I've been cruising 15 years. I used to read these boards obsessively and steadfastly avoid rooms above/below public areas, near service areas, too close to elevators, too close to stairs, etc.
5 years ago we got stuck directly below the pool bar which is 1) open late, 2) loud, 3) they powerwash it at oh-dark-thirty in the morning.
Never heard a peep, the whole cruise. Not the music, not talking, not with the balcony open, not in port, not at sea, not at midnight, not at 5am.
I stopped worrying about noise and in the 5 years since I book wherever, and I've had no issues.