cruise obstructed view balcony

Obstructed View Cruise Cabins – What to Know

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:

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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Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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Obstructed View on Cruise Ship — What to Know about This Cabin Feature

https://starryjourneyer.com/obstructed-view-on-cruise-ship/

When considering an obstructed view cabin on a cruise ship, many passengers may underestimate its value. However, this cabin category hides a silver lining that can positively impact your budget.

While the scenic beauty of a cruise is highly cherished by many, budget constraints can make cabins with stunning ocean views seem out of reach. If you’re planning to book a cruise, finding ways to reduce cabin expenses without compromising on quality is crucial.

Despite not being widely advertised by cruise lines, discounted accommodations known as obstructed view cabins are available on most vessels. These cabins provide significant cost savings and deserve careful consideration.

A cabin with an obstructed view | Source: YouTube/visitwithus

Understanding Obstructed View Cabins

Obstructed view cabins are staterooms where the view from the window or balcony is partially or fully blocked by the ship's lifeboats, structures, or deck overhangs.

These cabins are offered at a lower price point than their unobstructed counterparts, thus providing a budget-friendly option for travelers who still wish to enjoy natural light and occasional glimpses of the ocean or ports.

The Appeal of Obstructed View Cabins

The main allure of these obstructed view cabins lies in their exceptional value. Priced slightly higher than interior cabins but lower than standard oceanview or balcony cabins, they offer a balance between cost and comfort.

These cabins serve as a compromise for those desiring a window or balcony without the premium price tag associated with clear, unobstructed views.

An obstructed view cabin | Source: YouTube/BonVoyageCruiseTravel

Choosing Based on Your Cruising Style

Your cabin choice should align with how you envision spending time on your cruise. If you plan to use the room mainly for sleeping and changing, opting for an obstructed view cabin can lead to significant savings that could be redirected toward excursions, dining, or onboard experiences.

However, if you dream of relaxing in your cabin while gazing at the sea, the obstruction might detract from your enjoyment.

Making an Informed Decision

Choosing the right cabin is a significant part of investing in your cruise experience. When considering an obstructed view cabin, it’s essential to:

• Research and Compare: Look at deck plans and photos to understand the extent of the obstruction in different cabins.
• Assess Your Priorities : Determine if the savings justify the potential trade-offs, based on how much time you plan to spend in your cabin.
• Consult Professionals : A travel agent or cruise expert can offer valuable insights and help navigate your options based on your preferences and budget.

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A cabin with an obstructed balcony | Source: YouTube/CruiseMonkeys

By thoughtfully considering your personal cruising style and the nature of the obstruction, you can select a cabin that enhances your cruise experience without straining your finances.

Although obstructed view cabins provide limited views of the stunning sea, they don’t limit your ability to explore beautiful tourist attractions. For instance, if the ship docks in the British Virgin Islands, embarking on fun things to do in Tortola off a cruise ship could be a highlight of your trip!

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What Is An Obstructed View Cabin? (What You Need to Know)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

When planning your next cruise, you might come across the term “obstructed view cabin.”

But what exactly is an obstructed view cabin, and is it a good option for your cruise vacation?

In this article, we will explore what it means to have an obstructed-view cabin and discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of choosing one.

Table of Contents

What is an Obstructed View Cabin?

An obstructed view cabin is a cabin that has an object partially blocking the view from the window or balcony. Obstructed view cabins are often found in an ocean view or balcony cabin categories and can have different levels of obstruction.

These obstructions can vary from very slight inconveniences to completely blocked views.

Common obstructions include lifeboats, machinery, waterslides, crew walkways, and pieces of other decks.

Despite this, obstructed-view cabins still receive natural light and can offer great value for budget-conscious travelers.

Types of Obstructed View Staterooms

Fully Obstructed

When booking a cabin on a cruise ship, you might come across the term “fully obstructed.” A fully obstructed view cabin means that a large obstruction, such as a lifeboat or machinery, entirely blocks the view from your window or balcony.

While you won’t have a clear ocean view, natural light can still enter the cabin. Remember that fully obstructed cabins are lower priced than unobstructed ones, making them a more budget-friendly option if the view is not your priority.

Partially Obstructed

In some cases, obstructed view cabins are only partially obstructed. A partially obstructed stateroom means that while there is an obstruction in front of the window or balcony, it doesn’t entirely block your view of the surroundings.

For example, you might have a lifeboat hanging partially in front of your window, but you can still see the ocean and the sky. Partially obstructed cabins might be priced slightly higher than fully obstructed ones but are still more affordable than cabins with no obstructions.

If you can find photos of the cabin online, you may find that the partial obstruction doesn’t impact your view.

Many cruise lines mark cabins as partially obstructed if there’s a slight chance that a customer will complain about a piece of equipment in view.

They don’t want to risk customer complaints or deal with the hassle of refunds. If you’re lucky to find one of these cabins, you can snag a significant discount on your cruise and enjoy a near-complete view.

When deciding whether to book an obstructed view cabin, consider your priorities and budget.

Remember that the level of obstruction can vary from one cabin to another. It’s worth checking the ship’s deck plans and consulting with a cruise specialist to find a stateroom that meets your preferences.

Common Obstructions

When booking a cruise , you may come across cabins labeled as having an obstructed view. These cabins typically have a lower price point due to having a limited or partially blocked view. 

This section explores the common types of obstructions you might encounter.

Lifeboats and Tenders

Lifeboats and tenders are among the most common obstructions to ocean views and balcony cabins. Lifeboats are positioned along the ship’s side and can sometimes block a portion of your view.

Depending on the position of your cabin, you might find a lifeboat:

• Directly in front of your window or balcony
• Above or below your cabin

Promenade Deck Structures

There are other types of obstructions on the promenade deck. Obrstuctions might include:

• Crew walkways
• Whirlpools or waterslides

In some cases, these obstructions might not be directly in front of your cabin window or balcony but could still affect your view.

For example, a crew walkway below your balcony might be alright. But it will still be marked as an obstruction and sold at a discounted price.

Benefits of an Obstructed View Balcony

If you want to enjoy the advantages of a balcony cabin without breaking the bank, an obstructed-view balcony can be a perfect choice.

You’ll still have access to fresh air and natural light, as obstructions are often things like lifeboats, machinery, or other decks rather than solid walls. An obstructed ocean view is not ideal, but it might be worth the upgrade from an inside cabin.

Fully obstructed or partially obstructed staterooms have lower prices than full-view cabins.

You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars by booking a cabin with an obstructed view.

You can savor the perks of a balcony and ocean-view cabins at a lower cost. Booking obstructed view cabins are a great way to save money on your cruise.

Another advantage is that obstructed-view cabins are often located in less crowded areas of the ship. While this may vary between ships and cruise lines, it can be a bonus if you prefer a more tranquil setting for your accommodation.

The areas near obstructed-view cabins have fewer neighbors or foot traffic, making overall a quieter stay.

Additionally, if the obstruction is a lifeboat, there’s a good chance the cabin is in the middle of the ship. The vessel’s center is one of the best cabin locations, especially if you want to avoid seasickness on your cruise.

Remember that even if your stateroom has an obstructed view, you can still access various amenities with your cabin, like a private balcony, sitting area, and other features.

How Do You Know if Your Stateroom Has an Obstructed View?

To determine whether your stateroom has an obstructed view, you can start by checking the deck plans of your cruise ship.

Cruise ship deck plans typically indicate if a stateroom has an obstructed view, partial or full. You can find the deck plans on the cruise line’s website or by contacting their support team.

Obstructed view cabins are often cheaper than similar cabins with unobstructed views. So, if you notice your cabin is priced lower than neighboring cabins, it might be because of an obstructed view.

However, don’t rely solely on the price to determine this – always check the deck plans or consult with the cruise line for accurate information.

Remember, if having an unobstructed view is crucial for your cruise experience, it’s worth investing in a stateroom with a clear view.

But if you’re okay with taking a chance on a partially obstructed view, you may benefit from the savings on your booking. To make an informed decision, always consult the deck plans, and don’t hesitate to contact the cruise line for more details.

Marcello De Lio

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What Is an Obstructed View Balcony on a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

An obstructed view balcony on a cruise ship is a type of cabin that features a balcony with a limited, or obstructed, view. The obstruction could be from the side of the cruise ship, another cabin or an overhanging structure.

Obstructed view balconies are usually less expensive than cabins with full balconies, as they offer less privacy and less of an outdoor experience.

Obstructions can vary greatly depending on the type of cruise ship and particular room you choose. Some cabins may have partially obstructed views due to the location of other cabins or structures located near your cabin.

On some ships, there may be lifeboats or crew areas located near your cabin that will limit your balcony’s view. Other cruises might feature overhanging structures such as pool decks or lounge areas that will limit your view from your balcony.

An obstructed view balcony also offers fewer amenities than full balconies. For instance, you may not have access to furniture such as chairs and tables, which are common in full balcony cabins. Additionally, some cabins with obstructed views may not have access to floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views from inside the cabin.

The primary benefit to having an obstructed view balcony is cost savings; these types of cabins tend to be cheaper than full balconies due to their limited view and amenities.

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Obstructed View Balcony Cabin – This Controversial Cabin Surprised Me!

I’ve just been on a cruise – staying in a balcony cabin that has a quirky downside that I’ve never encountered on a ship before. 

The cruise lines don’t advertise cabins like these, and most people have no idea that they exist.

I found this cabin almost by accident and booked it because of the discounted price. 

Where Was I Cruising?

This cruise has took us from Singapore to Tokyo and for me, it has been a real bucket list adventure.

Like most bucket list things though, it wasn’t cheap and when booking I knew that the flights from the UK would likely cost more than the cruise itself. 

With that in mind, I really didn’t want to spend more than I had to on the cabin – but I also didn’t want to miss out on anything as I’d come halfway around the world for this trip.

I didn’t want to book an inside cabin and miss out on seeing something incredible, but also didn’t want to pay full price for a balcony which was almost double the inside cabin price.

This trip to Asia was already the most expensive holiday I’d ever planned. 

I decided to compromise and try something new. I booked what is called an “Obstructed View” cabin – and I really hoped that I wouldn’t regret it. 

There have been both negatives and positives that I hadn’t considered before the cruise, even though I thought I was well prepared. 

To save a little more money I booked what is called a “Guaranteed Cabin.”

Find out more about Guaranteed cabins, and examples of ones I have stayed in here:

I Always Book Guaranteed Cabins on Cruise Ships – (Photo Examples, Regrets & More)

That meant that I didn’t pick my specific location and could be given a cabin anywhere on the ship and most importantly for me – any level of obstruction.

I could have a tiny thing obstructing the bottom corner of my view. Or I could be facing a lifeboat head-on, with no view of the ocean at all. 

The lifeboats usually are a lovely colour – but that didn’t mean that I wanted to stare at one for a whole 12 days! 

A couple of months before the cruise my cabin was assigned, when the email popped up I was excited, but a little nervous, I hoped that I’d made the right decision. 

I rushed to the Royal Caribbean website and there I found our cabin 6182 at the front of deck 6. The ship I’m on is Spectrum of the Seas built in 2019. 

The cabin was close to the stairs which was good, so I moved on to looking at the deck plans above and below to see if there was anything that might be noisy around.

I saw that we were almost directly over the music hall, and for some reason, I had a sixth sense that they may play music there sometimes!

I didn’t know how long it would go on for, or if we would be able to hear it from our cabin, but I hoped that it wouldn’t keep us awake as we had a very busy cruise full of excursions ahead of us.

We were also close to the theatre and I hoped we wouldn’t hear the shows.

I didn’t really know what shows they’d have on an American cruise ship designed for the Chinese market.  

On all the documents I had about the cabin, it did say that it was 50% obstructed, but that could have meant anything really.

Is that 50% when I’m sitting down? Standing on a chair? Is that 50% obstructed to the right, left, or above?

It could have been anything and I didn’t know what was blocking the view.

I assumed that it would have been a lifeboat as I was just above the promenade deck, but it could have been any machinery or metal, there are some interesting things on this ship – so it could have been obstructed by a Sky Diving Simulator or a Model Panda perhaps! 

Embarkation was a little more complicated than usual thanks to all the different nationalities and different Visas – but it was fairly fast and easy.

Our cabin was ready from 1.30 pm and I think we arrived in the room at around 2 seconds past 1.30pm!

I couldn’t wait to drop off my bag, charge my phone, use the toilet and importantly check out the view – or lack of. 

On what is called “turn around” day the cruise ship disembarks all the guests and replaces them with new ones. It’s incredible how they manage to clean and tidy all the rooms so quickly, ready for 1.30pm.

Walking into the cabin I was happy to see that the design was actually the same as the cabin that I had on Anthem of the Seas which I cruised on last year.

We loved that cabin and hoped that this one would be the same – Anthems did have full glorious views of Norway though! 

I was instantly drawn to all the paperwork on the desk – and it would turn out that I needed a lot of paperwork on this cruise. 

In almost every port we did some customs forms or landing cards. It was a lot, but so worth it !

There was a big sofa here to the side and opposite there was a desk with drawers, a couple of mirrors and a lamp. 

I put my phone on charge at one of the U.S. sockets and noticed that we had a kettle.

It’s rare to find a kettle on Royal Caribbean cruises, so that was great.

I never used it though because it was so hot on our cruise, even I had ice in my drinks – and I usually don’t like it. 

I honestly had forgotten for a minute about the obstruction, I was just so relieved to finally be in Singapore. I looked up and was like “Oh yeah! What is that? “

I went to have a look outside. As soon as I opened the door my glasses and everything inside the cabin steamed up, it was very very humid, but I would use that and the balcony to my benefit later. 

It’s hard to describe the humidity of the places we visited like Vietnam, I’ve never known anything like it. It’s safe to say I was reliant on the air conditioning, and thankfully it was great!  

The balcony itself was a good size with two chairs and a table but I was of course more interested in the view.

Looking out I could see the top half of a lifeboat, of course I could, it’s not hard to see it when it’s bright yellow – but more importantly I wanted to have a look down and to the sides to get my bearings.

The deck below us was the promenade deck and the lifeboats were hanging in between.

To the sides were more cabins with a similar view and cabins above with a clear view over the top.  

The cabins to the side of us had a worse view with metal davits/ brackets that lower the lifeboats up and down.

I’m not sure if they paid less or more than me, but I was very happy with my view given that I was randomly assigned this cabin. 

At the time of booking it would have cost over £300 extra for the two of us to be one deck higher – and I thought there was no way I’d pay that, but I hadn’t encountered any of the cabin’s downsides yet.

I wondered how it would be out here at night, I didn’t know what this would be like during sail-ins or sail-aways.

I was also a little worried about the noise of the lifeboats being put up and taken down. They do use these lifeboats as tender boats and of course, have to test them regularly.

Only time would tell though – I’d notice the first downside of the cabin later that evening. 

Coming back into the cabin I headed to the bathroom and found that it had most things on my ideal cruise bathroom checklists – lots of storage, a shower door, a shower that didn’t leak, a night light and a toilet that flushes like most cruise ship toilets do, with suction.

The waste then goes down into a water treatment plant, it’s cleaned in a couple of clever ways before being released into the sea. 

The only downside with this bathroom I would found out later on was that the tap water never really got cold, it was hot or warm.

I use the tap water to make squash throughout the cruise so I just had to put it in the fridge for a bit to take off the warm feeling.

The fridge is located down by the desk with 5 big drawers. They were all beautifully soft closing doors which made me happy every time I closed one. There were a couple of extra drawers under the wardrobe too.

There were two hanging sections and there was more storage up high – so we definitely didn’t struggle to find space to put things away. 

There were some extra towels and pillows, which was good because the towels were pretty tiny.

I could just about cover up everything I needed to with mine – but for anybody taller or bigger than me it’s always a good shout to get a pool towel from the pool deck to use in your room.

Just make sure you give it back before the end of the cruise – or they’ll charge you $25 for it!

Your Britishism of the week is “Good Shout.” It means a good idea or good suggestion, and it’s usually said in response to somebody else.

If somebody says do you want to pick up a cookie on the way back to our cabin? I’ll say “Oh yeah, that’s a good shout.” 

It all looked great, but wasn’t until our first night, and then our first port of call that we really got to see how the cabin worked in reality. 

It’s a 7-hour time difference between London and Hong Kong plus a 13-hour flight – so it’s safe to say that I was feeling pretty jet lagged.

I slept a lot on this cruise – not always at the right times of day though! 

When trying to go to sleep I noticed that we could hear music, it was quite faint but it definitely was the baseline beat of music.

I can sleep through most things so it was fine – but most nights the music went on well after I’d gone to bed, and sometimes the music in the music hall started at 2 am. I do think light sleepers should avoid cabins directly over nightclubs, hopefully, that goes without saying though. 

The beds were very comfortable and there were U.S. sockets by the sides with some storage. 

I often sat out on the balcony in the evenings when the temperature had dropped and it was a great space for that.

I couldn’t see much when sat down but when we were sailing into or out of a port I’d usually be up on the top deck anyway. If I was on the balcony I’d stand up, that wasn’t difficult. 

We had the most incredible drone show put on for us by one of the Japanese ports and for things like that. we were up on the top deck anyway. 

One thing that I didn’t expect pre-cruise was that the promenade deck would be lit up all night, it does make sense as guests can wander around here at any time and the crew are often cleaning or repairing things. 

What it meant though was that the light would come in around the curtains; again not a problem for me as I sleep well – but I know some people have to be in completely dark rooms to sleep.

Some cabins do have the bed further into the room and the sofa at this side, so maybe they would be better. 

We didn’t use our sofa much during the cruise because it was occupied by the friends of our channel mascot -Captain Hudson.

I should point out it absolutely isn’t normal to get this many towel animals on a cruise, but Captain Hudson was recognised and it was decided that he needed some friends.

One day I woke up, opened my curtains and was looking at the view. I thought “Wow, that looks lovely.” It took me a while to realise why I could see so clearly – the lifeboat was gone! 

Don’t worry it hadn’t fallen off during the night, we were tendered in Vietnam and the ship was using its lifeboats to get the guests to land. 

With our lifeboat in the way it was a little tricky to take photos of the ports without the lifeboat in them, but for me with this channel and website I think I took more photos of the lifeboat than anything else.

I pretty much knew this lifeboat inside and out, I could see inside which was cool. I did half expect to see somebody or something in there even though I knew that made no sense! 

It was nice to have this extra view for the day, but I certainly wouldn’t want to pay the extra price for it. 

One of the main reasons I like having a balcony is so that I can feel what the weather is like, and I do also like to be able to dry my clothes outside if I wash any.

That was another benefit of having the balcony. Plus another good point, nobody on land could see into my balcony to see my socks drying! They were hidden behind the lifeboat.

It isn’t just lifeboats that can be between balcony cabins and the ocean, I recently took a cruise where the promenade deck was at the end of my cabin, yep a real promenade deck with guests wandering along it.  

To find out what that was like, and why it cost more than a standard balcony, not less, check out this video next: 

Before You Go

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What does an obstructed ocean view or balcony stateroom mean on a cruise ship?

Please note, these images are examples only, rooms will differ depending on the cruise line and ship.

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What is an obstructed view stateroom?

An obstruction is something the blocks a proportion of the direct outward view from a stateroom. This is typically due the position of lifeboats or the outer structure of the ship. Please view our deck plans  on our website to determine if your stateroom has an obstructed view.

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Discovery Princess Obstructed Views

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7 Ways to Get a Cabin Upgrade on a Cruise for Free (or Cheap)

W ant to know how to get a free or cheap cabin upgrade on your next cruise? While upgrades are not very common, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances. Here are some tips on how to get a cruise cabin upgrade. Why not give it a try on your next cruise? 

How to Get a Cabin Upgrade on a Cruise

1. loyalty perks.

If you’re looking for a way to score a free cabin upgrade on a cruise, having a loyalty status can be a surefire way to make it happen. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitude rewards program offers Diamond members a one-time free cabin upgrade. However, reaching Diamond status is not easy – it requires 350 points, which is equivalent to roughly 350 nights on a cruise!

2. Bid for a Cabin Upgrade

Another way to get a cabin upgrade is to bid for it. Once you’ve booked your cruise, some cruise lines will send you an email offering you the chance to bid on a cabin upgrade. The email gives you different stateroom options to choose from. 

Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Celebrity are the cruise lines that offer this upgrade option. They typically send you the email to upgrade 30 to 60 days before departure. 

For example, during my recent MSC cruise, I was given the chance to upgrade to an MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite, starting at $1520 per person, or a Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool, starting at $620 per person. You can adjust the price slider to increase or decrease the bid, but there is a minimum bid requirement. 

It’s a silent auction so you don’t know what others are bidding. I suggest bidding at a low price because you might not even have competition! You won’t be charged unless your bid wins.  

The downside is that you won’t have control over the location of your cabin if you decide to bid for an upgrade. If you’re picky about your cabin location, this might not be the best option for you. 

For me, I decided not to bid on a cabin upgrade since I had already chosen a balcony cabin that was mid-ship and near the cabins of family members. If I were to win a cabin upgrade, I wouldn’t be located near them, and there’s no guarantee that I’d get a mid-ship location. Plus, since I’m prone to seasickness, an upgrade to a poorly located cabin is not an upgrade for me. I’d rather be in a lower cabin category as long as I’m located mid-ship!

3. Guaranteed Cabin

One way to get a free cabin upgrade is to book the “Guaranteed cabin” rate. This basically means you do not choose your cabin location but leave it up to the cruise line to choose for you. While you’ll be guaranteed a room in your cabin category, there’s a chance you could be upgraded.   

This strategy can work if you’re not too particular about where your cabin is located and are content with letting the cruise line make the decision for you. Keep in mind that if you do get upgraded, you likely won’t be given the very best room in the upgraded cabin category. 

That’s because other cruisers have already handpicked and reserved the best rooms, leaving you with the leftover cabins in undesirable locations. For example, you might luck out and get upgraded to a balcony cabin, but it has an obstructed view facing the life boat!

4. Special Occasion

One way to get a free cabin upgrade is to celebrate a special occasion. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, like a honeymoon, an anniversary, or a milestone birthday, you should let your travel agent or the cruise line know when you book your cruise. 

Your travel agent might be able to pull some strings for you. Or at the very least, you will get a free bottle of champagne. 

But don’t get your hopes up, cabin upgrades are not very common. But, if you’re traveling during the slower, off-peak season when the cruise ship isn’t at full capacity, there’s a chance that you might get lucky and get an upgrade. So, it’s always worth a shot!

5. Call the Cruise Line or Travel Agent Directly

Even if you are not celebrating a special occasion, you should still call the cruise line directly or your travel agent. Find out if there is a way for you to get a free cabin upgrade. If a free upgrade is unavailable, ask them how much it would cost you to get a cabin upgrade. 

If you’re traveling during the slower, off-peak season, you might be able to get a good deal on an upgrade. It never hurts to ask, and you never know what you might get!

6. Guest Services

If you’ve already boarded the ship and haven’t received an upgrade, don’t lose hope just yet. As a last resort, stop by the guest services desk and ask about the possibility of getting an upgrade. Most likely, the answer will be no. 

But it’s worth a shot. Maybe they might offer you an upgrade for a fee. It’s always worth exploring since you never know until you ask.

7. Complaining

One way to get a cabin upgrade, although not ideal, is to complain. If you legitimately have an issue with your cabin, you should definitely speak up and let guest services know. 

It can be stressful, and you may have to escalate the issue to a supervisor, sometimes, being persistent might pay off.   

I once cruised on Princess and we experienced a major leak. We had booked 2 cabins, and because of the leak, they upgraded both cabins. 

One cabin was upgraded from an inside cabin to a balcony cabin, and the other was upgraded from a balcony cabin to a one bedroom suite complete with a private patio and a hot tub. 

So, it’s worth speaking up if you’re not satisfied with your cabin since you never know what kind of upgrade you might get. Check out my article on: 10 Worst Cabins on a Cruise- You’ll Regret Booking

Check out these free cruise printables

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The post 7 Ways to Get a Cabin Upgrade on a Cruise for Free (or Cheap) appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

• Cunard Line

What do the Obstructed views look like ?

By Host Hattie , February 23, 2019 in Cunard Line

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Host Hattie

Thanks to bluemarble for putting this together .....

What    do the obstructed balconies look like? 

As of February 2019, information about the views from obstructed balconies is non-existent on the US FAQ and is confined to only the Queen Victoria on the UK FAQ. Here are details showing the views from the obstructed balconies on each ship. 

What do the obstructed views look like on Queen Mary 2?

Please click on the stateroom numbers below to see the view from the selected stateroom. Views from staterooms on the opposite side of the ship are similar to those listed below.

8014  - A life boat is visible to the left of the balcony.

8016  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8018  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8020  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to most of the view.

8022  - Life boats cause a major obstruction to most the view.

8024  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8026  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8028  - Life boats cause a major obstruction to most the view.

8030  - Life boats cause a major obstruction to most the view.

8032  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8034  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8036  - Safety equipment and a life boat cause an obstruction to most the view.

8038  - Life boats cause a major obstruction to most the view.

8040  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8042  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8044  - Safety equipment and a life boat cause an obstruction to most the view.

8046  - A life boat Life boats cause an obstruction to the view.

8048  - A life boat Life boats cause an obstruction to the view.

8050  - Life boats on either side of the balcony cause an obstruction to the view.

8052  - Safety equipment and a life boat Life boats cause an obstruction to most the view.

8054  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8056  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8060  - A tender and some safety equipment cause an obstruction to most of the view.

8062  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8066  - A tender and some safety equipment cause an obstruction to most of the view.

8068  - Tenders on either side of the balcony obscure most of the view.

8070  - A tender and some safety equipment cause an obstruction to most of the view.

8072  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8074  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8076  - A tender and some safety equipment cause an obstruction to most of the view.

8078  - A tender and some safety equipment cause an obstruction to most of the view.

8080  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8082  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8084  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8086  - Tenders at either side of the balcony and safety equipment obstruct most of the view.

8088  - A tender and some safety equipment cause an obstruction to most of the view.

8090  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8092  - A tender causes an obstruction to majority of the view.

8094  - A tender and some safety equipment cause an obstruction to most of the view.

8098  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8100  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8102  - Safety equipment and a life boat cause an obstruction to most the view.

8106  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8108  - A life boat causes a major obstruction to the view.

8110  - Safety equipment and a life boat cause an obstruction around half of the view.

Obstructed view staterooms are classed as DB, DC or DF grades, which can be found on Deck 8.

What do the obstructed views look like on Queen Elizabeth?

To see the views from various staterooms, please click on the links below. Staterooms on the starboard side of the ship have very similar views.

4002  - This is a metal fronted balcony. Staterooms 4004 through to 4042 are similar to this.

4054  - Life boats are visible when looking towards the rear of the ship from the balcony.

4055  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of the view.

4056  - A life boat and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4057  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of the view.

4058  - A life boat fully obstructs the lower half of the view.

4059  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of the view.

4060  - A life boat fully obstructs the lower half of the view.

4061  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of the view.

4062  - A life boat and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4063  - A life boat and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4064  - A life boat and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4065  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of the view.

4066  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of view.

4067  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of the view.

4068  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower half of view.

4069  - A life boat  and ship structure  obscure the view considerably.

4070  - A life boat  and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4071  - A life boat and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4073  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower part of the view.

4074  - A life boat and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4075  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower part of the view.

4076  - A life boat fully obstructs the lower half of the view.

4077  - A life boat fully obstruct majority of the view.

4078  - A life boat fully obstructs the lower half of the view.

4079  - A life boat and ship structure obscure the view considerably.

4080  - A life boat obstructs a majority of the view.

4081  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower part of the view.

4082  - Ship structure and safety equipment obstructs a majority of the view.

4083  - A life boat fully obstruct the lower part of the view.

4085  - A life boat fully obstructs the lower half of the view

4086  - A life boat fully obstructs the lower half of the view.

4087  - A life boat and ship structure obstructs the view considerably

4088  - A life boat obstructs a majority of the view.

4092  - Life boats are visible when looking towards the front of the ship from the balcony.

4103 - Although  looking forward , the view is unobstructed,  looking right  (towards aft of the ship) safety equipment and tenders block the view. Additionally, the  window view  is obstructed.

4108 - Although  looking forward , the view is unobstructed,  looking left  (towards aft of the ship) safety equipment and tenders block the view. Additionally, the  window view  is obstructed.

4110  - A tender and some safety equipment obscures a majority of the view.

4112  - A tender fully obstructs the view from this stateroom.

4114  - A tender fully obstructs the view from this stateroom.

4116  - A tender and some safety equipment obscure almost all of the view.

4118  - Safety equipment obscures a majority of the view.

4120  - A tender and some safety equipment obscures a majority of the view.

4122  - A tender fully obstructs the view from this stateroom.

4124  - A tender obscures a majority of the view from this stateroom.

4126  - A tender and ship structure obscure a majority of the view.

4128  - A tender and ship structure obscure a majority of the view.

4130  - A tender obscures a majority of the view from this stateroom.

4132  - A tender fully obstructs the view from this stateroom.

4134  - A tender obscures a majority of the view from this stateroom.

4136  - A tender and some safety equipment obscure almost all of the view.

4138  - A life boat and some safety equipment obscure almost all of the view.

4140  - A life boat obscures the lower half of the view.

4142  - A life boat obscures more than half of the view.

4144  - A life boat and some safety equipment obscure most of the view.

5112  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5114  - A life boat on the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5116  - A life boat on the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5118  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5120  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5122  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5128  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5130  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5136  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

5138  - Safety equipment from the deck below can be seen through the balcony glass.

Obstructed view staterooms are classed as CA or CB (balcony) or FB or FC (ocean view) grades, which can be found on either decks 4 or 5.

What do the obstructed views look like on Queen Victoria?

The pictures below are all port side staterooms as the opposite starboard staterooms will have a mirror view of the obstruction. For example, for the obstruction of 4057, please see 4058.

Please click on the link to see a picture of the view:

4058  - Life boat

4060  - Life boat

4062  - Life boat and equipment

4064  - Life boat and equipment

4065  - Life boat

4066  - Life boat

4067  - Life boat

4068  - Life boat

4070  - Life boat

4074  - Life boat and equipment

4076  - Life boat

4078  - Life boat

4080  - Life boat

4082  - Life boat

4084  - Life boat and structure

4086  - Life boat

4088  - Life boat

4103 - Although looking forward, the view is unobstructed,  looking right  (towards aft of the ship) safety equipment and tenders block the view. Additionally, there is an obstruction to the  window view .

4108 (Similar to above) - Although looking forward, the view is unobstructed, looking left (towards aft of the ship) safety equipment and tenders block the view. Additionally, there is an obstruction to the window view.

4110  - Tender boat and structure

4112  - Tender boat

4114  - Tender boat

4116  - Tender boat

4118  - Tender boat equipment

4120  - Tender boat

4122  - Tender boat

4124  - Tender boat

4126  - Tender boat and equipment

4128  - Tender boat and equipment

4130  - Tender boat

4132  - Tender boat

4134  - Tender boat

4136  - Tender boat and equipment

4138  - Life boat

4140  - Life boat

4142  - Life boat

4144  - Life boat and equipment

5107  - Life boat and equipment

5112  - Life boat equipment

5114  - Life boat equipment

5116  - Life boat equipment

5118  - Life boat equipment

5122  - Life boat equipment

5128  - Life boat equipment

5130  - Life boat equipment

5136  - Life boat equipment

5138  - Life boat equipment

Obstructed view staterooms are classed as CA/CB (balcony) or FB/FC (ocean view) grades, which can be found on either decks 4 or 5.

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• 5 yr Host Hattie pinned this topic
• 2 weeks later...

Nachosdelux

Close your eyes half way. That should give you a good idea of what to expect

• 1 month later...

On 3/8/2019 at 10:33 AM, Nachosdelux said: Close your eyes half way. That should give you a good idea of what to expect

Cute idea 😅

Radar boomer

• We are in cabin 8014 on Qm2 Nov 9 across the Atlantic and back from nyc. Figured wouldn’t be spending  a lot of time on the balcony, but would allow fresh air if needed and...A bit more light compared to sheltered and was less expensive .

anyone had this room and have feedback to give?

navybankerteacher

On 4/15/2019 at 1:50 PM, Radar boomer said: We are in cabin 8014 on Qm2 Nov 9 across the Atlantic and back from nyc. Figured wouldn’t be spending  a lot of time on the balcony, but would allow fresh air if needed and...A bit more light compared to sheltered and was less expensive . anyone had this room and have feedback to give?

Look at the picture of 8014 provided by OP.  It seems to be the least obstructed, so you should be OK.   I personally prefer the sheltered balconies on lower decks: you are closer to the sea, the overall view is better and the fare is less.

• 4 weeks later...

On 4/16/2019 at 3:07 PM, navybankerteacher said: Look at the picture of 8014 provided by OP.  It seems to be the least obstructed, so you should be OK.   I personally prefer the sheltered balconies on lower decks: you are closer to the sea, the overall view is better and the fare is less.

I also like the sheltered balconies (particularly for crossings). Last week, I enjoyed my sheltered balcony on Deck 5. These balconies are fairly well protected from the weather and wind.

DaisyDancer

On ‎4‎/‎15‎/‎2019 at 6:50 PM, Radar boomer said: We are in cabin 8014 on Qm2 Nov 9 across the Atlantic and back from nyc. Figured wouldn’t be spending  a lot of time on the balcony, but would allow fresh air if needed and...A bit more light compared to sheltered and was less expensive . anyone had this room and have feedback to give?

I have had 8014 a couple of times and it's hardly obstructed at all. There is a lifeboat to the left which is in front of the cabin next door but looking straight ahead and to the right there is no obstruction. I liked this cabin and would choose it again.

I had 8014 on my first TA, and it was great...  

From the bed, or indeed the sofa, you can't even really see the lifeboat as the bed and sofa face ship forward, so most of the time, you don't even know its there. But, even on the balcony, it is, I would say, between 1/4 and 1/3 or the balcony that is obstructed, so really not that big a deal. 

I have since crossed in sheltered balconies, and prefer them now, and have just booked the same again for my next voyage. 

Happy Sailing! 

• 4 months later...

We had a lifeboat balcony on our last crossing....still a lovely cabin.  No obstruction to airflow when we had the balcony door open.  Well worth the discount offered for this class of balcony. 

Just off yesterday, here is 8014

• 2 months later...

We always book obstructed view cabins for TransAtlantic crossings.   Realistically, there is usually nothing but ocean to see after you leave NY or Southampton until you reach the turnaround port.   A plus is that obstructed cabins are all located near the center of the ship on deck 8, which can save some walking to the dining room or theaters.   

I have had an obstructed cabin which had a metal frame above the normal balcony handrail so the obstructed view looking out was smaller. I agree that on a cruise in the wetter/colder seasons a balcony is less of use. The only other unusual thing we found was that there was an echo in the cabin if there was anyone out on an adjacent balcony

QM2 8013 - same as 8014 basically a full view - good cabin 

• 3 weeks later...

Anyone have a photo of the QM2 8058 view?   

I used to book them. Now I need a room with access to outside air. 

• 7 months later...

Vic The Parrot

What's a good way to post photos now? 

I used to do it thru photobucket, but it looks like the setup here has changed. 

Have a few shots of a cabin I had on QM several years ago.  🍹

@Vic The Parrot , assuming you are using a browser interface to create a post (I think that's all that's available now anyway), look at the bottom of the message text box while creating the post. On a desktop, you should see a paper clip followed by "Drag files here to attach, or choose files... " as well as an "Other Media" dropdown. On a phone, you should see a paper clip followed by "Add Files" and "Other Media". Those can be used to insert a photo into your post. If you have your photo displayed in a photo viewer or editor, you may also be able to do a copy/paste of the image from there directly into your post if you prefer.

If your photo is stored in an external photo repository, you can still post it here as long as you are able to determine the URL of the photo on that external site. Either paste the photo's URL directly into your post or use the "Insert image from URL" option of the "Other Media" dropdown.

If you use the "drag files", "choose files", "add files" or copy/paste options to insert a photo into your post, then that image will be copied and stored on the Cruise Critic site. That's relatively recent functionality (added in 2018) when Cruise Critic migrated to the current Invision Community software. We are no longer dependent on external photo repositories.

• 5 weeks later...

Ferretworld

The only thing to be aware of is when you sleep with the curtains over, and the maintenance folks come to check out the equipment!

• 9 months later...

Thanks for this!

theartfulcodger

Spectacular if you are a lifeboat enthusiast.

We were in 8099 on our Transatlantic in May this year,  and we joked that we had our very own lifeboat sitting outside “just in case”. Thanks to Cruise critic, we knew in advance of our sailing of the restricted view so it was fine.

We did like our cabin on deck 8 for its ease of access to elsewhere on the ship.  As it was so cold outside, I think I only ventured onto the balcony 2 or 3 times.

On 6/30/2022 at 1:54 PM, ronpes said: We were in 8099 on our Transatlantic in May this year,  and we joked that we had our very own lifeboat sitting outside “just in case”. Thanks to Cruise critic, we knew in advance of our sailing of the restricted view so it was fine. We did like our cabin on deck 8 for its ease of access to elsewhere on the ship.  As it was so cold outside, I think I only ventured onto the balcony 2 or 3 times.

Ive been looking at obstructed view. Looking at a lifeboat doesn't bother me so i think it could be a good option for us. But, is there any noise from it - im imagining (based on nothing but my imagination) it swaying in the wind and creaking or squeeking which would irritate me.

55 minutes ago, jimbo1683 said: Ive been looking at obstructed view. Looking at a lifeboat doesn't bother me so i think it could be a good option for us. But, is there any noise from it - im imagining (based on nothing but my imagination) it swaying in the wind and creaking or squeeking which would irritate me.

I don’t recall any noises that caused any problems. We had a good night sleep every night and the occasional afternoon nap as well and we had no issues.  If there were any noises then my wife would have definitely mentioned it as she is a light sleeper.

On QM2, the lifeboats are immediately below the rooms that we take on Deck 9. I can assure you, there is no movement whatsoever. They are locked in position until swung out and lowered away.

neeuqdrazil

I've done a TA in an obstructed balcony, and those lifeboats are strapped in tight - they're not moving. 

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