22 cruise cabin hacks that will transform your voyage

While some lavish and expensive suites on cruise ships are the size of an apartment, most cruisers stay in cabins that are not particularly spacious or fashion-forward.

The decor is designed to appeal to everyone, no matter their personal tastes. It uses mellow or nautical colors and nothing too distracting. Storage space is often at a premium, and a cruise ship cabin’s bathroom is likely far smaller than yours at home.

There are ways to jazz up your space, however. Here are some easy cruise cabin hacks to help make your onboard accommodations more livable, more personalized and less cluttered.

Add personalization to your cruise cabin

• You will be in your cruise ship cabin for several days, a week or more. So, go ahead and bring your favorite pillow, a picture of your kids/dog/cat, a teddy bear, a throw blanket or any other comfort objects you cherish at home, keeping in mind luggage space if you are flying to reach the ship.
• When traveling with kids, let them bring a few of their favorite toys, along with a pillow and a blanket.
• A fun cruise cabin hack is to bring an erasable magnetic-backed whiteboard (which will easily attach to the cabin’s metal door) and washable markers so you can draw pictures and leave messages — whether you’re with kids or being flirty with your soulmate.
• Real candles are banned on cruise ships, but battery-operated flameless candles can add a touch of romance to your room (and also serve as night-lights).

Don't be afraid to move the furniture around

• Standard cabins have twin beds that can be combined into a queen bed, next to two side tables. You might also have a sofa or upholstered chair, a vanity or desk and a coffee table. If you have a balcony, it will be equipped with a pair of chairs or loungers and a drinks table. Don’t be afraid to move the furniture around — you can ask the crew to help — into a configuration that works for you.
• Ask that any objects in your way be removed. For instance, if you keep bumping into the coffee table, get it out of the room. Clearing away the ice bucket, wine glasses and anything else you’re not using will add additional counter space.
• You can also add furniture. For instance, replace a stool with a chair that might be more comfortable for your back. Ask your cabin steward for assistance.
• If the minifridge is filled with soda and booze that you have no intention of buying, have it cleared away. You can use the space for any soda or water you brought from home and for snacks gathered at the buffet (which will also save you any room service charges).

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on your next cruise

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Beef up the bathroom supplies in your cabin

• Most mainstream ships now have shampoo, conditioner and liquid bath soap you pump from containers in the shower — an ecological and cost-saving measure that eliminates little plastic bottles. That’s all fine and dandy, but what you get will likely be generic brands and not quite what you are used to at home. The same goes for any provided hand or body lotion. If you’re fussy about products, bring your own.
• If you are not a shower gel fan, bring your own bar of soap. If your cabin includes a soap bar, it will likely be a tiny chunk of soap like you get at hotels. On the flip side, if you prefer liquid soap to wash your hands, bring a bottle so you don’t have to reach into the shower every time you want to wash up.
• Another clever cruise cabin hack is to attach a hanging makeup or toiletry kit to the bathroom door. This will free up space around the sink and allow you to more easily keep track of your supplies. The sink may or may not have drawers or shelves.
• The switch for bathroom lights is often outside the door, meaning you will beam light into the whole cabin as you enter the bathroom in the middle of the night. Bring a plug-in or battery-operated night-light for navigating around the bathroom without waking your cabinmates.

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

Improve your cruise cabin with helpful gadgets

• You and your family will likely bring along a selection of electronics — tablets, phones, cameras, an electric shaver and maybe even a curling iron or other gizmos. That’s a lot of stuff to plug into what’s likely to be a limited number of outlets. Bring an outlet extender to accommodate all those cords. (Just make sure it’s not one with a surge protector, as those are banned by cruise lines and will be confiscated.)
• If you’re a light sleeper, consider packing a travel-size sound machine or get a white noise app on your phone. Cruise ships have lots of creaks, rattling and other noises that could keep you awake.
• If you plan to sleep in, pack some binder clips or even paper clips to keep the curtains drawn tight, especially in sunny places like the Caribbean. They’re also useful in Alaska when it’s light out at midnight when you’re trying to go to bed. A sleep mask works well, too.

Find clever hacks to create more storage space

Cruise ship cabins have a closet with hangers and shelves and often drawers for clothes. Also, the desk or nightstands might feature additional drawers for knickknacks. When you’re packing for a week — especially if you’re packing for a family — there won’t be enough closet and drawer space for everyone’s clothes and gear, but there are ways to improve the situation.

• Ask your cabin steward for more hangers if your closet doesn’t have enough to hang all your clothes.
• Alternatively, double up clothes on the hangers — a blouse or jacket on top of a sundress, for instance.
• On many ships, the walls are made of metal, and magnets will stick to them. Bring some of your own magnetic hooks in case the cabin lacks the built-in variety so you have room for bathrobes, hats, snorkels and other hangable paraphernalia.
• An over-the-door organizer can help you easily tuck away socks and undies or slot sunscreen and other small items into their own spaces.
• A laundry bag on the floor of the closet lets you corral dirty clothes and keep them from getting in the way or mixing with your clean, unworn clothing.

Make use of the space under the bed

• You can tuck your suitcases under the bed so they don’t take up space in your cabin or closet. If you keep one open, use it as an additional drawer.
• If you’re not using the bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer or other items provided — including decorative pillows if they are in your way — they can go under the bed as well.

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