Without a doubt one of the first things that can sink a cruise is realizing you picked (or were assigned) a less than ideal cabin. I've read reviews for years where a cruise was completely ruined for vacationers simply because of their cabin location. Whether it be the sounds from cooks in the galley, or you have a night club right beneath you, a game of basketball going on above you, a Broadway show taking place beneath you, or the dreaded crying child next door. The possibilities for a bad cabin are endless, now for some it's a simple case of 'Grin and bear it'. For other's it's going to result in a nasty-gram to the cruise line… who let's face it- will send a stock apology letter and continue counting their billions.
This is a classic buyer beware scenario. Now however if you are the type that isn't bothered by noise, or you are out being part of the party until the wee hours… well you can probably cease reading here! However for those who want a few tips when planning and picking their ideal cabin here are some things to note.
AVOID The Following: Cabins right above the main theater/comedy club/ship's disco/main galley. These cabin's will undoubtedly have a certain amount of noise associated with whatever event is taking place beneath them. If you are a fan of staying on deck 1 you may just want to beware of the possibility that your cabin may lie directly above the Crew Lounge, which is the scene of nightly 'morale boosting events' And from what I understand the crew knows how to get the party started better than most of us can ever hope to!
Likewise AVOID The following: Cabins right below the main lido deck in general, but specifically where lounge chairs reside. In the early morning hours deck hands begin sliding loungers around the deck to prepare for the days sunbathers. You will also want to avoid being below the gym as folks tend to drop free weights and forget that jogging in place above you comes across to you as a stampede abandoning ship!
So once all of these major locations are checked off your list, here are a few other things to consider:
- Families with children tend to stay towards the Forward end of the ship as it often provides easy access to Children programs such as Camp Carnival, Night Owl's, Club 02, etc. This also is prime location for quick access to the gym/spa, or down a few decks to the main show lounge.
- Cabin's on any floor near the stairways or elevator banks are both convenient, but also potentially hot spots for sound.
- Be careful of cabin's that share a wall with an elevator shaft or maintenance closet (usually shown on deck plans as empty non-labelled rooms).
- For quieter spots go Aft down the corridor as far from the stairs/elevators as possible. Many who love the action want to be near easy access spots. So walking far down a corridor is not for them.
With all of this in mind, when I'm booking my cabin for a cruise I tend to stay Mid-ship towards Aft or in the Aft section. I prefer deck's sandwiched between two other 'residential' decks so as not to absorb entertainment sounds (Most ships this will be decks 6 or 7). And for some reason I have this non-sensical superstition that I have to be on the Port side of the ship. (Don't ask I have no valid reason for feeling this way!)
Lastly just remember these tips apply to all cabins, so don't risk thinking "Well I paid for a suite so it will be perfect". You can pay for a suite and it can be poorly located! So whether you're staying in an Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, or Suite… play with the deck plans a little bit to determine the best spot for you based on what your personality is, and what you most want to be able to get quick access to on your vacation! Sadly… I have no tips for avoiding noisy neighbors!
Thanks again for reading!
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