One of many largest complaints about Royal Caribbean’s Boardwalk balcony cabins is that they’re too loud, however is it true?
I’m at the moment onboard Royal Caribbean’s Attract of the Seas, and I’m staying in a Boardwalk balcony cabin for the week to see if these distinctive cabins are price it—or if it’s higher to e-book a distinct kind of cabin.
Once I booked this cruise, I used to be shocked to see a Assure Balcony room supplied for a cheaper price than an inside cabin. Reserving the most affordable cabin is all the time a precedence, and though I wasn’t capable of choose the precise cabin location, it was too good a deal to cross up.
Associated: Ought to I e-book a assure stateroom on a cruise?
I’ve known as my cozy Boardwalk Balcony cabin residence for the previous 48 hours, so it is time to reply… are Boardwalk balcony cabins too loud for a calming cruise trip?
What’s a Boardwalk Balcony?
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships are distinctive in that they’ve a cut up design with open-air area in the course of the ship. Two distinct neighborhoods are discovered within the open-air areas of the ship: Central Park and the Boardwalk.
Associated: Information to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean
Positioned in these neighborhoods are eating places, retail, leisure, and sights, however they’re additionally residence to 6 decks of balcony cabins on both sides of the ship.
In contrast to conventional ocean view balconies, neighborhood cabins look out towards their respective neighborhoods. In my case, my cabin has a view of the colourful, carnival-themed Boardwalk with a restricted ocean view to the fitting.
I used to be assigned to a cabin on deck 9 straight over the Boardwalk’s carousel. The cabin is spacious, well-kept, and a beautiful place to name residence for the week, however the query stays…
Are Boardwalk Balcony cabins too loud?
Most of the noisiest areas on Attract of the Seas are situated both above, under, or adjoining to my cabin.
Above is the Sports activities Deck, which hosts sports activities tournaments all through the day, and the ship’s zip line, which flies a brand new passenger over the Boardwalk neighborhood each couple of minutes.
Under you’ll discover the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk. 1000’s of passengers cross by means of the neighborhood on any given day, whether or not they’re using the carousel, grabbing an ice cream cone, stopping by the arcade, or eating at certainly one of three eating places discovered within the neighborhood.
Associated: All about Oasis Class ships
To the fitting of my balcony is the AquaTheater leisure venue, which has a number of showtimes all through the cruise and numerous actions held there all through the day.
There’s so much occurring on the Boardwalk, however how a lot will be heard from my room?
Zip traces, sports activities courtroom, and carousel
The primary noise I seen whereas taking a relaxation in my Boardwalk balcony cabin was a carnival-themed tune enjoying on the carousel. If I needed to decide the “worst” a part of staying in a Boardwalk balcony, this might positively be it.
The carousel is accessible to experience for a couple of hours every day of the cruise, and within the spirit of making that nostalgic feeling the Boardwalk neighborhood is so well-known for, carnival-themed music performs again and again each time the carousel is open. A bell additionally rings each time the carousel is about to begin, which occurs each couple of minutes.
Listening to the identical childlike music and the bell again and again all through the day acquired annoying fairly rapidly. I’d advise choosing a Boardwalk balcony additional away from the carousel as it is best to hear much less noise from the experience all through the day.
The saving grace is that the carousel doesn’t open till 10AM, that means you possibly can get pleasure from peace and quiet in your balcony within the mornings!
Outdoors of the carousel, I heard noise from a sports activities competitors happening on the Sports activities Deck, though these solely occur one or two instances a day so it wasn’t bothersome.
I believed the zip line could be extra annoying contemplating it flies proper over the Boardwalk balcony cabins, however it was a lot quieter than I believed.
AquaTheater exhibits and actions
Maybe the loudest noise from my cabin comes from the AquaTheater. Performances will not be quiet, with cheers of the gang, high-energy music, and bulletins blaring noise I might hear not solely from my balcony, however from the within of my cabin as properly.
Fortunately, performances are solely supplied a couple of nights throughout the cruise and solely from round 8 to 11 every night time, so the noise wasn’t something too horrible. I used to be out of my cabin throughout most showtimes anyway.
Whereas noise from the AquaTheater exhibits could appear to be a downside, I discover this to be one of many largest advantages of staying in a Boardwalk balcony. Whereas I selected to see one present within the AquaTheater itself, I might additionally watch different showtimes straight from the consolation of my balcony.
Some Boardwalk balcony rooms are situated nearly straight above the AquaTheater, that means you’ll have a personal viewing location for the present akin to what you’ll see from one of many costlier AquaTheater suites.
Actions just like the World’s Sexiest Man Competitors and the Prime Tier Occasion have been held on the AquaTheater throughout the day, and identical to the AquaTheater exhibits, I might hear every part from each my balcony (loud and clear) and contained in the cabin (muffled).
Must you e-book a Boardwalk balcony room?
For those who’re on the lookout for privateness, peace, and quiet, a Boardwalk balcony room might be not one of the best cabin for you. These rooms carry wonderful individuals watching alternatives and a vibrant environment, however they’re hardly as enjoyable as an ocean view balcony.
Ocean view balconies are costlier for a motive—they provide an expansive ocean view, privateness, and little outdoors noise. For those who don’t thoughts paying a bit extra for an ocean view balcony, I’d say it’s definitely well worth the improve.
If an ocean view balcony cabin is out of your funds, although, and also you’re selecting between an inside, ocean view (porthole), or Boardwalk balcony, positively e-book the Boardwalk cabin.
Even when the room is noisy, you possibly can’t beat the additional area a balcony gives and having the ability to see the solar out of your room. Plus, whereas the ocean view is proscribed from a Boardwalk balcony cabin, it’s method higher than having no ocean view in any respect!
Personally, regardless of this being the noisiest cabin I’ve had up to now, I might most positively e-book a Boardwalk balcony room once more, particularly if it was supplied at a cheaper price than an inside room.
