Get a map that shows the layout of the ship you're sailing on, including all of the staterooms and public areas. You should be able to find a map of the cruise ship you're planning to sail on somewhere on the cruise line's website.
Look for public areas that could be potential noise hazards. For example, staterooms below the cruise ship's swimming pools, restaurants, theater or nightclub have a good chance of being noisy. Anything that would attract foot traffic or that features loud entertainment means that nearby staterooms may have a noise problem. Staterooms that are near elevators, guest laundry rooms, the disembarkation gang plank, or doors to crew storage or work areas can have noise problems, too.
Look at the capacity of surrounding staterooms. If you're in an area with larger staterooms that hold a greater number of cruisers, you're at risk for more noise. The more people around you, the more disturbance potential. Try to choose a room with a smaller guest capacity.
Do not choose a connecting stateroom unless you are sailing with the people in the connecting room. A connecting stateroom on a cruise ship has a door between two rooms. This allows two families sailing together to access the rooms without going out the main stateroom door. If you're not with the family in the adjacent room, the door is locked so strangers can't get into your room. Unfortunately, even when the door is locked, it usually isn't as soundproof as a solid wall. Even if you don't know your neighbors, if might feel like they're right in the room with you due to the extra noise. Always avoid rooms with a connecting door if you don't need it.
Choose a room at the far end of a hallway or in an area with fewer staterooms. The fewer rooms you have around you, the less chance there is for foot traffic and noisy neighbors.
Avoid the far rear areas, especially on the lower decks. Otherwise you may discover that you get a lot of general engine noise and vibration from the thrusters when the cruise ship docks.
Contact the purser's desk or guest services if you have neighbors who are excessively noisy. You can pick a stateroom in the quietest location in terms of foot traffic, but you can't predict who will book the stateroom next door. Some people have no regard for their neighbors, stumbling in and slamming their door at 2 a.m. or arguing loudly and pounding the walls first thing in the morning. Don't risk an unpleasant confrontation. Call the purser's desk and ask someone to handle the problem. It's the ship staff's job to help you have the best vacation possible.
Decide which areas of the cruise ship will be your favorites and where you will spend the most time. Do you love to hang out by the pool? Do you spend a lot of time on the jogging deck? Do you have kids who will be heading over to the children's activity areas? Are you in the nightclubs every evening? Choose a stateroom that will allow you to get to your favorite areas most easily.
If you're not sure where you'll be heading most frequently, choose a stateroom that is convenient to the restaurant. On a cruise ship, the restaurant is the one place that everyone visits at least once daily.
Keep any special needs in mind. Is there a member of your party who has difficulty walking? Choosing a stateroom near the elevator (but not close enough to have noise problems) can help them minimize the distance the person will have to walk to get to other decks.
Select your stateroom from among the wheelchair-accessible rooms if you're traveling with someone in a wheelchair. Your stateroom selection will be limited in this case.
