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Choosing the right cabin can make a significant difference to your cruise experience. On the Royal Princess, the same cabin category can feel very different depending on its exact location on the ship.
There is no single cabin that everyone should avoid. A room that is inconvenient for one passenger may be perfectly suitable for another. For example, a guest who spends most of the day ashore may not care about a partially obstructed view, while someone who enjoys sitting on the balcony may consider the view extremely important.
If you are asking what are the worst rooms to avoid on the Royal Princess cruise ship, focus less on the cabin number alone and more on its location, surrounding public areas, deck position, and view.
This guide explains the cabin locations that may be less desirable and what to look for before selecting your room.
The cabins most worth checking carefully are generally those:
Directly beneath busy public areas
Directly above entertainment venues
Near elevators and stairways
Close to high-traffic corridors
With obstructed balcony views
At the extreme front or rear of the ship if you are sensitive to movement
Near crew service areas
Near laundry or operational spaces
In locations exposed to outdoor noise
The important point is that these are potentially less desirable locations, not automatically bad cabins.
Elevators are convenient, but cabins immediately next to them can experience more foot traffic than rooms farther down the corridor.
During busy periods, passengers may gather around elevators while waiting for doors to open.
You could hear:
Conversations
Children moving through the corridor
Doors opening and closing
Rolling luggage
Footsteps
Passengers returning from evening entertainment
If you are a light sleeper, a cabin farther from the elevator lobby may be more comfortable.
For passengers with mobility concerns, being close to an elevator can actually be a major advantage.
It can also be convenient if you want quick access to restaurants, entertainment, or other public spaces.
Therefore, elevator proximity is not automatically a reason to reject a cabin. It depends on your priorities.
One of the biggest location issues to check is what is directly above your cabin.
A cabin beneath a pool deck or other outdoor recreation area can potentially experience noise from passengers and deck equipment.
Depending on the location, you may hear:
Footsteps
Deck chairs being moved
Early-morning cleaning
Activity from the pool area
Equipment movement
This can be particularly noticeable early in the morning when crew members prepare public areas.
If quiet mornings are important to you, check the deck plan and identify the public space directly above the cabin.
Entertainment venues can generate noise, especially during evening performances.
A cabin located directly above a theater, lounge, nightclub, or another entertainment venue may experience music, bass, applause, or general activity.
This is particularly relevant if you normally go to bed early.
Before booking, look at both the deck containing your cabin and the deck below it.
Do not only examine the cabin's immediate surroundings.
Crew-only areas can be busy because staff need to move supplies and equipment throughout the ship.
A passenger cabin located close to a crew access area may experience more operational activity than one surrounded by other passenger cabins.
Possible sources of noise can include:
Service carts
Doors
Equipment
Crew conversations
Cleaning activity
These areas are not necessarily problematic, but they are worth checking if you prioritize a quiet cabin.
Forward cabins are located toward the front of the ship.
They can provide advantages such as convenient access to certain facilities and, depending on the cabin, attractive views.
However, forward locations can experience more noticeable movement when the ship encounters rough seas.
If you are prone to seasickness, you may prefer a cabin closer to the middle of the ship.
Forward cabins can work well for passengers who:
Enjoy being near the front of the ship
Prefer certain views
Do not mind some movement
Want quick access to forward public areas
The cabin itself is not necessarily inferior. It simply offers a different location experience.
Aft cabins are located toward the rear of the ship.
Some passengers specifically choose aft cabins because of their location and views.
However, aft areas can have more noticeable vibration or engine-related movement depending on the exact cabin and operating conditions.
That does not mean every aft cabin is noisy or uncomfortable.
When choosing an aft room, consider the exact deck and what facilities are nearby.
If you are booking a balcony because you want an open ocean view, pay close attention to whether the cabin has an obstruction.
An obstructed view can result from:
Lifeboats
Ship structures
Railings
Deck equipment
Other structural elements
The amount of obstruction varies.
A partially obstructed balcony can still provide outdoor space and fresh air, but it may not deliver the open panorama you expected.
If you have been comparing Royal Princess cabins, you may have come across the question, what is category BD on Princess Cruises?
On Princess Cruises, cabin categories are used to distinguish different stateroom types and locations.
Category BD refers to a balcony stateroom category.
However, the exact characteristics and location associated with a category code can vary according to the ship's deck plan and current cabin inventory.
This is why you should not choose a room based only on the category letters.
A specific BD cabin can be more appealing than another BD cabin depending on its position on the ship.
Two cabins in the same category can have different experiences.
One may be:
Close to an elevator
Far from busy areas
Near the middle of the ship
Toward the front
Toward the rear
Next to another passenger cabin
Near a public area
Therefore, when researching what is category BD on Princess Cruises, also check the exact cabin number and deck.
Not necessarily.
Category BD is not automatically a "bad room" category.
If you want a balcony stateroom, it can be a perfectly reasonable option depending on the specific cabin location and price.
Instead of avoiding the entire category, compare individual cabin numbers.
Look for a room that is:
Away from major entertainment venues
Away from high-traffic areas
Not directly underneath a busy outdoor deck
Not affected by a significant obstruction
Conveniently located for your preferred activities
Laundry areas can be convenient, especially on longer cruises.
However, a passenger cabin immediately adjacent to or near a laundry facility may experience more activity than a room surrounded by standard staterooms.
Potential noise can come from:
People entering and leaving
Doors
Machines
Conversations
If you are sensitive to noise, check the deck plan before choosing a room near a laundry area.
Public restrooms can create additional foot traffic.
Passengers may use them while attending nearby events or visiting restaurants and lounges.
A cabin immediately beside a heavily used public restroom may therefore have more hallway activity.
A room slightly farther away can provide a quieter environment.
Doors leading to promenades, pool areas, or other outdoor spaces can create additional traffic.
Passengers may enter and exit throughout the day, and doors can occasionally close loudly.
This is another reason to examine the cabin's immediate surroundings rather than relying solely on its category.
Not necessarily.
Inside cabins do not have windows or balconies, but they can offer good value for passengers who plan to spend most of their time outside the room.
They can also be appealing to travelers who prefer a darker sleeping environment.
The main disadvantage is the lack of natural light and outdoor space.
If you are mainly looking for the "worst" room based on comfort, an inside cabin may not be a problem at all if those features do not matter to you.
A balcony provides private outdoor space, but location still matters.
A poorly positioned balcony may have:
An obstructed view
More wind
More noise
Less privacy
Nearby public areas
A well-positioned balcony can be significantly more enjoyable.
Therefore, do not select a balcony solely because it is a balcony. Check the exact location.
Instead of simply searching for cabins to avoid, use a few practical rules.
If seasickness is a concern, cabins around the middle of the ship and on lower-to-middle passenger decks are often preferred because movement may feel less noticeable than at the extreme ends.
A cabin surrounded by other passenger cabins can reduce the likelihood of being directly beside a noisy public venue.
Find out whether the space above you is:
Another cabin
A restaurant
A pool
A theater
A lounge
A fitness area
A service space
The same principle applies underneath your room.
Do not assume every cabin within one category is identical.
Look at the specific cabin number whenever possible.
Families often benefit from cabins that are:
Close together
Near elevators without being directly beside them
Away from late-night entertainment
Convenient to restaurants and family facilities
On a deck with easy access to major activities
If children are traveling with you, being near an elevator can be convenient, but you may want to avoid a cabin immediately beside a busy elevator lobby.
If you are a light sleeper, focus on reducing potential noise.
Consider avoiding cabins:
Directly beneath pool decks
Above entertainment venues
Near elevators
Near staircases
Near public restrooms
Near crew service areas
Near frequently used exterior doors
A cabin surrounded primarily by other passenger staterooms can be a sensible choice.
For passengers concerned about motion, a cabin closer to the ship's center is generally preferable.
The movement at the front and rear can feel more noticeable during rough conditions.
You can also consider a lower passenger deck rather than choosing a cabin high up at the front or back.
No cabin location can guarantee that you will not feel movement, but location can influence how noticeable it is.
Before confirming your room, ask:
What is directly above the cabin?
What is directly below it?
Is the cabin near an elevator?
Is it close to a theater or lounge?
Does it have an obstructed view?
Is it near a public outdoor area?
Is it forward, midship, or aft?
Is the balcony private and usable?
Is the cabin next to a crew or service area?
Does the exact cabin number meet your needs?
These questions can help you avoid many common cabin-selection problems.
When deciding what are the worst rooms to avoid on the Royal Princess cruise ship, it is better to focus on cabin location rather than simply avoiding an entire category.
Cabins beneath busy public decks, above entertainment areas, close to elevators, near service spaces, or with significant obstructions may be less suitable for certain passengers. At the same time, none of these locations is automatically bad for every traveler.
If you are comparing balcony categories and wondering what is category BD on Princess Cruises, remember that the category tells you the general stateroom type, while the exact cabin number tells you much more about the actual experience.
The best strategy is simple: check the exact cabin, examine the deck plan, look at what is above and below, consider your sensitivity to noise and motion, and choose the location that matches the way you plan to use the ship.
What are the worst rooms to avoid on the Royal Princess cruise ship?
There is no universal list of bad cabins. Rooms that may be less desirable include those beneath busy decks, above entertainment venues, near elevators, close to service areas, or with significant view obstructions.
What is category BD on Princess Cruises?
Category BD is a balcony stateroom category on Princess Cruises. The exact location and characteristics depend on the ship and individual cabin number, so check the specific deck plan before booking.
Should I avoid cabins near elevators on Royal Princess?
Not necessarily. They can be convenient, but passengers who are sensitive to hallway noise may prefer a cabin farther from the elevator lobby.
Are aft cabins bad on Royal Princess?
Not automatically. Aft cabins can have appealing locations and views, but some passengers may notice more vibration or movement depending on the exact location and sea conditions.
Should I avoid forward cabins?
If you are sensitive to ship movement, a midship cabin may be preferable. Forward cabins can otherwise be a good choice for passengers who like their location.
Are obstructed-view balcony cabins worth booking?
They can be worthwhile when the price is significantly lower and you do not require a completely open view. If the balcony view is a major reason for booking, choose an unobstructed cabin when possible.
Are cabins under the pool deck noisy?
They can be. Passenger activity, deck chairs, cleaning, and other operations may create noise, particularly during busy periods or early in the morning.
What is the quietest cabin location on a cruise ship?
A cabin surrounded by other passenger staterooms and away from elevators, entertainment venues, public areas, and service spaces is often a good choice for passengers who prioritize quiet.
Is category BD a good cabin category?
It can be. Category BD identifies a balcony stateroom category, but the quality of the experience depends heavily on the exact cabin location, view, deck, and surrounding areas.
How can I avoid a bad cabin on Royal Princess?
Check the exact cabin number and examine what is above, below, and beside it. Look for potential noise sources, view obstructions, high-traffic areas, and locations that may experience more movement.
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