Popular cruise line fixes noises complaints by adding feature to connecting cabins
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Royal Caribbean cruise lines have found a way to address one of the most common passenger complaints about connecting rooms on cruises.
As Royal Caribbean Blog reports, two of the company’s ships, Icon and Star of the Seas, have exterior doors connecting cabins in place of the traditional interior door.
Guests can close the exterior corridor doors while leaving the main cabin doors open or unlocked, making it easier to move between rooms without needing a shared interior door.
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The change is designed to give travelers greater flexibility and privacy.
“I’ve stayed in connecting rooms before, but there’s a big difference in Star of the Seas. Instead of a connecting door in the room, [there’s a] “I think this feature is pure genius,” said the blog, which is not affiliated with the company itself.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships, Icon and Star of the Seas, We replace the connecting cabin interior doors with two exterior doors. (iStock)
“Royal Caribbean added a pair of exterior doors to solve a problem that traditionally connected cabins—the interior common door being flimsy and not soundproof.” blog continued.
“The idea of these rooms is that you can close the exterior doors and then keep your main cabin door open or locked so you can easily get through each one.”
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Royal Caribbean’s Icon class is the Cruise Line’s newest generation of ships, which also includes Icon and Star of the Seas. The mega-ships, unveiled in 2024 and 2025, combine resort-style amenities and family-oriented neighborhoods and are being shared with Fox News Digital.
interior common door [had been] “It’s flimsy and not very soundproof.”
Connecting cabins have long been a popular option for families and groups who want separate sleeping areas but still need easy access between rooms.
But thin interior doors and a lack of soundproofing have made them less appealing to some travelers.
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The blog notes that a room key or wearable device is still needed to access the doors, allowing guests to control when the connection is on or off.
The update aims to offer travelers greater flexibility and improved privacy. (iStock)
This update could make connecting rooms a more attractive option for travelers, especially families, without sacrificing privacy or quiet.
‘I’m constantly crying and screaming’
Noise issues between connecting cabins are a common complaint among cruise passengers.
In a Reddit thread discussing adjoining rooms on cruises, one user described constant interruptions from neighboring guests.
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“I have a room with a balcony connected by a door to a family with three children, and I am constantly crying and screaming at all hours,” the user wrote.
“I can’t sleep.”
The change makes connecting rooms more attractive while increasing privacy and reducing noise, a common complaint among travelers. (iStock)
Others said the experience caused them to avoid booking connecting rooms altogether.
“The connection room doors are terrible. Will never book again,” another reviewer wrote.
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Some have noted that the rooms only work well when traveling with family or friends.
“They are great when you really want the hookup pair,” one user wrote. “Too bad if you don’t.”
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Icon of the Seas was launched in January 2024 as the first Icon-class ship to feature eight quarters, seven pools and a suspended infinity pool.
Headquartered in Miami, the resort has more than 40 dining venues.
Star of the Seas departed Port Canaveral in August 2025.
The ship features eight neighborhoods, more than 68 dining options, and an iconic water park. Perfect Day embarks on 7-night Caribbean itineraries with stops at CocoCay.
