cases, the cabins will be obstructed simply because the ship has been structured in a specific way. Obstructed view cabins come in all shapes and sizes, so if you're debating whether to change your reservation, the answer is no.
Some people care more about the location than they do the view from the balcony. If you're somebody who likes to be in the middle of the ship for seasickness reasons, getting an obstructed view in the middle can be a really good way to get that location that you want, but without paying the premium price.
What does obstructed view mean? It means you'll have either an incomplete view or something will be in your line of sight because of the position of the seats — like a pole, speakers or the sound board — and you won't be able to see the entire stage.
An Obstructed View cabin has some sort of obstruction blocking your view - the obstruction in question varies from ship to ship. It is usually a lifeboat, either in front of your cabin window, below it or above it. It may also be a structural part of the ship that is in the way.
Obstructed view seats are those with a pole in the middle of view, and the stage visible on either side of pole. Partial view seats are those with a pole blocking a portion of the stage.
While your view may be interrupted, obstructed doesn't mean blacked out – the complete opposite, in fact! Natural light will still stream into your cabin and you'll have a firm grasp of whether it's night or day.
Obstructed view. Your view from the window or balcony may be partially obstructed. This could be due to a lifeboat, deck equipment, or just part of the ship. However, these cabins still receive plenty of natural light and are of great value.
If tickets are marked as an “obstructed” or “limited” view, the venue (not the seller) has determined that those seats do not have a full view of the stage, field, court, ice, etc.
Deck 4 cabins are normally quiet. And for a smooth ride in rough seas, midship on that deck, especially in an inside, is the smoothest place on the ship. That's one reason the medical center is usually there.
Most balconies only fit two people, so my family of three can't comfortably sit outside together. These rooms also tend to be very expensive, and I'd rather spend my money on other amenities.
This can mean, e.g., a visual obstruction caused by production technology, such as a structure of the sound system, a stage element or a side view to the stage. Visibility can also be obstructed due to the structures of the venue itself, such as railings or poles.
Listings with obstructed views will have a note letting you know the view is blocked, and they can be excluded when browsing listings by filtering your search to Exclude Obstructed Views (see images below).
A restricted view, limited view or side view means that you may be unable to see the entire stage from the specified seats. You'll have either an incomplete view because of the position of the seats, or something may be in your line of sight – like a pole, speakers, or the sound board.
Know This: Location can matter! One of the best spots for a balconied cabin (or suite) is on a ship's aft deck, facing backward over the wake. It's an incredibly soothing sight ,and often these verandas (even with a standard-category cabin) are deeper and roomier than usual.
Cruise travelers who spend all their time in the ship's public areas or on shore may be perfectly happy with standard-size cabins with nothing more than a window to sea. However, those who avoid crowds and prefer quiet ocean views should opt for a balcony. They can also give you more space to spread out.
For me, this is the big reason to get a balcony cabin. At any time of the day — or night — you can slide open your balcony door and breathe in the fresh ocean air. You'll also be able to hear the sounds of the waves as they crash against the bow of your ship.
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