cruise ship cabin hacks

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29 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Traveler MUST-KNOW

Taking a cruise is an adventure in and of itself. Although most cruises are intended to be a relaxing occasion, unpacking in a cabin can be slightly frustrating.

If you’ve ever taken a cruise, you know the cabins can be pretty cozy and compact, so you have to be smart about how you organize your belongings.

Although cabins can be rather snug, they tend to be laid out in a way that takes advantage of all the space available.

So to make the best use of the area, we have compiled some tried-and-tested cruise cabin hacks to take full advantage of every crevice, transforming even the smallest space into a neatly organized haven.

Table of Contents

Cruise Cabin Hacks

Bring Only What You Need

Before we even get to the cabin, the biggest ‘hack’ is packing only what you’ll need and use.

The cabin space is tight, tight, tight. You don’t want to bring more than you’ll need.

Go through your wardrobe ahead of time and select outfits that suit both day and nighttime activities on the ship. Remember to factor in any special theme nights or dress codes .

Put Your Luggage Underneath The Bed

The first thing you’ll want to d when you get into your cabin is unpack and slide your luggage under the bed. This not only clears floor space but also helps to keep your cabin tidy and accessible.

If you have a carry-on and a larger luggage, you can store one inside the other making even more room.

Request Extra Hangers

Once on board, reach out to your cabin steward for extra hangers. This will let you maximize closet space and avoid wrinkled clothes.

Some people like to bring their own hangers. Don’t do that! It’ll be highly inconvenient and there are plenty onboard to request extra.

Packing Cubes, Packing Cubes, Packing Cubes!

Packing cubes are not just a cruise hack, but a life hack!

They turn the chaos of packing into a neatly organized ballet of belongings, each item in its designated place. Packing cubes keep your belongings sorted and easy to find, transforming your suitcase into a model of efficiency.

Designating a color for each family member can simplify the process even further, making unpacking and finding what you need a breeze, even in the most compact cruise cabin.

Desk = Vanity

Truth be told, the bathrooms can be as small as the cabins itself. Convert the desk in your cabin into a personal vanity area by organizing your beauty supplies neatly in the drawers.

There truly just isn’t enough space in the bathroom and the desk makes the perfect spot for all your makeup and skincare products.

Bring A Power Strip

Bring along a non-surge-protected power strip approved for cruise ships to accommodate your electronic devices and keep them all charged.

This simple addition to your packing list ensures that you can keep cameras, phones, and tablets fully powered, ready to capture every moment of your adventure.

Unfortunately, the cruises I;ve gone on didn’t have many outlets and we’d have to argue over who gets to charge and when.

Pack a Portable Charger

On a similar wavelength, pack a portable charger to make sure tyu always have enough juice.

A portable charger ensures your devices stay powered up while you’re on the move around the ship or ashore. It’s a travel MUST.

Magnetic Hooks and Clips

Your cabin’s walls are metal, which makes magnets your new best friend. Hang items like shore excursion tickets or wet swimsuits.

Make sure you get some heavy-duty magnetic hooks to make sure they stay on. This clever hack not only keeps your essentials within easy reach but also helps maintain a clutter-free and organized cabin.

Get An Over-The-Door Organizer

Using an over-the-door organizer in your bathroom can significantly maximize your space, offering a clever solution for the often cramped quarters.

Slip one over your bathroom door to store toiletries, keeping them off limited counter space.

Bring Air Freshener For The Bathroom

Bringing a small air freshener for the bathroom is a simple yet effective way to maintain a fresh and pleasant atmosphere in your compact cabin space.

Cruise ship bathrooms are notorious for being tight and lacking ventilation, so a discreet air freshener can make all the difference, keeping your personal retreat smelling clean and inviting throughout your voyage.

Whether it’s a spray, a plug-in, or a hanging freshener, this small addition makes a huge difference.

Packable Shelves And Hampers

Investing in packable shelves and hampers can revolutionize the way you organize and maintain your cruise cabin.

These ingenious items unfold to provide extra shelving for clothes and a designated spot for laundry, helping keep your living space tidy and sorted.

When not in use, they collapse flat, taking up minimal suitcase space. This hack is perfect for those looking to maintain a sense of order and cleanliness in their cozy sea-bound home.

Get A Motion Sensor Nightlight

Purchasing a motion sensor nightlight is a smart move for navigating your cabin in the dark.

These handy devices provide a soft, guiding light that automatically illuminates when you move, ensuring safe and gentle passage during late-night ventures.

It’s a small, thoughtful addition that enhances safety and comfort, allowing you to find your way without disturbing the peaceful ambiance of your stateroom.

Organize Your Papers

Maintaining a single, organized spot for all your essential documents, like excursion tickets, passports, and boarding passes, is crucial for a stress-free cruise experience.

Consider using a dedicated envelope or a travel document organizer where each vital paper has its place.

This method ensures that everything you need is readily accessible and secure, saving you from frantic searches and giving you more time to enjoy the adventures ahead.

Mesh Laundry Bags

Mesh laundry bags are perfect for keeping worn garments separate from the clean ones, simplifying the task of laundry once back home.

By designating these breathable bags for your used garments, you prevent the mix-up of clean and dirty items, making it easier to keep your living space organized and odor-free.

Once you return home, the task of doing laundry becomes a breeze, as you can directly transfer the contents of the bag into the wash

Utilize Shower Clips

Cabin showers are typically compact, and shower curtains can stick to you. Bring a few clothespins or magnetic clips to keep the shower curtain in place.

This simple hack enhances your shower experience, keeping the curtain contained and your bathroom floor dry.

Door Shoe Organizer for Snacks

Transform a clear shoe organizer into a snack station by hanging it over a door or on a wall. Fill it with your favorite treats, granola bars, or small packaged items.

This not only keeps your snacks organized but also saves precious drawer and counter space.

Suction Cup Baskets

Bring along a few suction cup baskets or caddies.

These can stick to the walls of your shower or bathroom, providing extra space to hold your toiletries, shower gels, and shampoos, keeping them within easy reach and off limited surfaces.

Curtain Rings for Scarves and Belts

Pack a few plastic curtain rings. They’re lightweight and can be used to hang scarves, belts, or even hats on closet rods or hooks, keeping them untangled and easy to access.

Dryer Sheets

Tuck a few dryer sheets in between your clothes and in your suitcase to keep everything smelling fresh throughout your journey.

They can also help reduce static and can be used to freshen up your cabin’s drawers and closet.

Clip-On Reading Light

If your cabin’s lighting is limited or you don’t want to disturb your roommate, a clip-on reading light can be a game-changer.

It provides just enough light for you to read or navigate the cabin without waking others.

Foldable Water Bottle

When cruising, every bit of space counts, making a collapsible water bottle an essential item for savvy travelers.

These innovative bottles are designed to shrink down to a fraction of their full size when not in use, easily fitting into a small purse, pocket, or compartment in your daypack.

This means more room for other essentials and souvenirs without the bulk of a traditional bottle.

Travel-Sized Humidifier

A travel-sized humidifier is an excellent solution for maintaining a comfortable cabin atmosphere, especially in the often dry environment of a cruise ship.

These compact devices are designed with portability in mind, easily fitting into your luggage without taking up much space.

Many models are ingeniously engineered to work with standard water bottles or have their own small reservoirs, making them convenient to set up and use.

Silk Sleeping Bag Line

A silk sleeping bag liner is a luxurious yet practical addition to your cruise cabin essentials.

This sleek, smooth material is known for its hypoallergenic properties and gentle touch on the skin, providing an extra layer of cleanliness and comfort.

Silk is also thermoregulating, keeping you cool in tropical climates and warm during cooler nights at sea, ensuring a restful sleep regardless of the destination.

Pack A Mini Electric Fan

A small, portable fan can improve air circulation and provide white noise if you’re a light sleeper. This is particularly helpful in inside cabins where air can feel stagnant.

Most travel fans are lightweight and compact, designed to fit easily into your luggage without taking up much space.

Highlighters for Daily Schedules

Bringing a set of different colored highlighters on your cruise is a small but strategic way to organize and enhance your onboard experience.

Cruise ships often provide a daily schedule of activities. Bring a few different colored highlighters to mark activities each family member is interested in.

Cord Organizer

In today’s digital age, you’re likely traveling with a variety of electronic devices, each with its own cords and chargers.

Keep your electronic cords and chargers tidy with a travel cord organizer. This prevents tangling and makes it easy to find what you need without rummaging through your bags.

Download All Your Entertainment Beforehand

Before embarking, download movies, books, or podcasts to your device.

While many ships offer entertainment, having your favorites on hand is perfect for downtime or while relaxing in your cabin.

Not to mention, the internet packages can get pricey onboard!

Glow-in-the-Dark Tape

Place a small piece of glow-in-the-dark tape on key items like your phone, light switches, or bathroom door.

It makes them easy to locate in a dark, unfamiliar room without turning on the lights.

Peppermint Oil or Ginger Candies

A small bottle of peppermint oil can do wonders.

It’s refreshing, can help alleviate seasickness , and a dab under your nose can mask less pleasant odors in tight quarters.

Another great way to avoid seasickness are with ginger candies. These ginger chews in particular have been a lifesaver for me when nausea hits!

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30 Cruise Cabins Hacks That Every Cruiser Should Know

Do you know what’s the biggest nightmare for cruisers? Unpacking and organizing their cruise essentials in their cabins.

As you might know, cruise cabins are half the size of normal hotel rooms, so organizing luggage can be the worst if you don’t plan and do it properly.

But don’t worry my fellow cruisers. There is something that can save the cruise vacations from being spoiled, and we call it Cabin Hacks .

These hacks use items to save your cabin space so all essentials fit properly inside the stateroom. I suggest every cruiser learn these hacks. Otherwise, the cruise vacations will be uncomfortable, and your experience will be bad.

So, in this article, I will share some amazing and new cruise cabin hacks that’ll efficiently save your cabin space.

Let’s make your Cruise more comfortable.

Table of Contents

Cruise Cabin Hacks That You Must Know

1- choose stacking suitcases (bring only what you need).

Stacking suitcases is a game-changer. Their major benefit is that they get stacked inside each other, allowing you more space in your cabin.

Imagine travelling with your family where each member carries the same size suitcase. As the staterooms don’t provide enough storage to store all those bags, placing all the bags can be an issue.

During my early cruises, this was one of the major problems. But then I started travelling with medium and large bags that fit inside each other.

I suggest you travel with these bags also. Below, you can get the best price.

Coolife Luggage 3 Piece Set Suitcase 

2- put your luggage under the bed.

After cabin check-in, the first thing to do is unpack as soon as possible.

This is because the faster you unpack and organize your items according to your preferences, the more time you save.

After unpacking, stack your suitcases in each other and place them under the bed. It will save a lot of cabin space that you can utilize for other essentials.

Sometimes, your cabin steward can even do this for you. So don’t worry if you’re not a muscle man.

3- Rearrange The Cabins

Depending on your family size and sleeping habits, cruise cabins might need changing furniture settings.

And that’s a good idea to rearrange the cabins based on your personalization. Just rearrange it to give you enough space to place your essentials.

On my last Cruise, the chair and small table were annoying, so I had them taken away by my steward instead of tripping over them every day.

Pro Tip: Push the bed into a corner to make more space.

Those are some important tips that you must follow for efficient space management. Now, let’s move towards the real cabin hacks.

4- Pack A European Power Adapter

Pack a European power adapter, especially if you’re travelling on older Caribbean ships not equipped with many charging ports.

European adapters typically have multiple types of plugs, making them versatile for different outlets found on cruise ships.

Although there are one European and two American outlets in the cabins of some ships like Freedom and Navigator of the Seas.

But it’s better to bring your own as the European adapter ensures compatibility with the ship’s power outlets.

Below is the adapter I use, and I also suggest you do it.

Receive an 16% discount when making a purchase through the provided link. (Offer valid as of 3/1/2024; subject to future changes.)

European Travel Plug Adapter 3 Pack

5- use packing cubes.

Packing cubes are a valuable asset, especially for cruisers, as they help stay organized and keep everything tight.

These cubes provide designated compartments for different clothing or toiletries, making it easier to locate specific items without any hassle.

These cubes are always a top priority for me, allowing me to neatly pack my essentials and help save my cabin space.

I suggest you buy these cubes to simplify your packing and unpacking process and stay organized.

Receive an 7% discount when making a purchase through the provided link. (Offer valid as of 3/1/2024; subject to future changes.)

BAGSMART 6 Set Compression Packing Cubes

6- purchase an over the door organizer.

Using an over-the- door organizer is one of the most useful cruise cabin hacks to store bathroom accessories, suntan lotion, a cap, flip flops, deodorant, or other small items without cluttering other surfaces.

Usually, cruise cabins have limited wall space, and the back of the door is often overlooked. But if you just see it for five seconds, it can help you make the most of the vertical space for storage.

I like over-door organizers because their stored items are easily accessible and save time searching for things.

Note: Always bring the flame-retardant over the door organizers.

Receive an 6% discount when making a purchase through the provided link. (Offer valid as of 3/1/2024; subject to future changes.)

Over Door Organizer with 5 Large Pockets 10 Mesh Side Pockets

7- request extra hangers.

This cabin hack is especially for my dear girls, who bring many outfits on cruise vacations .

If you find that the closet hangers are insufficient for you and need to place some extra things in the closet, feel free to ask your cabin steward.

Pro Tip: Don’t bring hangers with you. You can easily ask the Cabin Steward for extra hangers.

8- Bring Power Strip

As I already mentioned, cruise cabins do not have enough power outlets or USB ports. So, to avoid fights between your kids over the outlets, bring a power strip.

Although the new cruise ships will likely have 2-3 electrical outlets and 1-2 USB ports to keep your devices charged, don’t always rely on them. Bring your own.

However, it’s important to purchase a fully Cruise-approved power strip. I suggest buying the one below for your Cruise to avoid any inconvenience from the room’s steward.

Cruise Power Strip with 3 Outlet 4 USB Ports 4.5A

9- bring magnetic hooks.

Cruise cabins undoubtedly have limited horizontal surfaces, but luckily, they have metal walls. So, utilizing those metal surfaces is the best hack.

Regarding this, I always suggest using good-quality magnetic hooks that allow you to ensure vertical space by attaching them to the walls.

With these hooks, you can get ample space to hang items you frequently need. It will save you time, though.

Neosmuk 10 Pcs Magnetic Hooks Heavy Duty

10- pack a portable charger.

A portable charger or power bank is a must-have for people like me who love to capture every moment and share it on social media.

So, I recommend packing a portable charger to save your phone and other gadgets from running out of battery during your cruise vacation.

I use this power bank that runs long and recommend it to you.

Portable Charger Power Bank 30,800mAh

11- pack shelves and hampers.

Cruise closets can be disappointing. Sometimes, there’s only hanging space, so I put underwear and other stuff in the desk drawers.

Other times, there are just a few big shelves, and the bathing suits, shorts, and T-shirts get all mixed up. And most importantly, where would you put your dirty laundry?

So, to overcome these issues, I recommend packing shelves and hampers to organize your essentials in limited cruise cabin space and provide a designated spot for dirty laundry.

Lifewit 2 Pack Laundry Hamper

12- bring a laundry bag.

Bringing a laundry bag is important when putting dirty clothes away.

Just fill it up (from your hamper) and throw the laundry bag into your suitcase.

HOMEST 2 Pack XL Wash Me Travel Laundry Bag

13- turn your desk into a vanity.

Girls, here’s another hack for you.

Turn the desk into a vanity, and use the side drawers for your makeup, nail polish, and other makeup items.

Trust me; it’s a clever way to transform a functional workspace into a beauty salon. Just place your makeup products and mirror on the desk and use its drawers for storage.

This hack will allow you to get ready with ease, as cruise cabins don’t have designated dressing areas.

14- Empty Your Mini Fridge

This hack will save not only your space but also your cost. So, ask your stateroom cabin attendant to empty the mini fridge, which might contain some drinks that cost additional.

So place your water bottles or other drinks in the mini-fridge instead of the table or desk. This will save you space for placing other items on them.

Also, it will be a plus point for you when you have a premium beverage package that includes canned soda or other premium drinks; you can grab 1 or 2 at a bar on your way to the cabin.

15- Bring a Colorful Washable Marker

This hack is also a life-saver if you forget things. Without a cruise app or WiFi, tracking your onboard activities on a cruise ship is difficult.

Rather than bring sticky notes or a whiteboard, I recommend leaving a message with a washable marker. But where to write the notes?

Well, all cruise ship cabins have a mirror above the desk. It’s a great place to write notes.

Receive an 2% discount when making a purchase through the provided link. (Offer valid as of 3/1/2024; subject to future changes.)

Crayola Ultra Clean Fine Line Washable Markers (40ct)

16- get a motion sensor night light.

Bringing a motion sensor light with you is important as cabins can be very dark at night.

Imagine you get up for the bathroom, and there’s no light. Sounds weird, right? And guess what? Nothing is worse than someone turning on a bright light that disturbs every member’s sleep.

So I suggest bringing the motion sensor nightlight that turns on when someone moves around. The light pivots on its base in almost any direction so you can position it.

One more amazing thing I like is that it is magnetic and can be attached to any wall or door in your cabin.

However, you can also use the portable mini-light lamp and a wall plugin night light.

Night Light Motion Sensor [Battery Powered]

17- pack a coffee tumbler.

Depending on the cruise line you’re sailing and the drink package you may or may not have a Coffee Tumbler is an additional cruise cabin hack.

If you’re a coffee lover, fill up this tumbler with room-service coffee or coffee from the buffet, and enjoy chilling on the balcony without worrying about refills for a while. It’s a perfect option for you.

Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler

18- organize your papers.

Organizing papers in a cruise cabin is one of the most difficult tasks. So I suggest keeping important papers like excursion tickets in a specific spot.

You can use a folder or envelope from home to find and store them easily during your Cruise.

I suggest using small magnetic clips to hang tickets on the cabin wall for convenience.

SUNEE Folders with Pockets(25 Pack, Assorted Colors)

19- bring a mesh laundry bag.

A mesh laundry bag keeps things organized and prevents dirty clothes from stinking up your cabin.

You can simply put all your dirty stuff in these bags and keep them in the corner of the cabin.

Receive an 33% discount when making a purchase through the provided link. (Offer valid as of 3/1/2024; subject to future changes.)

3Pcs Durable Honeycomb Mesh Laundry Bags

20- use silicone foldable travel bottles.

It’s no secret that we women tend to pack more than men, and it’s because of our makeup products. Instead of bringing everything from the bathroom, choose what you need.

I suggest using leakproof and collapsible silicone travel bottles for the right amount. Don’t go for cheap ones, as they may leak.

Also, get travel-sized products or use a small refillable atomizer for perfume or aftershave to avoid breakage.

Collapsible Water bottle with Leakproof Lid 

21- bring a hanging closet organizer.

Travelling with kids is no less than climbing a K2, as there’s a lot of stuff to manage. Unfortunately, the cruise cabin closet does not have enough space to store everything.

So, having a hanging closet organizer with six extra shelves to store essentials is very important.

Extra shelves are useful in place of drawers. Not only are they perfect for folded clothes but shoes too.

6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizers

22- pack tea light for romance.

How can someone stay without a romantic night on a cruise? I won’t when I’m travelling with my hubby.

Unfortunately, candles are not allowed on a cruise, so I suggest battery-powered tea lights to add mood lighting to your stateroom.

These small ones can work big for you, are perfect for adding ambience, and don’t take up much space in the luggage.

Receive an 10% discount when making a purchase through the provided link. (Offer valid as of 3/1/2024; subject to future changes.)

12-Pack Flameless LED Tea Lights Candles Battery Operated

23- suction cup baskets.

Suction cup baskets are also a great hack to store toiletries in your bathroom.

Due to their sticky nature, they are super helpful and make items easily accessible. Just stick them with the bathroom tiles or mirrors and place your toiletries, like toothbrushes and face wash, etc, in them.

I use them as they save my cabin’s desk valuable space.

LEVERLOC Shower Caddy Suction Cup Shower Shelf Suction Basket

24- curtain rings for scarves and belts.

Using curtain rings for scarves and belts is a clever organizational hack.

Simply slide your scarves or belts through the rings and hang them on a hanger or a hook. It’s a perfect method to keep things easily accessible, prevent tangling, and maximize closet space in your cabin.

60 Pcs Metal Drapery Rings Curtain Ring 

25- dryer sheets.

Dryer sheets are super helpful and can serve multiple purposes on a cruise.

Besides their intended use for laundry, dryer sheets can be placed in your luggage to keep clothes smelling fresh.

I tuck them into shoes and between folded clothes to prevent odours.

Pro Tip: Rubbing a dryer sheet on clothing can help reduce static cling, especially in the dry cruise ship environment.

Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets

26- clip-on reading lights.

Clip-on reading lights are a useful hack for avid readers on a cruise. Especially if you want to read at night without disturbing the other members, these lights can help you a lot.

Just attach them to the edge of the book or a bed headboard, and they will give you focused illumination for reading.

They are portable, adjustable, and perfect for creating a cosy reading nook in the limited lighting of a cruise cabin.

Vekkia Rechargeable Book Light for Reading

27- silk sleeping bag liner.

A silk sleeping bag liner will act as a protective barrier between you and the bedding in your cruise cabin, offering a comfortable and clean surface to sleep on.

Especially on a cold night, the silk material will add a layer of warmth and breathability.

So, use this hack for a cosy sleep.

Sleeping Bag Liner Portable Travel Camping Sheets

28- travel size humidifier.

Never travel without a humidifier if you can’t live in the dryness. This compact device will add moisture to the air and can be particularly used in the dry environment of a cruise cabin.

Its advanced technology helps prevent discomfort caused by dry air, keeps your skin hydrated, and can enhance overall comfort during your Cruise.

So you must bring it; otherwise, you’ll face dryness issues in your cabin.

Receive an 25% discount when making a purchase through the provided link. (Offer valid as of 3/1/2024; subject to future changes.)

MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

29- bring a mini electric fan.

Bringing a portable fan is not something that I do, but I know many cruisers can’t live without a fan in their room.

The fan helps circulate the air and create a fresher and more comfortable environment, especially in warm climates.

Most importantly, if you’re a light sleeper, it will provide white noise to help you sleep more soundly.

However, check with your cruise line beforehand to see if there are restrictions on bringing fans.

Amazon Basics 3 Speed Small Room Air Circulator Fan

30- cord organizer.

This hack is useful for people like me who want everything neat and clean.

A cord organizer is a handy accessory for keeping your electronic cables and cords neatly arranged during your Cruise.

It works great when travelling with kids as it maintains a tidy and organized space in the limited cabin area on a cruise ship.

TOPK 20PCS Silicone Cable Organizer

Zoe’s expert tips on cruise cabins.

Here are my expert tips to get a more comfortable experience in your cruise cabin:

• Download All Your Entertainment Before The WiFi or internet package on Cruise may not be sufficient to stream movies or other stuff. So, it’s always better to download all your entertainment before.
• G low-In-The Dark Tape: Apply this tape on light switches, cabin keys, or pathways to get visibility during nighttime.
• Peppermint Oil or Ginger Candies: Bring peppermint or ginger candies to avoid motion sickness on a cruise.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you should now be aware of almost all Cruise Cabin hacks. Go through them and consider them based on your preferences and needs.

Have a safe and enjoyable cruise experience.

I am Zoe Grace, a passionate enthusiast of cruise ships. With a decade of firsthand experience in the cruising industry, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and wonders that these majestic vessels hold.

Now, I am excited to embark on a new journey as an author, sharing my knowledge and insights with readers who share my fascination for the world of cruising.

Join me as we explore the captivating world of cruise ships together.

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30+ Clever Cruise Cabin Hacks, Tips and Tricks

Are you looking for some cruise cabin tips and cruise cabin hacks to make the most of your cruise experience?

There are a few levels of excitement on embarkation day.

The 1st: When you get that first glimpse of the cruise ship from the drive there. You point at it excitedly, “Look at that beauty!”

The 2nd: When you step onto the cruise ship, that realization that you’re on vacation truly hits. Nothing can stop you now!

The 3rd: When you finally get to your assigned cabin and tour it for the first time. Home suite home!

While stateroom cabin sizes and amenities can vary, they have one thing in common: they are designed to provide cruise passengers with a comfortable, clean place to sleep, shower, and relax.

Some are more spacious ( hello, the suite life! ) than others, but it is your home away from home for the next 3 to 14 nights, or even more, depending on what you book.

No matter how nice the cabins are, there are cabin hacks and cruise cabin tips that will help maximize your space. From packing cruise-cabin musts like magnetic hooks for hanging things to packing an extra power strip for all your electronics, these cruise cabin tips and tricks will make your cruise vacation more comfortable.

Learn 30 clever cruise cabin hacks and cruise cabin tips to stay organized, maximize space, and make your cabin feel like home.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our  full disclosure  for details.

In this guide, we first dive into some cruise cabin tips and then jump into some cruise cabin hacks that will change how you use and organize your cabin. How to make it feel more at home and less cramped if you’re staying in a cabin stateroom with more than one other person.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned cruiser, you’ll be sure to learn a new cruise cabin hack or share a new one with us in the comments.

Table of Contents

Cruise Cabin Hacks and Cruise Cabin Tips

1. book the right cabin.

When you have decided on the specific cruise ship and itinerary you want to book, the next step is choosing the right cabin that meets your needs, preferences, and budget. This process starts with selecting the appropriate cabin type, which can vary in size, location, and amenities.

Consider your personal preferences and priorities when choosing a cabin type. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, an inside room may be the cheapest choice. However, if you value access to natural light or fresh air, an ocean view or balcony cabin better fits your vacation needs.

Of course, if you’re looking to save money on a cruise , you can always book a guaranteed cabin rate and let the cruise line roll the dice in choosing the cabin for you.

2. Choose the Right Location

Cruise Ship Stateroom Tip: Location, Location, Location!

Choosing the correct location of your cabin can sometimes make a huge difference. 

For instance, mid-ship cabins tend to be more stable and less susceptible to motion sickness while conveniently located near many of the ship’s amenities.

However, if you’re too far from the elevator or stairs, you may face long walks to and from your cabin. On the other hand, if you’re too close to the elevator or stairs, you may experience unwanted noise from other passengers.

Another critical factor to consider is the cabin’s proximity to high-traffic areas such as the buffet, pool deck, or lower decks closer to where you can feel the engine vibrating. During one cruise, we barely slept because you could hear the furniture scraping across the deck above us.

Ideally, you want to be surrounded by cruise cabins from every side to avoid noise. 

If the view from the cabin is vital, you want to confirm that there are no obstructions like lifeboats. 

When selecting a cabin location, consider the ship’s layout and your preferences. Don’t be afraid to study the deck maps.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Would you like to be on the starboard or port side of the ship?
• Do you prefer cabins located in the aft, middle, or forward sections of the ship?
• Do you want to be close to specific amenities or activities?

3. Look for Reviews of the Cabin

Cruise Cabin Tip: Look on YouTube or search cruise forums or Facebook groups for pics, videos, and reviews of a specific cabin #. You can even do a quick Google search to see what the cabin looks like.

4. Look for Bedbugs

It’s exciting to arrive at a cabin and jump straight onto the bed to test its comfort. But, stop there for a moment…. let’s check for bed bugs.

As clean as any cruise cabin or hotel room can look, it can still have bed bugs. It takes a quick check to make sure there isn’t an infestation in the cabin. 

Check the seams, creases, and folds of the mattress, as bed bugs often hide in these areas. It’s not the only way to  check for bed bugs , but it is a start. 

Have you seen the YouTube videos of cruise passengers who found their cabins infested with bed bugs?

We are not trying to scare you from not cruising as we LOVE to cruise, and you can get bed bugs anywhere… even at a movie theater. We want to share this cruise ship stateroom tip so you can avoid bringing these critters home.

5. Sanitize Highly Touched Items and Surfaces

One of the other first things to do in your cabin is to sanitize highly touched items and surfaces. We always bring sanitizing wipes as part of our cruise items to pack when we travel.

The stateroom attendants do clean and do their best, but some of them are overwhelmed with the number of rooms they need to clean. You never know what little things they might miss, like cleaning the remote control, which usually is a  hotbed of germs in hotel rooms  and at home.

6. Unpack as Soon as You can

The luggage is typically delivered before sailing away. One of our top cruise cabin tips for embarkation day is to unpack as soon as possible. Get it out of the way and make yourself more at home.

If you don’t do it before sailing away, try to do it before bed. This way, you can store your luggage and get it out of the way.

7. Use Packing Cubes When You Pack

Not only does packing cubes help to keep things tight and organized in your luggage, but it also makes unpacking easy.

After hanging a few things, I place the packed packing cubes in different drawers or shelves, keeping things together as I organized them at home.

8. Store Your Luggage Under the Bed

Once you’ve unpacked, store your luggage under the bed. There is always plenty of room to store 2-3 suitcases under there without any issues. You want to maximize space in your cabin.

9. Store Valuables and Passports in Cabin Safe

While we have never had anything stolen from our cruise cabin, you can never be too careful. Best to put away any valuables, cash, and passports in your cabin safe for safekeeping.

10. Bring a Power Strip

Pack a multi-plug outlet that will allow you to plug in more than one thing at a time. There are not always enough power outlets in cruise cabins or USB ports. 

The newer cruise ships will likely have 2-3 electrical outlets and 1-2 USB ports to plug in items like your phone or other electronics but don’t always count on it. 

11. Over-the-door toiletry Bag or Shoe Organizer

Our over-the-door toiletry bag makes a huge difference when we cruise and travel. It’s one of our biggest cruise cabin hacks to keep most toiletries organized and out of the way. 

We hang it up on the bathroom door and have to grab things from it as needed. Some things land on the shelves in the bathroom, but a lot stay in the bag. 

When we return home from a trip, we leave much of it in the toiletry bag, ready for our next trip. 

For families of 3 or more, an over-the-door shoe organize r helps divide and keep everyone’s things separate. You can arrange it how it would work best for your family.

12. Use Magnetic Hooks

One of the cruise cabin hacks that some cruisers love is the magnetic hooks. Once upon a time, I wondered how useful they would be, but as long as you get the right magnetic hooks , you can use them throughout the cabin in many ways.

The walls and ceilings in the stateroom are all metal; therefore, you can stick magnetic hooks wherever you think you’ll need them. 

We usually use them to add hooks by the door where we’ll hang our lanyards, purse, and even a jacket or sweater. It helps keep the sofa in our room clear of stuff.

We also use them to stick papers to the wall we don’t want to miss instead of letting them clutter the vanity.

The magnetic hooks are also good to use in the bathroom to hang clothes to dry. 

13. Use a Curtain to Divide a Cabin For Privacy

When traveling with family or a group on a cruise, finding privacy in a standard cabin can be challenging unless you book a large suite with separate bedrooms. However, many seasoned cruisers have discovered a clever cruise cabin hack to create a bit of privacy – hanging a curtain.

Some cruise lines, such as Disney Cruiseline, may already have a cabin curtain separating the bed and sofa areas, providing some privacy. Unfortunately, not all cruise ships offer this nicety. 

But that doesn’t stop passengers from bringing a shower curtain or thick blackout curtain to hang in the cabin for added privacy during their cruise vacation. The curtain is hung using magnetic hooks. This is one of those cruise cabin hacks that not everyone thinks of.

14. Bring a Laundry Bag

Whether you bring a scented trash bag, a compression bag, or a laundry bag is up to you. It would help if you had something where you could easily stuff your dirty clothes and keep them in the corner of the cabin.

Keeps things organized and dirty clothes from stinking up your cabin.

15. Take Advantage of Cruise Offers to Do Laundry Mid-Way

If your cruise ship does not have laundry rooms – most don’t – you may want to consider doing laundry.

For a flat rate, the cruise ship may often have a mid-week all-you-can-fit-in-a-bag laundry special. It’s a great time to get laundry done that is sitting around, especially if you have a cruise longer than seven days and you can plan to pack less.

While the bag looks small, if you roll up the clothes one at a time into the bag, you can fit a lot in. The clothes always come back clean and nicely folded, better than I could ever fold them. 

It’s also lovely to come back home with clean clothes.

16. Bring Laundry Detergent

We always bring a couple of travel packs of our favorite laundry detergent to wash things easily in the bathroom sink in your cabin. You can wash undergarments, swimsuits, and shirts in the sink and then hang them up to dry. 

17. Bring a Portable Clothesline & Clothespins

Ideally, there should be a clothesline in the cruise cabin shower for you to hang a few things.

However, that’s not always the case. Some cruise ships fail to provide a clothesline. We just experienced this on our Celebrity Solstice cruise; no clothesline existed. When this happens, we get creative by hanging the wet clothes on hangers and using magnetic hooks.

You can also bring a travel clothesline and clothespins and use them with the magnetic hooks to set it up inside the cabin.

18. Use the Steam From the Shower to Release Clothes Wrinkles

Irons and steamers are items not allowed on cruise ships . You may be able to get an iron loaned by the cabin steward, but that’s not always possible.

Some cruise lines like Carnival and Disney have laundry rooms with irons and ironing boards for you to use. That’s something you can research and verify before you take your cruise.

We find that hanging the article of clothing in the bathroom near the shower while you’re taking a hot shower, the steam helps loosen up wrinkles. Combine that with some wrinkle releaser that you spray beforehand, and it’s as good as using a handheld steamer.

19. Request Extra Hangers

We always find that there are enough hangers for us in the closet for the few things we do want to hang. However, a cruise cabin tip is to request extra hangers from your cabin steward if you need them. There is no need to purchase or bring travel hangers with you. 

20. Bring a Small Fan to Help Circulate Air in Your Cabin

Bringing a portable fan is not something that we do, but we know many cruisers can’t live without a fan in their room. The fan helps to circulate the air and create a more comfortable environment, especially in warm climates. It can also provide white noise to help you sleep more soundly.

Just check with your cruise line beforehand to see if there are any restrictions on bringing fans on board. If you bring a fan, be considerate of your cabin mates, and don’t place it in a way that blows directly on them.

21. Bring a Nightlight

It is super dark once you turn off all the lights in the cabin. If you’re one to get up to go to the bathroom multiple times at night like I do, one of our cruise tips is to set up a nightlight in the room.

I bring 2-3 led tea lights placed in different corners of the cabin. It gives me just enough light to see where I’m going.

However, there are other options you can consider, like a portable mini-light lamp , a wall  plugin night light , or a  motion sensor night light .

22. Ask to Empty Out the Mini Fridge

Often, the mini-fridges are not empty and are filled with items that are an additional cost. One of the cruise ship cabin hacks is to ask your stateroom cabin attendant to empty the fridge so you can put your drinks in there. 

When would you use the mini fridge:

• If your cruise line allows you to bring your case of water or sodas
• Or if and when you have a premium package that includes canned sodas or bottled water, you can grab 1-2 at a bar on your way to the cabin. 

23. Request a Coffee Maker or a Tea Kettle 

A cruise ship stateroom tip that not everyone knows about is that you can request a coffee maker or a tea kettle to be brought to the cabin.

You can ask the steward when you meet them on the first day (a small cash tip would be appropriate), and they will bring a Nespresso-like coffee maker with coffee pods or tea bags and other items needed for your morning coffee.

This amenity is not available on every cruise line and cruise ship, but there has been success on some Norwegian and Celebrity ships. Doesn’t hurt to ask.

24. Order Free Coffee or Continental Breakfast as a Wake Up Call

One of our favorite cruise cabin tips is to have coffee and continental breakfast delivered in the early mornings on port days. 

Especially if it’s free and included with your cruise fare . Double-check with guest services or even the fine print on the room service menu to see if continental breakfast is not an additional charge.

Some cruise lines have begun to charge a flat rate for breakfast delivery (hello, Norwegian). Of course, that would include even the hot breakfast and not just continental.

We plan to order room service during our day cruising Glacier Bay in Alaska so we can spend the morning enjoying the scenery from our balcony.

25. Pack a Coffee Tumbler

Depending on the cruise line you’re sailing with and the drink package you may or may not have, a coffee tumbler is an additional cruise cabin hack.

This is my husband’s favorite tip –the caffeine lover– because he gets to fill it up with room service coffee or coffee from the buffet and chill on a balcony without worrying about refills for a while.

If you can’t get a coffee maker in your room, this is the next best thing after room service.

26. Bring a Small Alarm Clock

When on a cruise, it’s common for stateroom cabins not to have alarm clocks. To avoid missing important port days and shore excursions, many cruisers bring a small alarm clock to keep on ship time and ensure they wake up early.

Although you may want to sleep in and avoid alarms while on vacation, staying on schedule with the ship’s time is essential to maximize your cruise experience.

Personally, we manually change and set the times on our mobile phones to match the time changes as soon as we receive the notices. We also use our phones as alarm clocks in combination with coffee delivery on mornings when we have to get up early.

27. Don’t Forget a Wine Opener

Many cruise lines allow passengers to bring 1-2 bottles of wine per guest onto the cruise ship (a corkage charge may apply). If you do and you plan to drink it in your cabin, do not forget the wine opener .

Of course, don’t forget to check if the cruise ship allows a wine opener on board. Some do, and others see it as a weapon and prefer that you ask for the wine bottle to be opened.

28. Refillable Water Bottle

We all have our refillable water bottles at home. Bring one to fill up with iced water or even iced tea. It’s a great cruise cabin tip for anyone without a drink package that doesn’t include bottled water. You can save money by filling up at the buffet and having access to drinkable water in your cabin overnight.

29. Use the “Do Not Disturb” and “Make-Up Room” Signs

As new ships are built, and older ships get renovated, “do not disturb” and “make-up room” are becoming more common options. These buttons are usually located near the cabin door, allowing passengers to indicate whether they want their room serviced or prefer privacy.

However, if your ship doesn’t have these buttons, be sure to use the “do not disturb” and “make-up room” signs that are provided.

Hanging the “do not disturb” sign on your door lets the cabin attendants know that you don’t want your room serviced at that time.

Hanging the “make-up room” sign on your door indicates that you are ready for your room to be cleaned and serviced. 

30. Decorate Your Door

We do not decorate our cabin doors, but we do admire all the fun decorations on the cruise ship cabin doors as we walk through the ship.

Giving your cabin door unique embellishments will make it stand out. This is a smart cruise cabin hack to implement for fun and when traveling with a group that includes little ones. They will be able to identify their cruise ship cabin.

Cruise Ship Stateroom Tips: FAQs

Is it better to stay higher or lower on a cruise.

Whether it’s better to stay higher or lower on a cruise ship depends on personal preference and the type of experience you’re looking for. If you’re prone to seasickness, staying mid-ship is generally recommended, as you’ll feel less motion there. If you’re looking for a better view and don’t mind feeling a bit of motion, staying higher on the ship can provide stunning ocean views and ports of call, typically closer to the ship’s amenities like the pool deck.

Can you leave your balcony door open at night on a cruise?

While many cruisers do leave their balcony doors open to sleep, leaving your balcony doors open at night is generally not recommended for safety reasons.

How do you build privacy in a cruise cabin?

To build privacy in a cruise cabin, you can book a cabin with separate bedrooms, use a curtain or a portable room divider, go outside into the balcony if you have one for some time alone, bring a door hanger, or use headphones to block out external noise.

Creating privacy in a standard cabin can be challenging, but with some creativity, you can make your space more comfortable and private during your cruise.

Why do people bring magnets on a cruise?

People bring magnets on a cruise to stay organized and make the most of the limited space available in their cruise ship cabin, which is typically small. Magnets can attach items to the walls, hang wet swimsuits and towels, and decorate cabin doors.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• Gratuities & Tipping on Cruise Ships
• First Time On a Cruise Tips
• Why Join a Cruise Roll Call

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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26 cruise packing hacks you need to know before you sail

Packing for a cruise is an art form, and everyone has their favorite cruise packing hacks. I've scoured the Internet, talked to fellow cruisers and even been known to sneak peeks inside cabins with open doors, always looking for newer or better ways to pack and manage all the stuff we need to take with us on a cruise.

The result is a list of cruise packing hacks that includes some tried-and-true advice (like taking magnets because cruise ship cabin walls are metal), as well as a few things you might not have heard before.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here's hoping you find some useful and creative tips in this list of the top 26 cruise packing hacks.

Hacks for getting started on your cruise packing

Make a list before you put anything in a suitcase

I created a cruise packing list in the reminder app on my phone. I use the same list for every cruise but add to or subtract from it based on the destination. I start tweaking my list weeks before the cruise so I know exactly what I need when it's time to pack.

Note which items you need to buy before your trip, whether it's additional travel-sized toiletries, a new swimsuit or an outfit for pirate night, white night or an '80s-themed party.

Prep your luggage before you pack for your cruise

No matter what kind of luggage you take, checked and carry-on bags should have personal tags with your name, email address and phone number. It should also be easily distinguished from other bags from a distance. You can use brightly colored handle wraps, zip ties, ribbons, straps or stretchy covers over the whole bag.

Why should you personalize your suitcase? Recently, I got off a small commuter jet in Phoenix that had required all passengers to gate-check our roll-aboard bags. As I ran to my connecting gate 10 minutes later, I heard an announcement alerting passengers from my earlier flight to check they had the correct carry-on bag. Someone had mistakenly grabbed the wrong bag on the jet bridge. Had it been me, I would have missed my connection.

Also, remove all old cruise and airline tags and stickers from your luggage to avoid confusion.

Related: How to cruise with just a carry-on

Consider a digital tracking device

It happens. I've met people with missing luggage on every ship I've sailed this year, but a digital tracking device can save the day when the airline loses your bag, or you're fretting that your suitcase didn't make it onto the cruise ship. TPG staffers swear by Apple AirTags and similar tracking devices that allow you to see in real time where your bags are.

A friend's bag was recently lost in Athens, and he might not have retrieved it in time for his cruise had he not placed a tracker inside that clearly showed the airline personnel that his bag was in the airport. A woman on a recent Celebrity cruise told me Delta refused to help her because their tracking showed her bag was delivered to the carousel. Had she used a digital tracking device, she could have proven them wrong and possibly gotten her bag back. Related: What it's really like to use Apple's AirTags to track your luggage

Buy a cruise tag sleeve

Mainstream cruise lines supply bag tags with your name and cabin number that you print at home. This leads to a conundrum: Do you affix the flimsy paper tags at home before you fly (and risk them getting ripped off), or do you wait until you arrive and hope you can locate a stapler?

My cruise packing hack is to buy clear plastic sleeves made specifically for this purpose. Put the printed tags in the sleeves, keep them in your carry-on bag, then attach them to all your luggage before you head to the pier. Yes, you'll want to affix the cruise line tags to your carry-ons in case you accidentally walk away from them during the boarding process or once on board.

Download a sleep app

You could pack a portable fan or bulky white noise machine to block out ship sounds at night ... or you could save space in your luggage and download a white noise or other sleep sounds app instead. Test out a few to find your perfect soothing sounds.

While you're at it, download your cruise line, airline and pre-cruise hotel's app, as well as the Mobile Passport Control app to speed up the customs process.

Print your cruise boarding documents

As much as I recommend using the cruise line's app, more than once, I have found myself standing in a cruise terminal with terrible phone and Wi-Fi service, making it impossible to show my boarding documents in the app. Always have a printed copy as your backup plan. You'll get on board much more quickly.

Choose the best credit cards for the trip (and take more than one)

Check your card offers before you leave home. Before my last cruise, I noticed I could register for 5 points per dollar on restaurant charges on my airline-branded credit card. It came in handy for airport food and pre-cruise dining. Extra points or miles for ride-hailing services, taxis and car rentals are also common. However, you won't know if you don't check beforehand.

Don't just take one card. Traveling makes you a target for thieves and scammers. You don't want to be stranded in a foreign country with your only credit card deactivated because a scammer forced you to shut it down.

Related: Use these credit cards to maximize your next cruise vacation

Cruise clothing packing hacks

Pack separately for hotel nights

Packing everything you need for a hotel night in your carry-on helps you in two ways: You won't need to dig through your large suitcase for clothes or toiletries for one or two nights. Also, you will have at least some necessities should the airline lose your main suitcase.

If you can't fit clothes in your carry-on, at least pack your pre-cruise necessities in a separate packing cube placed at the top of your suitcase, so you can pull it out and not tear apart your carefully packed bag.

Pack like you have a pre-cruise stay — even if you don't

Even if you're flying straight from home to the cruise port, pack like you're spending a night in a hotel. Pack a complete change of clothes and necessary toiletries in your carry-on bag.

Why? Delays and lost luggage. If something goes wrong with your flight, you're prepared with everything you need to get by during an unexpected overnight layover or a day without your checked bags.

Related: Items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag

Do the same when traveling home from your cruise. You'll be prepared for travel delays and can take advantage of airline offers for gift cards or travel vouchers if you volunteer for a different flight due to overbooking. I once made $1,200 taking an overnight bump in Frankfurt while returning from a cruise. If I hadn't packed an extra outfit in my carry-on bag, I might not have been tempted to take the deal.

Do the math: Cruise ship laundry costs vs. airline baggage fees

Everyone has their preferences when it comes to doing laundry on vacation. Some people pack a different outfit for each day, while others pack light and plan to wash clothing on board. Personally, I pack a little less and either do a load of laundry in the self-serve laundry facilities (if available) or pay for a few pieces to be washed and folded.

Before you decide, do the math. It might be cheaper or more convenient to pay for someone else to do your washing mid-cruise if it means you can avoid checking a bag.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Use packing cubes for faster unpacking

The best part about organizing your cruise luggage with packing cubes is that unpacking is super quick.

When your bags arrive, pull out each cube, unzip, fold the top underneath the filled bottom portion of the cube and place the entire thing in a drawer without unpacking it. Use as many as you need to organize each person's things the way you would want them organized in the cruise cabin's drawers. The unpacking process will take mere minutes, and then it's back to the pool deck.

Shoes belong in shoe bags

Packing cubes often include a shoe bag or two. You'll need several. Shoe bags prevent sand or dirt from getting on your clothes and other belongings. I don't know about you, but my flip-flops and water shoes do not belong next to my snorkel or my water bottle.

Reduce the number of shoes you need by packing fancy sneakers

My mom has the right idea about footwear on cruise ships. She wears sparkly sneakers — even on dress-up nights. I recently ditched my heels for comfortable black sneakers I pair with skirts, slacks and dresses. If your cute sneaks can stand up to touring by day but look good with your evening wear, you've just saved a ton of space in your suitcase.

Men often have it even easier, getting by with a single pair of dress sneakers for an entire cruise.

Related: Cruisewear for men: What guys should pack for a cruise

Stuff your bras inside your straw hat

If you're packing a straw hat, you'll need to protect it inside your luggage. Bras are ideal for this. Or, purchase a cylindrical zippered bra laundry bag. Put it in the crown of your hat. If there's extra space, wrap the bra bag with a pair of tights or yoga pants. You can also coil belts inside a hat.

Similarly, stuff sneakers or dress shoes with socks or rolled-up ties to protect the shoe's shape and use all available space for packing.

Choose a color palette

If everything you pack coordinates with everything else, you can mix and match endlessly. I go with black pants, shorts and skirts because you can add almost any color top. I add a few black tops, including one with sequins, that I can jazz up with scarves, which weigh less and take up less room than most evening wear. Plan to re-wear bottoms at least twice during your trip.

Related: What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes

Prioritize layers

You can never entirely predict the weather where you are cruising. Even on a Caribbean cruise, you could encounter an afternoon rain storm or chilly dining rooms and theaters on board. Prioritize clothing you can layer, such as sweaters, lightweight vests and zip-up hoodies.

Consider travel pants with zip-off legs that convert them to shorts. Also, you can wear a lightweight UPF shirt over a tank top if the sun's rays are harsher than expected. Packing with layers in mind can provide more space than packing individual outfits for every possible weather scenario.

Packing hacks for your cruise cabin

Use magnets to organize your vacation

Cruise ship walls are typically magnetic, so you can use magnets to make your cabin more usable. Keep your daily newsletters, invitations and excursion tickets in order with magnetic clips affixed above the desk.

Magnetic hooks corral caps, visors, belts, backpacks, jackets and charging cords. Magnetic whiteboards allow you to leave messages for cabinmates. You can also use magnets to decorate your cabin door.

Upgrade your shower

Cruise ship showers are notoriously cramped and often lack functional amenities. Pack items that will upgrade the experience.

Shower shelves and small baskets that attach to the shower walls or glass door via a suction cup will provide additional toiletry space, while suction-on hooks are handy for drip-drying swimsuits. Binder clips or magnetic shower weights can help clingy curtains stay in place. Also, bring a pack of aromatic shower steamers for a cheaper version of the aromatherapy showers found in the ship's spa.

Pack night lights — even if you're not traveling with kids

Cruise ship cabins can be extra dark at night, especially if you've pulled the blackout curtains closed or have booked a windowless inside cabin. Night lights can help you find your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night without waking your cabinmates.

As electrical outlets are in short supply in most cruise cabins, you'll need a battery-powered light, preferably motion-activated, if you don't want it on all night.

Laugh all you want, but I carry one that's designed to light up the toilet at night because it has a flexible arm that I can hook somewhere or position where I want it. A magnetic, battery-powered, motion-activated night light might be the perfect cruise ship device.

Related: 26 cruise secrets from a cruising expert that will blow your mind

Take along a hanging shoe-storage bag, but not for shoes

If you're packing enough shoes to warrant a 24-pocket shoe organizer, you're probably over-packing, even for a world cruise. Instead, use the shoe organizer to pack and store your toiletries and other small items easily lost in your cabin clutter.

Cruise lines don't want you scraping their doors with those metal over-the-door hangers, so affix the organizer with magnetic hooks instead.

Six 22-pound magnets across the top of the organizer keep it firmly in place with almost anything I want inside the pockets. If the shoe organizer is too big, cut it in half or into thirds and use flat magnets to attach the pieces without grommets. Again, make sure you buy extra-strong magnets so the full organizer does not slide down the wall or door.

Hang the toiletry bag outside the bathroom — it makes sharing the already-cramped bathroom easier.

Extend your power

Rare is the cruise cabin with enough electrical outlets in the spaces where you want them most. Solve that problem by packing a couple of outlet extenders. If they aren't surge-protected, most cruise ships allow these splitters.

Another option is an adapter that plugs into a European outlet, adapting it to a 110-volt U.S. standard outlet. That allows you to use both the European and U.S. outlets in your cabin.

Take a laundry bag

Don't let dirty laundry accumulate on the floor of your cabin's closet or around your room. Pack a lightweight bag you can fill as you go, then pack it with its contents intact at the end of the trip. If you're extra organized, sort laundry by travel companion or separate colors from whites. Top the bags off with dryer sheets when they are full to reduce odors. The goal is to make both end-of-cruise packing and laundry day back home easier.

Alternatively, open up one suitcase under the bed and throw all your dirty clothes in there as you go.

Miscellaneous cruise packing hacks

Take lots of zippered plastic bags in various sizes

Need a place to stash that extra cookie you brought back from the buffet? Swimsuit didn't dry quickly enough to pack it on your last night? Worried about your camera getting wet in the rain? Want to organize your stuff rather than tossing it loose into your backpack? Plastic bags will help you in all of these situations and more. I always pack several sizes to have on hand when I cruise.

Pack duct tape

I learned this cruise packing hack from TPG's Ashley Kosciolek , but I learned it the hard way. I initially ignored her advice and found myself roaming the streets of Bonaire in search of duct tape to repair a scuba fin broken by baggage handlers. In the end, I had to buy a new set of fins. I've also faced cracked luggage and even sunglasses that could have been salvaged if only I'd had some duct tape. Now I pack it for every sailing.

Related: 20 must-have cruise items — including a roll of duct tape

Think inside little boxes

Tiny containers like pill organizers and contact lens cases are handy for packing small things like earrings, necklaces, small dabs of cosmetics or medications. Before you buy special travel organizers for jewelry or cosmetics, consider repurposing items you have at home.

Don't forget to take a first aid kit

Yes, the cruise ship's medical facility will have basics. However, it's easier and cheaper to pack your own first-aid kit.

Here's a starter list:

• Over-the-counter pain relief
• Allergy medicine
• Motion-sickness tablets
• Skin-relief lotion like aloe
• Medicated ointment for minor cuts
• Anti-itch cream for bites
• Eye and swimmer's ear drops

Packing these items can save you from a visit to the onboard clinic or overpriced cruise ship sundries shop.

Bottom line

Packing for a cruise doesn't have to be hard, but it does take some foresight — and a little ingenuity.

Your cruise cabin will not be as spacious as the average hotel room, but a little creativity can help overcome cruise cabin shortfalls.

When it comes to fitting everything into your suitcase, the best advice is to pack less than you think you need and find cruise packing hacks that let clothing items do double duty.

Ultimately, the best cruise packing hacks take some of the stress out of preparing for your cruise vacation, so getting ready for your trip can be enjoyable, too.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

6 Cruise Cabin Hacks to Make Your Stateroom More Livable

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One of the hardest things about going on a cruise – especially a long one – is figuring out how to cram your family and everyone’s stuff into a teeny tiny little stateroom. Many of the rooms are really designed for two people, so it’s even harder if you’re a group of three or four!

I was definitely worried that clutter and disorganization would make us stressed out every time we walked into our room on our recent 8 night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. Thankfully with some careful planning and bringing along the right equipment, these cruise cabin hacks made our room extremely livable! The best part is that everything we used was compact and inexpensive, and some of these tips are totally free.

1. Use every nook and cranny, even in non-traditional ways

While cruise ship cabins are teeny tiny, these days designers are being more thoughtful about the types and amount of storage they provide. Use it all!

My kids each stored their clothing in the drawers of the vanity, while we stashed our sneakers in some deeper drawers that were part of the “closet” and on the night table shelf (you can see my slippers on the left in the photo above, though I didn’t need to bring them because there was really nowhere to walk). If we’d been short on space, I would have had our stateroom attendant remove the hairdryer since I don’t use one.

On some ships there are even cabinets above the bed. Those are a great place for sneakers (or dress shoes) and jackets if you won’t need them often during your cruise. With cabins as small as 99 square feet, sometimes you’ll need to be extra creative!

If you’re cruising with kids, putting away any extra beds during the day will make your room feel more spacious and often give you more complete access to your storage options. On cruise lines that provide cabin service several times per day (Disney, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity and MSC) your stateroom attendant will take care of this for you in the morning and then set the kids’ beds up again in the evening. Most cruisers on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian will only get service once per day so you’ll have to move the beds if you want to free up space. We didn’t usually bother putting away our daughter’s trundle bed on port days, but on sea days it was nice.

2. Store your suitcase under the bed open

Everyone going on a cruise will have to bring luggage of some sort! While we like backpacks for certain types of trips, a traditional suitcase is the best choice for a cruise. Not only is it easier for you and the staff to move it around the port and the ship but it’ll also slide perfectly under the bed.

But to really level up your luggage storage and keep your tiny stateroom from feeling cluttered, leave your suitcase open when you store it under the bed. As you wear your clothes and deem them dirty enough to retire, pull the suitcase out a few inches and chuck your items in there! We even lined ours with a large mesh laundry bag to keep everything consolidated.

When it’s time to re-pack at the end of the cruise, you’ll have a lot less to maneuver into suitcases and the dirty and clean (or “cleanish”) items will be separate.

3. Magnets, magnets everywhere

Nearly every single wall, door and ceiling on a cruise ship is made of metal, so you can put magnets everywhere . Even surfaces that look like plastic are generally magnetic. Magnets can help you on cruise ships in so many different ways that I brought three different types and used them all daily! You can reconfigure any time, so these are a really flexible solution.

• Magnetic clips – These were the least useful magnets I brought. There was nothing wrong with them, but I mostly needed them to hang signs on our doors since our family had three rooms along the same hallway. These are rated for 150g (about 5 oz) and because of their design primarily work on walls.
• Pushpin magnets – This set is tiny but awesome! They come in a little tin storage container and each one is rated for 5lbs if hung from the ceiling (less if you use it on a wall). We used several of these at a time to “pin” wet swim suits to the wall for faster drying.
• Heavy-duty magnetic hooks – These workhorses are expensive but amazing. Each one is rated for 100+lbs and they really mean it. We used these on the walls to hang a variety of things like hats, lanyards, full toiletry kits and more. The real star was throwing one up on the ceiling and using it for our packable duffle bag loaded with books and beach gear and another with four sets of snorkel gear. I was sure one of these would fall but they absolutely didn’t move. If you prefer to hang a dirty laundry bag, you could use a magnet for that too.

I’ll share two words of warning before you go on a magnet-buying spree (which you should, don’t get me wrong). First , your magnets (particularly those hooks) will trip the airport security scanners. Just put them in a place where they’re easily visible as soon as the bag is open, and you can even tell the TSA agent they’re in there to save everyone the trouble. Even better, take them out yourself and put them in their own tray. Second , pack your magnets with clothing rather than electronics. You don’t want them to demagnetize your credit cards, hard drives or other sensitive items.

The whole magnetic wall cruise ship hack is so amazing that I keep looking at the walls in my home and lamenting that I can’t just hang everything with a magnet.

4. Bring a hanging organizer (or two)

We brought two types of hanging organizers and used them both. With four people in a single cabin and limited storage space, we needed every cruise cabin hack we could find!

Over the door shoe organizers are really popular for cruises and we found ours very helpful. It uses hooks to stay up on the outside of the bathroom door, and you can add a magnet on each corner to make it even more secure. We used this for absolutely everything: shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, allergy pills, card games and any other item that needed a home but couldn’t be held up by a magnet. Honestly this was such a useful way to keep the room tidy that I might bring it for longer hotel stays in the future!

❗Disney Cruise Lines ask that you not hang hooks from the doors, lest the paint get scratched. The magnets I linked above are strong enough to hold up an organizer if you use one on each corner. Thanks to reader Lorree Jean for pointing that out!

We also brought these mesh shower organizers in case the storage provided in the shower and bathroom wasn’t enough. It turns out that we’re low maintenance enough that we didn’t really need it even with four people. If you plan to bring a wide range of shower products it could be very useful. However, we gave our second one to family members who hadn’t brought a shoe organizer and they used it to store their own small items on the bathroom door in much the same way. Instead of hanging it from the built in hook, we used a few of the push pin magnets to hold it in place.

If you’re cruising solo or as a couple, the mesh organizers may be enough to meet your needs. The advantage is that they pack down much smaller than the shoe organizer, though even the shoe organizer was compact enough to earn its place in our carry-on only strategy.

One of my other favorite “hanging” strategies is for our toothbrushes! We use these super compact electric toothbrushes that come with suction-backed holsters (which double as travel covers). They stuck perfectly on the mirror, avoiding clutter on the bathroom counter. Opt for the metal handle version, which slides in and out more easily.

Speaking of hanging organizers, one of my travel blogger friends uses this amazing hanging toiletry kit and it would be perfect for a cruise! It has tons of different pockets and its hook will work perfectly with one of your super strong magnets.

5. Plan for your charging needs

In the modern era, everyone has at least one or two devices that need to be charged daily. For us as a family of four, that can be a real challenge in spaces with limited outlets! While newer cruise ships have an outlet (sometimes even USB) on each night table and one on the vanity the last thing you want is a stateroom cluttered with little USB wall adapters and a million cables.

My favorite travel product of all time is this universal power adapter . It offers two “traditional” USB plugs, three newer USB-C plugs and a standard outlet that accepts plugs for any country. On the back side, you can pop out adapters that work for any type of outlet – meaning you can use that extra European plug that comes in many cruise ship cabins. Talk about a hack!

That adapter is rated for 15W on each of the USB-C plugs, which is “slow charging” these days. If you want fast charging for your smart phone or want to charge a laptop with any reasonable speed, step up to this higher power version . The port configuration is the same but it gives you up to 65W from the orange USB-C port.

It’s important to know that many cruise lines have banned power strips with extension cords. We use one at home and have traveled with it, but it could pose a safety hazard due to the ship’s different wiring.

We brought one of these for maximum charging flexibility with a minimum number of cables floating around. I also needed this handy gadget almost every day since so much of modern cruising relies on checking schedules, reserving activities and communicating through the cruise ship app.

6. Pack your clothing strategically

There are two things to consider when it comes to packing your cruise clothing: what you pack and how you pack it.

In terms of what to pack for a cruise, it’s obviously easiest to minimize if you’re on a warm weather sailing. For 8 days in the Caribbean, we each just needed a few pairs of shorts/tops, a few swimsuits, a few nicer outfits for dinner and a light jacket. The capsule wardrobe concept can be really helpful here, and for ladies a dress is the way to go. Golf shirts for men can do double-duty for day wear and more casual dinners. It’s okay to rewear anything except your undergarments, I promise!

Shoes can be a real killer so we each brought one pair of flip flops for pool/beach, one nicer shoe for dinner ( these sandals for me and these suede sneakers for my husband) and then we wore sneakers so we’d have them for exercise or other active pursuits.

Obviously if you’re cruising to Alaska or another place with cold or variable weather, it’s a much harder task! Check out my Alaska packing list to help you get started, and plan on doing lots and lots of layering. You can also go a little less formal for dining.

Beyond keeping your clothing and shoe quantities in check, I recommend using packing cubes to make the most of your suitcase space and to keep your cruise storage space organized. I love this set because it opens 3/4 of the way around, has a compression zipper, offers an extra pocket for dirty laundry (or jewelry!) and allows you to see the contents through the mech panel. Every ship has a different configuration, but one thing’s for sure: using packing cubes will make unpacking and repacking faster. That means more time to enjoy the ship, plus you’re less likely to have random clothes floating around!

On our recent cruise my husband generously took the closet that didn’t have any shelves – just two rods for hanging. Since I brought a few long dresses, we removed the lower rod. Because he had used packing cubes for all of his clothing, it wasn’t a big deal to stack them on the bottom of the closet and just pull items as he needed them. He kept the cubes closed when he wasn’t accessing them so that everything stayed neat and tidy! Some cruise ship cabins don’t have many (or any) shelves or drawers for clothing storage so packing cubes can really save the day.

The minuscule size of most cruise ship cabins can be intimidating even for seasoned travelers. With a little advance planning, you can make the most of your space and have an incredible, stress-free experience!

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2 thoughts on “6 cruise cabin hacks to make your stateroom more livable”.

Very useful article, thanks. Also it is great to have all these tips when traveling with kids.

I’m so glad you found them helpful!

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Here Are 9 Fantastic Cruise Cabin Hacks That Make Your Ship Absolutely Cozy

By: Author Elaine Warren

Posted on Last updated: October 15, 2023

Categories CRUISE TIPS , ONBOARD EXPERIENCE , Travel Hacks

Cruise ship rooms are substantially smaller than a typical room at a hotel or resort.  But that’s no reason for your family to feel overly cramped or confined!   Following this handful of simple cruise cabin hacks will help you make the best use of all the space available to you. And, they’ll greatly increase your overall comfort level.  

Related Content:  63 First Time Cruise Tips That Will Make Your Family Cruise Terrific

We’ll also flag some simple organizational tools that can help as well.  Several inexpensive, time-tested convenience items are often recommended by veteran cruisers as cruise cabin hacks that will help you maximize your usable space. ( This post has been updated for 2023. )

Be sure to check out our recommendations on our favorite cruise accessories.

This post may contain affiliate links. Visit our Disclosures Page for more information.

9 Simple Cruise Cabin Hacks

Cabin hack no. 1: unpack fully and store luggage..

Once your luggage arrives at your cabin, unpack it all. You should make sure that all of your family members do so as well. Everyone will be much more comfortable if you’re not continually pulling suitcases out to look for things.

If you packed using packing cubes to organize your stuff, you can pull them right out of the suitcase and drop them in the drawers. Once your bags are empty, you should nest luggage as best you can and place them under the bed. (Many coordinated luggage sets are perfect for nesting!)

Cabin Hack No. 2: Clear Pre-Existing Clutter.

Cruise ship rooms often have numerous items on the counter that you don’t really need, or that you know you won’t use. (In a post-pandemic environment, perhaps there will be less of this.) All of those items can be cleared off and placed in the closet on the high shelf. For instance, if your room has an ice bucket and glasses, you probably won’t really need them.  If you are ordering room service they can bring ice and glasses for you.  And, the best part, they can be whisked away or left outside your door once you are done.  No need for a permanent station that uses up valuable counter space.  Also, if you have small children, such items are an unnecessary attractive nuisance.  

Similarly, you probably won’t need the magazine-type items or table books that you may find in your room.  In the event you really do want to read them, you can always pull them out of the closet.

Cabin Hack No. 3: Search for Secret Storage.

This cruise cabin hack has the most relevance to newer cruise ships. Look for “hidden” storage spaces behind mirrors or wood paneling. Sometimes you may be pleasantly surprised to find additional shelves or cubbies. If you do not find any, you should ask your stateroom attendant whether you have overlooked anything.

Join Our Mailing List & Receive Your Own Copy Of The Cozy Cabin Checklist! 

Cabin Hack No. 4: Increase Storage Space in Your Cruise Ship Rooms With Hanging Shelves.

A set of foldable hanging shelves for the closet can be quite handy.  Think of the kind that you often see for sweaters. These come in many variations, but the best ones for this purpose are the kind that has some kind of a stiff or supported bottom to each shelf, and where the entire unit folds up easily into a single square for easy packing.

A sturdy closet organizer provides additional storage space for clothes or almost any other item you choose.  It maximizes the use of vertical space without sacrificing overall storage capacity.  If you have one with four to six shelves, this provides storage equivalent to a small dresser. This will free up other valuable drawers, shelves, and counter space throughout your cabin. You can use them to store just about anything – clothes, shoes, swim gear, small toys, books, souvenirs acquired en route, etc.

Cabin Hack No. 5: Make the Most Of Closet Hangers.

In most cruise ship rooms, storage space will be at a premium, particularly if you are trying to accommodate the belongings of more than two people. Your stateroom will have some combination of closets, drawers, and shelves. There will be hangers provided in the closet, and you should utilize them. Drawer space is often at a premium, so you should plan to hang some clothes where practical. For instance, as noted in our Norwegian Bliss review , our mini-suite only had drawers in the bathroom.

Typically, if guests needed additional hangers, they could request them from their stateroom attendant. It is unclear at present whether people will be able to do that under the new protocols for Coronavirus. If you know you will have many items to hang, consider packing some lightweight foldable travel hangers .

Cabin Hack No. 6: Pack Handy Laundry Bags.

Bring along a couple of medium to large travel laundry bags . Place them at the bottom of your closet to collect dirty laundry throughout your trip. This will help keep your closet organized and your cabin tidy. With two or three, you can organize your laundry as you go and streamline your return packing. While cruise ship rooms usually have a bag to send in clothes to the ship’s laundry for washing or dry cleaning, these are almost always paper and not reusable. (Note: Typically, you won’t find an iron in your cruise cabin .)

Cabin Hack No. 7: Cruise Ship Rooms Need an Over the Door Shoe Organizer.

Go ahead and bring along one of those tried and true over-the-door shoe organizers for the back of the bathroom door.  This may be the single cruise hack that you will most often see included in recommended packing lists and checklists for cruises.

Believe the hype !  It probably wasn’t until our fourth or fifth cruise that I finally broke down and decided to give this cruise cabin hack a try.  And it was totally worth it.  The bathrooms in most cruise ship rooms are positively tiny — as in you are lucky when you can fit two people in at the same time.  The storage space and counter space in the bathroom itself are very limited.  If you are a couple traveling alone, you can probably work it all out.  But if you are traveling with kids, or otherwise have a larger party, there will rarely be sufficient bathroom space (unless you are in a suite). 

Best Features for Organizers

You can find these over-the-door organizers in a variety of shapes and sizes. The ones that are plastic throughout and transparent seem to work the best. The plastic ones can easily be folded up into a variety of shapes and tucked into a spare spot in your suitcase. The transparency of the plastic allows you to quickly see what is in the various pockets at a glance.

This item will substantially increase the available storage space in your bathroom and makes it easier to organize your toiletries and the like in an efficient manner. With one of the organizers that have 20 or more generously sized pockets, you can organize numerous bathroom items for each family member – toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, shaving materials, shower caps, lotions, first aid kit, medicines, etc. And, depending on which row is selected, this can make it easier to keep certain items in or out of the reach of small hands.

Cabin Hack No. 8: Make Most of Cruise Ship Rooms’ Walls With Magnets.

Most of the walls in cruise ship rooms are made of metal.  So magnets become a very simple cruise hack. If you bring along a set of magnets , this allows you to utilize your cabin wall space as storage.  They can be used to hang papers, notes, lanyards, and other small items on the wall.  This helps reduce clutter and clear counter space.  You can also use them to help keep your family organized (or at least informed) by posting family schedules, notes, or other information.

You will find that you accumulate a great deal of paper throughout the cruise. Indeed, papers will likely be waiting for you when you first enter your stateroom. There will be daily newsletters about shipboard events, and you will also receive various flyers regarding promotions, shore announcements, or upcoming important events. One magnet can be designated to store all of the old cruise guides and various papers you get while on board, instead of leaving them strewn about the cabin.

Best Features For Magnets

You can get the most use out of the clamp/clip styles or hook styles.  These provide more versatility and can function as multiple cruise hacks. You can use them to hang up swimsuits or clothes to dry, secure beach towels to deck chairs, secure curtains, and many other helpful functions.  

For example, you can also use magnets as a cruise cabin hack to organize your cruise card lanyards. Because cruise cards are essential and used so frequently, you will find that many passengers will have the cards secured by or in a lanyard that they can wear around their neck or wrist.  Using magnets, you can position your lanyards near the door where they can be easily retrieved. And, you can position them sufficiently high up that they are out of reach of busy hands.

Cabin Hack No. 9: Make Cruise Ship Rooms Tech-Friendly With Outlet Expanders.

Most cruise ship rooms have an extremely limited number of electric outlets that are readily accessible.  Often, you will only find 1 or 2, and they won’t necessarily be conveniently located. A simple cruise hack to fix that will be packing something to maximize the usability of any electric outlets available.  A family of four with a variety of tablets, phones, and other devices will need a little help, so pack an outlet expander .  Indeed, given the number of electronic items we typically carry these days, this is really a must-have cruise accessory .

You can find these in a variety of configurations.  It would be particularly useful to grab one that has slots for several USB connections as well as traditional plug outlets. These are very compact and take up minimal counter space.

(For more recommendations, check out 9 Best Travel Power Strips For That Next Fantastic Cruise ).

Don’t forget to check out our post of great travel hacks for families!

Visit our recommendations page for more cruise tips on our favorite cruise accessories .

Elaine Warren

Founder & Crew Chief

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[…] Cozy Cabin Checklist | Family Cruise Companion […]

My husband & I cruise all the time. I agree with all your tips, especially if you have a family. I have been using packing cubes and over the door shoe hangar in bathroom for years. My other tip bring your own hangars, either the wire or the suede coated ones, remove the ships hangars (they are wide and bulky) your hangars will double your space. This time I’m trying the closet organizer hangar that you put 5 items on and it folds down.

Thanks for your comments, Felice! I agree that using thinner hangers can add lots of additional space to your closet. So if you have room in your luggage, that’s a great extra to pack.

15 Best Inside Cruise Cabin Hacks & Tips

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If you’re cruising in an inside cabin, these tips will help you make the most of your cruise cabin space.

You’ll often hear that if you’re not cruising in a balcony, you may as well not cruise at all. As someone who has cruised in inside cabins, oceanview cabins and balcony cabins, I don’t believe that to be true.

As a matter of fact, there are many people who choose to cruise in an inside cabin , most of the time, for a variety of reasons.

Of course, this isn’t to say that having a balcony or veranda cabin isn’t wonderful. However, the reality is that a balcony cabin can cost significantly more than an inside cabin. In some cases this might mean that by booking inside cabins, you can cruise more often.

Is that worth it? I think so.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Inside Cabin Hacks & Tips

What do cruisers love about inside cabins.

While balconies and oceanview cabins have their advantages, many cruise passengers just love their interior cabins!

Here are some reasons:

Sleep: Cruisers in inside cabins report getting an amazing night’s sleep. It’s nice and dark when you want it to be.

Cabin location: Cruise ships often have a pretty large selection of inside cabins, so there’s a good choice of cabins that are mid-ship or aft, reducing the chances of being affected by seasickness .

Value and price: Inside staterooms are almost always less expensive than balcony and ocean view cabins, providing the best value on board!

Outdoor space: All cruisers have access to the top decks and promenade decks, so if you do cruise in an inside cabin, you’ll have many opportunities to experience those gorgeous sea views!

Inside Cruise Cabin Hacks

If you’re cruising in an inside cabin, these tips will help with cruise cabin organization, space saving and more.

Organizing an Inside Cabin

One of the best ways to make an inside cabin work for you and feel more spacious, is to keep your cabin organized. If you are more than 2 people, like a family of 3 or 4, it’s especially important (to keep your sanity).

Here are some favorite cruise cabin hacks that are especially useful for those cruising in inside cabins.

1. Store your empty luggage under the bed

After you’re done unpacking, put one piece of luggage into the other and slide them under the bed, or ask your cabin attendant for help.

2. Request extra hangers from your room steward

Hanging up most clothing items is often a space saver. I also find that clothes are less likely to be wrinkled .

To save space, don’t bring extra hangers from home. As soon as you get into your cabin on boarding day , simply as your cabin attendant to bring you additional hangers.

3. Use packing cubes

One way to make unpacking easier and faster is to use packing cubes . I tend to overpack, but using packing cubes has really helped me to stay organized when packing for a cruise.

Recommended: Packing cubes set (check price & amazon reviews here)

4. Bring a hanging over the door shoe organizer

Bringing an over the door shoe organizer to store toiletries , sunscreen and other personal items can add additional storage to your cabin.

A cruise tip I learned from a friend and Mom of two kids, is to pack your organizer at home so it’s ready to hang and saves time unpacking on a cruise.

Putting items from hair brushes to   first-aid kit items in a hanging over the door organizer is the best way to keep things organized and out of the way.

Recommended: Cruise ship over the door hanging organizer (check price & 4.5* Amazon reviews here)

5. Bring foldable storage boxes

These space saving foldable boxes can be used to store everyone’s flip flops or other items that would otherwise be in the way.

While you can find them on Amazon, there are cheaper options at a dollar store (my favorite dollar store cruise hack !).

6. Hanging Travel Shelves

Portable hanging travel shelves are a smart way to keep organized and add extra space to the small cruise cabin closets.

A trick is to fold and pack clothing into the hanging organizer, so that it saves time when unpacking and packing on a cruise.

Recommended: Hanging travel shelves organizer (see different size & color options here)

7. Bring magnet hooks

The best cruise cabin hack for any room is to bring heavy duty magnet hooks to place on their cabin walls. A cruise ship fact that might surprise new cruisers, most cruise ship cabin walls are actually metal.

This means you can bring magnetic hooks and hang sunhats, backpacks and more. A great way to add extra space to a small cruise cabin.

Recommended: Magnet hooks (heavy duty work best)

8. Bring magnetic clips

Small magnetic clips can be perfect  to keep important papers organized. Things like excursion tickets, invitations to ship events, daily planners and more can all be kept in their place with these small magnet clips.

These are some simple ones that work well – Magnetic hooks multi-pack

9. Pop up laundry hamper

Bring a pop up mesh hamper or to store dirty laundry and keep inside cabins organized and clutter free.

Recommended: Portable pop-up hamper

10. Bring a travel clock

Many cruise passengers suggest having a travel clock to keep in your cabin. This simple to operate digital alarm clock is handy to pack for a cruise.

Recommended: Travel alarm clock (read over 13,000 Amazon reviews here)

11. Bring a small travel fan

Inside cabins on a cruise can get stuffy, especially at night. Bringing a small travel fan can help to make your cabin feel more comfortable.

Recommended: Small travel fan (rechargeable battery operated & USB)

12. Keep your cruise cabin smelling nice

Since interior cabins don’t have a lot of air circulating, it’s a good idea to bring along essential oils or a room freshener. Consider including a bathroom spray to your cruise packing list.

Poo-Pourri is a cruiser favorite!

Recommended: Poo-Pourri (check price & over 30,000 4.5* Amazon review)

13. Add some light 

One of the best things about inside cabins is the fact that it’s dark, and great for sleeping. However, it is a good idea to have a little light, so you don’t stub your toe, or worse, if you get up at night.

We like to keep the light on in the bathroom and leave the door open a crack. Others suggest turning on the TV and getting the bridge view. Small battery operated tea lights are a good idea too.

However the best solution might be these battery operated motion sensor lights ,that won’t disturb you when you’re sleeping.

Recommended: battery operated motion sensor lights

14. Hear the ocean

If you think you might miss those glorious ocean sounds, bring a small white noise machine that mimics the sounds of the sea.

Recommended: white noise machine (check price & amazon reviews here)

15. Make it “almost” a balcony

Some cruise ships have “virtual balcony” interior cabins. In other words, an entire cabin wall has a projection of a balcony view. Pretty cool if you want to get the balcony view for an inside price!

I’ve yet to try this, however cruise passengers report that they love them.

16. Non-surge Protected Power Bar

Another item to remember for any cabin is a non surge protected power bar with extra outlets and USBs.

Regular power strips aren’t allowed on cruise ships, and can be confiscated.

Recommended: Non-surge protected power bar (Amazon link)

Video: Inside Cruise Cabin Hacks & Tips to Transform Your Cabin

Related & Popular Posts

• 10 Reasons to Book an Inside Cabin on a Cruise
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• 15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid
• 27 Cruise Packing Tips All Cruisers Need to Know
• 17 Rookie Mistakes First Time Cruisers Should Avoid
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Recap: 15+ Best Inside Cruise Cabin Hacks

I hope that this article was helpful, and has given you some ideas of how you can make the most of cruising in an inside cabin.

Whether you are 2 people cruising in an interior cabin, or a family of 3 or 4, it can be done – and organization definitely helps!

Have you cruised in an inside cabin? What tips do you have to make the most of the small cruise cabin space?

Happy cruising!

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I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.

• I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.
• For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.
• I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

In April 2022, I cruised on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas . At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world , but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas .

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas .

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms , which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony , and two steps below a suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

I thought it was the most relaxing area on the ship, so I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

To operate most of the electricity in the room, I had to insert my room key into a slot on the wall.

I appreciated the energy-saving system.

On one side of the room, I had a mirror and a desk with several outlets to charge electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

I thought the desk was useful for eating, as well as storing daily flyers about the day's events.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

The desk drawers were mostly empty aside from a hair dryer, which I didn't end up using.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

Inside each closet, I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks, like placing the trash can and toilet paper under the counter.

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration, according to its website , so they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I was able to look out over the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

The window was equipped with an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been a tight space for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

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I stayed in a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's 2 newest and largest cruise ships. One was clearly better — and $900 cheaper.

Posted: April 27, 2024 | Last updated: April 28, 2024

• Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are Royal Caribbean's newest and largest cruise ships.
• I stayed in both of their balcony staterooms — a $130-per-person-per-day difference.
• Icon's pricier cabin looked more modern but lacked the functionality and comfort of Wonder's.

Do you know what $900 could buy you? More than three years of Netflix's premium plan, a new Gucci purse, or 2,059 spicy chicken McNuggets.

Or, in the case of Royal Caribbean's two largest and newest cruise ships , the cash could mean the difference between a cheap but functional balcony cabin and, ironically, a more expensive but less comfortable one.

Staterooms with balconies are the most popular cruise cabin category. After all, if you're going on a vacation at sea, wouldn't you want to be able to feel its breeze from your room?

But not all cabins with private outdoor spaces are created equal, even on two new mega-ships owned by the same cruise line.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and its larger successor, Icon of the Seas, in January.

Royal Caribbean assigned me an ocean-view balcony cabin for both complimentary sailings, the longest of which was three nights on Icon.

Both ships are operating seven-night cruises around the Caribbean in 2024.

About 66% of Wonder's cabins fall under the 'balcony' category. On Icon, they make up half of the staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas' balcony cabins start shy of $1,110 per person in 2024.

Even with nearly identical itineraries, the ones on Icon are, at their cheapest, a little more than $2,000 per person this year — or double that for the a New Year's cruise.

Wonder and Icon are the most boisterous, flamboyant, and overwhelming vessels I've ever boarded.

The pool decks were intensely colorful, the crowds were inescapable, and the long lists of activities and dining options were paralyzing.

So imagine my surprise when I unlocked my doors to find surprisingly bland rooms.

The neutral tans, blues, and whites did not scream "we belong on the world's biggest and most colorful cruise ships."

The vessels have an almost two-year age difference, as evidenced by some of their decor (mainly Icon's recessed mood lights and the more chic, darker wood tones).

But besides the light fixtures, rugs, and — frankly negligible — wall art and pillows, both cabins were fairly underwhelming compared to everything outside their front doors .

Aesthetics aside, let’s talk functionality.

Both had furnished 50-square-foot balconies.

Regarding the interior space, my 204-square-foot cabin on Icon of the Seas was 22 square feet larger than mine on Wonder.

In retrospect, I would've thought Icon's was smaller. More on that in a bit.

Both king-sized beds faced a television and some wall storage.

And both were flanked by light fixtures with built-in USB outlets, as is expected on most modern cruise ships.

The cruise line says the ships' balcony cabins use two twin mattresses that have been "converted" to make a king bed. It's a common practice I've never had an issue with — until Icon.

On Wonder, the plush pillows enveloped me the moment I laid down. I slept great. No complaints.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the new ship.

I (my back pain) could feel the hard ridge where the two mattresses met, making for a pretty miserable and uncomfortable sleep.

So much for starfishing — I kept to one side of the bed to avoid rolling over the bony bump.

For the most part, the living “rooms” were the same.

Both had the same furniture I see on almost every mass-market ship: a couch that could convert into a bed and a desk that extended into a dresser.

But storage, a high priority for cruisers, was organized differently.

Two thin wardrobes with drawers, hangars, and shelves surrounded either side of my bed on Wonder .

Icon, on the other hand, had one large wardrobe next to the living room.

Unfortunately, it had noticeably less shelving. And the metal bins let out ear-piercing screeches at every move — a lazy and annoying detail that the designers could've easily fixed with cheap felt pads.

So far, the differences have been small. But not for long.

I had two gripes with my Wonder bathroom: the lack of hair conditioner and the ill-positioned faucet that flooded the counter whenever I washed my hands.

I had the same issues on Icon. But that was the least of my concerns.

My bathroom on the older ship was well-sized for 1 person, but maybe too small for 2.

On Icon — the world's largest cruise ship — my bathroom was too compact for even one body.

Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters in January that 80% of Icon's 2,805 cabins were designed for families, a sharp increase from previous vessels like Wonder.

I'm not sure a family of four could coexist in Icon's balcony cabin — solely because of the bathroom size. There's no way two people could fit in there simultaneously. A fight over who gets priority access to the toilet could ruin a peaceful family vacation! (Which is to say, I'm glad I was traveling alone.)

With the bathroom door closed, I accidentally elbowed the walls more times than I could count.

The spare towels had to be stored on a shelf inside the shower. Because the counter was so small, I had to keep most of my toiletries and products on the shelves or in the drawer.

Surprisingly, that's where Icon excelled. Its bathroom had more storage options than its older counterpart, which didn't even have a drawer.

However, the older ship's shower had a clothesline perfect for drying swimwear. It's a small but crucial amenity, especially on a vessel with so many pools and waterslides.

Unfortunately, both were stocked with two-in-one body wash and shampoo — and no hair conditioner

Let’s go through our checklist.

My balcony cabin on Wonder looked less modern than its successor (the TV on Icon had Chromecast, after all).

But it was significantly more functional and comfortable. The bed was incomparably more pleasant, the closets had more defined storage components, and the bathroom was considerably larger, even if it lacked additional shelving and drawers.

The question is: Which one is more worth its price?

Icon's cheapest balcony cabins are currently $900 more than the most affordable ones on Wonder — an almost $130 per person and day difference.

Based on the quality of the staterooms alone, if you prioritize functionality, comfort, and affordability over modern decor, consider saving money and going with the two-year-old ship .

But let’s not forget that cruise fares include unlimited food, on board activities, and nighttime entertainment.

Both ships have a fairly similar list of amenities. But only the newer one has a waterpark , an adult-only infinity pool club, and a swim-up bar, to name a few unique amenities.

So yes, Icon's balcony cabins are more costly. But the staggering price difference — and tiny bathroom — could be worth it if you think the its surplus of additional amenities is worth paying for.

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The 13 best solo cruises for 2024 (no supplement fare).

Set sail for a solo adventure at sea.

The Best Solo Cruises

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Relax by the pool, attend shows, dine with new friends and more on your next solo cruise.

Whether you're embarking on your first cruise alone or you've been on solo cruises before, single travelers will find more options than ever when it comes to cruising solo. Many cruise lines offer single staterooms with the same amenities as other cabins, at a price similar to what you'd pay with double occupancy fares. You'll also find special promotions where the single supplement fee is reduced or waived, making it more affordable to reserve a spacious stateroom or luxurious suite with even more amenities – including personalized butler service, an added perk of booking with many luxury lines .

If you're ready for a maritime adventure, an extended vacation or simply a quick getaway from home, these top cruise lines offer some of the best options for solo travelers on waterways around the world.

Lines with solo accommodations and waived fees

Norwegian cruise line.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Launched in 2010, Norwegian Epic was the first cruise ship in the industry to feature studio accommodations for solo travelers. Norwegian Cruise Line offers this category on nine of the 19 ships in its fleet, including the newest ship, Norwegian Viva. These cabins, at an average size of 100 square feet, are designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind. They have no single supplements – and studio rooms on board Norwegian Bliss even boast virtual windows.

Guests of the studios get access to the private Studio Lounge. In this exclusive space, you can socialize with other solo travelers and enjoy complimentary refreshments. There are also singles meetups throughout the voyage and plenty of fun-filled onboard activities to mingle with like-minded cruisers. Solo travelers can check out all the fun for singles on Norwegian Viva this winter on a cruise to the Caribbean , or in spring 2024 as the ship sets sail for the Mediterranean .

Book a Norwegian Cruise Line voyage on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers interior and balcony solo cabins for single cruisers on its Meraviglia-class ships: the MSC Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa and the newest vessel in the fleet, MSC Euribia. The second-newest ship, MSC World Europa, has 28 cabins – 10 Studio Interior and 18 Studio Ocean View staterooms – designed specifically for solo travelers. MSC World America, set to debut in 2025, will also feature the solo studio staterooms.

During voyages with MSC Cruises , single cruisers are invited to a complimentary, hosted cocktail party to mix and mingle with other solo travelers. The daily program is also an excellent source to discover additional activities, entertainment and opportunities to meet other cruisers. You'll have onboard special events like the themed 70s-inspired Flower Party and the White Party, where the ship is decked out in festive white decor and guests don their best white attire. In addition, there are various sports tournaments, or you can show off your culinary expertise during a MasterChef competition.

MSC's Caribbean and Bahamas cruises departing from Miami and New York City feature an overnight visit to Ocean Cay, the line's private island and marine reserve. While there, singles can participate in fun-filled evening activities like a Champagne Sunset Cruise or a glow paddleboarding excursion in the lagoon, then attend the lively Luna Libre Party and the lighthouse show.

Find an MSC Cruises itinerary on GoToSea.

Holland America Line

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Holland America Line

Three of Holland America Line's newest ships each offer 12 solo cabins to accommodate single travelers: the Pinnacle-class Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Konigsdam. These ocean view staterooms range in size from 127 to 172 square feet and feature the same amenities as the double occupancy cabins but with a double bed. The cruise line's Single Staterooms are priced for one person. If a guest chooses to book a different stateroom, single supplements for double occupancy cabins are as much as 100% over the standard fare, depending on the voyage and the cabin category.

Long committed to solo travelers, the line offers many activities where guests can meet other singles such as wine tastings, cocktail mixers, exercise classes, daily quizzes, sports challenges and more. If you're a solo traveler and a member of AARP, Holland America is now the exclusive cruise benefit provider to AARP's members. Solo cruisers will have access to an AARP member-only onboard credit that ranges from $50 to $200, depending on the itinerary and stateroom category.

For itineraries, Holland America's Alaska cruises and cruisetours are perfect for solo travelers, offering many opportunities to connect with fellow cruisers. Another favorite for singles is the line's fall voyages sailing from Boston to Québec City or Montreal.

Explore Holland America Line deals on GoToSea.

Royal Caribbean International

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International features studio staterooms on select ships that range in size from 101 to 199 square feet. These solo accommodations include interior rooms, virtual balcony staterooms and a super studio ocean view stateroom with a balcony. The cabins do not carry the single supplement fee singles encounter when booking other types of staterooms, making them an attractive option when traveling alone.

Once on board the ship, solo cruisers will have countless options to engage and socialize with other travelers. When it comes to dining with Royal Caribbean , make a reservation at the Japanese restaurant Teppanyaki for an entertaining meal with new friends, or join fellow foodies for the intimate Chef's Table experience (the dining venues vary by ship). Singles can also participate in onboard activities like trivia contests, drink seminars, escape rooms, dance classes and pool parties.

If you need more thrills to stay busy and to meet people, Royal Caribbean's ships feature world-class shows and entertainment alongside adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions. If you're sailing in the Caribbean, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and chat with other passengers at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Luxury line Atlas Ocean Voyages offers single cruisers 183 square feet of beautifully appointed space in solo accommodations that come without single supplement fees. These ocean view staterooms feature a queen bed, a panoramic picture window, a private spa bathroom with a rain shower and body jets, a stocked minifridge replenished daily with personal favorites, and other luxurious amenities. Single guests can also book other stateroom or suite categories with single supplements starting at 50% of the double occupancy price.

The line's three intimate yacht-style cruise ships – World Navigator, World Traveller and the new World Voyager, whose inaugural season begins in Antarctica in November 2023 – are all-inclusive . Meals at all the dining venues, premium beverages and wines, gratuities, culturally immersive excursions, and more are included in the fare. With fewer than 200 guests on board, there's an atmosphere of conviviality on these ships – especially when exploring remote destinations with like-minded and adventurous travelers during expeditions in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Read: The Top Cruises on Small Ships

Celebrity Cruises

Tim Aylen | Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises' new Edge-class ships offer some of the best options for solo cruisers. The line's two newest vessels, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent (set to debut in late 2023), each boast 32 single staterooms with an Infinite Veranda. In addition, Celebrity Apex has 24 solo cabins, and Celebrity Edge features 16 staterooms for individual guests. These one-person accommodations offer a minimum of 131 square feet of space and the same upscale amenities you'll find in other category staterooms on their ships. Solo guests can look for special promotions where the single supplement is waived on select Celebrity voyages throughout the year.

Once on board the vessel, check out the daily program for activities conducive to meeting others – like wine tastings, cocktail-making classes and more. You'll also enjoy thrilling top-notch entertainment around the ship in The Theatre, The Club and Eden. A few popular cruises for singles are the line's Caribbean and Mexico itineraries on Celebrity Beyond.

Book a Celebrity Cruise on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

The hip vibe on board the adults-only Virgin Voyages ships is ideal for solo cruisers looking to meet other travelers. Its superyacht-style ships – Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady – offer 40 interior cabins ranging in size from 105 to 177 square feet. There are also six Sea View staterooms with portholes boasting between 130 to 190 square feet of space. These Insider and Sea View cabins are designed and priced for single travelers, with amenities like high-tech mood lighting and roomy rain showers. The line also runs promotions where solo cruisers can book double occupancy staterooms without paying a single supplement.

Activities and festival-like entertainment around the ships foster fast friendships. Diners will enjoy the interactive experience at Gunbae, the lively Korean barbecue venue. The "grog walk" is a fun pub stroll where solo sailors can join fellow mates while sipping and snacking their way through all the signature bars. For even more fun, check out the evening shipwide events such as the themed Scarlet Party, which features live music and immersive experiences. The line also hosts meetups for singles throughout each voyage.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Avalon Waterways

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways' river and small-ship cruises traverse waterways around the world, including in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The company waives the single supplement on a selection of staterooms, including its Panorama Suites, on select European and Asia departures. The company recommends booking early as the specially priced cabins do sell out. Solo travelers make up about 10% of the passengers on this river cruise line .

Avalon's fleet of Suite Ships operates in Europe and Southeast Asia and features cabins with a minimum of 172 square feet. About 80% of the staterooms are Panorama Suites, which have 200 feet of living space, beds with a view and the river cruise industry's only open-air balcony. With Avalon excursions, solo cruisers have opportunities to meet like-minded guests during immersive tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, yoga or fitness classes, biking or hiking trips, and more. Single guests can choose to dine at tables for just two people or ones that can accommodate up to eight passengers.

Read: Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Next Cruise

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AmaWaterways

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

Two single occupancy staterooms are available on four of AmaWaterways' river cruise ships: AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaLyra and AmaCello. These accommodations do not have single supplement fees. Solo cruisers can also book staterooms with a 20% single supplement on select sailings in Europe and Southeast Asia. (Note that this pricing does not apply to certain stateroom categories and suites.)

With the friendly, small-ship atmosphere, solo cruisers will find it comfortable to socialize with other passengers and the crew. Onboard activities and immersive excursions also create opportunities for fostering friendships, especially among like-minded travelers. Excellent options for solo cruises include themed sailings centered around music and wine or the magical Christmas markets itineraries along the Danube, Rhone and Rhine rivers.

Explore AmaWaterways deals on GoToSea.

Lines with discounted supplement fares

Courtesy of Azamara

Azamara's special offers for solo travelers include reduced single supplements of 25% to 50% of the double occupancy rate on select sailings. The line's four midsized sister ships – carrying no more than 700 passengers – are mostly all-inclusive. Amenities included in the cruise fare include most meals; standard spirits, wines and beers; bottled water, soft drinks, and specialty teas and coffees; shuttle service in port; gratuities; and complimentary AzAmazing Evenings ashore or Destination Celebration experiences on the ship. Dining at the two specialty restaurants is an additional cost unless guests have accommodations in the Club World Owner's Suites, Club Ocean Suite or Club Continent Suite.

Single guests on Azamara cruises will find events during the sailing and venues around the ship where you can mix and mingle with other solo travelers and chat with the friendly crew. Intimate and culturally immersive excursions also create opportunities to meet passengers with similar interests. Azamara Onward, the latest ship, boasts the new Atlas Bar, a great spot to meet other travelers.

For itineraries, Azamara's signature "Country-Intensive Voyages" are a favorite of solo cruisers, including the 10- or 11-night Greece Intensive Voyage. For an extended sailing, check out the festive 12-night Carnival in Rio Voyage, which features a stop in Rio de Janeiro during the city's famed Carnival.

Compare Azamara cruises on GoToSea.

Cunard Line

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Cunard Line features dedicated solo staterooms on its three ships, priced at approximately 166% to 174% of the equivalent double occupancy cruise fare. Guests can choose between a spacious Britannia Inside or Britannia Oceanview cabin, or opt for a larger stateroom with a single supplement. For a little "me time" pampering while on board, solos will appreciate 24-hour room service, complimentary Penhaligon's toiletries and a chilled bottle of sparkling wine. Single guests will also be invited to get-togethers. You can either dine alone at venues around the ship such as the main dining room or choose to share a table with other passengers.

With an international mix of travelers, single cruisers will find many opportunities to meet and chat with others, especially during a Transatlantic Crossing. During the sailing, you'll find many enriching and relaxing activities that encourage socializing. According to Cunard , there's a sense of camaraderie and a passion around the voyage – and the unique travel experience of crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Find a Cunard Line cruise on GoToSea.

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Luxury line Silversea Cruises offers 25% single supplements on various voyages throughout the year, including expedition cruises to destinations like the Galápagos Islands , Antarctica and the Arctic, and Greenland. The line's all-inclusive fares include luxurious ocean view suites, gourmet dining, complimentary wines and spirits, gratuities, onboard enrichment and entertainment, shore excursions, and more. Solo travelers will even have personalized butler service to indulge their every whim.

The line's fleet of a dozen intimate ships, carrying no more than 728 guests, offers a clubby atmosphere perfect for meeting solo and like-minded travelers. Single guests will also have the opportunity to engage with other solo passengers during a welcome reception with Champagne at the beginning of each voyage. Popular itineraries for Silversea's single cruisers include its Transoceanic journeys, a bucket list trip for many cruisers .

Explore Silversea Cruises deals on GoToSea.

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn has special offers throughout the year where solo cruisers can take advantage of reduced pricing equal to double occupancy fares or discounts on the single supplement starting at 25% above the double occupancy fares. These rates are available on select voyages, including expedition cruises. Frequent solo cruisers and members of the luxury line's Seabourn Club Diamond Elite will also find reduced single supplements on Diamond Elite Single Supplement Sailings. In addition, club members receive invitations to exclusive events, where they can meet and mingle with fellow cruisers. Solo passengers are also invited to sit with the ship's officers, crew and entertainers at dinner – and there are hosted get-togethers for single travelers.

Solo cruisers will enjoy beautifully designed oceanfront suites and all-inclusive amenities on board Seabourn 's intimate ships. These perks include world-class dining; complimentary premium wine and spirits; a spa and wellness program in partnership with Dr. Andrew Weil; included gratuities; and the line's enrichment series, Seabourn Conversations. Single cruisers looking for an extended holiday will enjoy longer voyages on the line's newest purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit.

Compare Seabourn cruises on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has visited destinations around the globe on nearly every type of ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, traditional masted sailing ships and intimate river ships on the Mekong River. She used extensive research and experience as a solo cruiser to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Party Cruises
• The Top Transatlantic Cruises
• The Top 3-Day Cruise Itineraries
• Solo Travel for Women: The Best Places and Tips
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

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