I’ve been lucky enough to sail on more than 40 cruises, and while I’m pretty happy in just about any cabin as long as I’m at sea… There are some staterooms I’ve learned to avoid.
Either from my own experience or from fellow cruisers sharing their stories, these are the cabins that can really make a difference in your cruise comfort.
So if you’re picking your cabin now, here are the 20 types of cruise cabins I recommend you skip — and exactly why.
1. Cabins at the Front of the Ship — Rock & Roll You May Not Want
I’ll admit — I thought I could handle a forward cabin until I sailed out of New York once… and felt like I was riding a seesaw every night.
Cabins near the front of the ship feel the most motion, especially in rough seas. If you’re prone to seasickness (or even if you’re not), this spot can be a gamble.
Now I stick to midship cabins whenever I can — they’re just better balanced in the water.
2. Guarantee Cabins — The Luck of the Draw Isn’t Always Lucky
I’ve booked guaranteed cabins a few times, hoping for a sweet upgrade. Sometimes it worked out.
But other times? I got a cabin in a noisy spot I’d never have chosen myself.
Here’s how it works:
- You book a category (like balcony or oceanview)
- The cruise line assigns your cabin later — you have no say in the location
- You can’t change it if you don’t like it
If you’re picky about where you sleep or want control, a guaranteed cabin probably isn’t your best bet.
I now book guarantees only when I truly don’t care where I end up.
3. Inside vs. Balcony — Know What You’re Getting Into
Some people swear by inside cabins because they’re cheap and cozy, while others won’t cruise unless they’ve got a balcony.
Honestly, both are fine — if you know what you’re signing up for.
But here’s the deal…
If you tend to feel claustrophobic, hate being without natural light, or like to have fresh air, an inside cabin might drive you crazy.
I’ve had friends who thought they could handle it, only to regret it once they realized how dark and tight it felt.
On the flip side, balconies come at a higher price, so it’s really about knowing your comfort zone.
My tip? Be honest with yourself. If waking up to sunlight makes your day, skip the inside cabin.
4. Cabins Next to the Laundry Room — The Noise You Didn’t Expect
On some ships, you’ll find self-service laundry rooms tucked away on passenger decks. Super handy if you’re cruising with kids or on a longer trip…
BUT…
- They’re often noisy with washers, dryers, and ironing boards
- People gather there at all hours (sometimes doing laundry at midnight)
- Doors bang, machines hum — not great when you’re trying to sleep
I check the deck plan before every cruise now to avoid these sneaky spots.
5. Cabins Under the Lido Deck — Morning Wake-Up Calls You Didn’t Ask For
I learned this the hard way on a cruise where my balcony cabin was right under the pool deck (aka Lido Deck).
It was like having an early morning cleaning crew as my personal alarm clock.
Here’s what happens:
- Early mornings — crew dragging deck chairs, hosing down the floors
- Music and pool parties during the day
- Constant scraping, moving, and unexpected noise
If you love lounging on your balcony in peace, this can ruin the vibe.
My rule now? I always pick a cabin that’s sandwiched between two passenger decks — it’s quieter that way.
6. Obstructed Cabins — It’s All About Managing Expectations
I once booked an obstructed balcony cabin thinking, “How bad can the view really be?” Well… let’s just say, having a lifeboat block half your view is a little more noticeable than I thought.
To be fair, we still enjoyed the balcony coffee in the morning, fresh air. But if you’re dreaming of sweeping ocean views, this can be a letdown.
And worse, I’ve heard of people booking obstructed oceanview cabins only to stare straight at a lifeboat wall.
My advice? Book obstructed cabins only if you’re fine with a limited view — and snag a good deal on it.
7. Cabins Near the Kid’s Club — Unless You’re Traveling With Kids
Look, I love that cruise ships are family-friendly. But if you’re not traveling with kids, staying near the kids’ club might not be your idea of fun.
Expect this:
- Kids running down the hallway
- Parents picking up & dropping off
- Noise at random times of the day
These clubs are usually on the higher decks, near the aft of the ship. I make sure to pick cabins nowhere near them when I’m cruising for peace and quiet.
8. Connecting Cabins — Great for Families, Not for Everyone Else
If you’re cruising with family or a group and need connecting cabins, perfect!
But if you’re not? I’d say avoid them whenever possible.
Why?
- Connecting cabins have thin adjoining doors that aren’t soundproof
- You’ll hear next door’s TV, music, conversations… or worse
- Even if it’s a stranger in there, you’ll know more about them than you ever wanted
I once stayed next to a family with small kids, and let’s just say I knew their bedtime routine by heart after a week.
I always check the deck plans now to make sure I’m not booking a connecting cabin by accident.
9. Cabins Too Close (or Too Far) from the Elevator
On a big ship, elevator proximity can be a blessing — but it can also be a headache.
🎯 Too Close:
- You’ll hear people gathering, chatting, and sometimes partying
- Late at night or early in the morning, the elevator area gets loud
🎯 Too Far:
- You’ll find yourself walking forever — some cruise ship hallways feel endless
- If you have mobility issues, you’ll regret it
I try to book mid-hallway cabins — not too close, not too far. It’s a happy medium.
10. Cabins Under the Disco or Night Club — Thump, Thump, Thump
I learned this one on a cruise when I was trying to get an early night… and the disco was right above my cabin.
Even though cruise cabins are pretty soundproof, the bass traveled straight down.
Unless you plan to be dancing until 2 AM, I highly recommend avoiding any cabin located under the nightclub.
My tip? Always check what’s directly above your cabin on the deck plan.
11. Cabins Near Crew Areas & Work Spaces — The Quiet Zone That’s Not So Quiet
Crew stairways and work areas aren’t always marked on public deck plans, but they’re there. And if you book a cabin next to them, here’s what you might get:
- Doors opening and closing frequently
- Crew moving carts or supplies at odd hours
- Cleaning and service activities can be surprisingly noisy
I’ve spotted these spots by looking for “empty” spaces on the deck plan — if there’s no cabin number, it might be a work area.
I learned this by accident — now I always double-check.
12. Cabins Near Designated Smoking Areas — When Fresh Air Isn’t So Fresh
I’m not a fan of cigarette smoke, so I learned quickly to check where the designated smoking areas are on the ship.
Here’s why this matters:
- Even though most cruise lines ban smoking on balconies, they allow it in certain public areas
- If your balcony is near a smoking zone, the smoke can drift right over
- It’s even worse if your cabin is on the same deck as the outdoor smoking area
I always ask my travel agent or check ship forums before picking a balcony cabin — smoke ruins the vibe pretty fast.
13. Cabins Near or Over the Casino — A Double Trouble Spot
The casino seems harmless, right? Until you realize…
- The casino on some ships is open until the early hours
- Noise, music, and loud conversations can drift up or down to cabins
- On some ships, the casino allows indoor smoking, and smoke can travel
I once stayed just above a casino and could hear the jackpot sounds every night. Not fun when you’re trying to sleep.
Now I avoid cabins above, below, or beside the casino.
14. Free Cabin Upgrades — Not Always the Gift You Think It Is
I know… “free cabin upgrade” sounds amazing. But here’s the thing I’ve learned after talking with many cruisers (and a few surprises of my own):
- You lose control of your cabin location when upgraded
- The cruise line can move you to any cabin in the higher category — even if it’s in a spot you would’ve avoided
- You might be upgraded within the same cabin type (like an inside to a better inside), but the new location could be noisy or inconvenient
And once the cruise line changes your cabin, you often can’t go back to your original pick.
I always tell my travel agent to mark my booking as “no upgrade” unless I’m truly okay with any location.
15. Cabins Under the Buffet — Breakfast Wake-Up Calls
Buffets are busy places, especially in the morning. I once had a cabin directly under the buffet area, and every morning I woke up to the sound of chairs scraping, carts rolling, and foot traffic.
On one cruise, I even heard a rolling cart banging back and forth overhead at night (probably a cleaning cart gone rogue!).
My advice? Book cabins that have passenger decks both above and below — much quieter overall.
16. Cabins Near the Ship’s Anchor — The Loudest Wake-Up You’ll Ever Get
This one surprised me the most. A friend of mine stayed in a forward cabin near the anchor system and said it sounded like a construction site every time the ship docked.
Here’s why it matters:
- The anchor drops early on port days — usually before sunrise
- Loud vibrations and metal grinding sounds wake you up, whether you like it or not
- You may also hear crew chatter and other port noises
If you’re a light sleeper, double-check with the cruise line or a good deck plan to avoid this one.
17. Interior-Facing Balcony Cabins — When a Balcony Isn’t Really a Balcony
When I cruised on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, I thought it would be fun to try a Boardwalk Balcony — after all, it was cheaper than an oceanview.
But here’s what I learned:
- These balconies face the ship’s interior “neighborhoods” like Central Park or Boardwalk
- There’s no ocean view and almost zero privacy
- You’ll hear noise from shows, zipliners, or the carousel — sometimes late into the evening
Sure, it’s unique, but if you want a relaxing balcony with a sea view… this isn’t it.
I tried it once — and it’s not something I’d book again.
18. Cabins Near Crew Service Elevators — The Quiet Disrupters
These aren’t always obvious on deck plans, but crew service elevators are often located near supply rooms or behind hidden doors in passenger hallways.
Why avoid them?
- Crew uses them frequently for moving supplies, laundry, and food carts
- Doors may open and close at odd hours, even late at night
- The noise isn’t loud… but it’s often constant enough to be annoying
I once stayed next to what I thought was an empty space — turned out to be a crew access point.
The subtle door sounds and hallway chatter wore me down after a few nights.
My tip: If you spot an “empty” space on a deck plan that’s not labeled, check if it’s a crew area.
19. Cabins at the Very Back (Aft) — Love the View, Hate the Vibration
I’m a big fan of aft balconies for their wide-open views… but not always for their comfort.
Here’s the honest deal:
- You’ll often feel more vibration and engine noise in cabins located far aft, especially on older ships or during docking maneuvers
- Some aft cabins also get a stronger soot buildup on balconies (depending on wind and ship design)
I still love an aft view — but I wouldn’t recommend these cabins if you’re sensitive to vibrations or want a super quiet experience.
My advice: Great for scenery lovers… but maybe not for light sleepers.
20. Cabins Under Multi-Purpose Venues (Theater, Atrium, Lounges)
Not all entertainment spaces are obvious noise sources — some multi-purpose venues like theaters, atriums, or large lounges can surprise you.
Here’s why:
- Rehearsals, sound checks, or live music events may happen during the day
- Atrium areas are often used for trivia, games, or live bands, and the noise echoes up
- Sometimes you’ll hear chair scraping, especially if it’s a lounge with a bar or dance floor
I once stayed below an atrium where the cruise staff hosted karaoke… let’s just say I didn’t need to attend the event to hear every song.
My rule now: If there’s a big open space above or below, I pick a different deck.
Final Recap — 20 Worst Cruise Ship Cabins I Avoid (and You Should Too)
| Smoke drifting onto the balcony | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Cabins at the Front of the Ship | Prone to motion & seasickness |
| Guarantee Cabins | No control over location |
| Inside vs. Balcony | May feel cramped or lacking natural light |
| Cabins Next to the Laundry Room | Unexpected noise & traffic |
| Cabins Under the Lido Deck | Early morning noise & deck activity |
| Obstructed Cabins | Disappointing or blocked views |
| Cabins Near the Kid’s Club | High foot traffic & noise |
| Connecting Cabins | Cabins Near the Kids’ Club |
| Cabins Too Close/Far from Elevator | Noise or inconvenient walking distance |
| Cabins Under the Disco/Night Club | Noise from music & parties |
| Cabins Near Crew Areas/Workspaces | Crew activity & door noise |
| Cabins Near Designated Smoking Areas | May end up in an unwanted location |
| Cabins Near or Over the Casino | Noise & possible smoke issues |
| Free Cabin Upgrades | Poor soundproofing between adjoining rooms |
| Cabins Under the Buffet | Morning chair scraping & noise |
| Cabins Near the Ship’s Anchor | Loud noise during docking |
| Interior-Facing Balcony Cabins | Lack of privacy & no sea view |
| Cabins Near Crew Service Elevators | Frequent door noise & crew traffic |
| Cabins at the Very Back (Aft) | Vibration & engine noise |
| Cabins Under Multi-Purpose Venues | Noise from events & rehearsals |
My Final Thoughts — How I Pick My Cruise Cabins Now
After years of cruising, I’ve realized that a little extra research goes a long way.
I check deck plans, read reviews, and avoid cabins with known issues — and it’s made a big difference in my cruise experience.
While none of these cabins will ruin your cruise, avoiding them can make your trip a lot more relaxing and enjoyable.
