Pick the right cruise cabin

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Just the facts. On most cruise ships, passenger cabins are interspersed among the ship’s restaurants, theaters, casinos, lounges, pools, spa, and other public facilities. Only Silverseas Cruises, a luxury cruise line, offers a separate cabin section. Each of its four ships is designed with the cabins in the forward part of the ship; the lounges, bars and restaurants range from midship aft.

• Insider tip. Many cabins get noise and vibration from the ship’s engines throughout the voyage, and some get noise when the anchors are lowered. Some people like these “nautical noises,” but if you don’t, you might find it quieter in the middle of the ship.

• Insider tip. You have more control over human noise, and if everyday hustle and bustle bothers you, you should stay away from the children’s playroom, high-traffic elevators, self-service laundries and crew work stations. Try especially hard to avoid cabins above the disco and below the pool area. New York City resident Cindi Ludaken remembers a long, sleepless night on a Caribbean cruise listening to dozens of passengers on the Lido Deck above her cabin singing karaoke. “There’s nothing worse at two in the morning than a universally bad version of ‘I Will Survive,’” she says.

• Insider tip. Some cruise lines discount cabins that have noise problems. For example, Carnival Cruise Line offers “Night Owl” cabins aboard the Carnival Destiny. These inside cabins cost $200 less per person than identical cabins down the hall because they get a lot of thump and noise from the disco overhead.

• Insider tip. One way to avoid cabin trouble is to study your ship’s deck plan. See exactly where your proposed cabin is located in relation to noisy common areas. Check, too, for any unmarked white or gray spaces nearby; these often represent a housekeeping or room-service station that may house noisy carts and ice machines.

• Insider tip. Even the best-laid plans can go astray. Remember Cabin A640? Not only did it come with the dreaded Pullman beds, it was located directly under the Spa Deck door (door banged constantly) and near the maid’s closets (loud talking and banging ice at 6 a.m.). The only thing you can do in a situation like this is buy some earplugs at the next port.

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