Between being in a different environment and external stimuli like creaking walls and a rocking ship, it can be tough to unwind in a cruise cabin.
If you're like me, you might struggle with getting a good night's rest on vacation. Even after 30 cruises, I find it challenging to sleep as well on a cruise as I do at home.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to improve your sleep on a ship. One simple trick I've recently become a fan of is removing the hangers from my closet.
Hangers clashing together can be disruptive when trying to sleep, especially on itineraries more prone to rough waters.
By removing empty hangers, I've noticed less noise at night, which has helped me get more rest and wake up less groggy.
Noisy hangers are a common problem on the last night after you've packed
Clothing usually helps minimize the noise hangers can make, especially on cold weather itineraries to places like Alaska and Norway when you have bulkier items.
However, most passengers don't wait to pack their stateroom until disembarkation morning. In fact, to take advantage of the ship's luggage assistance program, you must leave your suitcases in the hallway the night before.
Without clothing softening the clashing of the hangers, they're free to sway and keep you awake until the early morning hours.
Recently, my partner and I embarked on an amazing weeklong cruise from Amsterdam to Norway. However, on the last night of the voyage, the ship rocked through the North Sea as we made our final approach to the Netherlands.
Sleeping was already difficult enough thanks to the long hours of daylight. Our curtains mostly blocked the late-night sun — but not completely.
Rather than toss and turn ahead of our long travel day, I hopped out of bed and removed the hangers from the closet.
Thankfully, I didn't have to remove all the hangers. I spaced out the ones in the further corner and removed the hangers that were bunched together.
Once the offending hangers were removed and spread apart, the cabin finally quieted down, allowing us to fall asleep ahead of our 6:30am alarm.
The next morning, we put the hangers back in the closet, rather than leaving the pile for our attentive cabin steward.
Another option is to hang towels between the hangers
One savvy cruiser shared another idea on Reddit. Instead of removing each hanger, they simply shoved small hand towels between them.
"Little trick I employed this last cruise: if the hangers in your stateroom rattle and click as the ship moves (and that bugs you), throw a hand towel through them and use the alligator clips to cinch them together," baltinerdist wrote on the r/CarnivalCruiseFans Reddit thread.
Users applauded their creativity because Carnival hangers differ from other lines. They can be removed, but it's more of a hassle, as you have to slide the metal pin up through the plastic hook affixed to the metal rod.
"Omg thank you! I don’t know how many minutes I’ve wasted taking them all off their hooks just to have to replace them before debarkation!" wrote stalliewag.
RepulsiveGrape1620 added, "This is a great idea! So much better than pulling them all down and tossing them [on] the closet floor in a fit of rage after listening to them rattle for hours."
Tips for light sleepers on a cruise ship
If you are an exceptionally light sleeper, I'd also recommend bringing a pair of earplugs and a white noise machine. You'll also want to select the right cruise cabin.
This means avoiding the cheaper "guarantee" fares. Although saving money might sound appealing, you risk being assigned an undesirable stateroom underneath the pool deck or near the noisy nightclub.
Cabins located near the stairwells and elevator banks are subject to extra noise, too. For instance, on my recent sailing aboard Celebrity Eclipse, we'd often hear the elevator chime from our stateroom. It didn't bother us, but I could see how it could drive a light sleeper mad.
Connecting staterooms are also a gamble. If you know the party in the adjoining room, it isn't a big deal. However, you could end up with noisy neighborhoods who stumble back after one too many drinks or with an infant who cries throughout the night.
Read more: Noise-Free Cabins: How to Avoid Loud Rooms on Your Cruise
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!
