Royal Caribbean Guest Perplexed by “Hidden S...

For many cruisers, their stateroom is their personal sanctuary to take a break from the thrilling actions onboard and unwind within the peace and quiet.

Whereas some could decide to take heed to their very own music or podcasts, passengers management what could also be on the radio – that’s, till there’s a glitch and a “hidden speaker” develops a thoughts of its personal.

One latest visitor onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas bumped into this unusual scenario when a speaker beneath their vainness randomly started enjoying music.

“First time on independence of the seas, we’ve been on three different royal ships, and by no means seen something like this earlier than,” the nameless cruiser shared on Reddit.

Primarily based on the timing of his submit, it seems that the visitor is presently onboard the 4,375-guest ship for a 9-night crusing all through Spain and Portugal – which embarked from Southampton, UK, on June 9, 2025.

“We’re in a junior suite, and there’s a speaker hidden beneath the vainness unit that’s quietly enjoying music like what you’d hear out within the corridors. It appeared to cease at evening, however we will’t appear to determine get it to cease once more,” they continued, earlier than asking if anybody had skilled one thing related.

Royal Caribbean followers have been fast to advise that there’s a quantity knob close to the vainness to show the sound down or off, however sadly, this characteristic gave the impression to be damaged.

The cruiser up to date within the feedback part: “There’s [a knob] however it doesn’t appear to work, and the attendant couldn’t get it to work both, upkeep are coming spherical in some unspecified time in the future to assist kind it out.”

Whereas the cruise traces attempt to not disturb visitors or make bulletins late at evening, cruise cabins are nearly at all times geared up with audio system in case pressing updates have to be given during an emergency.

Randomly enjoying music will not be frequent – though it did occur to me while onboard the new MSC World America throughout her inaugural voyage from April 9 to April 12, 2025.

Some jazzy tunes out of the blue began enjoying by the speaker within the ceiling of my cruise cabin – in addition to in a number of different staterooms – lasting for a number of hours earlier than the glitch was resolved.

Cracking Down on Audio system 

Mockingly, Royal Caribbean has been cracking down on the usage of audio system onboard whereas this visitor is concerned by music coming instantly from the cruise ship.

In March of this yr, the cruise line banned personal and Bluetooth speakers from Excellent Day at CocoCay – Royal Caribbean’s personal vacation spot within the Bahamas.

Cruisers are nonetheless welcomed to take heed to their very own music or podcasts with headphones, however this coverage ensures that different visitors don’t want to listen to it whereas having fun with the island – which options its personal music and ambiance.

There have already been reviews of crew members confiscating audio system from thoughtless passengers whereas visiting the unique cruise port.

Learn Additionally: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Whereas Royal Caribbean has not formally added audio system to their Prohibited Gadgets record as of the time of publication, which suggests the gadgets can nonetheless be used onboard, the cruise line does proceed to advise visitors to make use of headphones in public areas and maintain the quantity low.

That stated, crew members should still confiscate audio system onboard from particularly disruptive guests on a case-by-case foundation.

Nevertheless, many within the cruise neighborhood suspect that banning these gadgets from CocoCay is simply the precursor to formally banning them onboard – which might comply with within the footsteps of a number of the cruise model’s largest rivals.

On the finish of 2024, for instance, Carnival enacted a fleet-wide ban of Bluetooth speakers – citing the enjoyment of all visitors and security causes because the trigger.

Hopefully, the cruiser who skilled the shock music in his junior suite gained’t be bothered by undesirable tunes for for much longer – whether or not that’s from different visitors or instantly from the Freedom-class cruise ship.