When booking a cruise, the last thing you want is to end up in the worst cabin on the ship. You hardly want constant noise, vibrations, or smells from nearby facilities to ruin your dream vacation. And thinking of sitting on the balcony watching stunning sunsets? You had better ensure you don’t book a balcony cabin with obstructed views. Take it from seasoned cruisers—your cabin choice can make or break your entire trip.
But here’s the deal—what’s a “bad” cabin for one cruiser might be just fine for someone else. Some people are totally cool with an inside cabin since they’re hardly in their room anyway. Others are happy to trade a clear view for an affordable private balcony. It’s all about knowing the trade-offs and booking the cabin that meets your cruise expectations.
I agree with what one cruiser told me, “At the end of the day, any cabin on any cruise ship is better than no cabin and wasting away in the office.” So true. But what if you’re after the perfect cabin location? This article has you covered. I’ll share my experiences, forum chatter, and what other cruisers say about the worst cabins on a cruise ship.
Who Would Book a “Bad” Cabin on a Cruise Ship?
Most of the time, the discussion about best and worst staterooms boils down to preference. For example, budget travelers or last-minute bookers may grab a “bad” cabin as they’ve no choice. Other cruisers prioritize entertainment and excursions over spending lazy mornings staring at the ocean from their balcony.
Experience says that booking a cruise is all about making informed choices. And if you manage expectations, you’ll have the voyage of a lifetime. Yes, no whining about the cramped cabin space, the lack of views, or the pumping music from the nightclub on the deck above.
Booking a cruise cabin is an entirely different process than a hotel room. With hotels, your room is usually assigned at check-in. And if something’s not right, you can often switch rooms. But on a cruise, you can see the deck plans and choose your cabin type during the booking process. And there’s little leverage to change cabins once you’re onboard.
15 Worst Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid
Let’s navigate the troubled waters of good and bad cabins to set sail on a dream cruise. From engine noise that rattles your cabin to obstructed views that sink sunset dreams, not all cabins are created equal. Here are the 15 worst cruise ship cabins to avoid.
How to Avoid Cabins With Noise Issues
Are you a light sleeper, want a peaceful night’s rest, or avoid unwelcome noises at night? If so, steering clear of cabins with known noise issues is crucial. Here are the six worst culprits.
Cabins near elevators and stairwells
Avoid cabins near elevators and stairwells if you want peace and quiet in your stateroom. It’s not the elevators that are noisy—the constant foot traffic, late-night chatter, and elevator chimes are the problem. One cruiser said on newer Carnival ships, that air vents in the doors let in fresh air and noise.
I read on some forums that the cabins near stairwells on some Norwegian Cruise Line ships on decks 9 to 12 can be noisy. One fellow passenger shared their experience on a Celebrity Cruise ship: “Our cabin was opposite the elevator, and I couldn’t get a full night’s sleep with people constantly walking by.”
However, be careful when booking a cabin too far from the elevator. A passenger told me that some Royal Caribbean ships require walking the length of the corridor, turning a corner, and double backing on yourself. Great for exercise, but not so great if you’ve got young kids.
Cabins directly below the pool deck
Given the chance, most cruisers avoid staterooms right under the pool deck. You can forget an alarm clock because the scraping of lounge chairs getting dragged across the Lido deck will wake you. Then, you must deal with noise from poolside parties and games in the afternoons and evenings.
One couple shared their experience of a Carnival Cruise ship: “We stayed directly under the pool deck—never again! The noise from chairs and music kept us up.” Another passenger stayed in a balcony cabin under the deck on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship and said, “It wasn’t the chairs so much that bothered us, it was the sound music from the PA system.”
Cabins near nightclubs, lounges, or dining venues
Booking a cabin near dining venues or entertainment areas may seem convenient, but they come at a price—noise, and lots of it. Of course, if you’re a night owl and plan on partying until the “wee hours,” no problem. But if you prefer early nights, parties, live music, and plenty of foot traffic could keep you up.
One cruiser lamented, “The noise from Carnival Sunshine’s Liquid Club kept us up until 2 a.m. every night.”
However, it seems that staying under restaurants isn’t too much of a problem. One couple told me about their Royal Caribbean cruise and said, “Our cabin was under the Windjammer. While it wasn’t as quiet as other cabins we stayed in, we heard early morning scraping when chairs and tables get shifted. But it didn’t bother us.”
Cabins near the kid’s club
Avoid staterooms near the kids’ clubs to avoid the chaos of kids on board a cruise ship. For obvious reasons, these rooms are popular with families, so expect more noise from kids running in and out. There’s also plenty of foot traffic and a lot of daytime activity.
Passengers say cabins near the clubs are usually only noisy during the day. One said, “We were on an NCL Breakaway ship on deck 12 near the Splash Academy. We heard kids running and shouting all day long—it was impossible to relax.” So, not the ideal cabin location if you prefer spending port days onboard relaxing in your cabin. On the flip side, at least you’ll get a good night’s sleep.
Cabins near crew areas or service doors
Some of the worst cabins on cruise ships are near crew areas or high-traffic service doors. One passenger said, “We could hear the crew starting their work at dawn every day—definitely not restful.” Another said, “If you value a peaceful cabin environment, steer clear of these locations.”
I discovered a hack for spotting cabins near crew work areas. Look for unmarked spaces on the ship’s deck plan. These are usually areas for housekeeping or other staff. Sometimes, doors slamming shut in the early morning or late evening can be disruptive, especially for light sleepers.
Cabins near the anchor
First-time cruisers don’t realize how loud and noisy the anchor can be when docking or departing. I usually avoid cabins toward the ship’s bow, but I’ve heard from fellow cruisers that the anchor can cause jarring sounds when dropping or getting raised.
One passenger mentioned the anchor noise: “Every morning when we docked, the anchor noise was so loud, and it felt like the whole cabin was shaking.”
How to Avoid Cruise Ship Cabins with Poor Views
Let’s face it—who doesn’t want to watch the sun go down or enjoy incredible ocean views from their cabin? That won’t be possible if you book an obstructed-view cabin, interior cabin, or cabin with a promenade view. Of course, an oceanview cabin with a lifeboat in front of it can be a trade-off for an affordable balcony cabin.
Promenade view cabins
Cabins with a window or balcony view of the promenade can be an option if you cannot afford an oceanview cabin. However, they have certain drawbacks. First, you can say goodbye to privacy and hello to the constant noise of passengers milling around. Also, late-night parties on the promenade can be a real downside.
I’ve read mixed reviews online about the pros and cons of a promenade or boardwalk view balcony. One cruiser on a Royal Caribbean ship said, “I could hear the music and crowds from the promenade all evening long. Also, we felt like we had no privacy.” However, someone else said, “We loved the great views of the action, and for privacy, just close your curtains.”
Cabins with obstructed views
I’ve found obstructed-view cabins to be a hit or a miss. Some have only partially blocked views of the ocean, whereas others look out onto a lifeboat. However, many cruisers are willing to compromise to get a balcony cabin at a discounted price. But you may be staring at a life boat instead of Caribbean sunsets.
One cruiser on a Royal Caribbean ship said their obstructed view balcony was ideal because the lifeboat roof was in line with the railing, and they got fantastic views. However, another said, “A lifeboat completely blocked our view—definitely not worth the money.”
Interior cabins on lower decks
Interior cabins on lower decks are often the cheapest cruise tickets. But you pay for what you save on the cost in other ways. I’m talking about engine noise, vibrations, and feeling claustrophobic. One passenger told me, “The noise from the engines was disturbing at first, but by day four, I was used to the hum.”
Another cruiser said, “I booked a lower deck cabin because I suffer from seasickness. However, the interior cabin felt like sleeping in a shoe box with no air.”
So, are interior cabins the worst types of cabins on a cruise ship? It depends if you’re willing to sacrifice comfort for price.
Other Cabin Types Many Cruisers Avoid
For some cruisers, a bad cabin is only a matter of opinion. Some passengers have scored fantastic cruise deals with a guaranteed cabin type. However, others agreed to a cabin upgrade, only to find themselves under the Lido deck. Here are six cabin types that are a hit or miss with ship passengers.
Guarantee cabins
Booking a guarantee cabin is like playing roulette in the onboard casino—you can never predict when you score big. The draw of guarantee cabins is that they’re less expensive. The cruise line assigns the cabin, and you don’t have any control over location and ocean views. Basically, you get the cabin leftovers.
A passenger on NCL told me, “I thought I’d risk the guaranteed cabin as the price was tempting. However, I ended up staring at a lifeboat for seven days at sea. Next time, I’ll pay more to know what I’m getting.” Another cruiser told me the assigned cabin was beside the elevator, and the constant foot traffic made the cabin noisy.
Forward cabins (Near the bow)
Do you get seasick easily? If so, a cabin near the bow will be the worst type to book. Of course, you may get the same spectacular sea views as the captain. But the ship’s forward is prone to motion. Maybe not a dealbreaker in the calm Caribbean, but you’ll be rocking and rolling choppy waters.
One cruiser noted, “The motion was so bad up front, I felt seasick the entire trip.” If you’re sensitive to movement, avoiding these cabins and opting for a more stable midship location is best.
Aft cabins (Near the stern)
What about staying at the rear of the ship in an aft cabin? Like forward cabins, you get stunning views, only this time of the wake. But the views come at a price. Many cruisers complain about the engine noise and vibrations, especially when the ship is docking or maneuvering. And like the ship’s forward, the aft is prone to more motion than the ship’s center.
Here’s the experience of one cruiser, “We loved the wake view, but the engine noise was just too much.” Interestingly, aft cabins are some of the most sought-after among experienced cruisers.
Connecting cabins
Connecting cabins are the best type of cabin when traveling with a group or extended family. However, they’re the worst for couples, solo travelers, or anyone wanting to enjoy tranquility in their cabin. The issue is the connecting door and noise leakage. It’s not as soundproof as regular cabin walls.
I read on some cruise forums that noise in cabins with connecting doors is not an issue. But this was maybe because they had quiet neighbors. But another cruiser told me, “We could hear every conversation and every nighttime noise from the family next door. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it was embarrassing.”
Cabins near designated smoking areas
Besides a few designated areas, smoking is banned on cruise ships. Unfortunately, some cabins are located near these spots, and depending on the wind, you could have cigarette smoke and smells wafting to your balcony. If you’re sensitive to smoke, booking a cabin close to these areas could ruin your cruise experience.
Here’s a case in point. Some Celebrity Cruise ships have a smoking area on deck 5 near mid-ship. I read complaints from cruisers on decks 6 to 8 about smoke impacting their enjoyment. The same is true on Carnival Cruise ships on Deck 3 port side, where vaping e-cigs, cigarettes, cigars, and pipe smoking are permitted.
Here’s the unfortunate experience of one passenger. They said, “It was bad enough to smell cigarette smoke from the smoking area below. But my neighbor took to smoking on the balcony most evenings, and the staff were reluctant to do anything.”
Free cabin upgrades
Free cabin upgrades might sound like a dream come true, but the online consensus is that they’re a mixed blessing. Just imagine—a bigger stateroom with a balcony you don’t have to pay for. However, you’ve no control over the location, and you could end up in a noisy or less desirable area.
One Royal Caribbean passenger shared their story and said, “I thought we hit the jackpot with a free upgrade, but we ended up right under the pool deck—constant noise. I wish we’d stuck to our original room.” The lesson? Before accepting an upgrade, it’s always worth double-checking the new cabin’s location.
How to Choose the Best Cabin Location on a Cruise Ship
The beauty of cruising is that it caters to everyone. So, the best types of cabins on a cruise ship depend on what you want from the vacation. Is fun and late-night partying your thing? Or are you planning a romantic getaway at sea? Or maybe you’re taking the kids on their first cruise adventure. However, making a cruise booking mistake could sink your vacation dreams.
Here are what is regarded as the five best locations on a cruise ship:
Midship cabins: These cabins generally experience the least motion while at sea. They are ideal for anyone prone to seasickness.
Aft cabins: Cabins at the ship’s rear are known for their stunning wake views, larger rooms, and spacious balconies. There are fewer cabins, meaning less noise from neighbors.
Balcony suites: Opt for a balcony suite for the most luxurious cruise experience. They have plenty of room and often come with extra perks.
Cabins away from elevators: These cabins offer a more private and noise-free experience onboard. The fewer passengers passing your door, the quieter time you’ll have in the cabin.
Cabins surrounded by other cabins: Interestingly, cabins with cabins above and below can be some of the quietest. They are far from the pool deck, restaurants, and entertainment venues. To find these prized spots, you must study several deck plans to check out what’s above and below, not just what’s on either side.
My Thoughts
Choosing the right cabin can make all the difference to a cruise experience. Regarding the worst cabins on a cruise ship, much comes down to personal opinion, budget, and vacation plans. Do you have any tips or personal experiences? Share your cabin stories in the comments below and help fellow cruisers find their ideal stateroom.
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