I have a choice between an "f" category ocean view room (smallest ocean view room) on the 8th deck but the view is obstructed - or the same room "h" category on the 4th deck with no obstruction but closer to areas of the ship where people go (shopping, etc) <BR>What do you think is the best choice?

<BR>It stands to reason to choose the cabin without the obstruction. Your delemma is whether to spend the extra money. <BR> <BR>Paul

It turns out they are the same price but the unobstructed one is a porthole and the obstructed one has a real 3x2 window (and is on a higher deck)...

Yael- go for the room without the obstruction--even if you have a large window, the obstruction is normally a lifeboat--kinda hard to see around--you probably won't spend a ton of time in your cabin and will just use the porthole to look at ports when you arrive and check out weather-you don't mention what time of year you are sailing--if you leave port after 6pm, you only have about 1/2 hour in the fall before it gets dark, so you won't see anything at nite anyway--we never take an obstructed view--esp.if it's the same price as un-=obstructed

Try to look at the brochure and see how "obstructed" it looks. Sometimes it is pretty bad and other times it may be okay. We were on the Sea Princess and could get nothing but an obstructed view. We were very disappointed until we arrived and found that we had a great view. If you really looked to the side you could see the lifeboat but it was certainly not a problem. We were then delighted that we hadn't been able to get moved up (at a cost of several hundred dollars) to a "better" view. Good luck!

Thanks! I am going the first week of September. I heard it's not very obstructed - it blocks part of the top of the view (I assume there ain't much up there Now people tell me deck 8 is at least 4 floors in either direction from things I will have to get to - but maybe taking the stairs will burn some of the food calories?

Yael, <BR>Stairs will become you friend after all those meals! Which ship?

The important question is: do you get seasick: midship or forward is the best.... <BR> <BR>Another consideration: If you had said inside room vs. room with obstruction I'd say obstructed view because of light factor...unless you like an absolutely dark cabin (didn't bother me one bit, quite frankly)... <BR> <BR>I would take the smaller cabin with the unobstructed view...doesn't the ship have an elevator? <BR> <BR>