What Cruise Cabin Hacks Should Every Cruiser Know?

By Cruise Booking Team

Updated on: June 21, 2024

When packing for a cruise, it's smart to think about space. Cruise cabins can be small, so knowing a few tricks to make the most of your room is very helpful. With these cabin hacks, you can create more space, keep things organized, and make your stay more comfortable.

Cruise cabins are much smaller than a typical hotel room. However, with a few clever tips, you can turn your cabin into a cozy retreat. These hacks will show you how to use every inch of your cabin efficiently, from storing your clothes to keeping your bathroom tidy. You'll be surprised at how a little planning can make your cabin feel a lot bigger!

Choose the Perfect Cabin

Booking the right cabin is important to enjoying your cruise to the fullest. Start by exploring different cabin types, such as interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite, to find what suits your needs best. It's also important to consider the location of your stateroom on board. If you know exactly where you want to be, then you should avoid choosing "guaranteed" staterooms, where the cruise line selects your cabin for you. This way, you have control over the deck and position of your cabin, ensuring it matches your preferences.

If waking up to sunlight and fresh ocean air is important to you, think twice before booking an interior cabin. Instead, continue saving for your dream vacation to ensure it's as splendid and memorable as possible. By planning and choosing wisely, you can turn your cruise experience into a memorable journey.

Also Read: How to pick a cabin on a cruise ship?

Make Your Cruise Cabin Feel Like Home

When you're setting sail for a week or more, your cruise cabin becomes your temporary home. To make it cozy and personal, consider packing some comfort items that remind you of home. This could include your favorite pillow, a cherished throw blanket, or a photo of your beloved pet or family.

For those traveling with children, allowing them to choose a few favorite toys, along with their pillow and blanket, can help them feel settled and happy. Additionally, a creative and fun idea for all ages is to bring a magnetic-backed erasable whiteboard and some washable markers. You can stick it to the cabin's metal door to draw, play games, or leave cute messages for each other, adding a playful or romantic touch to your sea adventure.

Clothes Packing Tricks for a Cruise

Packing for a cruise is an art that improves with every journey. Begin by selecting outfits for both daytime and evening activities, ensuring each one makes you feel confident and comfortable. It's helpful to try on these outfits beforehand. Don't forget to include swimwear and a couple of pairs of shoes to complete your cruise wardrobe. This systematic approach can significantly streamline your packing process.

Additionally, it's wise to familiarize yourself with your cruise line's dress code. Some cruises may have special-themed nights, such as formal or chic evenings. Knowing these facts in advance allows you to pack appropriately and ensures you're prepared for any occasion on board.

Also Read: What to Pack for Your First Cruise Vacation?

Store Luggage Under Bed

To start your cruise on the right foot, it's a great idea to unpack your luggage as soon as you board. This simple step helps everyone settle in and feel at home from day one. Once you've unpacked, you can neatly store your suitcases under the bed to keep your cabin tidy and spacious. Often, your cabin steward is happy to assist with this, making it even easier for you to begin your relaxing journey.

Know the Benefits of Sharing a Stateroom

Adding a third and fourth person to a stateroom is often more budget-friendly than booking two separate rooms. If you choose this option, keep in mind that you will all share a cozy space throughout your cruise, which can enhance your togetherness and fun.

When deciding between one balcony room or two interior rooms, consider the advantage of an extra bathroom with the two-room option. You can always enjoy a beautiful view by heading to the top deck whenever you need a breath of fresh air, ensuring you won't miss out on the scenic experience.

Also Read: How to Book Multiple Cabins for Family Cruises?

Try Smart Electronic Cruise Gadgets

To make the most of your cabin space and keep all your electronic gadgets powered up, consider packing an outlet extender. This handy tool allows you to charge multiple devices like tablets, phones, cameras, electric shavers, and other small appliances simultaneously, despite the limited number of outlets typically available on cruise ships. Just remember to choose an extender without a surge protector, as these are not allowed on board and will be confiscated by the cruise line.

For those sensitive to noise while sleeping, bringing along a travel-sized sound machine or installing a useful app on your phone can be a great solution to the various sounds of a ship, such as creaking and rattling, which might disturb your sleep. Additionally, if you enjoy sleeping in, don't forget to pack some binder clips or paper clips. These can be very useful for keeping the curtains tightly closed, ensuring your room remains dark and cozy. This is particularly beneficial in sunny destinations like the Caribbean or during the bright midnight sun in Alaska.

Bathroom Hacks for Your Cruise Ship Cabin

Cruise ship bathrooms are designed for efficiency, offering basic amenities that serve most travelers' needs. To personalize your space and enhance your comfort, consider packing a few extra items from home. Suppose the provided bar soap isn't to your liking. In that case, you can bring your favorite liquid hand soap to ensure handwashing remains a pleasure. Additionally, packing your own air freshener or bathroom spray can keep your ensuite smelling fresh throughout your journey.

Cruise travelers often recommend practical solutions for optimizing bathroom space. While some suggest using a clear, plastic over-the-door shoe bag for extra toiletry storage, be mindful that they may not be allowed on all ships due to potential damage to doors. Instead, an expandable travel toiletry bag could be a perfect alternative. These bags can be hung from hooks on the back of the door, allowing easy access to your essentials without cluttering the small shelves, making it a hassle-free way to keep everything organized and accessible for the whole family.

Also Read: The 13 Best Cruise Tips for First Time Cruisers

Get Some Additional Hangers

When you open your closet on your cruise and notice you're short on hangers, there's no need to worry. Simply ask your cabin steward for additional hangers. They are always ready to help and ensure you have everything you need. This way, you can hang all your outfits neatly, avoiding wrinkles from stuffing them into drawers.

Also, consider doubling up by hanging more than one piece of clothing on each hanger. This smart tip helps you make the most of the available space. Remember, suitcase space is precious, so there's no need to bring your hangers from home. Enjoy a clutter-free wardrobe and more room for souvenirs!

Store All Your Valuables in the Cabin's Safe

Every cabin on our cruise comes equipped with a personal safe, ensuring that your valuables, such as passports, credit cards, and cash, are securely stored. Although the safe is compact, it's perfectly sized to hold all your essential items. This feature offers you peace of mind, allowing you to relax and enjoy your vacation without any worries.

To make the most of this security feature, we recommend placing your important belongings in the safe as soon as you arrive at your cabin. Doing so will prevent any misplaced items and eliminate the stress of searching for them later. This simple step ensures that your focus remains on the enjoyable experiences ahead.

Customize Your Space for Comfort

Your standard cabin comes equipped with twin beds that can be merged to form a queen-sized bed flanked by two handy side tables. You may also find a cozy sofa or upholstered chair, along with a vanity or desk and a coffee table to enhance your comfort. If your cabin includes a balcony, it will be furnished with a set of chairs or loungers and a table for your drinks. Feel free to rearrange the furniture to your liking; the crew is always ready to assist you in setting up your space just the way you prefer.

To make your cabin even more spacious and tailored to your needs, don't hesitate to request adjustments. For instance, if the coffee table takes up too much space, you can have it removed. Clearing items like the ice bucket, wine glasses, and other unused items can free up more counter space. If you find a stool uncomfortable, ask your cabin steward to replace it with a chair that supports your back better. Additionally, if the mini-fridge is stocked with items you don't need, have it emptied so you can use it for your drinks and snacks from the buffet, which also helps avoid room service charges.

Also Read: What amenities are included in a cruise cabin?

Brightening Your Cruise Cabin

Enjoying a cozy, well-lit cabin at night can enhance your cruise experience, especially when staying in an inside cabin. A simple trick is to turn on the bathroom light and leave the door slightly open. This provides a gentle glow that helps you navigate the room without tripping or bumping into things if you need to get up during the night.

For those with a balcony cabin, you have the delightful option to let in some natural moonlight by slightly adjusting the shades. Additionally, leaving the curtains partially open allows the early morning light to enter softly, giving you a natural and refreshing wake-up call. This way, you can start each day of your cruise feeling refreshed and ready to explore.

Special Cruise Hacks for Inside Cabins

Staying in an inside cabin on a cruise ship without windows doesn't mean you can't enjoy a natural wake-up experience. One clever trick is to use the bow channel on your cabin's television. This channel shows a live view from the front of the ship around the clock. By keeping your TV on and the sound off, you can use this as your virtual window. It's especially handy for checking if it's morning yet. It is perfect for travelers who don't mind dozing off with the TV running.

Alternatively, consider bringing a sunrise alarm clock. These innovative devices gently light up, mimicking the natural sunrise 30 minutes before your set wake-up time. This method provides a softer awakening than the abrupt sound of a typical alarm, offering a more serene start to your day at sea. This solution is ideal for those who prefer a more peaceful wake-up routine.

Also Read: Are cruise cabin prices per person?

Explore the table below to discover unique cruise cabin hacks:

Hack	Description	Benefits
Magnetic Hooks and Strips	Use magnetic hooks and strips to hang items on the walls, as many cabin walls are metallic.	Maximizes space, keeps items organized.
Over-the-Door Organizer	Hang an organizer over the bathroom door to store toiletries, shoes, or accessories.	Frees up surface and closet space.
Portable Night Light	Bring a small, battery-operated night light to use in the bathroom at night.	Provides convenience without turning on bright lights.
Collapsible Storage Boxes	Use collapsible fabric storage boxes for additional organization in drawers or on shelves.	Enhances organization, can be folded when not in use.
Power Strip (Non-surge)	Pack a non-surge protector power strip to increase the number of outlets available for charging devices.	Allows multiple devices to charge at once.
Scented Sachets or Room Spray	Freshen up your cabin with scented sachets or a small bottle of room spray.	Keeps the cabin smelling fresh.
Foldable Duffel Bag	Bring a foldable duffel bag for souvenirs or extra items acquired during the cruise.	Provides extra storage for the return trip.
Dry Erase Board	Hang a small dry erase board outside your cabin or inside on the door to communicate with cabin mates or keep track of activities.	Aids communication and scheduling.
Clip-on Reading Light	Bring a clip-on reading light for late-night reading without disturbing others.	Personal light source doesn't disturb others.
Compression Bags	Use compression bags to pack clothes, reducing the space they take up in your suitcase and cabin storage.	Maximizes storage, keeps clothes organized.
Shoe Organizer for Bath Items	Hang a clear shoe organizer in the bathroom to store toiletries, especially in bathrooms with limited counter or shelf space.	Increases bathroom storage, easy access to items.
Pillow Spray or Essential Oils	Bring a small bottle of pillow spray or essential oils to help relax and ensure a good night's sleep.	Enhances relaxation and sleep quality.
Travel-sized Humidifier	Consider a small, portable humidifier for keeping the cabin air moist, especially in dry, air-conditioned environments.	Improves air quality and comfort.

When planning a cruise, making the most out of your cabin space is crucial for a comfortable journey. By organizing your room efficiently, using hanging organizers, and maximizing under-bed storage, you can keep your cabin tidy and spacious. Also, bringing magnetic hooks for walls and portable fans can enhance convenience and comfort. These simple hacks will help ensure that your cruise experience is enjoyable and stress-free, allowing you to concentrate on the fun and relaxation that a cruise offers.

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FAQs about Cruise Cabin Hacks

Pack clothes that can mix and match well. Include layers for changing weather and formal outfits for special dinners. Also, bring a small bag for day trips.

Most cruises allow one suitcase and one carry-on per person. Check with your cruise line for specific limits to avoid extra fees.

If the bed isn't comfy, ask the cabin steward for extra pillows or blankets. You can also request a mattress topper for additional comfort.

Bring earplugs and an eye mask to block out noise and light. Also, keeping to a regular sleep schedule helps.

Make a packing list and stick to essentials. Choose versatile clothing items that can be worn in multiple outfits, and limit shoes to three pairs: casual, formal, and beach/waterproof.