How obstructed is "fully obstructed"?

quack · #1 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2008, 12:56 AM

I hope this isn't a dumb question. I have a fully obstructed view room on the Veendam next month. I understand that to mean that lifeboats or part of the ship structure obscure the view. While I won't have a view, will there at least be sunlight (I'm an optimist) coming through the windows?

It's an HH class room BTW.

DeeDee · #2 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2008, 06:50 AM

I just looked t the deck plans of the Veendam and the HH cabins are on the Lower Promenade.

The lifeboats will not be what is obstructing your view, but the steel bulkhead. We've been in a partially obstructed cabin and there was not much sunlight, so don't count on any in a fully obstructed.

I see that you are going to Alaska. In that case you'll want to be outside on the Lower Prom deck to watch for whales and see the beauty of Alaska.

Trip · #3 (**permalink**) July 16th, 2008, 08:19 AM

I would say, if you have ever booked an inside cabin, you will be ok..I have had 2 partially, on some ships, and I was not happy.

SailorSquirrel · #4 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2008, 12:47 PM

I had an HH cabin fully obstructed view on the Oosterdam. There was a life boat blocking the window. However, the window was huge. It was floor to ceiling glass on the entire wall. So even though the view was obstructed I had lots of natural sunlight. I loved that cabin!

DeeDee · #5 (**permalink**) July 17th, 2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailorSquirrel

I had an HH cabin fully obstructed view on the Oosterdam. There was a life boat blocking the window. However, the window was huge. It was floor to ceiling glass on the entire wall. So even though the view was obstructed I had lots of natural sunlight. I loved that cabin!

That's what an HH is like on the Oosterdam, but the OP is on the Veendam which is a completely different class of ship. The HH's on the Veendam are fully obstructed, not by a lifeboat but by the steel bulkhead. The Oosterdam is a Vista class ship and the Veendam is an S class - completely different.

duchess397 · #6 (**permalink**) November 23rd, 2008, 09:31 PM

We liked the HH category cabin on the Veendam to Alaska. Could look outside and gauge the weather. Enough sunlight to feel like we were on a ship and not in a closet. Didn't feel the need for balcony at all due to lots of places to land on the ship. The Walkers on the Promanade deck were interesting to watch too. Using the deck to get to the back of the ship was easier and faster than threading through casino and hallways too.

--Duchess397
Veendam 2008 Alaska Loved it!!! Crew was fantastic
Carnival Mexico 2x (not recommended) Passengers were the worst
Windjammer Cruises 2x LOVED IT!!!!
Costa Cruise Caribbean 1990 -- fine

spencercoop · #7 (**permalink**) November 23rd, 2008, 10:46 PM

Yeah, if you are going to Alaska I would suggest getting a room that is not obstructed. When you go to Alaska it could be a once in a lifetime trip.

kryos · #8 (**permalink**) December 2nd, 2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spencercoop

Yeah, if you are going to Alaska I would suggest getting a room that is not obstructed. When you go to Alaska it could be a once in a lifetime trip.

This is a piece of advice I can only agree with if you are the type of cruiser that spends a lot of time in the cabin. Then, you should probably spring for at least a balcony, if not a suite.

But for the average cruiser, I don't think an outside cabin is an absolute requirement to have a wonderful Alaska vacation. The ship has windows all over the place, and plenty of outside decks with comfortable lounge chairs from which to enjoy the pristine views of that great state. There is nothing you have to miss just because you are in an inside or fully obstructed outside cabin. I know that at least in my case I'm generally only in the cabin to sleep or shower. I'm out and about enjoying the views while enjoying the amenities of the ship at the same time.

Blue skies ...

--rita

billbelt · #9 (**permalink**) January 9th, 2009, 05:29 PM

Your question is certaily not a "dumb one". In fact it's a very good question and you may very well find that many travel agents will be unable to answer that question as they have little or no expierence. Obstructed cabins are not necessarily all the same even on the saem ship. Recently we had a cabin where the window was between two life boats. We could see quite well out the window and there was plenty of light. The party in the cabin next to us saw nothing but the side of the life boat. We happen to choose that cabin because we got a hugh discount and our agent knew enough about the ship and cabin location to recommend several cabins to us that would provide different advanatages. Also take a close look at the deck layouts on the ship and check cabins that are availabe as "obstructed views" and get the one that offers the best "obstructed view".On the other hand if money is no object, stay away from any cabin with a "partially obstructed" or "obstructed view" as you will have to contend with that for whatever number of days you are aboard. Do you know how much tiem we have spent looking out our cabin window on cruise ships? Actually very little thus we go for the savings that we can use for other things.