The Discovery Princess offers thousands of staterooms. Most rooms provide a great cruise vacation. A few specific locations, however, can seriously impact a passenger’s enjoyment. Selecting the right cabin is a major part of cruise planning. Noise, vibration, foot traffic, and obstructed views ruin a trip.
This detailed guide identifies the exact Discovery Princess cabins to avoid on Princess Cruises ships. It provides specific deck and room numbers where possible, helping passengers choose wisely for a quiet and peaceful cruise experience.
The Problem of Noise: Cabins Directly Under Public Areas
Noise is the most frequent complaint on any large cruise ship. The modern cruise vessel design stacks public areas and passenger cabins one above the other. This design creates major noise issues in certain areas. Passengers looking quiet must strictly avoid cabins located directly beneath high-traffic venues.
Cabins Beneath the Lido Deck (Deck 15)
The Lido Deck is the busiest public area during the day. It sits on Deck 16. The areas below Deck 16 suffer from noise starting early in the morning and running late into the evening.
Decks to Avoid: Deck 15 is the primary danger zone.
The Noise Source:
- Chair Scraping: Staff and guests move metal sun loungers and dining chairs constantly. This sound travels straight through the floor and becomes loud scraping inside the cabins below. This noise starts early, around 6:00 AM, when staff prepare breakfast. It continues until midnight as guests linger.
- Foot Traffic and Running: The pool deck has a hard surface. The sound of running feet, especially children, carries easily into the staterooms below.
- Pool Cleaning and Maintenance: Early morning washing and scrubbing of the deck adds another layer of noise.
Passengers who sleep late or prefer quiet afternoon naps will regret booking on Deck 15. Scraping and thudding are particularly disruptive.
Cabins Above the Piazza and Theater (Decks 7 and 8)
The Discovery Princess features the central Piazza area. This is a multi-story atrium with bars, shops, and live entertainment. The ship’s main theater is also a high-volume area.
Decks to Avoid: Deck 7 and Deck 8, especially cabins near the center of the ship.
The Noise Source:
- Piazza Entertainment: The Piazza hosts live music, parties, and various events throughout the day and night. Staterooms directly above the main bar areas or the central floor will hear bass thumping and microphone feedback.
- Princess Theater: The theater is a two-deck venue on Deck 6 and 7 forward. Cabins on Deck 8 that sit above the highest point of the theater may hear significant show rehearsal noise during the day. They will also hear music and applause during the evening performances.
Specific cabins to note include those on Deck 8 forward. These rooms sit above the top of the theater’s structure. They can experience noise intrusion during rehearsal times. Passengers interested in the quietest Discovery Princess cabins to avoid must look away from the ship's center.
Cabins Near the Casino and Nightclubs (Deck 7)
The ship's adult entertainment venues generate late-night noise. The nightclub and casino are usually busy until the early hours of the morning.
Deck to Avoid: Deck 8, specifically midship cabins.
The Noise Source:
- Casino Noise: Slot machine sounds, guest chatter, and the noise of chips carry from the casino floor up to the cabins.
- Nightclub Bass: The ship's nightclub, located on Deck 7, often plays loud music until 2:00 AM or later. Bass frequencies are difficult to soundproof and can travel through the deck structure easily.
- The Foot Traffic Problem: Guests often walk loudly down the hallways returning from the casino and clubs. This hallway noise affects rooms near the elevators and stairwells.
Booking a cabin on Deck 8 directly above the active parts of Deck 7 risks major sleep disruption. These are prime princess discovery cabins to avoid light sleepers.
Structural and Operational Noise: Machinery and Movement
Not all noise comes from other guests. Some of the most annoying sounds on any ship come from the vessel itself. These mechanical and operational noises are constant and often unavoidable once the ship sails.
Aft Cabins Near the Engine and Thrusters
The back, or aft, of the ship is where the propulsion systems are located. This area experiences the most structural vibration and mechanical noise.
Decks to Avoid: All decks far aft, especially Deck 5 through Deck 9.
The Noise Source:
- Engine Vibration: The main engines generate continuous low hum and vibration. This vibration is most noticeable in the rooms closest to the stern.
- Stern Thrusters: When the ship is docking or maneuvering in port, the stern thrusters activate. They create a powerful, loud, grinding noise and a strong, shaking vibration. This noise is infrequent but intense. It will wake any sleeping passenger during arrival or departure.
- Propeller Wash: Rough seas can cause the propellers to churn harder or even briefly lift partially out of the water. This creates a loud, rhythmic pounding noise known as propeller singing or cavitation.
Passengers booking any aft-facing balcony or mini-suite must be ready for this constant mechanical background noise. Aft cabins are particularly prominent Discovery Princess cruise ship cabins to avoid for people sensitive to constant low-frequency noise.
Forward Cabins Near the Anchor and Docking Equipment
The front, or bow, of the ship houses the anchor, the mooring ropes, and the ship’s foghorn. These areas are noisy only when the ship is near the port or land.
Decks to Avoid: Deck 8 and below, far forward.
The Noise Source:
- The Anchor Drop: The anchor dropping is extremely loud. The sound of the chain running out rattles the entire forward structure of the ship. This happens very early in the morning, sometimes before 5:00 AM, when the ship arrives at a new destination.
- Mooring Operations: Crew members working with the ropes and winches forward generate loud shouts and mechanical grinding noises.
- Foghorn: Though used rarely, the foghorn is deafening. It directly affects the cabins closest to the bridge wings.
The sudden, intense noise from anchoring is a sure way to ruin a night's sleep before a major port day. These forward-most staterooms are definitely princess discovery cabins to avoid for early morning peace.
Cabins Near Laundries, Utility Closets, and Crew Stairwells
Every deck has functional areas used by the crew. These areas are necessary for the ship’s operation, but they cause specific localized noise problems.
Decks to Avoid: Any cabin directly adjacent to a crew access door, laundry room, or utility closet.
The Noise Source:
- Door Slams: Crew doors are heavy and often slam shut. Staff use these doors constantly throughout the day and night.
- Cart Noise: Cleaning carts, luggage carts, and room service carts rattle down hallways and bang into walls. Cabins near cross-hallways or service stations suffer the most from this.
- Utility Room Noise: Ice machines, service elevators, and the machinery inside utility closets generate a buzzing or humming sound that penetrates the thin cabin wall next to it.
Passengers must examine the deck plan carefully. Look for a cabin sandwiched between two other passenger cabins. Avoid the end-of-hallway rooms near crew areas.
Issues of Motion and Location
Location on the ship affects how much movement a passenger feels. The ship's movement can be quite pronounced in certain areas, even in moderate seas. Passengers prone to seasickness must avoid the locations where pitch and roll are maximized.
Cabins Far Forward and Far Aft on High Decks
The extremes of the ship experience the most motion. The physics of a ship dictate that the center point, midship, is the most stable.
Decks to Avoid: Deck 12 and above, both far forward and far aft.
The Movement Source:
- Pitching: The forward cabins feel the most up-and-down motion (pitching) as the ship cuts through waves.
- Rolling: The higher decks, regardless of location, experience greater side-to-side movement (rolling). The distance from the center line exaggerates the swing.
Seasickness remedies work best when a passenger minimizes motion. The most stable place on the ship is Deck 8 or 9, midship. High, extreme cabins are among the most important Discovery Princess cabins to avoid for anyone sensitive to movement. They are also prone to creaking and groaning sounds as the ship structure flexes in heavy seas.
View, Layout, and Privacy Problems
Some staterooms present visual or privacy issues that reduce the value of the booking. Paying for a balcony or ocean view means the passenger expects a clear line of sight. These specific locations fail that expectation.
Cabins with Obstructed Balcony Views (Deck 8)
The Discovery Princess carries its lifeboats on Deck 7 and 8. These large, white structures significantly block the view from the staterooms directly behind or above them.
Decks to Avoid: Deck 8, midship.
The Obstruction Source:
- Lifeboats: Many cabins on Deck 8 look out over the top of a lifeboat or a piece of related equipment. The view down to the water is often completely blocked. Passengers lose the full, sweeping view of the ocean.
- Tender Platform: The mechanisms used to lower the tenders and lifeboats also take up space. They often sit directly outside the balcony railing.
- Specific Identification: Princess uses specific codes or notes on the deck plans to indicate an obstructed view. Passengers must check the deck plan graphic before booking. An obstructed balcony is a major disappointment for a passenger expecting a clear ocean view.
Cabins on the Aft Wake Overlook (Specific Aft Balconies)
Some aft-facing balconies sit beneath a public deck area designed to view the wake. These areas give a great view, but they destroy privacy.
Decks to Avoid: Specific aft-facing balconies on Deck 10, 11, and 12 that sit beneath the public aft terraces.
The Privacy Issue: Guests using the public decks above can easily look down onto the balcony below. The angle allows people to see directly into the cabin’s balcony area. Guests often want to read, relax, or dine privately on their balcony. These areas prevent that. The issue is especially bad on the upper decks.
Passengers should study the deck plans for a terraced look at the back of the ship. If a cabin balcony is inset and looks like a public walkway is above it, it is a privacy risk.
Connecting Cabins
Connecting cabins are designed for families and groups who book two rooms together. They feature a door on the wall separating the two rooms. Even when locked, this door is a major source of noise.
Decks to Avoid: Any cabin marked with an asterisk or symbol indicating a connecting door.
The Noise Source:
- Reduced Soundproofing: The connecting door is thinner and less soundproof than the solid wall between standard cabins.
- Neighbor Noise: Passengers hear normal conversation, crying children, coughing, and television noise clearly through the door. If the neighboring cabin contains strangers, this lack of soundproofing is a severe issue.
Passengers not traveling with the connecting party should avoid these rooms entirely. Connecting cabins on Discovery Princess offer a major noise risk and are a key entry on the list of Princess Discovery cabins to avoid solo travelers or couples.
Overlooked Balconies Near the Bridge Wings
The bridge wings are the sections of the ship's control center that are just out on either side. These wings are often used by the captain and officers for maneuvering the ship in port.
Decks to Avoid: Forward balconies on Deck 9, 10, and 11, near the ship’s navigation bridge.
The Privacy Issue: Crew members standing on the bridge wing have a clear line of sight down onto the balconies directly below them. This view means passengers on those balconies lose a significant amount of privacy. Crew members are professional, but constant observation removes the feeling of secluded relaxation.
This specific problem affects a small number of cabins, but the loss of privacy is total. Check out the deck plan for cabins near the absolute forward corner of the ship.
The Worst Offenders: Specific Cabin Zone Summary
Booking a cabin midship, halfway between the highest and lowest decks, offers the best chance of a peaceful journey. The following list summarizes the absolute worst zones. These are the Discovery Princess cabins to avoid at all costs if quiet and stability are paramount.
- Under the Lido Deck (Deck 15): The noise from chair scraping and foot traffic is constant. Do not book any cabins on Deck 15.
- Above the Casino/Nightclub (Deck 8 Midship): Bass thumping and late-night reveler noise travel up from Deck 7. Book a room further forward or aft on Deck 8 or move to Deck 9.
- Extremely Aft (Decks 5-9): Engine vibration and the loud sound of the stern thrusters during port maneuvering. The mechanical noise is a constant presence in these rooms.
- Far Forward (Deck 8 and below): Loud, sudden noise from the anchor chain and mooring operations during early morning arrivals. This noise is unavoidable in these forward-most cabins.
- Lifeboat Obstructed Views (Deck 8 Midship): The view is significantly blocked, and passengers pay for a view they do not receive. Verify the obstructed label before booking any Deck 8 balcony.
- Next to Crew Doors: Noise from carts, slamming doors, and service machinery affects these rooms. Consult the deck plan for these unmarked risks.
Making the Best Choice
Finding the right cabin means finding the one with the fewest neighbors, the most structural stability, and the greatest distance from public venues.
- Look for the Quiet Sandwich: The best cabins have other passenger cabins above them and other passenger cabins below them. This arrangement provides an extra layer of soundproofing on the ceiling and floor. Ideal choices sit on Decks 10, 11, and 12, midship.
- Prioritize Midship: Midship is always best for motion sickness and noise. The center of the ship is furthest from the anchor and the engine room.
- Avoid Elevators and Stairwells: These areas generate high foot traffic and noise. Guests waiting for an elevator often talk loudly. The best rooms sit several doors down the hallway from the elevator bank.
Choosing a cruise cabin is like a smart move to get peace and focus on boarding entertainments. Passengers must study the floor above and the floor below. A little research prevents major disappointment. The Discovery Princess offers thousands of fantastic rooms. Knowing which specific Discovery Princess cabins to avoid greatly improves the chances of a perfect cruise vacation.
