I would second this response! We were in 505 (Classic Veranda), so not very close to the stairs and elevator, but! The stairs are well carpeted, so there isn't a ton of noise from them. As for the elevator, it is whisper quiet, but not often used because of the ship's diminuitive size and the relative fitness of the travelers.
Also ditto to the level of exhaustion--my husband and i were straddling either sides of our 40th birthdays when we travelled, but between all of the excursions, we were wiped at the end of the night. This trip was ABSOLUTELY fantastic. Maybe manage your expectations on the food side, and be aware of the ecuadorian government's restrictions on food (all beef had to be pre-cooked before going to the ship) so that you know what to expect. But you will have a blast no matter which cabin you choose!
For my vote, I really preferred the layout of the classic cabin. There were some folks who adored the horizon balconies. As someone else mentioned, you wont be in your room very often, so it's unlikely it will matter very much. Enjoy!
