Are Cruise Ship Cabins Soundproof? (Wall Thickness And Sound Travelling)

Are you planning to book a cruise ship with your friends, families, or colleagues, but you’re not sure if the cabins are soundproof? You’re not alone, as a lot of passengers who intend to book a cruise ship always ask for the level of soundproofing of the cruise ship cabins. The answer to question “Are Cruise Ship Cabins Soundproof?” will be answered in this blog post. 

Unfortunately, no! Cruise ship cabins are not soundproof. The walls of the cabins are thin to minimize the weight of the cabin – which is why the cruise ship rooms are not soundproof.

Due to the absence of soundproofing, you’d be disturbed by everything occurring in the hallway or other rooms. The cabins are literally like long steel boxes that are built separately and are allocated to a part of the ready-made ship. 

As a matter of fact, the internal areas such as curtains, furniture, etc would have been placed before the room. Moving forward, the cruise operators try to do their best to add insulation, but due to the thin wall, there is a limit to what they can do. 

Do cruise ships have soundproof rooms?

No, cruise ships do not have soundproof rooms. You’d definitely hear the sound of waves, people on the deck, or people moving in the hallway. 

However, if you choose a room located in the middle or lower part of the cruise ship, you won’t be disturbed by the noise going around. You should also confirm that the cabin is not closer to the stern, as you won’t be able to relax due to the noise of the engine. 

Since none of the cruise ship rooms are soundproof, you should avoid cabins closer to stairways or the bar and go for balcony cabins which are usually on the upper deck. 

What are Cruise ship cabins made of?

Cruise ship cabins also known as a stateroom are made from a combination of materials like metal, synthetic materials, and wood.

Here’s a breakdown of the materials commonly used:

Metal

The structural framework of cruise ship cabins is typically made of metal, such as steel or aluminum. These metals provide strength and stability to the cabin structure. 

For instance, the cabin doors (both cabins with connecting rooms) are made of metals. The balcony is also made of metal, but some are made with wooden railings. 

Wood

Wood is used extensively in the construction of cruise ship cabins for various purposes. It is commonly used for cabin interiors, including wall paneling, cabinetry, and furniture. 

Hardwoods like oak, maple, or mahogany may be used for higher-end cabins, while engineered wood products like plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) are used for more cost-effective options.

Also Read: How to Dampen a humidifier noise

Synthetic Materials

Finally, cruise ship cabins incorporate various synthetic materials for durability, aesthetics, and comfort. These materials include:

• Flooring: cruise cabin floors often feature carpet, vinyl, or wood laminate. These materials are chosen for their durability, ease of maintenance, and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic.

• Upholstery: The furniture in cruise cabins is upholstered using synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, or microfiber. These materials offer durability, stain resistance, and ease of cleaning.

• Bedding: Bedding materials such as sheets, pillowcases, and comforters are typically made from synthetic fabrics like cotton blends or microfiber. These materials are chosen for their softness, comfort, and ease of care.

• Bathroom Fixtures: Bathroom fixtures in cruise cabins, such as sinks, toilets, and showers, often incorporate synthetic materials like porcelain, ceramic, or fiberglass. These materials are durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean.

• Window Treatments: Curtains or blinds used for window treatments in cruise cabins are often made from synthetic fabrics, offering privacy and light control.

Nb: you should put in mind that the materials could vary depending on the ship model or cruise operators. 

Can you hear neighbors on cruise ships?

Yes, you can hear neighbors on cruise ships. This is because the cruise ship rooms are not soundproof, and sound travels through the windows and thin walls of the cruise cabin. 

This happens particularly when the cabin is connected to another room. So, you might have to make use of your noise-canceling headphones or use a white noise machine to help keep the noise out of your room. 

How thin are cruise ship cabin walls?

The thinness of a cruise ship cabin wall varies by the model of the cruise ship and even the size. However, they are not lightly thin, but they are still thin enough for you to hear noises from other decks. 

The cruise operators consider the weight of the cabin, so it wouldn’t overlap the cruise ship’s weight, causing it to capsize. Whilst they are thin, they also have to be strong to prevent them from flying off the ship. 

In some bigger cruise ships, the walls of the cabin might be slightly thicker than the cabin wall of a smaller ship. This is to make sure the weight matches the ship weight. 

The materials mostly used are metal, mostly ferromagnetic. This makes it easier for interiors to be attached. Moving forward, the doors and the balcony are also metal – although some balconies are made with wooden railings. 

How to avoid being disturbed by noise in a cruise ship cabin?

Since the cruise ship cabin isn’t soundproof, you can try using some materials to avoid being disturbed while relaxing in your booked ship cabin. 

Below are ways you can avoid disturbance while on a cruise ship cabin. 

Take note of the cabin location 

There are rooms on every part of the cruise ship and there are some areas that are mostly disturbed by noise. Simply avoid cabins closer to the pool, bar, restaurant, stairways, or engine. 

Rather, pick rooms on the upper and lower deck, as these places tend to be quieter than the cabins on the other part of the cruise ship.

Use noise-canceling earplugs

You can make use of noise-canceling earplugs to avoid being disturbed by noise on a cruise ship. You’d need this especially when your room has a connecting door that leads to another room. 

The earplugs will help you block out unnecessary noise that won’t let you relax as you want. With these earplugs, you won’t be disturbed by the sounds coming from the other parts of the ship. 

Make use of a white noise machine 

If you’re not with your earplugs, you can make use of a white noise machine. You can ask the cruise ship management if they have a white noise machine, or you can always make sure that you pack this machine in your bag before boarding the cruise ship. 

The white noise is very effective when it comes to absorbing sound. It will also help you have a sound sleep. 

Consider upgrading to a higher cabin category

You can upgrade to a higher cabin category on the ship to avoid noise. Some cruise ships offer more luxurious cabins that are better insulated against noise. Upgrading to a higher-category cabin can provide you with a quieter environment.

Talk to the staff

Lastly, If you encounter persistent noise issues, don’t hesitate to speak with the ship’s staff. They may be able to address the problem or potentially offer you an alternative cabin if necessary.

FAQs

Are cabins on the cruise ship noisy?

Yes, cabins on the cruise ship are noisy. However, they are not as noisy as you’re in a club. Though the walls of the cabins are thin, the sound you’d hear will not be so loud because the walls try to block part of the sound. 

Can you hear neighbors on cruise ships?

Oh, yea! You can hear neighbors on cruise ships. This is because sound can transport through walls, most particularly when the walls of the cabins are thin. 

Also, if there is a door in your room connecting to another room, there’s a high tendency of hearing your neighbors. So, you might want to avoid rooms with connecting doors. 

What are the types of noise you’re likely to hear in your cruise cabin?

Below are the types of noises you’re likely to hear in your cruise ship room.

• Sound of people in the hallway – you might hear people talking or laughing while walking through the hallway to their room. 
• The sound of activities – You might hear people talking from their cabins. Aside from the talking, you might hear the sound of TVs, tap running, or toilets flushing. 
• Music or other noise from the public area on the ship– If there’s a bar or pool on the cruise ship, you might hear music playing, or the sound of glass clicking. 

Final Verdict- Are Cruise Ship Cabins Soundproof?

As said in this blog post, cruise ship cabins are not soundproof. However, the noises you’d hear will depend on the location of your cabin on the ship. 

This is why you should avoid cabins in certain areas of the ship such as cabins closer to the bar. If peradventure that’s the room available, you can try using a white noise machine or earplugs to block the noise. 

I hope all your answers have been answered in this blog post. If not, kindly put down other questions you have in the comment section below.