How to decide to pay extra for an obstructed view stateroom compared to a cheaper ''inside stateroom''? How bad is the obstruction?

Any comment will be welcome.

To locate the least obstructed cabin, check the deck plan and try to find a cabin between the life boats, or at the edge of the last boat. The deck plans are accurate. Usually the price difference between inside and obstructed is not high so it's worth it.

There is no way to know for sure. I've been in such rooms where about all you could see out the window was the side of a lifeboat.
If its a small amount more money, it is usually worth the chance because at a minimum it makes the room feel bigger and allows some natural light in. If you are lucky, you'll get a partial view such as between two lifeboats or around some other obstruction.
You should also try what spur suggests, it will give you at least some idea of what you'll be facing.

Call Princess, they can tell you the percentage % of obstruction for your specific cabin.

Deck plans are not always accurate.

Most obstructed rooms will provide sunlight which may be important to some.

Go fo it - I just returned from the Crown where 5 of us had ibstructed views and it was GOOD - all 5. It is better then inside.

I have only had an inside cabin once and that was in 1974! I need to have a window so I can tell if it's day or night... lol!! I couldn't sail away without having a window (but prefer a balcony more than anything).

You can still see around the life boats in an obstructed view cabin, but try to pick a stateroom to the front or back of the ship. Often, the lifeboats only take up the top third of the view. Also, check on the rates for an unobstructed view stateroom; sometimes the price difference is really small. Or, see about getting a oceanview guarantee stateroom and possibly get upgraded to a oceanview with no obstructed view.

Best,
Julia

Friends of ours had an obstructed view on the Golden Princess.The lifeboat totally blocked their view. It was right in front of their window. Personally, it would drive me crazy!

katy,
maybe they needed some Xanax or to not to buy obstructed view cabin...

I was standing behind a lady who was asking to upgrade her from obstructed view...but she did not PAY FOR IT...isn't it amazing how some people just...

ZIANA - "Isn't it amazing how some people just......."
THE SHIP WAS FULLY BOOKED. THEY KNEW WHEN THEY BOOKED THEY WOULD BE GETTING AN OBSTRUCTED VIEW CABIN. IT DID NOT BOTHER THEM BUT AS STATED IT WOULD BOTHER ME AND I WOULD NOT BOOK IT.

P.S. The point of my original post was to answer the question "How bad is the obstruction?" I believe I did that.

It was Arial's font size 10 demonstration...

I too am wondering about the "obstructed view". My stateroom is near the front of the ship on the Plaza deck. The lifeboats are two decks above. Does anyone know what of obstructions other than lifeboats? Looking at a picture of the ship, there does not seem to be anything that might obstruct the window view.

WHBC, Are you on the Golden also or what ship and what is your cabin number ?

Yes, I will be on the Golden Princess. I will be in stateroom 207 on the Plaza deck.

Hi, Cat EE, Plaza deck #207 is an ocean view, no obstruction, were you told it was ?...as you mentioned the Emerald deck has the lifeboats on that particular vessel...Happy Sailing !

Yes, the Princess website states that staterooms in categories E-HH have obstructed views. Since the lifeboats do not affect the Plaza deck, could the obstruction possibly have something to do with the the curvature of the ship?