Royal Caribbean’s Biggest Ships: Cabins to Avoid on Wonder, Oasis, and Other Vessels

Booking a Royal Caribbean cruise is an exciting experience, but choosing the wrong cabin can quickly turn that dream vacation into a noisy, sleepless ordeal. From poor locations to obstructed views, certain rooms aboard even the most advanced cruise ships—like the Wonder of the Seas or Oasis of the Seas—can come with drawbacks.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the cabins to avoid on Wonder of the Seas, as well as highlight problem areas on other major Royal Caribbean ships like Explorer, Vision, Navigator, Harmony, and Adventure of the Seas.

Wonder of the Seas Cabins to Avoid

As the largest cruise ship in the world, Wonder of the Seas has more than 2,800 cabins across 18 decks. Despite the luxury and innovation, there are some cabins you'll want to steer clear of.

1. Cabins Near the AquaTheater (Decks 6–9, Aft)

While the AquaTheater shows are spectacular, the cabins close to this venue can be extremely noisy. Rehearsals and performances often run late, with booming bass and crowd noise penetrating walls.

2. Boardwalk View Balcony Cabins

These rooms may sound exciting due to their unique view of the Boardwalk neighborhood, but they come with loud music, constant foot traffic, and limited privacy. Plus, no ocean view.

3. Interior Cabins Near Elevator Shafts

Inside cabins like those near the forward elevators on Deck 3 or Deck 9 may come with constant foot traffic, mechanical noises, and a surprising amount of hallway chatter.

4. Obstructed Ocean View Cabins (Deck 7–9)

Certain cabins technically labeled “Ocean View” may have lifeboats blocking your window or balcony. Make sure to check cabin reviews or diagrams to avoid disappointment.

5. Cabins Under the Pool Deck (Deck 14)

Avoid rooms on Deck 14 below the pool deck due to the noise of chairs scraping, parties, and early morning cleaning routines.

Inside Cabins on Wonder of the Seas: Hidden Downsides

Inside cabins are the most budget-friendly, but they come with sacrifices:

• No natural light, which can disrupt your sense of time.

• Smaller space, which may feel cramped during sea days.

• Noise-prone areas, especially those near the Royal Promenade or Studio B ice rink.

While they’re great for budget-conscious travelers, inside cabins near entertainment venues or crew access doors can be a source of irritation.

Explorer of the Seas: Rooms to Avoid

Launched in 2000, Explorer of the Seas may not have the glitz of the Oasis Class ships, but it’s still a beloved vessel. However, several cabins on this ship are known for being less than ideal: Explorer of the seas rooms to avoid

1. Deck 2 Forward Cabins

Prone to movement and engine vibration, these cabins can cause seasickness for sensitive passengers.

2. Cabins Beneath the Gym (Deck 9)

Deck 8 cabins under the fitness center can suffer from early morning thumps and clanks of dropped weights and treadmills.

3. Obstructed Ocean View Rooms on Deck 6

These rooms have lifeboats partially blocking your view—something that’s not always made clear on booking sites.

Vision of the Seas: Cabins to Avoid

Being one of the smaller ships in the fleet, Vision of the Seas offers a more intimate experience—but some rooms are less than relaxing. vision of the seas cabins to avoid

1. Deck 2 Cabins Forward

As with other ships, forward cabins on lower decks are subject to stronger motion and engine noise.

2. Obstructed View Oceanview Cabins on Deck 3

These are impacted by lifeboat placements. You might see more orange metal than blue ocean.

3. Cabins Near Centrum (Mid-Ship, Decks 4–7)

The Centrum is the heart of activity on Vision-class ships, featuring live music, dance parties, and other noisy events. Nearby cabins can be disrupted well into the evening.

Adventure of the Seas: Rooms to Avoid

As part of the Voyager Class, Adventure of the Seas is larger than Vision but smaller than Oasis. Here's where not to book:

1. Deck 2 Aft Cabins

These cabins are subject to propeller and engine vibration, especially during docking maneuvers.

2. Promenade View Rooms (Deck 6–8)

While the Royal Promenade is lively, that’s not necessarily ideal when you're trying to sleep. These cabins may look fun on paper but are typically noisy late into the night.

3. Deck 10 Cabins Below Windjammer Café

Avoid rooms directly under the buffet—early morning chair dragging and late-night clean-up make for a poor night’s sleep.

Navigator of the Seas: Rooms to Avoid

Refurbished in 2019, Navigator of the Seas is popular for short Caribbean getaways. However, the ship still has a few cabins with complaints.

1. Deck 2 Inside Cabins (Far Forward/Aft)

Motion sensitivity is a concern, as is noise from the anchor and engines.

2. Cabins Under Sports Deck (Deck 12)

Don’t book on Deck 11 under the sports court or FlowRider—thudding footsteps, skateboards, and basketballs can cause continuous disturbance.

3. Obstructed Balcony Rooms (Deck 6)

Balcony views can be partially blocked by ship structures like canopies or lifeboats.

Oasis of the Seas: Cabins to Avoid

The first ship in the Oasis Class, Oasis of the Seas is still a fan favorite, but some rooms have drawbacks:

1. Boardwalk and Central Park View Cabins

Like on Wonder, these cabins suffer from a lack of ocean view and higher-than-average noise levels from the public areas.

2. Deck 14 Rooms Below the Pool Deck

These are infamous for chair-scraping noises and poolside parties overhead.

3. AquaTheater Suites Without Full View

Some suites, despite the premium price, may have obstructed or side-angle views of the AquaTheater.

Harmony of the Seas: Cabins to Avoid

A newer Oasis Class ship, Harmony of the Seas has many of the same pros and cons as Wonder and Oasis. Here’s where to be cautious:

1. Deck 6 Boardwalk Balconies

Noise from Playmakers, Sugar Beach, and the carousel can be overwhelming—especially if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat.

2. Deck 9–14 Cabins Under High-Traffic Zones

Avoid rooms beneath the Windjammer, Adventure Ocean, or Sports Court, unless you're okay with hearing running kids and moving furniture.

3. Interior Rooms Near Studio B

Late-night ice shows and music rehearsals from the skating rink can bleed through the walls.

Final Tips for Choosing the Right Cabin on Any Royal Caribbean Ship

1. Avoid cabins under or over public venues – Buffets, gyms, theaters, and nightclubs are hotspots for noise.

2. Look for mid-ship, mid-deck cabins – These offer more stability and less motion.

3. Check cabin reviews – Websites like Cruise Critic offer detailed reviews of specific cabins.

4. Study the deck plans – Make sure your cabin isn’t next to a service area, stairwell, or elevator shaft.

5. Don’t rely only on category names – “Ocean View” doesn’t always mean unobstructed, and “Balcony” doesn’t mean private.

Conclusion: Your Cabin Choice Can Make or Break the Cruise

Royal Caribbean ships are filled with innovation and excitement—but even the most spectacular vessel can offer a disappointing experience if your cabin is noisy, obstructed, or poorly located.

By knowing which cabins to avoid on Wonder of the Seas, as well as problematic rooms on Oasis, Harmony, Explorer, Vision, Navigator, and Adventure of the Seas, you can confidently choose a cabin that enhances your cruise, not one that detracts from it.