Help finding a quiet cabin on Allure!

[Rose314618]

Hello!

We will be sailing for the first time EVER this December on Allure!

 

I have two small children, ages 8 and 5. They go to bed earlier, like around 8pm, and we go to bed around 10pm, so we would like to find a quiet cabin.

 

I already booked an Ocean View cabin on deck 3, closer to the front of the ship on the left side, which would have been perfect for us, except I found out it was a "connecting" room. I've since heard some horror stories about connecting rooms, especially thin connecting doors on the Allure, and now I'm anxious to change it.

 

We could book another Ocean View room but it would cost $600 more as a "kids free" promo that was being offered when I first booked has since expired.

 

If we booked an Ocean View Balcony room we would actually save some money, however it makes me a bit nervous as I have an impulsive and very curious 5 year old boy. We would most likely remove patio furniture. But I do love the idea of actually seeing the ocean while on a cruise! This room would also be close to our family and I like that its near the fitness center.

 

If we book another Ocean View Stateroom we will be spending $600 more.

 

The other option I'm considering is a Central Park Balcony. This would also save us some money. 

 

This will likely be the only time we go on a cruise, so I'm not opposed to spending a bit more on the Ocean View room on deck 3 if it's the quietest option that still gives us a view of the ocean. But I don't hear much about deck 3. It's the only deck left with ocean view rooms available.

 

Does anyone have advice? Experiences to share?

 

Thank you so much!

[Jerseygirl1416]

13 minutes ago, Rose314618 said:

Hello!

We will be sailing for the first time EVER this December on Allure!

 

I have two small children, ages 8 and 5. They go to bed earlier, like around 8pm, and we go to bed around 10pm, so we would like to find a quiet cabin.

 

I already booked an Ocean View cabin on deck 3, closer to the front of the ship on the left side, which would have been perfect for us, except I found out it was a "connecting" room. I've since heard some horror stories about connecting rooms, especially thin connecting doors on the Allure, and now I'm anxious to change it.

 

We could book another Ocean View room but it would cost $600 more as a "kids free" promo that was being offered when I first booked has since expired.

 

If we booked an Ocean View Balcony room we would actually save some money, however it makes me a bit nervous as I have an impulsive and very curious 5 year old boy. We would most likely remove patio furniture. But I do love the idea of actually seeing the ocean while on a cruise! This room would also be close to our family and I like that its near the fitness center.

 

If we book another Ocean View Stateroom we will be spending $600 more.

 

The other option I'm considering is a Central Park Balcony. This would also save us some money. 

 

This will likely be the only time we go on a cruise, so I'm not opposed to spending a bit more on the Ocean View room on deck 3 if it's the quietest option that still gives us a view of the ocean. But I don't hear much about deck 3. It's the only deck left with ocean view rooms available.

 

Does anyone have advice? Experiences to share?

 

Thank you so much!

I would definitely switch from the connecting cabin. I think a non connecting ocean view cabin on decks 6-12 would be your best bet. They have a child lock on the balcony door you can use when you’re not out there supervising. I like to look at the deck plan and book a room that’s next to cabins that only hold 2 passengers and that don’t have cabin doors across the hall. That’s the best planning you can do. Then it’s luck that you don’t have loud obnoxious people next door. I wish you luck 🍀!

[Jerseygirl1416]

I forgot to add that my favorite deck on Oasis is 8. It’s nice to use Central Park as a pass through. I usually book near the forward elevators.

[pcur]

Go through the booking process on rccl.com to see the availability, but don't pay, then go to this web site:

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/

 

Find the Allure in the little orange ship dropdown menu, upper left corner of the page.  It has a great "deck-drag" feature, so you can see the cabin description, and also what's above and below your cabin.  I use it all the time for cabin selection.  

 

When you see the two-ended arrow between two cabins, those are connecting cabins.

 

Once you get your selection, then change cabins.

Edited September 6, 2022 by pcur

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, Rose314618 said:

If we booked an Ocean View Balcony room we would actually save some money, however it makes me a bit nervous as I have an impulsive and very curious 5 year old boy. We would most likely remove patio furniture. But I do love the idea of actually seeing the ocean while on a cruise! This room would also be close to our family and I like that its near the fitness center.

Welcome to CC.

 

As mentioned, the child lock should alleviate any issues you have.

[Starry Eyes]

34 minutes ago, Jerseygirl1416 said:

I forgot to add that my favorite deck on Oasis is 8. It’s nice to use Central Park as a pass through. I usually book near the forward elevators.

Decks 6 and 8 are my favorites.  As mentioned, Central Park is lovely on deck 8.  Deck 6 has Boardwalk, the fitness center and a bar plus it is only one flight of stairs to royal promenade.  When I book an OV balcony, I also book near the elevators, though personally I slightly favor the aft elevators over forward ones.  It just depends what venues you’d rather have close by, so there is no wrong answer.  Oasis class are large ships so you cannot be close to everything.  In your case, being close to your companions might be a major consideration.  
 

The child locks have helped many in your situation.

[time4u2go]

I would avoid the connecting cabin and find a cabin with other cabins above and below it.

 

Deck 6 is great because it's within 2 decks (an easy walk) of MANY things on that class of ship.

[drjohn4]

If you want to stay in an ocean view, you can usually switch cabins in the same category to a non-connecting room without having them re-price your cruise.  Call and ask.

[loman]

I typically book near the back of the ship as the only people walking by your cabin are the ones also booked back there .

I also book with cabins above and below me and no connecting cabins.

Be prepared for a walk though , as this ship is pretty big.

[taglovestocruise]

2 hours ago, Rose314618 said:

Hello!

We will be sailing for the first time EVER this December on Allure!

 

I have two small children, ages 8 and 5. They go to bed earlier, like around 8pm, and we go to bed around 10pm, so we would like to find a quiet cabin.

 

I already booked an Ocean View cabin on deck 3, closer to the front of the ship on the left side, which would have been perfect for us, except I found out it was a "connecting" room. I've since heard some horror stories about connecting rooms, especially thin connecting doors on the Allure, and now I'm anxious to change it.

 

We could book another Ocean View room but it would cost $600 more as a "kids free" promo that was being offered when I first booked has since expired.

 

If we booked an Ocean View Balcony room we would actually save some money, however it makes me a bit nervous as I have an impulsive and very curious 5 year old boy. We would most likely remove patio furniture. But I do love the idea of actually seeing the ocean while on a cruise! This room would also be close to our family and I like that its near the fitness center.

 

If we book another Ocean View Stateroom we will be spending $600 more.

 

The other option I'm considering is a Central Park Balcony. This would also save us some money. 

 

This will likely be the only time we go on a cruise, so I'm not opposed to spending a bit more on the Ocean View room on deck 3 if it's the quietest option that still gives us a view of the ocean. But I don't hear much about deck 3. It's the only deck left with ocean view rooms available.

 

Does anyone have advice? Experiences to share?

 

Thank you so much!

We have had a deck 12 forward many times on Oasis Class, very very quiet. deck 12 forward has about 75 fewer cabins as opposed to other decks.  Call or have your TA call to switch cabins, should be no charge if you stay in the same category. Do not mention the KSF promo, just ask to change. FYI, deck three is not a quiet deck, everything above you is very active until late at night, most cabins are under the casino or ice rink.  Allure is awesome happy cruising, kids will love the free breakfast at Johnny rockets. 

[Tin can]

We had exactly the same concerns about a balcony with children, it may sound silly but occasionally it woke me up worrying about it. My plan on arriving at the cabin was to have the furniture removed.

 

The reality is though there is a child lock and nothing to worry about, we enjoyed sitting on the balcony and then when we went inside we locked it.

[Rose314618]

1 minute ago, Tin can said:

We had exactly the same concerns about a balcony with children, it may sound silly but occasionally it woke me up worrying about it. My plan on arriving at the cabin was to have the furniture removed.

 

The reality is though there is a child lock and nothing to worry about, we enjoyed sitting on the balcony and then when we went inside we locked it.

Not silly at all! I struggle with sleep anxiety that keeps me awake sometimes, and my biggest concern is my mindset towards the balcony and how nervous it might make me while we are there (which could keep me from sleeping). I'm glad to hear it turned out to be fine for you once you got there! 

[Tin can]

1 minute ago, Rose314618 said:

Not silly at all! I struggle with sleep anxiety that keeps me awake sometimes, and my biggest concern is my mindset towards the balcony and how nervous it might make me while we are there (which could keep me from sleeping). I'm glad to hear it turned out to be fine for you once you got there! 

 

It was great and was 7 years ago, our son is 12 now. Many more cruise since them and all with him with no concerns or problems. You will have a great time on yours, beware though cruises are very addictive!

[Rose314618]

Thank you all so much for your insights!

 

My options are as follows:

 

An Ocean View room on deck 3 that's under/near the ice rink area..

 

Or An Ocean Balcony on deck 6 that is either towards the front of the ship with cabins above and the Amber Theater area below or towards the back with cabins above and the main dining room below. These would also be next door to Johnny Rockets, carousel, etc.

 

Edited to add: I just found more ocean balconies more towards the center of deck 6.

 

Opinions? : )

Edited September 6, 2022 by Rose314618

[Rose314618]

53 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

We have had a deck 12 forward many times on Oasis Class, very very quiet. deck 12 forward has about 75 fewer cabins as opposed to other decks.  Call or have your TA call to switch cabins, should be no charge if you stay in the same category. Do not mention the KSF promo, just ask to change. FYI, deck three is not a quiet deck, everything above you is very active until late at night, most cabins are under the casino or ice rink.  Allure is awesome happy cruising, kids will love the free breakfast at Johnny rockets. 

Thank you for the tips on not mentioning the promo! : ) Also thank you for the insight into noise on deck 3! Do you speak from experience?

[sunnyv]

With 4 people in your current cabin on deck 3, I'm guessing you have a category 1N Ocean View cabin.  If you change cabins to another 1N category Ocean View you will keep your "kids sail free" promo and it won't cost anything extra as you are changing cabins within the same category.

 

I have never been on deck 3 so I can't speak to the noise from the ice rink, but I do know the skating rink is in the middle of the ship. With the Ocean View cabin being on the outside of the ship, it may only be a walkway above you.

 

If my choice was between paying $600 more for an ocean view cabin (NOT a category 1N) or less money for an OceanView Balcony, I would book the ocean view balcony.  Because you are already concerned about your active 5 yr old, you would just have to be vigilant about using the child proof lock when you are not on the balcony.

 

In the end, only you can decide how stressful it would be to have an Ocean View Balcony cabin.  IF you choose the Ocean View Balcony, I would choose the one towards the back of the ship so you are close to the Boardwalk.  There is a lot going on in the Boardwalk area for kids, face painting, balloon making, the carousel, Johnny Rockets....

 

Hope that helps, enjoy the cruise!

[Rose314618]

17 minutes ago, sunnyv said:

With 4 people in your current cabin on deck 3, I'm guessing you have a category 1N Ocean View cabin.  If you change cabins to another 1N category Ocean View you will keep your "kids sail free" promo and it won't cost anything extra as you are changing cabins within the same category.

 

I have never been on deck 3 so I can't speak to the noise from the ice rink, but I do know the skating rink is in the middle of the ship. With the Ocean View cabin being on the outside of the ship, it may only be a walkway above you.

 

If my choice was between paying $600 more for an ocean view cabin (NOT a category 1N) or less money for an OceanView Balcony, I would book the ocean view balcony.  Because you are already concerned about your active 5 yr old, you would just have to be vigilant about using the child proof lock when you are not on the balcony.

 

In the end, only you can decide how stressful it would be to have an Ocean View Balcony cabin.  IF you choose the Ocean View Balcony, I would choose the one towards the back of the ship so you are close to the Boardwalk.  There is a lot going on in the Boardwalk area for kids, face painting, balloon making, the carousel, Johnny Rockets....

 

Hope that helps, enjoy the cruise!

Thank you for the info! 

 

It was wither 1N or 2N, we have 5 + occupancy (a pullman from ceiling). 

 

I might go ahead and switch over so at least I know we no longer have a connecting room, and then if later on I decide to do an ocean balcony there are many more of those to chose from. : )

 

Thanks so much!

[Rose314618]

Update!

 

I called the travel agency and they said it was going to be an additional $2100 to upgrade to an ocean view balcony. Yikes!

 

So needless to say, I'm staying in the 3rd deck ocean view category. I switched to a non-connecting room for now with no price change. Yay!

 

I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment and try to help me out! I'm a maximum over thinker when it comes to doing " big" things in life, and this is our first "real" vacation we've ever taken (not just driving  in a car to visit family), so I want it to be great!