BEWARE: Serenade cabin # 9078

We just came off a 12 niter Mediterranean cruise on the Serenade with overnight stop in Venice. This was our 3rd cruise doing this itinerary with our first 2 on the Brilliance.

The overall experience was wonderful and enjoyable. The staff, from an overall standpoint, was efficient, friendly and accommodating. The MDR food that we selected was good and the specialty restaurants were excellent. We chose the Royal plan which included Chops, Giovanni and Izumi restaurants for $55--a good value.

The biggest complaint was that our cabin was very very noisy during the evening performances. Cabin # 9078 is a D2 and near the Centrum and elevators. We booked this cruise some 16 months earlier and took advantage of the hump. I heard so much about these cabins on the CC board and sure enough the balcony was some 2.5+ times larger than a normal balcony cabins with 2 lounge and 2 straightback chairs with a table.

We thought we had hit the lottery as we also were blessed with a table for 2 by a window on the 4th deck dining room.

The drawback: As mentioned the cabin was very noisy. On the first nite, after leaving the casino at 10 pm went to our cabin. A R&R band called the "Liberty Hounds" comprised of 4 musicians/singer was playing in the Centrum. They were good and loud as with any R&R band. We entered our cabin and tried to go to sleep, however, the loud music resonated to our cabin. We tried to make the best of the evening, but to no avail. At about 11pm, we called guest services to ask if there was anyway that they could minimize the noise filtering to our cabin. No Luck. We finally fell asleep at about 12:30 pm after the band finished their gig.

The next day, we got a voice mail from Karen (guest services manager) advising that for each evenings performance they will shut some speakers and close the fire emergency door as a way to alleviate the problem.

That very night, the Centrum was base to the "50 Million Milestone" celebration which included an aerial acrobats show. At one point in the show, a female member of the troupe began singing and she had such a strong voice that it knocked me out deep sleep. With this, we called guest services to tell them that whatever remedies they came up was not the answer. I swear the phone rang some 15/20 times and was not answered.

At this point I decided to get my robe and sleep in one of the loungers on the balcony. To no avail, as the R&R band was playing and the music/noise permeated via the elevator shaft. I tried again at 11:00 pm and finally someone answered. They were symphatetic, but were helpless. What made it worse, the emergency door was constantly opening/closing and created additional noises/bangs. Again we went to bed at about 1 am.

We felt like 2 zombies on the Florence/Pisa tour. When we came back from the tour, there was voice mail from Karine (guest services manager) telling us that there's a possibility that a cabin may become available. Sure enough at about 10:30 we got a call advising us if we wanted to see the available cabin. We said sure as we did not want to possibly trade one noisy cabin for another. When we went to guest services, we began to realize why they did not pick the phone the 1st night. The "Hounds" were performing and we were approximate 1.5 ft. from Daria (an associate) and had to scream to be heard. We were given #8128 a E category balcony. We tested for noise level and at about 12:30am we transferred our clothing and accessories to our new cabin.

Note: a) The guest services personnel should be eligible for combat pay for enduring the noise level (lol), and b) purchased ear plugs in case another room did not become available.

Again we felt like zombies on the Rome tour, but at least we felt secure that at least for this night we would get some needed sleep to endure the next day's Sorrento tour.

Again, I'm not blaming the staff and especially the band. They were performing their job and entertaining passengers, which seemed to enjoy and dance to the band's beat. However, I do place blame with RCL for a) for not ceasing music playing the first night to a reasonable time, as many passengers had to travel overnight and would be tired, b) Since the Centrum is the central focal point for important events, I wonder if any testing was done on the impact of noise level reveberating thru the Centrum and impact on cabins in the vicinity.

Sorry to be so verbose, but there was a sense of frustration because there seemed to be no solution. We don't know what we would have done if the other cabin did not became available.

Ps. I'm not sure if we were the only ones affected, or is this a problem with the Radiance class or ship's class where the Centrum is the main venue or isolated to the Serenade.

Oh my I would have been exactly the same. I am very sensitive to external noise and would have felt very agitated by the disturbance and the lack of sleep. I think you handled the situation very well , you had good reason to ask for help, and I am delighted they were able to offer you somewhere else. My concern would be what if there was no alternative accommodation available? You would have been shattered at the end of the cruise.

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Oh my I would have been exactly the same. I am very sensitive to external noise and would have felt very agitated by the disturbance and the lack of sleep. I think you handled the situation very well , you had good reason to ask for help, and I am delighted they were able to offer you somewhere else. My concern would be what if there was no alternative accommodation available? You would have been shattered at the end of the cruise.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Yes, that is the key question--what if no other cabin became available and what would we do. To make matter worse, I'm an early riser and love to jog/walk early in the am (5-6am), therefore a double wammy.

I sympathize with you because we do not stay out late and like to wake up early. I would have been annoyed.

We just came off a 12 niter Mediterranean cruise on the Serenade with overnight stop in Venice. This was our 3rd cruise doing this itinerary with our first 2 on the Brilliance.

 

The overall experience was wonderful and enjoyable. The staff, from an overall standpoint, was efficient, friendly and accommodating. The MDR food that we selected was good and the specialty restaurants were excellent. We chose the Royal plan which included Chops, Giovanni and Izumi restaurants for $55--a good value.

 

The biggest complaint was that our cabin was very very noisy during the evening performances. Cabin # 9078 is a D2 and near the Centrum and elevators. We booked this cruise some 16 months earlier and took advantage of the hump. I heard so much about these cabins on the CC board and sure enough the balcony was some 2.5+ times larger than a normal balcony cabins with 2 lounge and 2 straightback chairs with a table.

We thought we had hit the lottery as we also were blessed with a table for 2 by a window on the 4th deck dining room.

 

The drawback: As mentioned the cabin was very noisy. On the first nite, after leaving the casino at 10 pm went to our cabin. A R&R band called the "Liberty Hounds" comprised of 4 musicians/singer was playing in the Centrum. They were good and loud as with any R&R band. We entered our cabin and tried to go to sleep, however, the loud music resonated to our cabin. We tried to make the best of the evening, but to no avail. At about 11pm, we called guest services to ask if there was anyway that they could minimize the noise filtering to our cabin. No Luck. We finally fell asleep at about 12:30 pm after the band finished their gig.

 

The next day, we got a voice mail from Karen (guest services manager) advising that for each evenings performance they will shut some speakers and close the fire emergency door as a way to alleviate the problem.

 

That very night, the Centrum was base to the "50 Million Milestone" celebration which included an aerial acrobats show. At one point in the show, a female member of the troupe began singing and she had such a strong voice that it knocked me out deep sleep. With this, we called guest services to tell them that whatever remedies they came up was not the answer. I swear the phone rang some 15/20 times and was not answered.

 

At this point I decided to get my robe and sleep in one of the loungers on the balcony. To no avail, as the R&R band was playing and the music/noise permeated via the elevator shaft. I tried again at 11:00 pm and finally someone answered. They were symphatetic, but were helpless. What made it worse, the emergency door was constantly opening/closing and created additional noises/bangs. Again we went to bed at about 1 am.

 

We felt like 2 zombies on the Florence/Pisa tour. When we came back from the tour, there was voice mail from Karine (guest services manager) telling us that there's a possibility that a cabin may become available. Sure enough at about 10:30 we got a call advising us if we wanted to see the available cabin. We said sure as we did not want to possibly trade one noisy cabin for another. When we went to guest services, we began to realize why they did not pick the phone the 1st night. The "Hounds" were performing and we were approximate 1.5 ft. from Daria (an associate) and had to scream to be heard. We were given #8128 a E category balcony. We tested for noise level and at about 12:30am we transferred our clothing and accessories to our new cabin.

 

Note: a) The guest services personnel should be eligible for combat pay for enduring the noise level (lol), and b) purchased ear plugs in case another room did not become available.

 

Again we felt like zombies on the Rome tour, but at least we felt secure that at least for this night we would get some needed sleep to endure the next day's Sorrento tour.

 

Again, I'm not blaming the staff and especially the band. They were performing their job and entertaining passengers, which seemed to enjoy and dance to the band's beat. However, I do place blame with RCL for a) for not ceasing music playing the first night to a reasonable time, as many passengers had to travel overnight and would be tired, b) Since the Centrum is the central focal point for important events, I wonder if any testing was done on the impact of noise level reveberating thru the Centrum and impact on cabins in the vicinity.

 

Sorry to be so verbose, but there was a sense of frustration because there seemed to be no solution. We don't know what we would have done if the other cabin did not became available.

 

Ps. I'm not sure if we were the only ones affected, or is this a problem with the Radiance class or ship's class where the Centrum is the main venue or isolated to the Serenade.

I'm glad to see this posting. I was on the Brilliance and we too go to bed early and rise in the early am. Every night as we would head down our balcony cabin ( about 10 cabins down from the centrum ) we would wonder how those poor people in the nearby cabins could sleep. Although a different ship, I guess we now have our answer.

We just booked a room on deck 4 about 7 rooms down the hall from the centrum. It looks like deck for would be the one where the bands are actually playing. Just wondering if I should move my room farther towards the bow. We are also early to bed-early to rise people. Any feedback will be appreciated. CC boards are so helpful.

We've stayed in the hump cabins on Radiance class ships many times. There has been quite a lot of noise at times and its been disturbing to us also but never to the extent you had it! Usually its only one night or possibly two during a cruise. Have never quite understood why music has to be quite THAT loud.:mad:

We do like the hump cabins when noise is not a factor and we have not been bothered on several cruises with noise in the hump cabins. We have also found if you book on the opposite side from where you were, and down just a few cabins, the noise isn't that bad and you aren't really aware of it as there is a wall that stops most of it. Too bad it had to ruin several nights sleep for you and then you had to pack up and move. :(

Linda (and C. D.)

We were on this cruise and on Deck 9, too, but a few cabins forward. The Centrum music was definitely louder on this ship than I'd ever heard on any of the other Radiance class ships. I remember walking by the Deck 9 elevator lobby after dinner a few nights and wondering why the band had to entertain the entire ship!

Sorry you had to put up with it the first few nights, but kudos for handling it so well!

EEEK I am, too. I have 8594 on the Jewel...maybe I should try to change it???

EEEK I am, too. I have 8594 on the Jewel...maybe I should try to change it???

It shouldn't be that bad for you since you are behind the wall, which blocks most of the noise. Don't think I would change cabins if I were you. If I were in 8586 or 8588, I would consider moving because there is an opening there that allows noise to come through worse.

Linda (and C. D.)

We were on the first sailing on Brilliance OTS after dry dock in May. Our cabin was 8588 right off the centrum doorway. It was the noisiest cabin we have ever been in. You could hear every note that was played in the centrum. Many nights the music went on until midnight. Several of us that had cabins right off of the centrum complained and were basiclly told sorry nothing we can do about it.

We have had cabins near the centrum before and never had so much noise. Royal seems to have decided to make the centrum a primary entertainment venue instead of one of the lounges.

This was just one of the many issues on this cruise that have us doubting if we will ever sail with RCCL again.

Unless they build a sound wall at the entrances to the centrum I would recommend not booking any cabins near the entrance to the centrum on Radiance class ships.

It shouldn't be that bad for you since you are behind the wall, which blocks most of the noise. Don't think I would change cabins if I were you. If I were in 8586 or 8588, I would consider moving because there is an opening there that allows noise to come through worse.

 

Linda (and C. D.)

Thanks for your post Linda. I appreciate it.

I was upgraded the day before my sailing to 8600 on Serenade and absolutely loved the location and never heard a sound in the cabin and the centrum was completely dead after Midnight, except for the night cleaners that came out around 2am. No noise issues for me in the least.

As I have late seating and normally leave the dining room at around 10:30 pm, I would be very disappointed if they did not have nightly activities after dinner as this is a very important aspect of going on a cruise for me in the first place.

The centrum would not seem the ideal location for a light sleeper that goes to bed early nightly though, that is for sure.

It shouldn't be that bad for you since you are behind the wall, which blocks most of the noise. Don't think I would change cabins if I were you. If I were in 8586 or 8588, I would consider moving because there is an opening there that allows noise to come through worse.

 

Linda (and C. D.)

We stayed in 8588 on our recent Brilliance cruise....there was a bunch of noise from the Centrum. I work overnights so I'm use to sleeping through just about anything, so it didn't bother me. In may we were on the Jewel, center hump. Didn't hear a thing. That wall is the major difference in the noise level. Both my partner and I will never stay in a hump cabin that doesn't have the wall between the centrum and the hump cabins.

Oops We are booked in 8604 on Jewel - I was pleased because it has a larger than normal balcony - didn't even think about noise from the Centrum - is it noisy on hump cabin on both ends of the Centrum? - most have been mentioning cabins closest to the bow/front of the ship

We were on the first sailing on Brilliance OTS after dry dock in May. Our cabin was 8588 right off the centrum doorway. It was the noisiest cabin we have ever been in. You could hear every note that was played in the centrum. Many nights the music went on until midnight. Several of us that had cabins right off of the centrum complained and were basiclly told sorry nothing we can do about it.

 

We have had cabins near the centrum before and never had so much noise. Royal seems to have decided to make the centrum a primary entertainment venue instead of one of the lounges.

 

This was just one of the many issues on this cruise that have us doubting if we will ever sail with RCCL again.

 

Unless they build a sound wall at the entrances to the centrum I would recommend not booking any cabins near the entrance to the centrum on Radiance class ships.

This band just about played every nite. Some other nights it was a R&R dance party or R&R bites. Again, I'm not blaming the band as they were doing their job. I was wondering why not have some of these events at the pool deck.

I was upgraded the day before my sailing to 8600 on Serenade and absolutely loved the location and never heard a sound in the cabin and the centrum was completely dead after Midnight, except for the night cleaners that came out around 2am. No noise issues for me in the least.

 

As I have late seating and normally leave the dining room at around 10:30 pm, I would be very disappointed if they did not have nightly activities after dinner as this is a very important aspect of going on a cruise for me in the first place.

 

The centrum would not seem the ideal location for a light sleeper that goes to bed early nightly though, that is for sure.

I agree, it would not bother pax who go to bed late. this itinerary is tour intense, therefore, how many folks go to bed at midnite or later and still able to make tours that begin at 7:30? Also, I would think that RCL should put a disclaimer (noise) as they do with obstructed views.

.......

The biggest complaint was that our cabin was very very noisy during the evening performances. Cabin # 9078 is a D2 and near the Centrum and elevators. We booked this cruise some 16 months earlier and took advantage of the hump. I heard so much about these cabins on the CC board and sure enough the balcony was some 2.5+ times larger than a normal balcony cabins with 2 lounge and 2 straightback chairs with a table........

I have to say that this is the nicest complain that I have read in years. Thanks for warning all of us about this cabin.

I do wonder if they shouldn't re-evaluate the volume level of the bands in the Centrum. Before anyone says 'if it's too loud, you're too old!', I'm not that old at all. But the Centrum is not very big, the dial it up to 11 volume isn't necessary.

That being said, just one of many reasons we book the aft balconies on Radiance class ships.

I do wonder if they shouldn't re-evaluate the volume level of the bands in the Centrum. Before anyone says 'if it's too loud, you're too old!', I'm not that old at all. But the Centrum is not very big, the dial it up to 11 volume isn't necessary.

 

That being said, just one of many reasons we book the aft balconies on Radiance class ships.

Agreed, this ship and other Radiance class went thru a general renovation and wonder if there were changes made to the acoustic of the Centrum. Engineers should have tested for noise level for those cabins in the vicinity of the Centrum.

As to the old vs. young argument, there were more middle aged pax dancing than teens or young adults.

Oh no!!! We just recently booked cabin 9092 on the Jewel for Feb. 2015. I thought this cabin was a winner for the large balcony! Is noise more of an issue once the ships go into drydock and they use the centrum as a main venue? There were some aft cabins but we were afraid of the motion and vibrations. Do you think I should move? We are on for a back-to-back. So this is a two week commitment. Jewel doesn't go into drydock until 2016. Does that make a difference? Anyone on Jewel recently in a hump cabin please help by responding. Was noise an issue if your cabin was right off the centrum? Thanks

We were in cabin 8088 on the Jewel some yrs. back. The only time we hear any noise was when we had the door open. I don't know if we were just lucky. Maybe the bands weren't as loud. Sorry you had a bad experience.

EEEK I am, too. I have 8594 on the Jewel...maybe I should try to change it???

We have had this exact cabin on Jewel as well as other cabins in the same area (#9576, 9578 (opposite 9078)) on other Radiance class ships, and friends have been in #9076. We have never experienced any noise from the Centrum once our door was shut. As another poster said, this particular band/entertainment must have been extremely LOUD. :eek:

We were in 8588 the cabin that is right at the door to the centrum. I talked to the people on either side of our cabin and they could hear the music, but not too loud. There was another couple from our roll call that was in the cabin directly above us and they said that the music was also very loud in their cabin. It wasn't a particular group that was loud, we could even hear the acoustic guitars and singers from our cabin.

Uh oh....I have center hump 9586 on The Brilliance next year. Please tell me it's protected by the "wall".:( I was really excited to score this cabin. Now, I'm concerned.