By Captain Sail, Book with the Captain
Book with the Captain is an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel. If you book through us, we may earn a commission from the supplier at no extra cost to you.
Ahoy! I'm Captain Sail, the guide for Book with the Captain, an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel. When you book a cruise, one of the first choices is whether to pick your exact stateroom or take a "guarantee" cabin and let the cruise line choose. It sounds small. It decides who sleeps above the pool deck and who gets a quiet hallway near the elevators.
If you're still choosing between interior, ocean view, balcony and suite, start with our guide on how to pick a cruise cabin. This post goes one step further: guarantee vs selected, and how to read a deck plan before you commit.
Quick facts: Royal Caribbean guarantee (GTY) cabins
- A GTY booking gets you a stateroom in a guaranteed category type (Interior, Oceanview, Balcony or Suite), but Royal Caribbean picks the exact room. (Royal Caribbean FAQ)
- The room can be assigned at any time up until you check in at the port. (Royal Caribbean FAQ)
- GTY rooms may have obstructed views, and travel parties may not be placed together. (Royal Caribbean FAQ)
- Early Assign is an optional paid program that can get some GTY bookings a room assignment earlier. It does not guarantee a specific room, deck or view. (Royal Caribbean FAQ)
What a guarantee cabin means on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean calls it a guarantee or "We Pick" stateroom. You book a category type on your chosen ship and sailing, and the line says the exact stateroom, number and location "will be allocated by us (at our discretion) and at any time up until checking in at the port."
A few details from Royal Caribbean's own FAQ are worth knowing before you choose GTY:
- Obstructed views are possible. The FAQ says allocated staterooms "may be subject to obstructed views."
- Your group may be split up. Guests booked in GTY cabins "may not be berthed with other travelling parties due to availability."
- Neighborhood balconies on the biggest ships. On Oasis and Icon Class ships, a GTY balcony guest may be assigned a Neighborhood View Balcony facing Central Park, the Boardwalk or Surfside instead of the ocean.
- Back-to-back cruises. If you book two sailings in a row as GTY, you may get different rooms on each cruise and have to move on changeover day.
The FAQ lists these promotional GTY categories: WS (Suite/Deluxe), XB (Balcony Stateroom), XN (Neighborhood View Balcony Stateroom, Oasis and Icon Class only), YO (Ocean View Stateroom) and ZI (Interior Stateroom).
Guarantee vs selected cabin at a glance
| Guarantee (GTY) cabin | Selected cabin | |
|---|---|---|
| Who picks the room | Royal Caribbean, within your category type | You, from what's available |
| When you know your room | Any time up to check-in at the port | When you book |
| Deck and location | Not in your control | Your choice |
| Obstructed view risk | Possible, per Royal Caribbean's FAQ | You can see it on the deck plan before booking |
| Keeping a group together | Not guaranteed | Book rooms side by side or connecting, if available |
| Back-to-back sailings | You may change rooms between cruises | You can try to book the same room for both |
| Best for | Flexible travelers who care more about category than location | Light sleepers, families, groups, anyone with mobility needs |
Good to know: Early Assign does not move you into a different category. Royal Caribbean says the assignment stays within the GTY category you booked, and if you choose to upgrade, "the full upgrade cost applies." Eligibility, timing and terms are on the Early Assign FAQ.
Why the deck matters as much as the room
Two balcony rooms in the same category can feel completely different. One sits under a quiet stretch of cabins; the other sits under the pool deck, where loungers get set up early. The deck plan tells them apart, and you can only use it if you pick your own room. Each class stacks its loud spaces differently, which we break down below.
How to read a deck plan before you book
- Find your room's deck, then open the deck above and the deck below. Cabins don't make noise. Pools, buffets, bars, theaters and sports areas do.
- Look for "sandwich" cabins. The quietest rooms usually have staterooms above and below them.
- Check where the elevators are. Being a short walk away is handy. Being right next to the landing means more foot traffic past your door.
- Check the legend. Royal Caribbean's deck plans mark connecting staterooms, accessible staterooms and staterooms with obstructed views.
- Note forward, midship or aft. Midship rooms are usually the shortest walk to most things.
Captain's tip: On many ships, the middle cabin decks are a sweet spot. They sit away from the pool and buffet decks up top and the theaters, lounges and clubs down low, and they're often a short walk from a main elevator bank, which saves you steps every day. Deck numbers change from ship to ship, so check the deck plan for your sailing before you pick.
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Rooms to avoid and rooms to look for
Use this checklist with the deck plan open.
Think twice about:
- Rooms directly below the pool deck, buffet or sports areas
- Rooms directly above or beside a nightclub, bar or theater
- Rooms right beside the elevator landing or a crew door
- Rooms marked as having an obstructed view, if the view matters to you
- Neighborhood View balconies, if you want an ocean view (Oasis and Icon Class)
Look for:
- Staterooms with staterooms above and below
- A short walk, not a zero walk, to the elevators
- Midship, if you'd like the shortest walk to most places
- Connecting or side-by-side rooms for families and groups
- Accessible staterooms if anyone in your party needs one
Best and worst cabin spots by Royal Caribbean ship class
The rule never changes: check the deck above and below. What changes is where each class puts its loud spaces. For each class, we read Royal Caribbean's official deck plans for one example ship and matched them with what cruisers keep reporting on Cruise Critic, Royal Caribbean Blog and Reddit's r/royalcaribbean. Layouts vary from ship to ship, even within a class, so check the deck plan for your ship or ask us.
| Class | Example ship | Quieter picks | Spots cruisers avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icon | Icon of the Seas | Midship cabins with cabins above and below | Deck 14 under the pool deck; Surfside-facing rooms if you nap |
| Oasis | Oasis of the Seas | Cabins sandwiched between cabin decks | Boardwalk balconies near the AquaTheater or carousel |
| Quantum | Anthem of the Seas | Cabins sandwiched between cabin decks | Deck 13 under the pool and Solarium; Deck 3 rooms right by Music Hall if you sleep early |
| Freedom | Liberty of the Seas | Deck 9, with cabins above and below | Deck 10 directly under the main pool |
| Voyager | Navigator of the Seas | Deck 10 aft under the Windjammer is often reported quiet | Deck 10 directly under the pool |
Icon Class: Icon of the Seas
Deck 15 holds the Windjammer Marketplace, Royal Bay Pool and The Hideaway, over the Deck 14 cabins. Decks 5 and 6 have no cabins; they hold The Pearl, the Dining Room and Absolute Zero. Cruise Critic's Icon review and Royal Caribbean Blog both flag Deck 14 cabins under the pool area for early-morning and late-night chair moving. Royal Caribbean Blog and r/royalcaribbean posters describe Surfside as lively with kids by day and much calmer at night.
Look for: a midship room with cabin decks above and below. Avoid: Deck 14 under the pools if you're a light sleeper.
Oasis Class: Oasis of the Seas
Deck 4 holds the Royal Theater, Studio B and Casino Royale; Deck 5 is the Royal Promenade. Deck 6 has cabins plus the Boardwalk aft, with the carousel and AquaTheater. Deck 8 has cabins around Central Park and Music Hall, and the Deck 15 pools sit over Deck 14 cabins. Royal Caribbean Blog and cruisers on Cruise Critic say Boardwalk balconies pick up AquaTheater shows and carousel music, then go quiet once the evening shows end.
Look for: a cabin deck sandwiched between other cabin decks. Avoid: Boardwalk balconies near the AquaTheater or carousel if you turn in early.
Quantum Class: Anthem of the Seas
Deck 3 has cabins on the same deck as Music Hall and Casino Royale. Deck 4 holds the Royal Theatre, Deck 5 has Two70 aft, and Deck 14's pool, Solarium and Windjammer sit right above the Deck 13 cabins. Cruisers on Cruise Critic and r/royalcaribbean report chair dragging and early deck cleaning in Deck 13 cabins. Reports on Deck 3 near Music Hall are mixed: some hear evening music, others say it was quiet.
Look for: a cabin between two cabin decks. Avoid: Deck 13 under the pool if you sleep in.
Freedom Class: Liberty of the Seas
Deck 3 has cabins plus the Platinum Theater and Studio B, Deck 4 has Casino Royale, and Deck 5 is the Royal Promenade. Deck 11 holds the pools, Solarium and Windjammer over the Deck 10 cabins. Cruisers on Cruise Critic and the Royal Caribbean Blog forum say Deck 10 under the main pool can hear chairs scraping, and it's usually more noticeable on the balcony than inside.
Look for: Deck 9 or a Deck 10 room away from the pool. Avoid: Deck 10 directly under the main pool.
Voyager Class: Navigator of the Seas
Deck 3 mixes cabins with the Royal Theater and Studio B, Deck 4 has Casino Royale, and Deck 5 is the Royal Promenade. Deck 11 has the pool, Solarium and Windjammer aft over the Deck 10 cabins. On Cruise Critic, cruisers often call Deck 10 aft under the Windjammer quiet, while midship cabins under the pool hear the occasional early-morning chair scrape.
Look for: Deck 10 aft, away from service doors. Avoid: Deck 10 directly under the pool if you're a light sleeper.
When a guarantee cabin can make sense
GTY can suit flexible, sound sleepers who mainly care about the category type and have no group to keep together.
Pick your own room if you're a light sleeper, sailing with kids, traveling with a group, need an accessible stateroom, or want a true ocean view rather than a neighborhood view. If you're sailing on Icon, our guide to things to do on Icon Class ships helps you work out which venues you'll use most, and which you'd rather not sleep next to.
Where to see your room assignment
Once a room is assigned, you can see it in your Royal Caribbean account under your reservation details. See how to view reservation details online.
FAQ
What is a guarantee cabin on Royal Caribbean?
A guarantee (GTY) cabin means you book a category type such as Interior, Oceanview, Balcony or Suite, and Royal Caribbean picks the exact stateroom. The line says the room, number and location are allocated at its discretion, any time up until you check in at the port.
Can I choose my room with a guarantee booking?
No, not at booking. Royal Caribbean assigns the room. Some eligible GTY bookings may be offered Early Assign, an optional paid program that gives an assignment earlier and lets you ask to move within the same category, subject to availability. It does not guarantee a specific room, deck or view.
Will a guarantee cabin keep my group together?
Not necessarily. Royal Caribbean's FAQ says guests booked in GTY cabins may not be placed with other travelling parties, due to availability. If keeping family or friends close matters, picking your rooms when you book is the surer way to get side-by-side or connecting staterooms.
Which deck is best for a quiet cruise cabin?
It depends on the ship. Look for a stateroom with other staterooms directly above and below, away from pool decks, buffets, nightclubs and theaters. On many ships the middle cabin decks do this well, but always check the official deck plan for your exact ship before you choose.
Is a cabin near the elevators good or bad?
A short walk to the elevators saves steps every day, especially on big ships. A room right beside the elevator landing can mean more foot traffic and chatter outside your door. Aim for a few doors down, and check the deck plan to see exactly where the elevator banks sit.
Does an advisor charge to help pick a cabin?
Book with the Captain has no fees and no markup on cruise and hotel bookings, so you pay the cruise line's rate. Tell us what matters most, like quiet, steps or keeping a group together, and we can help check the deck plan and request rooms that fit.
Pick the room, not just the category
A guarantee cabin can work if you're flexible. If quiet, short walks or keeping your group together matters, choosing your room with the deck plan open is worth the extra few minutes. We help you check the details before you book.
Get my free quote from Book with the Captain, an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel. Tell us your must-haves and we'll help pick the cabin.
No Book with the Captain fees and no markup on cruise and hotel bookings: you pay the cruise line's or hotel's rate.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean.
Book with the Captain is an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel. If you book through us, we may earn a commission from the supplier at no extra cost to you.
Sources (read Oct 26, 2026)
- Royal Caribbean, "What is a guarantee or 'We Pick' stateroom and how does it work?": https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-is-a-guarantee-stateroom
- Royal Caribbean, "What is Early Assign?": https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-is-early-assign
- Royal Caribbean, View reservation details online: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/view-reservation-details-online
- Royal Caribbean, Icon of the Seas deck plans: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/icon-of-the-seas/deck-plans
- Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas deck plans: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/oasis-of-the-seas/deck-plans
- Royal Caribbean, Anthem of the Seas deck plans: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/anthem-of-the-seas/deck-plans
- Royal Caribbean, Liberty of the Seas deck plans: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/liberty-of-the-seas/deck-plans
- Royal Caribbean, Navigator of the Seas deck plans: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/navigator-of-the-seas/deck-plans
Cruiser reviews and forums (third party, not Royal Caribbean):
- Cruise Critic, Icon of the Seas cabins: https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise/royal-caribbean/icon-of-the-seas/cabins
- Royal Caribbean Blog, Icon of the Seas cabins to avoid: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2024/03/21/icon-of-the-seas-cabins-avoid
- Reddit r/royalcaribbean, Icon Surfside balcony noise: https://www.reddit.com/r/royalcaribbean/comments/1mfuktd/questions_about_icon_surfside_balcony_noise/
- Royal Caribbean Blog, Are Boardwalk balcony cabins too loud?: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/09/27/are-boardwalk-balcony-cabins-too-loud
- Cruise Critic, Noise level on the Oasis near the AquaTheater: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2036706-noise-level-on-the-oasis-near-aqua-theater/
- Cruise Critic, The Verdict on Oasis (page 2): https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2141805-the-verdict-on-oasis-my-views-rm-12729-tips-compass-and-quottoo-manyquot-pictures/page/2/
- Cruise Critic, Anthem Deck 13 noise level: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2465127-anthem-deck-13-noise-level/
- Reddit r/royalcaribbean, Pool chairs: https://www.reddit.com/r/royalcaribbean/comments/13g1g8m/pool_chairs_etc/
- Cruise Critic, Noise level for cabin on Deck 3 Anthem: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2197408-noise-level-for-cabin-on-deck-3-anthem-of-the-seas/
- Reddit r/royalcaribbean, Anthem 3rd floor: https://www.reddit.com/r/royalcaribbean/comments/16s4hg1/anthem_of_the_seas_3rd_fl/
- Cruise Critic, Booking a suite under the pool area: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/704351-booking-a-suite-under-the-pool-area-help/
- Royal Caribbean Blog forum, Pool deck noise in Jr. Suite: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/42107-pool-deck-noise-in-jr-suite-on-iofs/
- Cruise Critic, Are Deck 10 cabins noisy?: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2030726-are-deck-10-cabins-noisy/
- Cruise Critic, Navigator of the Seas: how quiet are Deck 10 rooms?: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/555609-navigator-of-the-seas-how-quiet-are-deck-10-rooms/
- Cruise Critic, Noise from Deck 11 into Deck 10 cabins on Mariner/Navigator: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/250159-noise-from-deck-11-coming-into-deck-10-cabins-on-marinernavigator/
- Cruise Critic, Noise on Deck 10 from the Deck 11 pool/solarium: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/567999-noise-on-deck-10-from-11th-deck-poolsolarium/
Royal Caribbean and its ship names are trademarks of their respective owners. Book with the Captain is not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean.
Keep planning
- How to Pick a Cruise Cabin: Type, Location and Tips
- Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ships: A Ship-by-Ship Guide
- Things to Do on Icon Class Ships: Plan Your Sea Days
- First Caribbean Cruise Tips: What I Tell First-Timers
- Cruise port guides