I loved my Promenade stateroom on the Navigator. Noise was not really an issue. The only time I heard anything was during the 2 scheduled parades, but you will most likely be viewing them from your promenade window anyway (best viewing point), so it should not be disruptive. The rest of the time, I must say it was very quiet and the window seat was great for people watching for the down times when I was in my cabin.
Nancy
I was on the Freedom last week and our friends had a Promenade cabin on deck 8. They said they really liked it. They have been on 18 Royal Carribean cruise and this was the first time they booked a Promenade cabin.
We're booked in a Promenade room, (3 actually), the first week in January on the Voyager. It will be the first time. The Promenade is on level 5 and although those rooms are on levels 6,7, and 8, I chose level 6 to be right above the action. My agent suggested higher but I thought it would be more "right there" just one level up. I'll bring earplugs just incase. Yikes.