Having been on over 30 cruises, I've gotten my embarkation day routine down pat. While I always leave room for a little spontaneity, there are a few things I always do as soon as I get to my cruise ship cabin that help set the tone for a great voyage.
I like to snag an early arrival appointment for most cruises, so I can't get to my cabin for a few hours after boarding. Typically, this is when I'll grab lunch or explore the ship, becoming acquainted with my new floating hotel.
However, I don't waste time when the announcement comes over the PA system that staterooms are ready. I immediately make my way to my cabin and begin settling in before sailing away.
Here are four things I always do when I get to my cruise stateroom that make a huge difference.
Store valuables in the safe
Every cruise ship cabin has a safe, regardless of your stateroom category.
Because my cruise card serves as my credit card, identification, and room key, I don't need to carry my wallet around the ship. Instead, I place my valuables — such as my passport, wallet, cash, jewelry, keys, and small electronics — in the safe.
The safe is easy to open, so I can grab my credit card, cash, and driver's license before going ashore. However, they're not worth keeping up with while on board. Keeping them in the safe gives me peace of mind since I'm not stressing about misplacing something important or valuable.
Read more: How much cash should you bring on a cruise?
Stock the mini-fridge
Most cabins have mini-fridges to help keep drinks cool. On a recent sailing aboard Carnival Luminosa, I took advantage of the fridge to store my bottle of wine and soda that I brought onboard.
Rather than spend over $3.00 per drink, I paid less than $12 for a 12-pack of Diet Coke at a local supermarket. Similarly, my bottle of wine was more affordable than what I would have paid for two glasses at a bar on the ship.
That said, warm soda or wine isn't enjoyable. Thankfully, my mini-fridge on Carnival Luminosa worked great and kept everything chilled.
Read more: I brought a 12-pack of soda on a Carnival cruise — Here's why it was a smart hack
Though rare, older ships may not have mini-fridges. In that case, you can ask your cabin steward for fresh ice.
Note that some mini-fridges may come stocked. Rather than being charged for overpriced beverages, your stateroom attendant can empty the fridge, allowing you to stock it with your own drinks.
Unpack my carry-on
I hate living out of my suitcase, so I always take time to unpack as soon as my luggage is delivered to my stateroom. Still, it can take hours for the crew to sort through the thousands of suitcases and deliver them to the correct cabin.
If my bags aren't in the hallway when rooms are ready, I'll unpack my carry-on bag, which has my essentials like phone charger, laptop, toiletries, passport, and medication. Unpacking right away, even if it's just one bag, helps me settle in and feel more at home.
Plus, unpacking my larger suitcase sooner rather than later means I can tuck it underneath the bed and free up the limited space in my cabin — a must when sharing the room with other guests.
Read more: 26 Cruise Cabin Essentials You Need To Pack
Locate the outlets
Older cruise ships don't have an abundance of outlets, and typically, they're limited to the vanity area. However, I've been surprised by bedside USB ports on ships as old as Carnival Elation before! Additionally, my partner found a spare USB port on the side of the cabin's phone on Celebrity Reflection.
As such, I'll always take a moment to scout the entire room to locate hidden plugs. I also pack European power adapters, so I can take advantage of the available outlets.
For instance, on Carnival Luminosa, there was just one standard American outlet by the vanity. Thankfully, I had a USB cable and European adapters. Otherwise, I would have been stuck with one outlet to change my devices on my weeklong Alaska cruise.
Read more: The 1-item upgrade you need for a better cruise ship cabin experience
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 over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
