Oceanview porthole cabin — surprisingly great for the price

Everyone says skip the oceanview and go interior or balcony. I disagree. 9674 has a large porthole that lets in natural light, which makes a massive difference for your circadian rhythm on a cruise. We woke up with the sunrise every day without an alarm. The cabin is otherwise identical to an interior — same size, same storage, same bathroom. But that porthole changes the feel completely. We paid about forty percent more than interior and it was worth every cent. Location on Deck 9 is perfect: two decks up from the main dining room, one deck down from the pool. No noise issues. One note: the porthole has a curtain but it doesn't block light completely. Bring a sleep mask if you like sleeping in.