This question turns up here on a regular basis, and it is, as you say, an opinion question. Most people like midship cabins, and most CC cabins are midship, mid-aft, mid-forward. The only exception to that is the Royal Class ships, which have four CC minis on high decks, all the way forward. If you're on a Royal Class ship and can't stand motion, then you probably shouldn't bid for the upgrade. Not likely you'd end up with one of these four, but it's always a mistake to confuse the unlikely with the impossible. If you're either not on a Royal Class ship or don't mind motion and you're fine with the cost, then I can't think of a downside. It's well worth it to us if we can get one of the four forward-facing CC minis on Royal Class ships since we like those cabins so much. It might or might not be worth it to us on one of the other class ships, although the immediate seating in the MDR is a big deal with my hubby.