Royal Caribbean cruise passenger sparks debate over room with ‘obstructed view’

A Royal Caribbean cruise passenger has sparked a debate over obstructed views of cabin balconies after complaining about something installed outside her balcony.

The woman named Abbie, who was enjoying a holiday on the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, earlier this year, questioned whether her room should be considered an “obstructed view” room, arguing that a railing on the outside of the ship “spoils” the appearance of the ocean at night.

In a video posted to social media, Abbie shares her perspective and explains that the railing that runs the length of the ship cuts off the bottom of her view of the ocean below when she sits on the balcony .

“This rail goes all the way down,” says Abbie, who was traveling with her husband. “So if you’re sitting on the balcony, you should be able to see the ocean below. But you can’t.

“It’s blocked by about a foot. And it spoils the appearance of the ocean at night. It’s really pretty at night.

What is an obstructed view?

According to cruise giant Royal Caribbean, an obstruction is “something that blocks part of the direct outward view from a cabin.” They then explain that the types of obstructions are usually lifeboats or the “external structure of the ship.”

Abbie claims the bottom 30 centimeters of her ocean view is blocked by the railing, but many responded saying she “must be joking.”

“No, it’s not considered an obstructed view,” one viewer said. “Balconies with obstructed views will have equipment (blocking) the view. But Abbie maintains that the railing is an amenity, saying “it’s still a railing that blocks my view.” A railing that holds the equipment. »

“I can’t believe anyone would complain about this view,” said another stunning scenery in Abbie’s video.

Royal Caribbean has been contacted for comment on the matter by Yahoo News.

Cruises are growing in popularity among all generations

Amid concerns that the cruise industry would never fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2023/24 travel period welcomed around 50% more passengers than the year before the pandemic.

Additionally, in the past, many have catered to the cruise customer base with the older generation, but Gen Z and millennials are increasingly drawn to boarding their vacations.

Carnival Australia said earlier this year there had been a steady increase in the number of young Australians going on cruises in recent years, with Cruise Lines International Association chief executive Joel Katz telling the public broadcaster that the average cruise age of 49 was “much younger than before.” be”.

And operators are now working to attract younger passengers by offering on-board services such as state-of-the-art gyms, tattoo parlors and late-night pizzerias.

One such attraction is Royal Caribbean’s nine-month Ultimate World Cruise, which has become a TikTok sensation with content creators like Australian comedian Christian Hull documenting his onboard adventures.

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