Obstructed View Cruise Cabins – What to Know (2024)

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:

Obstructed View Cruise Cabins – What to Know (1)

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:

When to avoid an obstructed view stateroom

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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Obstructed View Cruise Cabins – What to Know (2024)

FAQs

Obstructed View Cruise Cabins – What to Know? ›

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.

How bad is an obstructed view on a cruise ship? ›

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.

What is the difference between an obstructed ocean view balcony and an ocean view balcony? ›

In an OV, you see the ocean from your cabin window...in an OB, not so much. OBs usually have a lifeboat obstructing your view.

What does an obstructed view mean? ›

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.

Is an obstructed balcony worth it? ›

Even if your balcony is completely obstructed, being able to get some fresh air/daylight is really nice. I personally wouldn't pay much more than an ocean view price for an obstructed view balcony – but it can be worth it in some circ*mstances.

What is the riskiest part of a cruise ship? ›

Key Takeaways. Certain areas of a cruise ship, including pool decks, dining rooms, and outer decks, can become particularly hazardous during rough seas, posing risks such as injuries from slips and falls.

What does code red mean on a cruise ship? ›

“Code Red” is used to signal a potential norovirus outbreak or other contagious illness onboard. In response to this code, enhanced sanitation measures are implemented throughout the ship to prevent the spread of illness and protect the health of passengers and crew members.

What does obstructed view 1 mean? ›

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.

What does potentially obstructed view mean? ›

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.

What are the best floors to stay on a cruise ship? ›

Middle decks strike a balance between stability and accessibility. They are often preferred by cruisers who want easy access to onboard facilities while still enjoying a relatively stable experience. These decks are usually located near popular amenities like pools, spas, and dining venues.

What is an obstructed view stateroom? ›

A. An obstruction is something the blocks a proportion of the direct outward view from a stateroom.

Can people see you on a cruise balcony? ›

However, it's important to remember that your "private" veranda isn't as secluded as you might think. Other passengers can hear and sometimes even see you, so proper etiquette is crucial.

What are obstructed view seats? ›

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.

Does side view mean obstructed view? ›

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.

What does obstructed visibility mean? ›

A “visibility obstruction” means any natural or man-made object exceeding three feet (3') in height which blocks or impedes the vision. Visibility obstruction includes hedges, bushes, natural growth, buildings, structures, fences and signs.

What does obstructed side view mean? ›

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.

What are the odds of something bad happening on a cruise? ›

The odds of dying on a cruise ship are slim to none — well, roughly 1 out of 6.25 million. So in that aspect they are considered “safe”. However, there is a lot more to consider when you're talking about the safety of yourself, your family, and those around you.

Is it bad to be in the very front of a cruise ship? ›

1-Front (front of the ship)

Of all the cabin locations you can get this is probably the worst for movement. If you imagine a cruise ship as a see-saw, as it cuts through the waves the front of the ship will dip down in the water and then come back up, meaning you'll get the most movement at the front of the ship.

What is worse the front or back of a cruise ship? ›

The back of the ship tends to be considered the next best cabin position after midships. Whilst the front of the ship gets the most movement the back also does get some. Whilst it's nowhere near as bad as the front of the ship, you may still notice some movement in rough seas.

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