Jayestravellingadventures

One of the questions I see asked again and again before a cruise is:

“Are cruise ship cabins actually soundproof?”

Nobody wants to spend thousands of pounds on a holiday, climb into bed after a busy day exploring the ship… and then discover the cabin next door is hosting what sounds like a midnight party!

The good news is that you don’t need to be completely paranoid about cruise ship noise.

But your choice of cabin location can make a huge difference.

And when you’re booking a P&O Cruises holiday, the deck plan can be your best friend.

The funny thing is… I sleep better on a cruise!

I have to admit, I find the whole noise question quite funny because I sleep like an absolute baby on a cruise ship!

I genuinely have no idea why.

Maybe it’s the gentle movement of the ship, the sound of the ocean, the fresh sea air, or simply the fact that I’m completely switched off from normal life. Whatever it is, I honestly get some of the best sleep I ever have when I’m cruising.

And that’s despite knowing there are thousands of people sleeping, walking around and enjoying themselves just the other side of those cabin walls!

So while I’m going to give you plenty of tips about choosing a quieter cabin, I wouldn’t personally let the possibility of hearing a little bit of noise put me off booking a cruise.

There’s something about being on a ship that just makes me completely relax.

After a full day of exploring, enjoying a drink, watching the sunset or getting off in a new destination, I get into that cruise cabin and I’m gone.

If anything, the gentle movement of the ship seems to make me sleep even better.

So if you’re worried about cruise ship cabins being noisy, don’t automatically assume you’re going to have a terrible night’s sleep. Everyone is different, and you might find, just like me, that you actually sleep better at sea than you do at home!

There’s definitely something about that little bit of rocking that sends me straight off. 

Are P&O cruise cabins soundproof?

Your cabin is designed to give you privacy, but I wouldn’t treat a cruise cabin as completely soundproof.

You’re still inside a huge, busy ship with thousands of other passengers, crew, restaurants, theatres, bars, lifts and machinery all operating around you.

You may occasionally hear things such as:

• People talking in the corridor
• Doors closing
• Children running past
• Music from nearby entertainment venues
• Noise from lifts or stairwells
• Crew activity
• Machinery or operational sounds

Most of the time, this isn’t something you’ll even notice.

But if you’re a particularly light sleeper, where you choose your cabin becomes much more important.

The biggest mistake: looking at the cabin, not what’s around it

When you’re choosing a P&O cabin, it’s very tempting to find the room you like, look at the price and book it.

Don’t!

Before you book, open the deck plan and look at the cabins above, below and beside your potential room.

Think about what’s around you.

Is there a theatre?

A restaurant?

A bar?

A pool?

A nightclub?

A lift?

A staircase?

These can all be busy areas, so it’s worth knowing what you’re booking before you commit.

The cabin itself might be lovely.

The location might not be.

Be careful around lifts

Lifts are incredibly convenient.

Especially on a ship like Iona or Arvia, where you can find yourself walking what feels like half a mile from one end of the ship to the other!

But convenience can come with a downside.

Lift lobbies are high-traffic areas, meaning people are constantly coming and going.

If you’re a light sleeper, I’d choose a cabin near the lifts rather than directly beside them.

That way you’ve got the convenience without being right in the middle of the foot traffic.

What’s above your cabin?

This is probably my number one thing to check.

Imagine finding a gorgeous balcony cabin at a great price.

You book it.

Then you discover you’re directly underneath a busy pool deck.

Suddenly, you may have people walking around above you, loungers being moved and activity starting early in the morning.

The same applies to restaurants, buffets and other public areas.

Look up before you book!

If possible, having passenger cabins above and below you can be a much safer bet if you’re prioritising peace and quiet.

And don’t forget what’s below you

We tend to think about what’s happening above us, but the same principle works in reverse.

Check the deck underneath your cabin.

Is there a theatre?

A bar?

A nightclub?

A restaurant?

Crew or service areas?

Machinery?

You don’t necessarily need to avoid these areas completely, but they’re worth knowing about before you choose your cabin.

What about balcony cabins?

Here’s something people don’t always think about:

Your balcony isn’t necessarily a silent bubble.

You’re separated from the next balcony by a divider, but you’re still outside.

You might hear your neighbours talking, children playing or people enjoying a drink.

Personally, I wouldn’t let this put me off having a balcony.

One of my favourite things about a balcony cabin is being able to step outside, enjoy the sea air and watch the world go by.

Just remember that you’re choosing an outdoor space, not a completely isolated one.

The front and back of the ship can have their own noises

Location isn’t only about your fellow passengers.

The ship itself makes noise.

Forward cabins can experience more movement, particularly when the ship is turning or sailing through rougher seas, while cabins towards the aft can sometimes be closer to machinery and thrusters.

This doesn’t mean you should automatically avoid the front or back.

In fact, they can be fantastic locations.

But if you’re particularly sensitive to noise or movement, it’s worth taking into consideration.

What about children?

If you’re cruising during school holidays, this is another thing to think about.

Family-friendly ships such as Arvia and Iona can be particularly busy during holiday periods.

A cabin near family facilities, pools or other high-traffic areas could potentially have more activity around it.

Again, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad cabin.

It simply means that if your priority is peace and quiet, you might want to choose your location carefully.

Is a lower deck quieter?

It can be.

A lower, centrally located cabin can be a good option if you’re looking for less movement.

But don’t assume that any cabin on a lower deck will automatically be quiet.

You still need to check what’s around it.

A centrally located cabin surrounded by other cabins could be lovely and peaceful.

A lower cabin underneath a busy venue could be a completely different story.

Location beats simply choosing a deck number.

The P&O cabin selector is your secret weapon

When booking your P&O cruise, take some time to look carefully at the cabin selector and deck plans.

If you’re able to choose a specific cabin, don’t just look at the price and cabin category.

Look at exactly where it is.

Click on the cabin.

Look at the deck.

Then look above it and below it.

Zoom out and see what facilities are nearby.

It takes a few extra minutes and could save you from ending up somewhere you wouldn’t have chosen if you’d known what was next door.

My checklist for choosing a quieter P&O cabin

If you’re someone who values a good night’s sleep, I’d look for:

✔️ Midship location

Generally less movement than further forward or aft.

✔️ Lower or middle deck

Can be a good option if you’re worried about movement.

✔️ Other cabins above and below

Rather than a busy public area.

✔️ Away from lifts and stairwells

These can be high-traffic areas.

✔️ Away from theatres and nightclubs

Particularly if you’re an early-to-bed kind of person.

✔️ Away from crew and service areas

These can have their own operational activity.

✔️ Check the deck plan carefully

Don’t just rely on the cabin category.

So, are P&O cabins noisy?

I wouldn’t let the possibility of noise put me off booking a cruise.

Cruise ships are busy places, and the vast majority of passengers have a perfectly comfortable night’s sleep.

Personally, I sleep incredibly well on a cruise, so cabin noise has never been something I’ve particularly worried about.

But there is a big difference between choosing a cabin randomly and choosing one strategically.

If you’re a light sleeper, it is definitely worth spending five minutes looking at the deck plan before you book.

My golden rule?

Don’t just ask: “Do I like this cabin?”

Ask:

“Do I like everything around this cabin?”

Because the cabin might be completely perfect…

…but what’s happening on the other side of that wall could make all the difference.

And remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune to find a great cabin.

Sometimes it’s simply about knowing where to look.

A little bit of research before you sail could mean a much more peaceful cruise once you get on board.

And if you’re anything like me, you might get on the ship, shut the cabin door, hear that gentle hum of the ship and be asleep within minutes anyway! 

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