Hi,
I have been on Deck 2 twice, once in the front of the ship and once in the back (both rooms w/ a porthole). rooms 2504 and 2150! I never heard any noises except in the front of the boat in the morning you could hear them docking as they were releasing the dock tie up ropes and pulling them taught. But, we didn't mind we just used it as a wake up call and never missed us pulling into a port. And at the back of the boat in 2150, it was real noisy again in the mornings when they would turn around or use the engines to dock. As far as the motion of the ship, I don't think it really matters where you are as I have also been on deck 8 w/ a verandah and it all depends on the ocean at the time your sailing. I didn't see any difference from one deck to another as far as ship motion. But then again, everytime I sell it's a different part of the year and the waves are different each time. January was the smoothest sailing we have ever had with the sea only at a light chop. Personally, as long as I have a porthole...I don't care where I am on the ship.
Just my opinion...Mmketeer Sailing again sometime this fall.