Why we love cabins near the bow?

[Hlitner]

We just returned from 25 days on the Celebrity Silhouette and the topic of cabin location caused a major discussion at one of our cocktail parties. DW and I have spent more then 2 1/2 years on cruise ships (as passengers) and been on more then 60 different vessels of 12 cruise lines. Over the years we have learned to go against a lot of advice and seek out cabins near the bow. Let me explain why. The main machinery (engines, generators, etc) are located amidships on ships because they help set the center of gravity. The propellers or Azipod units are all located near the stern on all ships. Most ships use the area nearest the bow for storage and other then the thrusters (used only when going into or out of ports) there is very little to no noise making machinery towards the bow. By being in front of the forward elevators and having few cabins in front of us there is much less foot traffic.

 

All of these factors add up to the bow area normally being the quietest part of any ship and the distance from the engines and props also means the bow area has the least vibration (which also causes noise). The main downside that is often cited about cabins near the bow is that there will be lots of movement in rough seas. This is true...but DW and I love the movement (it rocks us asleep) and a majority of the time there are not a lot of rough seas on cruises.

 

The discussion on our Silhouette cruise (a great ship) had to do with some of our friends having cabins in "perfect locations" :). One couple had an aft cabin with an aft facing balcony (these are prized cabins by many passengers). But they discovered that those rear cabins had quite a bit of vibration from the props and constant motor noise when the ship was cruising at higher speeds. In addition, they could sometimes smell fumes from the ship's stacks if the wind was right (or wrong). Another couple had a prized "hump" cabin in the dead center of the ship. But alas, at night when all was quiet they could hear the bell ringing everytime an elevator came to their deck (there are main elevator banks in the center of the ship near the hump cabins) and they also complained about lots of noisy passengers trekking outside their cabin (the most foot traffic is normally near the center of any ship and near elevators).

 

I should add that we always pay careful attention to what is above, below and on all sides of our cabin. We try to choose a location and deck that has us surrounded by other passenger cabins and not near any public area (such as the theater, bars, casino, etc).

 

Hank

[Keith1010]

Hank, thanks for sharing. I'm glad you had a nice experience on the bow.

 

Keith

[KirkNC]

I think you make some good points but don't you want to continue the myths about hump and aft cabins so the bow ones stay cheaper ;)?

[ILoveScotland]

Oh my. Your days, make that years, at sea make my paltry 13 cruises seem like nothing.

 

However, I soon came to the conclusions about forward cabins that you have. I love to know I'm on the water, and nothing says that more than the rocking of the ship which lulls me to sea.

 

I've had one aft cabin on the old Celebrity Galaxy. It was an OV with a deck behind it. I did not like the view at all although I know the aft balconies are prized my many cruisers.

 

Thankfully we're all different.

[ILoveScotland]

Lull me to "sleep" not "sea."

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

We were assigned balcony cabins well forward on Liberty of the Seas when we had a guarantee and did not select the cabin ourselves. Turns out we really liked it because the balcony was breezier, the smokestack smoke seldom, if ever, came that far forward and the stronger breezes kept the smell of cigarett smoke away.

 

I do think the balcony was sunnier than further back, but I can't substantiate that claim. It just seemed that way to me. This is a negative for me because I like to sit in the shade and read.

 

We wouldn't hesitate to book forward cabins again.

[Xewrsw]

On my very first cruise we made a hairpin 180 turn and a high speed bolt for Cuba to off-load, by helicopter, a woman who had a miscarriage in the middle of the night. I awoke in my aft cabin to massive movement and noise, (almost threw me out of my bed), and a sound like "heave-ho." High whine, low whine kind of like a wheeze but loudly coming from the engines. I didn't know what was happening at the time but it lasted for a good 45 mins! It didn't phase my roommate at all. She said to go back to sleep! Heard the story the next morning from the captain on the PA.

Ever since then though I am hyper aware of noise and vibration coming from the engines. Irrational, I know. I point it out to my son each time we walk aft on a ship. "See..you feel that; you hear that?" My son wants to be in the back for all of the kid activities and pools. I won't do it. I have always booked toward the front. I even bring a small white noise machine to have peace and quiet!

I did get crashing waves from a winter Atlantic storm once but waves don't bother me. I was even in a very forward cabin during Hurricane Sandy, and don't mind the movement. Just can't take the sound, vibration and fumes (and I've noticed sewer smells too) at the aft of the ship.

I'm wondering how similar jets are to ships. There is a reason that first class is up front. The front of the plane is the smoothest ride. (Former Flight Attendant here.)

On my son's first cruise we went low and mid and had NO movement at all while others in our party higher up we're getting sick from the motion. I always try to check passenger reviews on my specific cabin before booking.

It's a good thing for both forward and aft lovers that we spare the other part of the ship for each other!