Should I bid on obstructed view balcony?

[carajoemom]

Just received upgrade bid offer from Regal.  How obstructed are the views on regular balcony and a deluxe balcony.  Can it be completely obstructed that you have to stand to look out and still see nothing?  Anyone have any photos to share? Don’t know what to do?  Are you sorry you placed a bid and won?

[Wishing on a star]

We have really enjoyed the Regal!

Of course you might know that these balconies are on Deck 8.

Most of them will be obstructed.  If there is a lifeboat right in front of the balcony, it will come up about even with the balcony railing.

There are a few of these that many people book because they are not really obstructed.

Look at the ones mid-ship, on the angled/curved bump-out.

These are not really obstructed,  it is just that there is that open deck just below.

 

This is an excellent video, which is on a 'sister ship', which will be like Regal.

It is a standard. (small, not Deluxe) balcony, and shows a full view of what these are like.

The balconies are the same in both standard and Deluxe. 

The Deluxe Balcony has a slight larger interior, with a little two-seat sofa.

 

 

When bidding, you can get ANY one of this category balcony.

Odds are you would have the lifeboat .

Small chance that somebody in one that is not really obstructed moves or bids to get an upgrade.

I would not count on getting one of those.

 

Those particular cabins are ones that you book when you see them available, and usually hang on to them.

Edited June 11 by Wishing on a star

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, carajoemom said:

Anyone have any photos to share?

yes, plenty. You could do a search with the words "obstructed balcony" and find many more.

 

When ship is out in the sea, the top of the life boats comes up to about floor level of the cabin. If the life boat has a "cabin" on top, it will shop up like the first photo. When in port, the life boats sometimes are raised up for cleaning and maintenance.

[long cruiser]

no

[Wishing on a star]

To me,  anything, any natural light and fresh air would be better than an interior.

But, If you can budget it at all,  big for a standard balcony.

As somebody has said, if you have a regular interior cabin, unless for some reason you appreciate the dark when wanted.... any balcony is better than an interior.

 

If you want an interior that seems to be a bit more spacious, perhaps you can move to one of the inside cabins that is laid out 'sideways', perpendicular with the hallway.