Is this a good upgrade or should I object: inside to obstructed view?

[collegeprof]

On the Jade next month. I carefully picked our inside cabins to be midship, on a quiet deck. We actually do not mind being inside. The total darkness makes sleeping easy. Two people per cabin so not terribly crowded.

 

Just found out that we have been "upgraded" to obstructed view cabins 8088, 8090 and 8092. I have not been able to find out much about these cabins except that they are obstructed by lifefboats. My fear about these cabins is that we will not gain a view of anything except the lifeboats, that there will be workers outside our cabins, and that there will be noise from the workers or from some other source.

 

Why would I prefer this to an inside cabin? Should I call to see if I can get our inside cabins back, or is there something good about these obstructed view cabins that I am overlooking?

[Ronni G]

On the Jade next month. I carefully picked our inside cabins to be midship, on a quiet deck. We actually do not mind being inside. The total darkness makes sleeping easy. Two people per cabin so not terribly crowded.

 

Just found out that we have been "upgraded" to obstructed view cabins 8088, 8090 and 8092. I have not been able to find out much about these cabins except that they are obstructed by lifefboats. My fear about these cabins is that we will not gain a view of anything except the lifeboats, that there will be workers outside our cabins, and that there will be noise from the workers or from some other source.

 

Why would I prefer this to an inside cabin? Should I call to see if I can get our inside cabins back, or is there something good about these obstructed view cabins that I am overlooking?

 

Hi -

 

We have had obstructed view cabins on several of our cruises. Specifically picked them because they were mid-ship and less expensive than the oceanview cabins. We've never had any issues with the cabin choice.

 

Ronni G

[OfcSupport]

I have not been on your specific ship. However, on a previous cruise I recall seeing an obstructed view cabin with a huge lifeboat outside and thinking it was quite an eyesore.

[mevers]

I would look at the square footage too. Insides are listed at 138 sq. ft. and the obstructed views (G) are listed at 161 sq. ft. You mentioned that insides aren't crowded for 2 people, but an extra 23 sq. ft. might be nice, especially since it you didn't pay for it!

 

You also might luck out and have only a partially obstructed view as it depends on where exactly the lifeboat hits the window.

[pyrogy]

My wife and I had an obstructed view on the Jewel, and the obstruction was only partial and the natural light was very nice. We befriended a nice couple who had an inside. We went to visit their cabin at one point, and not only was it slightly smaller, the bathroom was not configured as nicely (no separate area for toilet and shower). I do not know if all insides have different bathrooms than outsides, but this one certainly did.

 

In any event, I would suggest you take the upgrade.

[marelind]

I don't know, but you don't have to keep the curtain open if you end up not liking the view, making it, in terms of the view, an inside cabin. You get a little more room and the chance of having some daylight and a possible view. I'd take it.

[terrymtex01]

Here is my thoughts.. We have never sailed in either an inside stateroom or an obstructed view so I can't really comment one way or the other if that is a "good" upgrade or not, however you booked the rooms you wanted. If the "upgrade" does not thril you... if it does not make you look forward to the cruise even more, I am afraid I would call NCL and do what I could to get my inside rooms back. Please keep in mind that I am sure it is some where in the contract that NCL has the right to move you from one room to the other as long as it is generally thought of as an upgrade. There might be others sailing in an inside stateroom they could move who would enjoy the obstructed view. So do what is right for you and your group.

 

Either way, I do hope you have an amazing cruise.

[EmmasNana]

It sounds like you knew where you wanted to be...no window...like sleeping in the dark and midship. I would call to get back where I was. To each his own when what is considered good. I would be real unhappy if NCL thought an upgrade for me would be forward. For us, it would not. Call them!

[mbisson]

Some of the obstructed cabins aren't obstucted much and some extra space would be nice. I'd take the upgrade & if for some reason I didn't like it after boarding, I'd pull the curtain shut.

[sptree]

We just returned from the Jewel and had room 8082 (obstructed view). It was a great room. Centrally located and being on the 8th deck was great. I would also recommend upgrading to an oceanview.

 

Have Fun!!

[Bobbye]

If it was me I'd take the upgrade. We've had all types of cabins and the obstructed views are on a good deck and larger cabins. You may not have much of a view but I would consider it a good upgrade.

[uppitycats]

If you really have your heart set on inside cabins, then indeed call them and see if you can be moved back.

 

Otherwise -- there should not be any noise issues with the obstructed view, unless by some calamity they need to lower the lifeboat and use it!, at which point the noise would be the last thing on your mind! :)

 

There should be no workers outside your cabin. If there is noise, it would be "outside noise", like from planes overhead, or from shore. You might not have much of a view, but you'd have some natural light around the lifeboat. You could always pull the curtain.

 

Personally I would never book an inside cabin...I really need the outside light. But I'd be quite happy with an obstructed view cabin.

[mking8288]

Cabin 8090 & 8092 are sideway cabins on the starboard side, midship and looking at the deck plan, they will be only partially obstructed by the lifeboats but you should have a partial clear view. Cabin 8088, it seemed, will have most of the views obstructed but all 3 will give natural lights during the daylight hours and we always find it helpful, instead of being in darkness regardless of day or night, unless inside lights are turn on.

 

With the curtains open (except for privacy/sleeping, etc.) it generally will give you that airy feeling vs. an inside cabin. The only time that you should find crew members outside on the catwalk at the lifeboat stations is while the ship is in port/anchor, doing maintenance, cleaning & painting, or doing safety drills - and they generally keep their backs toward the cabin windows. To insure that the curtains stay closed, just bring along some safety pins or small clips & it will keep them shut @ bedtime as well.

 

These mid-ship OV cabins are larger than inside cabin, and there's no restaurants/bars/casino/etc. above you so I would consider this a win-win situation over paying just for inside cabins. You can easily walk up the middle stairs to the pool/buffet or down 2 flights to the main dining rooms, etc.

 

Plus, you can get creative in making the cabin roomy by pushing the beds to 1 side if it's a queen bedding or make a L shape by spliting 2 lower beds, resulting in a good deal of sitting room - something usually not possible with the smaller inside cabins.

[Zimomiller]

Initially it would seem to be a no brainer.

 

An inside cabin is the ultimate in obstructed view cabins. Like 100% obstructed.

 

But it aint that easy.

 

With any proposed change in cabin, you always need to study the deck plans.

 

What is above you? What is below you? What is next to you? How high or low are you? How far away will you be from where you like to be?

 

I am immediately suspicious anytime I am offered an upgrade. Rarely does my definition of an upgrade match that of the cruise line.

[CruisnGram]

This brings up an interesting topic to me. I realize that NCL owns the ship and it most likely the cruise contract does say that they can move your cabin if they need to.

 

However, does this happen a lot? To me, that's what guarantee cabins are for. It gives the cruiseline flexibility to move people around where they need to move them. So why are they messing with people who selected specific cabins? What if people who's reservations aren't connected chose cabins next door to one another? What about someoene like me who booked a sailing as soon as it was available because I wanted an aft mini suite?

 

Sorry, but this just isn't right to me. If they can move you anywhere they want, any time they want, why do so many of us take so much time picking out just the right cabin?

 

My opinion is that if they need to move someone who booked a specific cabin, they should call first to get their permission. If that person declines, then move on to the next person. They will find someone who is willing and not distrupt the plans of those who want to stay exactly where they are.

 

 

CG

[4 cruisers]

Those cabins are usually very desirable and I'm surprised they were available! Deck 8 is great. They are larger than the insides. The obstruction isn't that bad. There shouldn't be any workers out there...the only time the boats are lowered are for the crew drill (I believe) and that is when you are in port if memory serves me. I think you should be happy and enjoy! Don't worry, be happy!:D

[dtracker]

This brings up an interesting topic to me. I realize that NCL owns the ship and it most likely the cruise contract does say that they can move your cabin if they need to.

 

However, does this happen a lot? To me, that's what guarantee cabins are for. It gives the cruiseline flexibility to move people around where they need to move them. So why are they messing with people who selected specific cabins? What if people who's reservations aren't connected chose cabins next door to one another? What about someoene like me who booked a sailing as soon as it was available because I wanted an aft mini suite?

 

Sorry, but this just isn't right to me. If they can move you anywhere they want, any time they want, why do so many of us take so much time picking out just the right cabin?

 

My opinion is that if they need to move someone who booked a specific cabin, they should call first to get their permission. If that person declines, then move on to the next person. They will find someone who is willing and not distrupt the plans of those who want to stay exactly where they are.

 

 

CG

 

I agree completely, CG. That would be the sensible thing to do. I admit, the room change would amount to a probable upgrade, but if the OP took the time to select the room, then he should have the right to give it up if he wants to, or not! I don't remember if the OP is an experienced cruiser, but if so, then he should know whether he really wants to stay put or not. If he is relatively new to cruising, then I would recommend he give it a try, just to experience something different. ;)

 

DT

[collegeprof]

Thanks for all of the replies. Still weighing the pros and cons. We are semi-experienced cruisers but have never been on ncl. The extra space and the bathroom layouts are pluses. I am still unclear about how often there might be people outside of the window. I also read something about bright lights on deck 8 -- I would be seriously unhappy to have a light on outside the window all the time.

 

I checked the deck plans above and below. Looks like cabins on deck 9 and a restaurant on deck 7. The bar looks like it is forward from where our cabins would be, although I wonder how late (or early) we might hear noise from the restaurant.

[dtracker]

Thanks for all of the replies. Still weighing the pros and cons. We are semi-experienced cruisers but have never been on ncl. The extra space and the bathroom layouts are pluses. I am still unclear about how often there might be people outside of the window. I also read something about bright lights on deck 8 -- I would be seriously unhappy to have a light on outside the window all the time.

 

I checked the deck plans above and below. Looks like cabins on deck 9 and a restaurant on deck 7. The bar looks like it is forward from where our cabins would be, although I wonder how late (or early) we might hear noise from the restaurant.

 

Chance of you catching someone outside your window would be very slim, and no light at night! Not much chance of any outside noise. You should be fine. :)

 

DT

[snorklinbarb]

Chance of you catching someone outside your window would be very slim, and no light at night! Not much chance of any outside noise. You should be fine. :)

 

DT

 

We've stayed in obstr. views on the Dawn a few times. There is a light outside that remains on all night as I recall. We brought clip clothespins with us and "sealed" the curtain shut. It really helped.

 

I wouldn't hesitate going from an inside with absolutely no view to a partially lit (at least) obstr. view. If it's the Dawn/Star or Jewel/Pearl/Gem, they're in great central locations as well. You can walk everywhere.:D

 

No big problem with crew working outside. Once in awhile, yes, but no worries.

[mking8288]

It would be the ship's engineering/tender & safety/maintenance crews only working out along Deck 8's boats, which is essentially above the muster stations while it is docked/anchored in port, not while it's cruising at sea. They occassionlly do major emergency drills (on a regular basis, but not weekly) and will launch the boats & rafts, and I recall PA announcement about it for pax to cooperate and disregard the fire & rescue team running around, etc. etc. Most folks should be awake, getting ready to go onshore or on excurison already - and once it's sailed way from ports of call again, they will be not be outside as it's like a catwalk that they are on. It won't be your typical room steward or dining room staff out there looking around ....

 

Brother/sister-n-law was in one of the similar sideway OV-R cabin for the "accessible" last year on the STAR, deck 8 AFT and it was huge (a bit smaller for the JADE) and they had 50% obstruction only looking out the window, otherwise they can look out far & all - something like 190+ sq.ft. with a "roomy" bathroom. They're able to spilt up 2 beds, add the hideaway bed next to one bed and still got room to stand in front of the window. It was directly above Blue Lagoon (open 23/7) and below the internet cafe and noise was never a factor to them - and they're close to everything.

 

Take a look at the photo's below, first one from OV cabin on the STAR, beds against one wall for a bit of extra room. Second pix. from in-laws' obstructed sideway OV cabin when they sailed STAR to Alaska, added bonus being it's for the accessible & it was really comfortable for them - imagine the "middle" space without that "hideway" bed. (and, yes - this is an oversized cabin. I would prefer this to an inside anytime.)