What deck to pick

[WrSmega]

So I'm planning my first cruise. I would like to know which deck would be the most secluded deck on the Oasis or the Allure.

[printingchick]

I've never cruised either of these specific ships. Here's my opinion on decks in general:

 

• The lowest decks (usually 2 or 3) are the LEAST expensive. People tend to be willing to pay more to be closer to the pool deck. On the plus side, the lower decks get FAR less foot traffic (there are NO public areas), tend to be quiet and are close to the gangway (for returning from port) and to the main dining room.
  
• There are usually NO balcony cabins on these low decks, so they are not an option if you are booking a balcony cabin. If I was booking a balcony, I'll look for a "hump cabin", which means one located in the area of the ship where the vessel is wider, making the balcony larger.
  
• You need to decide how important it is to you to avoid elevators + which decks you feel you will most frequent. I typically pick the lowest decks, which allows me to use the stairs for the gangway, dining room and shopping areas, but I pretty much HAVE to use the elevator to get to the Windjammer and pool.
  
• REALLY REALLY study the deck plans. Avoid booking directly over, under, or next too a noisy public area. I've ended up with a cabin directly under the Windjammer before, by opting for a "guarantee" cabin (they put you where they want to) and I could hear scraping chairs and foot traffic all night! I'm sure you'd experience similar issues being in some way adjacent to the Schooner Bar, Nightclub, Royal Promenade, etc.
  
• If you're willing to walk a bit, you may want to avoid being TOO CLOSE to an elevator. Again...less foot traffic.
  
• CHECK THIS SITE once you've narrowed your search. People here can tell you if there is something HIDDEN that could be a problem with your selection. I sailed on Serenade last year. My room was GREAT, but people down the hall could hear LOUD engine noises. I just got lucky!!
  

 

ENJOY!! Remember, YES, the cabin certainly does MATTER. But it's NOT the top priority. You don't spend a lot of time there and it's NOT the thing you'll remember in years to come. Unless it's just HORRIBLE, or TREMENDOUS (you booked some fabulous SUITE), the pros and cons will soon be forgotten.

[Cruising89143]

I suggest decks 10 or 11. Not too far up or down to the main venues. Boardwalk is on deck six, Central Park on eight, Royal Promenade on deck five, pool deck on fifteen. You will also not have public rooms above or below you.

[librayacht]

I suggest decks 10 or 11. Not too far up or down to the main venues. Boardwalk is on deck six, Central Park on eight, Royal Promenade on deck five, pool deck on fifteen. You will also not have public rooms above or below you.

We recently cruised on Oasis in Cabin 6672 (ocean view balcony) and I do not think there could be a much better cabin location on the ship. Very close to the aft elevators, one deck from the Promenade (deck 5), same deck as the Boardwalk, 2 decks up to Central Park; If the elevators are busy it is just a 1, 2, or 3 decks down to the main dining room.

The room was very quiet despite being a connecting room and the bed was closest to the balcony.

[will773]

I've never cruised either of these specific ships. Here's my opinion on decks in general:

 

• The lowest decks (usually 2 or 3) are the LEAST expensive. People tend to be willing to pay more to be closer to the pool deck. On the plus side, the lower decks get FAR less foot traffic (there are NO public areas), tend to be quiet and are close to the gangway (for returning from port) and to the main dining room.
  
• There are usually NO balcony cabins on these low decks, so they are not an option if you are booking a balcony cabin. If I was booking a balcony, I'll look for a "hump cabin", which means one located in the area of the ship where the vessel is wider, making the balcony larger.
  
• You need to decide how important it is to you to avoid elevators + which decks you feel you will most frequent. I typically pick the lowest decks, which allows me to use the stairs for the gangway, dining room and shopping areas, but I pretty much HAVE to use the elevator to get to the Windjammer and pool.
  
• REALLY REALLY study the deck plans. Avoid booking directly over, under, or next too a noisy public area. I've ended up with a cabin directly under the Windjammer before, by opting for a "guarantee" cabin (they put you where they want to) and I could hear scraping chairs and foot traffic all night! I'm sure you'd experience similar issues being in some way adjacent to the Schooner Bar, Nightclub, Royal Promenade, etc.
  
• If you're willing to walk a bit, you may want to avoid being TOO CLOSE to an elevator. Again...less foot traffic.
  
• CHECK THIS SITE once you've narrowed your search. People here can tell you if there is something HIDDEN that could be a problem with your selection. I sailed on Serenade last year. My room was GREAT, but people down the hall could hear LOUD engine noises. I just got lucky!!
  

 

ENJOY!! Remember, YES, the cabin certainly does MATTER. But it's NOT the top priority. You don't spend a lot of time there and it's NOT the thing you'll remember in years to come. Unless it's just HORRIBLE, or TREMENDOUS (you booked some fabulous SUITE), the pros and cons will soon be forgotten.

 

This is so true. If you don't need a cabin with a balcony, the lowest decks are certainly the most secluded.

[cb at sea]

I don't consider ANY passenger deck to be "secluded"....they are all packed full of cabins!

 

We always try to book a deck closest to where we plan to spend most of our daytime hours...it just makes running back and forth to the cabin a breeze. It's really nice if you don't have to wait on elevators and can use the stairs...not really possible if you have to go more than 2 or 3 decks at a time.

[printingchick]

I don't consider ANY passenger deck to be "secluded"....they are all packed full of cabins!

 

True, but passengers generally only go to their cabins for sleeping and changing clothes. Unless you're on a ship PACKED with kids who like to RUN the hallways, cabin-only decks are a lot quieter and more secluded (less public) than decks that share space with public areas such as restaurants, shopping areas or entertainment venues. People who are just randomly wandering around, exploring the ship, are much more likely to wander down a cabin hallway that's attached to a public area.

 

I tend to prefer port-intensive itineraries, so being close to the gangway is great. Of course, the OP did specifically mention Allure and Oasis, which are more sea-day intensive. As cb mentioned, in that case, you would need to weigh seclusion against elevator wait time. It often took AGES to get an elevator on Freedom of the Seas - the biggest ship I've sailed to date - so I can only imagine it would be even more of an issue on a larger ship. The layout is a lot different, so an experienced Oasis-class passenger would know better.

[Scottifer]

I prefer the lowest deck I can get. I never spend any time in my cabin, except to sleep. and along with my "no elevator" policy it always guarantees I'll be getting some exercise.

[Eric97123]

We booked a lower inside cabin, cheaper price, should have less traffic, lower on the boat so sea motion would be less (a concern of my wife), the down side is we have row 3 hours a night to help get the ship to the next port :p

[emtb12]

We always book deck 7 as it is the middle deck. We always pick the interior Q room at the very aft of the main hallway. Never hear any foot traffic:D

[lovelife]

We recently cruised on Oasis in Cabin 6672 (ocean view balcony) and I do not think there could be a much better cabin location on the ship. Very close to the aft elevators, one deck from the Promenade (deck 5), same deck as the Boardwalk, 2 decks up to Central Park; If the elevators are busy it is just a 1, 2, or 3 decks down to the main dining room.

The room was very quiet despite being a connecting room and the bed was closest to the balcony.

 

Did you hear any cleaning noise from the dining venue below? We have 6692 on the Allure.

[matj2000]

I would think "secluded & deck" is pretty much an oxymoron...

[cruisinfanatic]

So I'm planning my first cruise. I would like to know which deck would be the most secluded deck on the Oasis or the Allure.

no such thing. You will be cruising with 5-6 thousand neighbors

[sherilyn70]

I chose deck 8 for the tranquility of the central park and the fact that are fewer rooms on that floor because there are restaurants and stores on that level. I also picked a D1 balcony (ie hump room) so I could get more private outdoor space as well.