Quantum of the Seas. This is Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Quantum-class ship launched in 2014. No doubt, it redefined cruising with innovations like the North Star gondola, RipCord skydiving simulator, and Two70 entertainment venue. And with 2,090 staterooms across 16 decks, she accommodates up to 4,905 passengers. With high-tech thrills and family-friendly amenities, 2026 is a great year, after her recent dry dock refresh (adding new dining and tech upgrades in late 2024). She's a top pick for Asia-Pacific sailings from Singapore and Brisbane, offering itineraries to Bali, Phuket, and Australian ports.
But then, as we have noted elsewhere in our many articles, “not all cabins are created equal”. With her massive size (1,141 feet long, 168,666 GT), certain locations still suffer from noise, motion, obstructed views, or awkward layouts. We base our opinions and data here in this article on thousands of cruiser reviews across various cruise booking platforms, review websites, and online cruise content from reputable websites. This guide highlights Quantum of the Seas cabins to avoid, drawing from passenger feedback, deck plans, and recent sailings. We'll break down categories, specific numbers, reasons, and alternatives to help you decide on cruise reservations for a stateroom or a decent cruise cabin that enhances your voyage rather than hindering it.
Why Some Cabins on Quantum of the Seas Are Best Avoided
Even with Quantum's design prioritizing innovation, noise hotspots still remain because public spaces (pools, theaters, bars) are spread out throughout the ship. High decks (13-14) feel the ship's motion more in rough seas (common in Asia-Pacific), while lower decks (6-8) have obstructed views from lifeboats. Connecting cabins and guarantee (GTY) assignments add risks. With increased sailings and family crowds, these issues are amplified. As per our research on reviews from recent Singapore-Bali routes, we noted "constant vibrations". Always cross-reference Royal's deck plans and sites like Cruisedeckplans.com for visuals so that your online cruise booking process is efficient in finding the best and quietest cabins. Next, we will tell you which cabins to avoid.
Noisy Cabins: The Sleep Disruptors
Noise is the top complaint, often from proximity to venues or high-traffic areas. Let’s look at places where you can anticipate disturbances and avoid the cabins.
Cabins Under the Pool Deck or Windjammer (Deck 13, Midship/Aft)
Rooms like 12900–13300 and 13500–13800 sit directly below the main pool and Solarium. Early-morning chair scraping (from 6 a.m.), foot traffic, and evening music create noises that resemble "bowling alley overhead" as some reviewers notes. A 2025 Reddit post from a Brisbane sailing called it "unbearable on sea days." Windjammer also creates disturbances as one stateroom passenger wrote in his review on reddit.
Near Entertainment Venues (Decks 3-6, Forward/Aft)
Staterooms 3170–3240, 4170–4240, 6170–6240, and 8610–8640 are adjacent to the Royal Theatre, Music Hall, or Two70. Late-night shows (bass vibrations until 1 a.m.), applause, and rehearsals bleed through walls. "Felt like sleeping in a concert hall," noted a TripAdvisor review from a 2025 Singapore cruise.
Close to Elevators and High-Traffic Areas (Decks 6-13)
Cabins 6270–6280, 7270–7280, and 10270–10280 (within 4-6 doors of lobbies) endure constant dinging, luggage rolling, and chatter. Noises reach their crescendo during port days and evenings. A passenger who travelled in early 2025 warned of "endless hallway noise."
Deck 13 Entirely
All Deck 13 cabins (e.g., 13000–13040) experience pool deck setup noise from Deck 14. Early vacuum cleaning and lounger dragging noises start at dawn, as per latest reviews.
Alternatives: Midship on Decks 8-10 (e.g., 8500-8600) are best places for buffer zones from noise. If noise still persists, opt for aft on Decks 11-12 or Yacht Club suites for soundproofing.
Motion-Prone Cabins: The Seasickness Spots
Quantum of the Seas was designed to handle ocean waves well, and indeed it does. But in some extreme cases (e.g., South China Sea crossings), the ship can sway, causing seasickness in prone individuals. If you are among such people, you should take note.
Forward Cabins on High Decks (Decks 12-13, Bow)
Rooms like 12100–12140 wobble in the rough seas, causing nausea. A 2024 Reddit review from a Phuket itinerary called them "a rollercoaster—avoid if queasy."
Aft Cabins (Decks 6-10, Stern)
Cabins 6700–6750, 7700–7750, and 8700–8750 vibrate from engines, especially during docking. "Constant hum like an earthquake," per a passenger onboard during 2025.
Alternatives: Midship on lower Decks 7-9 (e.g., 7500-7600) are best for stability. Obstructed balconies here are also budget-friendly and don’t cause seasickness.
Obstructed View Cabins: The Disappointing Vistas
But, if you don’t like any obstruction to the ocean sight, even not being okay with partial views, then we have a list of cabins you definitely should avoid. Some are nearly useless.
Lifeboat-Obstructed Balconies (Decks 6-7, Midship/Forward)
Cabins 6160–6232, 6560–6632, and 7100–7170 have 50-70% blocked by lifeboats or beams. "Paid for balcony, got a wall," lamented a passenger in a TripAdvisor review.
Metal-Front Balconies
Some Deck 6-7 rooms have solid metal rails, limiting views when seated. Privacy issues from walkways below are also a problem to look out for.
Alternatives: Clear-view balconies on Decks 8-9 midship (e.g., 8500-8600). Aft-facing on Decks 10-11 are best for panoramic wakes.
Connecting Cabins: The Privacy Pitfalls
Connecting cabins are a wonderful option for large families, of various age ranges and generations. But, if you are a solo traveler or a couple, it can be a bad proposition for you. Let’s look at these cabins you definitely might want to avoid.
Thin-Walled Connectors (Decks 7-10, Midship)
Rooms like 7230–7232, 8234–8236, and 9240–9242 have shared doors that transmit noise (TVs, conversations, snoring). "Heard every argument next door," per a 2025 Reddit thread.
Guarantee (GTY) Cabins: The Risky Roll of the Dice
GTY scheme is a great way to avoid the hassles of cruise booking which involves individually selecting the cabins you want. But it comes with a major disadvantage if the cabins you are assigned become a constant source of stress and nuisance through noise.
Random Assignments (Decks 3-13)
GTY bookings (e.g., 3100–3140, 6150–6190) often land in undesirable spots. These could be either obstructed, noisy, or motion sickness-inducing. A review warned us about this, "Ended up under the pool—never again."
Alternatives: You should opt for specific bookings on Decks 8-10 midship. Even if it means you pay a premium for control over your choices.
Suites Near Service Areas: The Luxury Letdowns
Won’t it be great to have it all near your luxury stateroom? No, especially, when we see why it’s a bad idea.
Noisy Premium Rooms (Decks 11-13)
Cabins 11200–11240 and 12200–12240 near crew corridors hear carts and prep from dawn. "Ruined our suite experience," as per a TripAdvisor post.
Alternatives: Midship suites on Decks 11-12 or aft-facing Junior Suites on Decks 9-11 are better options, especially if you aren’t too keen on luxury, but on a good night’s sleep without noise.
Latest Updates and General Tips
Quantum's recent refurbishment added soundproofing in some areas, but core issues still remain to be addressed. Reviews from Singapore sailings note improved Wi-Fi but persistent pool noise. Check Royal's app for virtual tours so you have a good idea on what cabins to avoid during booking a cruise. Forums like Reddit's r/royalcaribbean shares recent experiences.
- Booking Smarts: Avoid GTY(Guarantee Cabins). Use Cruisedeckplans.com for noise maps.
- Seasickness Fixes: Midship lowers swaying motions. Bring Dramamine just in case.
- Family Notes: Deck 11 forward (near kids' clubs) is noisy without kids.
- Budget Hacks: Obstructed views save 20-30% but check reviews.
Summary Table of Cabins to Avoid
| Category | Cabins | Reasons | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Pool/Windjammer | 12900–13300, 13500–13800 | Chair scraping, traffic | Deck 11/12 midship |
| Near Entertainment | 3170–3240, 4170–4240, 6170–6240 | Bass, applause | Decks 8-10 midship |
| Elevator Proximity | 6270–6280, 7270–7280 | Dings, chatter | 8-12 doors away |
| Obstructed Balconies | 6160–6232, 6560–6632 | Lifeboats, beams | Clear BA on 8-9 |
| Connecting | 7230–7232, 8234–8236 | Sound transfer | Non-connecting 8-9 |
| Aft Vibration | 6700–6750, 7700–7750 | Engine hum | Decks 11/12 aft |
| Suites Near Service | 11200–11240, 12200–12240 | Crew noise | Midship 11/12 |
| GTY Random | 3100–3140, 6150–6190 | Undesirable spots | Specific 8-10 midship |
Conclusion
Quantum of the Seas is a thrill-seeker's dream paradise, a ship to beat all ships in the domain of adventure and entertainment. But, that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a sound, restful sleep after an entire day of adventures and fun. Avoiding these cabins we have listed above ensures restful nights. Prioritize midship Decks 8-10 for balance between rest and fun. As the ship embarks on sailings, check recent reviews for weather impacts. Book a cruise smartly, and let the ship's innovations shine.
