Royal Caribbean tries to limit noise on board, but a hidden loudspeaker in a cabin proves that it doesn’t always succeed. For many travellers, a cruise ship cabin is a place to rest, where they can unwind from the hustle and bustle of the ship and recharge their batteries. However, for one guest aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, the tranquillity was interrupted by a hidden speaker playing music with no apparent control. The incident was shared by the passenger himself on the social network Reddit, where he explained that he was staying in a junior suite during a nine-night trip to Spain and Portugal, departing from Southampton on 9 June 2025. “There is a speaker under the bathroom cabinet that sounds like the music in the corridors. We thought it turned off at night, but we don’t know how to turn it off,” he explained.
Unintentional music in a luxury cabin
Although he initially thought it might be a built-in feature of the room, the guest looked for a quick solution, including a volume knob nearby. However, when he tried to use it, he found that it did not work. Not even the cabin assistant was able to solve the problem, and maintenance staff were eventually called in to turn it off.
Some users with experience on other ships of the same company confirmed that these suites sometimes incorporate hidden speakers as part of the ship’s public address system, designed for emergencies or important announcements. What is unusual is that they play background music in an uncontrolled and continuous manner.
This traveller’s experience does not seem to be a unique case. Other passengers from different cruise lines have reported similar situations. During the maiden voyage of the MSC World America, for example, several cabins began playing jazz music through ceiling speakers for hours, without warning or the option to turn it off.
Curiously, while Royal Caribbean seeks to limit the use of personal speakers by passengers to maintain harmony on board, some cabins surprise their occupants with unsolicited music. Since March, the company has banned the use of Bluetooth speakers on its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, to avoid disturbing other visitors.
Although this measure has not yet been officially extended to the ships, the use of headphones is recommended in public areas and crew members may confiscate devices in the event of misuse.
Although the incident will likely be resolved without significant consequences, it has opened the debate on how certain technical features on board can affect the guest experience. Unwanted music, even if soft, can be annoying for those seeking tranquillity.
