Noordam Cabins to Avoid: Deck 4 Obstructed Views & Noisy Decks (2026)

On Holland America's MS Noordam, the cabins most guests should avoid are: Ocean View staterooms on Deck 4 (Upper Promenade) with views fully or partially obstructed by lifeboats (Categories HH and H are fully obstructed; Category G is partially obstructed; some Verandah cabins VH and VE on this deck also have solid steel railings that block sitting views); forward cabins on Decks 4 and below that may experience noise from main theater stage productions and rehearsals; cabins directly above or below the Lido deck (Deck 9) and pool areas, where early-morning chair scraping and late-night cleaning carry through; aft cabins on lower decks where engine vibration and pool drainage noise can be felt; and cabin 4134 specifically, which sits over the galley and can be affected by kitchen activity. For the most peaceful stay, book midship cabins on the Verandah Deck (Deck 5), Upper Verandah Deck (Deck 6), or Rotterdam Deck (Deck 7) — these three decks are sandwiched between passenger staterooms above and below, minimizing both overhead and underfoot noise. MS Noordam is a Vista-class ship built in 2006, 82,000 gross tons, with 986 staterooms across 11 decks accommodating 2,366 passengers — and Holland America will renumber all Deck 7 cabins on December 5, 2027, so verify your cabin number against the current deck plan before booking 2028 sailings.

In most cases, the Holland America Noordam cabins that should be avoided have more to do with their location than anything else. These include the forward staterooms located at the highest deck (Deck 10) because you experience the greatest motion there; obstructed ocean-view staterooms at Deck 4 with views blocked by the lifeboats; forward verandah cabins on Deck 4 with solid steel railing, from which you cannot see the sea while seated; forward cabins on Deck 4 situated directly above the two-deck World Stage theatre; aft cabins on Deck 8 located directly below the Lido and Sea View pools where dragged loungers will likely wake you up in the early hours of the morning; cabins located near the midship bank of elevators; connecting cabins not accompanied by the adjoining stateroom, and small cabins if you intend to spend time relaxing inside your stateroom. These are not bad cabins for all people, but they each come with a certain compromise.

Here is an overview of the Holland America Noordam cabins that should be avoided and which guests are best off without them. But before we do that.

A Quick Word on the Ship

Noordam is the fourth and last ship of the Vista class for Holland America line. Noordam was built in 2006 and refurbished in late 2024. With a gross tonnage of about 82,000 tons, Noordam has 1,900 passengers on board under double occupancy and consists of 11 decks of which 7 decks have cabins. This mid-sized nature of Noordam plays an important role since you enjoy smoother sailing than small ships and yet Noordam is small enough that the location of your cabin affects the level of motion and noise.

How Noordam Cabin Numbers and Grades Work

Being able to read the numbering system makes it easy to check how good any cabin allocated to you is. In this case, Holland America has chosen to use letters to indicate room category before adding numbers representing the deck number and location. Four-digit numbers (1001-8147) are located on the first to ninth decks (Main to Navigation). Five-digit numbers (10001-10026) are on deck 10, which is the highest one containing cabins.

The prefix letters run roughly best to worst within each category. Interior rooms use I–N, with I most desirable. Ocean-view rooms use C–H, with C the pick; G means partially obstructed and H or HH fully obstructed. Verandahs use VA–VH, and suites use SS/SY/SZ (Signature), SA/SB/SC (Neptune) and PS (Pinnacle). A grade letter late in its alphabet is usually your first clue a room carries a compromise.

One timing note: Holland America has scheduled a renumbering of the Deck 7 (Rotterdam Deck) cabins for late 2027, so always confirm a room number against the current deck plan for your sailing.

Let us Know Which Noordam Cabins to Avoid

Forward cabins on the highest decks (motion and seasickness)

Approx. 10001–10026, plus forward and upper-aft cabins

If you're prone to seasickness, skip the forward staterooms high up on the ship, especially those at the front of Deck 10. Motion is always strongest at the extreme ends and on upper decks, so the bow of the top accommodation deck is the worst combination on Noordam.

The effect here is fairly mild, as the ship's hull and modern stabilisers smooth out most movement. A few aft cabins on the upper decks can also feel a gentle shudder from the sponson, the squared-off "ducktail" at the stern. If you have a sensitive stomach, the fix is simple: book a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck, where motion is least.

Obstructed ocean-view cabins on Deck 4 (the lifeboats)

Approx. 4055–4120

The obstructed ocean-view rooms run along Deck 4 (the Upper Promenade Deck), behind the lifeboats. The window still lets in natural light, but the view ranges from partly blocked to almost fully covered depending on the room. These carry the G, H and HH grades and are priced lower to match.

That makes them a reasonable pick if you only want daylight and a sense of the outside, and you'll be out exploring most of the day. If the view matters, though, a constant reminder of orange lifeboats outside your glass isn't the backdrop most people want. Pay a little more for a clear window, or step up to a verandah.

Forward verandahs with solid steel railings

Approx. 4001–4042

This is an easy trap, because these rooms aren't officially classed as obstructed. They sit at the front of Deck 4, where the wind is harshest, so the railing is solid steel rather than clear plexiglass and you can't see through it when sitting down.

Standing at the rail, the view is wide open. Sink into a chair, though, and the steel wall blocks the sea. Because the view "counts" as unobstructed, these cabins don't get the discount the lifeboat rooms enjoy, so you pay full verandah price for a balcony that's windier and less relaxing to sit on. The larger-than-average balcony is the upside, but if a peaceful sit-down with a sea view is your thing, look elsewhere.

Cabins above the World Stage theatre

Approx. 4001–4050 (forward Deck 4)

The World Stage is Noordam's main theatre, a striking two-deck venue at the front of Decks 2 and 3 that hosts the ship's live shows. Its powerful sound system fills a big room, and the forward Deck 4 cabins sit directly above it, so during evening performances the bass can carry up through the floor.

Shows don't run especially late, so this mainly bothers early-to-bed guests during prime evening hours. If you like to turn in early before a port day, a forward Deck 4 cabin may not give you the quiet you want. Most other staterooms are well clear of it.

Cabins below the Lido and Sea View pools

Approx. 8038–8147 (aft Deck 8)

If late-night noise doesn't faze you, here's the opposite problem. The aft cabins on Deck 8 (the Navigation Deck) sit directly beneath the Lido and Sea View pools on Deck 9. Pool-deck music and movies aren't the issue, since that sound disperses into the open air. The disturbance comes early in the morning, when guests head up to claim a sunlounger.

It isn't footsteps that travel; it's the scrape of metal and plastic loungers dragged across the deck, a sound that carries straight down through the ceiling. If you treasure a lie-in, this is one of the clearest Noordam cabins to avoid. Book a deck or two lower, or further forward, and the dawn shuffle won't reach you.

Cabins beside the midship lift and stairwell bank

Selected cabins on Decks 4–8, near the central lifts

Noordam has lift banks fore, aft and amidships, and the central group is busiest because passengers gather there for the best chance of a quick ride. The cabins next to that midship cluster, across several decks, can pick up the noise of people congregating and queuing rather than the lifts themselves.

This is a far cry from the corridor chaos of a big party ship, and most guests sleep through it. But if you're a light sleeper, ask where a prospective cabin sits relative to the central lifts and choose one set back from the thoroughfare.

Connecting cabins you won't use

Various, fleet-wide

Connecting staterooms suit families who book both halves and open the door between them. The problem is booking one half alone. Cabin walls are built from a metal frame that soundproofs reasonably well, but cutting a connecting door into that wall, even a locked one, compromises the seal.

The result is that you're more likely to hear the neighbours through the door, and they're more likely to hear you. If privacy and quiet matter and you don't need the adjoining room, request a standard non-connecting cabin instead.

The smallest interior cabins (if you want to relax in your room)

Most standard interior staterooms

A recurring gripe in reviews is how compact the standard interiors feel, at around 150 square feet, and many don't include a sofa, leaving the bed as the only place to sit. If you treat your cabin purely as somewhere to sleep between activities, that's no hardship and the low price is a real win.

But if you picture downtime reading or relaxing in your room, the lack of a proper seat gets old fast. A Large interior (around 230 square feet) or an ocean-view room buys you that seating space.

Holland America Noordam Cabins to Avoid: Quick Reference

Note: Always cross-check these ranges against the current deck plan for your sailing, since layouts and numbering can change.

The Best Cabins to Book Instead

Avoiding the weak spots is only half the job. A few Noordam rooms are quietly excellent.

The aft-view verandahs are the most coveted on the ship. Spread across Decks 4 to 8 at the very back, they look over the churning wake, sit more sheltered from the wind, and sell out first. There's also a pair of standout aft verandahs on Deck 4 with double-width, double-depth balconies and four lounge chairs at no extra cost, a quirk created by the crew stairwell next door. They go quickly, so check early.

If you want a smooth cruise and peace and quiet, try your luck in the middle of the ship at the cabins situated on Decks 5, 6 and 7, the Verandah Deck, the Upper Verandah Deck and the Rotterdam Deck respectively.

Among the most lavish suites on the ship are the Neptune Suites and the Pinnacle Suite which offer unmatched luxury and features. Of course, they come with hefty price tags, but they are definitely worth it on some special occasions.

The Best Deck on Noordam

Best suited all round for guests are the Verandah Deck (5), Upper Verandah Deck (6) and Rotterdam Deck (7). Located between cabins and not public facilities, these decks are quiet. Being in the middle height, the movement here is moderate. All decks are comfortable enough though, hence the perfect one depends on preferences. If sensitive to movements, consider the lower decks; otherwise, select the upper ones closer to the pool.

Tips for Choosing Your Noordam Cabin

Pull up the current deck plan and check what sits directly above and below any cabin, not just the room itself, since a verandah loses much of its appeal under a pool deck or above a theatre. Decide early whether a clear sea view is essential, as that one question rules several categories in or out. If you need a connecting cabin, book both halves so the soundproofing trade-off works in your favour. And on a tight budget, an obstructed ocean-view or Large interior often beats a bargain verandah in a noisy spot.

Final Thoughts

Most cabins aboard Noordam will be just fine, but it’s this reason precisely why location determines a nice cabin or an annoying one. Avoid any of the upper deck forward facing rooms if motion sickness is an issue, the obstructed steel railing rooms on Deck 4 if viewing is important to you, any of the noisy rooms above the movie theater or below the swimming pools if you are sensitive to noise, and any of the connecting unused rooms if silence is what you seek.