There are a lot of cruise hacks on the internet; however, not all of them are worth your time or luggage space. For example, even after over 25 cruises, I've never bothered to bring an over-the-door shoe organizer.
Still, there's plenty of worthwhile advice that can make your cruise better. One curious cruiser took to Reddit to ask for "unexpected" advice.
"There are so many 'cruise hacks' out there, but most of them are pretty basic. What's a less obvious tip that actually made your cruise better?" asked wdwmeg on an r/Cruise Reddit thread.
Within less than a week, the post had received over 520 comments from other sailors eager to share their best tips. From showering in the gym to purchasing an annual insurance plan, here are 19 pieces of advice for your next cruise that may have been under the radar until now.
Take the post-cruise tour
If your flight home isn't until later in the day, consider booking a post-cruise excursion through the cruise line.
"Getting an Uber/taxi from most ports is challenging. We take a [post-cruise] sightseeing tour that ends at the airport. We normally don’t fly home until the next day so [we] use the tour, then catch a hotel shuttle to wherever we’re staying. It keeps stress to a minimum and sometimes is a cost savings as well," recommends Puzzleheaded_Serve37.
You don't have to worry about your luggage, either. The tours typically are on large charter buses, so while you're enjoying the sights, your suitcase is safely stored underneath.
Read more: Royal Caribbean offers clever solution for annoying problem at world's busiest cruise port
Bring a long charging cable
Many older ships, especially within Royal Caribbean's fleet, don't have bedside charging options. As such, it's smart to bring a portable charger, so you can use your phone at night. Alternatively, frisbm3 suggests bringing a 10-foot cable.
Another helpful tip is to research your specific ship's cabins to see the outlet options. Sometimes, there are only USB ports beside the bed, meaning if you have a USB-C charger, you'll either need an adapter or be stuck charging across the room.
Pack a small first-aid kit
I've been packing a do-it-yourself first-aid kit for years. It's one of my non-negotiables and has saved me more times than I can count. Thankfully, other cruisers understand the importance of being prepared.
Independent-Size-464 wrote that they'll bring everything from Tylneol to Tums, band-aids, seasickness medication, feminine hygiene products, condoms, and more.
"A headache, an upset tummy, sea sickness or a small scrape can put a damper on your day and you don't want to pay the fees for that stuff on the ship...The selection onboard is minimal," they explain.
Take longer cruises to avoid kids
Cruises are great family vacations. There's something for everyone, from social teenagers to adrenaline seekers and foodies. However, many family-friendly ships aren't everyone's vibe. If you are looking for a more serene, adult-focused experience without worrying about screaming children on the lido deck, consider a longer voyage.
PMyra, for instance, was on a 9-day cruise and "...saw only 2 children the whole time. It's amazing how fast the kids disappear when your cruise goes over a week in duration."
Still, many family-friendly lines have longer cruises. As such, JRichShops recommends looking at itineraries two weeks or longer.
Get cash from the casino
Cruise ship ATMs charge hefty fees, on top of your financial institution's fees. To avoid being charged $5 or $10, kareal says you can take advantage of the casino.
"Use the casino players card as your ATM, it doesn't take the percentage that using an actual ATM does," they explain.
All you have to do is go to a slot machine, charge your onboard account, play a round or two, then cash out and exchange your voucher for cold hard cash at the cashier's desk.
Take a genuine interest in the crew that serves you
Oftentimes, one of the most memorable parts of a cruise is the interactions with the crew.
"We have had so many experiences become richer because we befriended crew who were happy to share their lives with us! We’ve been on lots of cruises and lots of ships but the memories that stick out have always been the ones where we had that great relationship with our dining servers/entertainment staff/bartenders etc," says politicsandpancakes.
They added that they recently sailed aboard a Celebrity cruise and connected with an activities staff member. Before the cruise ended, he sent a gift to their cabin with a handwritten note: "I wrote the BEST review when we got home lol, it was one of the most amazing experiences we’ve had in a long time."
Read more: 9 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship
Bring cleaning wipes
Your cruise cabin will be thoroughly cleaned before you arrive, but some may want to disinfectant high-touch surfaces like remote controls, door handles, and light switches for extra peace of mind.
"This may sound stupid but I bring cleaning wipes. When I first enter the cabin I wipe down all the germ areas like phone, remote door knobs," says onvaca, "I don’t think the cleaning crew has time to do a good job in between guests."
Just note that aerosol sprays, including Lysol, are banned from ships. As such, make sure you pack disinfectant wipes or other non-aerosol cleaning supplies.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line's unexpected ban catches passengers off guard
Find a good bartender
"If you're a drinker, or like trying several new drinks/cocktails/beers throughout the cruise, find a bar/bartender you like," suggests Guns_Donuts, "Ask which bar they're at, and when, and then give them a $50 right off the bat. You won't wait for a drink for the rest of your cruise."
While this isn't a foolproof method for getting strong drinks or timely service, other cruisers have echoed similar experiences.
Read more: 25 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package
Pack heavy-duty magnets
Sometimes, cruise cabins don't have as much storage as we'd like, especially if sailing with two or three other guests. While the small space comes equipped with everything from a private bathroom to a television, outlets, and beds, creativity is needed to make the most of the stateroom.
According to Snoobs-Magoo, heavy-duty outlets are a must-have when cruising: "[H]eavy duty magnet hooks were an absolute game changer for us. From lanyards, hats, towels & even chip/candy/pastry bag clips in a pinch (put 2 together to seal the bag), they have been cruise [life-changing]."
AvailableToe7008 agreed, adding that magnetic hooks can be used for swimsuits.
Make onboard reservations early
"Book shows, specialty dinners and excursions early, you can always change plans later but this at least locks in spots, especially on sea days," advises Zetavu.
After you've placed your deposit, you can access your line's online planning portal, where you can browse add-ons like excursions, specialty restaurants, drink packages, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, and more.
The earlier you book your add-ons, the better availability there will be. If you wait until you're on the ship, you may find that the excursion you were eyeing has sold out!
Read more: 9 things you have to book in advance for cruise vacations
Book the cruise early
Zetavu adds that you also want to book your cruise early:
"[I]f price goes up you got a deal but if it goes down they will credit you the difference or offer an upgrade."
However, make sure your rate's terms and conditions allow for repricing. A last-minute fare made after the sailing's final payment date, for instance, wouldn't be eligible.
Write down the crew members' names
After your cruise, you'll be asked to fill out a short survey about your experience. You will be asked about everything from the ship's condition to the food and service.
If you want to give a shout-out to a particularly helpful crew, Mistress-DragonFlame recommends bringing a notebook to jot their name down while onboard.
"I bring a small notebook with me where I write down the names/jobs of the crew who are particularly wonderful for whatever reason," she explains, "This is to put a good word for them in the post cruise survey, after my brain is in the back-to-work-mush as I know that's huge for their retention/promotion."
However, another sailor says the same can be done on the Notes app on mobile phones.
Get ready in the gym
After a long day ashore, you might be in a hurry to freshen up before dinner, especially if you chose the dining room's early seating.
As such, Charming_Camp_5957 recommends using the ship's gym to shower. "If you have a small bathroom-consider getting ready/showering in the gym/spa. They usually have much larger showers and plenty of amenities to use," they said.
mrsbreezus agrees, adding that showering in the spa is their favorite: "The showers are so nice, and you can grab all of the towels you need. I love how much room I have to get ready."
Arrive the day before
Flying to your embarkation city the day your ship departs is risky. The unpredictability of air travel isn't your friend when you're on a time crunch.
"Too many horror stories of people missing their cruise because the airlines couldn’t get there on time," says ResponsibleHuman64
Great_Huckleberry709 adds that even if you live nearby, traffic or other unexpected issues can derail plans. For example, they elected to take the bus to Miami instead of flying. However, the bus broke down an hour outside of Fort Lauderdale.
Thankfully, they had a full day before the cruise, but another passenger was supposed to board a cruise that day.
Prepare for dirty laundry
Cruise ship cabins aren't large. In fact, you shouldn't be surprised if your stateroom measures under 160 square feet! While cruise lines consciously design cabins to maximize storage space, things can still get cramped, especially when your dirty laundry starts piling up.
Aubgurl suggests bringing a vacuum-sealed bag to store dirty clothes. "The last night when I was packing I sealed that sucker up and threw it in my suitcase. It saved space and kept all my dirty clothes contained," they explain.
Another idea is to bring a pop-up hamper. "[T]aking pop-up hampers with us has CHANGED THE GAME. Cabins are naturally smaller spaces and trying to keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones left our rooms cluttered. The [pop-ups] take a lot less space and keep us organized the whole trip, says politicsandpancakes.
Always unpack
Speaking of small cabins, it would behoove you to unpack on embarkation day.
"I don't unpack. I never unpack in hotels or resorts, it's not my thing. But your space is small, and you need to change clothes a couple [of] times a day in some cases. Unpacking means you can find your clothes easy and [put] your luggage out of the way," says Blue-spider.
Living out of your suitcase takes up valuable real estate. After unpacking, you can store your suitcase underneath the bed and free up floor space. I've also found that if my suitcase
Don't skip breakfast
From embarkation to disembarkation, you'll be well-fed. While it might be tempting to get off the ship as quickly as possible, don't forget to fuel up for your travel day.
"You can get breakfast [on] the last morning of the cruise! Often even the main dining room is open for a nice breakfast," writes Hotspiceteahoneybee, "We always try to take advantage of that final meal - starts your debarkation day off right and makes the cruise that much better for value too. It's a nice way to say goodbye to a good vacation."
Hours are different than during the actual voyage, so check the ship's schedule, especially if you want a sit-down meal in the Main Dining Room.
Think about annual travel insurance
Though an extra cost, travel insurance is a smart investment. It provides financial assistance for unexpected medical emergencies, lost luggage, delayed flights, and more.
However, if you are a frequent traveler, you may want to purchase an annual policy. It's more affordable than buying individual policies for each trip.
"If you spend more than 11 days per year 100 miles or more from your home then you should strongly consider an annual travel insurance plan instead of per-trip plans. Popular plans like Allianz can cover common expenses even for a road trip within your home state. If you take 2 or more weeklong cruises per year then an annual plan is a no brainer," says datavortex.
Read more: I've been on nearly 30 cruises. Here are 8 big mistakes passengers make
Decorate your door
Many cruise lines let passengers decorate their stateroom door. It’s a fun way to show off your personality, celebrate a special occasion, or make your cabin easier to find.
"The addition of something you recognize makes it so much easier to find your cabin when every single door looks the same," explains cpbaby1968.
However, they add that you should be wary of putting names, personal pictures, and ages on the door. Instead, opt for fun decorations celebrating an occasion, such as a birthday, destination-specific magnets, or fun tropical-themed décor.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
