If you are planning a cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, there are some staterooms you should avoid booking.
Oasis of the Seas is the namesake ship of the Oasis Class. Until 2024, these ships were the largest in the world, holding the record for over one decade— until Icon of the Seas officially joined the fleet.
While not the largest ship in the world anymore, Oasis of the Seas is not small. She measures 1,187 feet long and 225,282 gross registered tons.
In 2019, she received a $165 million amplification to help modernize the ship. This added new dining and bar venues, as well as a revamped pool deck, updated youth programming, and new activities.
While everyone's cabin preferences vary, we can assume that nobody wants to be woken up by screeching pool chairs in the early morning hours. Likewise, if you are someone who enjoys retiring early, you probably won't want to hear the thumping of the nightclub into the late hours of the night.
With nearly 2,800 staterooms onboard that can accommodate roughly 7,000 guests, there are certainly a few that you will want to avoid on Oasis of the Seas.
Cabins underneath Deck 4 venues
Deck 4 is home to Entertainment Place. This is where you will find tons of entertainment venues including Studio B, Casino Royale, and the lower level of the Royal Theater.
If you book an ocean view or interior cabin on Deck 3, you will likely be kept awake by the excitement above, whether it is an ice show, thumping of the Blaze nightclub, or cheers of someone winning a late-night casino jackpot.
Those who like to go to bed early will want to avoid Deck 3. You must prioritize your rest, especially on a ship as large as Oasis. You will not want to waste any time trying to catch up on your sleep in the morning because you were kept awake.
Staterooms above the Royal Theater
Speaking of noise bleed, the Royal Theater hosts numerous different events throughout the cruise, whether it's an original production show or a game show featuring other guests.
While the lower level of the Royal Theater is located on Deck 4, the upper level is on Deck 5, meaning that certain cabins on Deck 6 should be avoided. These include those located closest to the Vitality Fitness Center:
- 6130 - 6164
- 6530 - 6564
Cabins above the Royal Theater are ocean view balconies and interior rooms.
Connecting staterooms
Unless you're traveling with family members staying in the adjoining room, booking a connecting cabin will not do you any good.
Families, of course, will benefit from the extra living space and two bathrooms, and parents will not have to worry about children being located down the hall or on a different deck.
Connecting staterooms have a door that adjoins them, so you do not have to leave one cabin to enter the other. The issue, however, is that the adjoining door isn't as insulated as a standard wall, meaning you could be subject to noise bleed, depending on how noisy your neighbors are.
An example of connecting rooms on Oasis of the Seas' deck plan (above) are rooms 10270 and 10272, 10282 and 10284, 10294 and 10296, 10310 and 10312, 10299 and 10301, 10311 and 10313, 10670 and 10672, 10682 and 10684, 10692 and 10696, and 10710 and 10712.
If you're a family looking to increase the amount of living space you have while cruising on Oasis, that's great! There is no need to worry about booking connecting cabins. If, however, you're going to be sharing that adjoining door with a stranger, it is best to avoid these cabins.
Boardwalk view cabins if you're sensitive to light
When launched, Oasis of the Seas was the first cruise ship in the world to feature interior-facing balcony cabins. For a cheaper price, you can enjoy a private verandah that overlooks either Central Park or the Boardwalk. Of course, you'll have less privacy than you would if you splurged on an ocean view room.
The Boardwalk is a livelier neighborhood than Central Park, with AquaTheater shows often going on late at night. Playmakers is located on the Boardwalk, too, so it's not uncommon for patrons to get noisy during a sports game.
Those looking to book an interior-facing balcony but who also want some peace and quiet should consider Central Park instead. Plus, these cabins are located mid-ship, whereas Boardwalk balconies are located in the aft (or back), meaning you won't have to walk as far to reach the Main Dining Room or Royal Theater.
Read more: Royal Caribbean's Boardwalk: Everything you need to know
Staterooms underneath the pool deck
With three pools, a kid splash zone, and two whirlpools located on Deck 15, there's no denying that the pool deck on Oasis of the Seas is expansive. On sea days, it's a hub of activity.
While people will stagger in after breakfast, crew members use the early morning to arrange the deck chairs. This means that if you book a cabin underneath the pool deck, you will hear the crew dragging chairs around to get them ready for guests to use.
Those staying in a balcony won't be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of their personal verandah during the day, either. Noise bleed from children running around and live bands playing will interrupt any hope of a relaxing nap!
Read more: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship
Cabins towards the front of the ship if you're prone to motion sickness
Cabins in the front of the ship are more likely to feel the motion of the waves than rooms in the middle of the vessel. Nobody wants to feel ill in their cabin, especially when they're trying to rest after a long day ashore!
Of course, everyone has a different tolerance for motion. If you decide to book a stateroom in the middle of the vessel, there aren't any guarantees that you will avoid getting seasick.
Cabins in the front (or bow) of the ship should be approached with caution if you're worried about getting motion sick, though.
Read more: How to beat seasickness on a cruise ship
Obstructed view staterooms
Even if you think that an obstructed view will not bother you, there's a chance that the bright yellow lifeboat or bulky piece of machinery will get in the way of any aesthetic ocean views that you're hoping for.
Although they're cheaper than unobstructed cabins, it is not worth thinking you can deal with them just to save money. Ocean view rooms at the front of the ship, for instance, will be obstructed by the ship's bow.
While you'll be able to watch Oasis pull into port, you will have to deal with the helipad in your view for the duration of your cruise.
Additionally, Central Park balconies on Deck 14 have the chance of being obstructed by the bulky walkway that connects the port and starboard sides of the pool deck above. These cabins include 14207 - 14217, 14607 - 14617, 14229 - 14235, and 14629 - 14635.
Finally, if you are staying in a Boardwalk balcony, you shouldn't expect to get a clear view of the ocean, as the Ultimate Abyss causes the majority of these cabins to have an obstructed view of the ship's aft.
Guarantee staterooms
If you have a specific location you want your stateroom to be (i.e., by Adventure Ocean or near the aft elevators for easier access to the Main Dining Room), you won't want to let Royal Caribbean assign your cabin to you.
Guarantee staterooms are cheaper cabin options that Royal Caribbean offers in exchange for allowing them the right to choose your exact room closer to the sail date. This means you trade the option to select your stateroom for a cheaper fare.
While you might think that you won't care where your balcony cabin is located (you're onboard the ship regardless, right?), you might be displeased if you get one that's located at the back of the ship since you will have to walk further to the entertainment venues.
Read more: 6 reasons to refuse to upgrade your cruise ship cabin
