Noise, Vibration & Smoking on OV2

by **Benjinx** on Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:28 pm

We're about to book a Caribbean cruise on OV2 and would like to know if there is any engine noise or vibration on the ship as we have had bad experiences before on other cruise ships. In particular, we are looking at the restricted view cabins on deck 8 or outside cabins on deck 8 or 9 near the back of the ship. Can anybody help please?

Also, I know that the Players Bar at the casino allows smoking. Would the smoking smells or casino noises reach the cabins near to the bar e.g. cabin 8108?

by **HW tenpin** on Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:06 pm

You are fairly close to the Casino with 8108 a better choice would be 8126/27 and upward, if you are worried smoke will travel. Although by the time you do your cruise it may be banned in all public places on board, as OV is owned by P&O who are looking towards smoke free inside their cruise ships.

Decks 8 & 9 are generally quiet with just passenger cabins above you.

Noise is normally closer to the stern & bow, except when docking & the thrusters are in use, you must have a brochure, so the answer is the nearest to the middle and the higher up the least noise, do look at the deck above your cabin over bars or restaurants as when cleaning these at night it can get noisy.

by **Benjinx** on Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:22 am

Thanks Tenpin for your very quick reply.

If we went for 8126/7, are you saying that there shouldn't be any noise from the engines (they are getting quite near to the funnel)? Also they are above the bars on deck 7, so would there be noise from them?

Alternatively, if we went for deck 9 and had a cabin above the Players Bar and Casino, would it be noisy because of late nights in the bar/casino (also the cleaning them afterwards)?

I seem obsessed by noise!

by **HW John** on Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:29 am

Try spending the week in steerage all the time like me

by **HW tenpin** on Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:01 am

This whole business of cabin selection is complex as noise travels Downwards on a ship (steel decks) so that a chair moving above can be heard below but seldom above.

Regardless where the funnel is the engine will be decks one to three so engine noise will be slight on decks 7/8/9/10 & 11 however vibration can be felt throughout the ship, thrusters, anchors, cleaning crew & engines.

So if you are both good sailors, then forward of mid-ships is best the higher the better. Look out for deals & free upgrades, suites are great & don't cost that much more, however as this is a fairly small ship, movement in rough weather is worse at the Bow & stern, as well as higher up.

Edit 14.55
Thinking about it further are not those balconies on 8 not solid fronted. meaning when sitting you can't see over the top of them?

I would be very surprised if you would get much noise from the Bars below you, however study the deck plans and choose the best cabin you can afford, & have two or three selections as they are often gone by the time you book.

I personally do not think smoke from the Casino would affect any cabins, but can't say for sure as never been that close.

by **HW tenpin** on Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:23 pm

Hi Benjinx,

On reflection, & at the risk of upsetting OV fans, if you are worried about noise so much, why choose an old lady like the OV2. As such she is going to creak & groan a bit as she moves, bit like me walking up-hill.

There are some awesome new ships sailing the Caribbean during the winter, which are certainly a lot more silent than OV.

All the new RC ships as well as Costa and Princess, even HAL are good.

Anything built this century would be much better.

by **mgzt260** on Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:03 pm

We always go for cabins well forward of the funnel and high up.

When alongside the funnel we've found we get bad vibrations.

Tenpin, sorry for being off topic but did you need many vacinnations when doing the Panama Canal and Acapulco? Thanks.

by **HW tenpin** on Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:55 pm

mgzt260,

We went 27th Sept and never required any jabs at all.

Trip worth doing, the Coral was a great ship.

by **mgzt260** on Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:27 am

Thanks Tenpin

That's really interesting. We're keen to do that cruise as a family but the older folk are worried about jabs etc. No malaria tablets either? I'm quite surprised your doc didn't recommend anything.

by **mikejt26** on Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:16 pm

we were on the ov2 in the med this july cabin 11203 below plantation restaurant we never heard a noise from above. We did feel a vibration in our room but it was not a bed shaker lol. The smoke from players does waft down the corridors on deck 8 and as a non smoker I found it was more annoying than any vibration . Deck ten suites do have a solid balcony.

We had a great time on OV2 and was a fantastic intro to cruising