Guest Services is one of those spots on a cruise ship that most of us only visit when something goes wrong. It turns out that if you know what to ask for, that same desk can actually make your cruise a lot better.
On a recent Mediterranean cruise, I got blisters on embarkation day and my first aid kit was buried in my checked luggage. I took a chance and asked Guest Services for a Band-Aid, and it worked.
That got me thinking about everything else cruisers don’t realize they can ask for, so I pulled together this list with help from our Facebook cruise community.
If you want even more ideas along these lines, I also have a post on 25 surprising things Guest Services can do for you on a cruise that pairs nicely with this one. Let’s get into it.
Everyday Extras Guest Services Can Help With
These are the small, practical requests that come up more often than you’d think. Most cruisers never think to ask, but the crew is usually happy to help.
1. Basic First Aid Supplies
Band-Aids, blister pads, and small first aid items are often available right at the desk. It’s worth asking before you assume you need to go to the medical center.
2. Over the Counter Seasickness Medication
Some ships keep a small stock of motion sickness medication behind the desk. If you forgot to pack your own, it doesn’t hurt to ask before you head to the medical center.
For a full breakdown of remedies to pack ahead of time, my post on preventing seasickness on a cruise covers what actually works.
3. Breaking Large Bills or Exchanging Currency
Many ships offer light banking services, including breaking a hundred dollar bill into smaller denominations for tipping crew members. Some can also exchange foreign currency for you.
4. Cash Withdrawals From Your Onboard Account
If you forget cash at home, you may be able to withdraw money from your onboard account linked to your credit card. There is usually a small fee, around 3 percent, but it can be a lifesaver in a pinch.
5. Spending Limits on Kids’ or Teens’ Cruise Cards
Traveling with a teenager or child who has their own cruise card? Guest Services can set a spending limit on their account so you don’t get a surprise bill at the end of the cruise.
6. Luggage Repair
Damaged luggage after a flight or during boarding happens more than you’d think. Bring your bag to Guest Services and they can often fix zippers, pop out dents, or repair the damage on the spot.
7. Shoe and Clothing Repairs
If a shoe sole comes loose or a strap breaks, ask Guest Services for some glue or a quick repair. More than one member of our Facebook cruise community has had a broken sandal saved this way.
8. Help Connecting to Wifi or the Cruise Line App
You don’t always need to stand in the long line at the internet desk. Guest Services can often solve app and connectivity issues just as well, and sometimes faster.
If you want to get your wifi package sorted out before you even board, my cruise wifi tips post walks through the best ways to save money and avoid common mistakes.
9. Ear Plugs
If your cabin or hallway is noisier than expected, ask Guest Services for ear plugs. Many cruisers have reported success with this simple request.
10. Playing Cards
This one varies by cruise line and isn’t guaranteed anymore, so pack your own deck if you know you’ll want one. It never hurts to ask anyway.
11. Printing Documents
Received an email you need printed while you’re at sea? Forward it to Guest Services and they can print it for you, sometimes for free and sometimes for a small fee if you have a lot of pages.
Cabin Comforts Worth Asking Your Attendant For
Your cabin attendant is usually the right person for these requests, though Guest Services can point you in the right direction too. My full guide on how to help your cabin steward on a cruise has more on working well with your attendant throughout the cruise.
12. Accessibility Items for Your Cabin
Items like a shower stool or an extension cord for a CPAP machine are available on request. It’s best to note these needs on your booking ahead of time, though you can still ask once onboard.
13. A Fan for Your Cabin
Cabin attendants can often provide a small fan if your stateroom feels stuffy. Quantities are limited, so if this is important to you, packing your own small travel fan is a safer bet.
14. A Mattress Topper
If your mattress isn’t quite comfortable enough, ask your cabin attendant for a topper. Many ships keep a few on hand for exactly this request.
15. A Pack and Play for Babies
Traveling with an infant? Most cruise lines can provide a pack and play for your cabin at no extra cost, though it’s worth requesting in advance if possible.
16. Extra Hangers, Ice, and a Cleared Mini Fridge
Small requests like extra hangers, a filled ice bucket, or an emptied mini fridge are easy for your cabin attendant to handle. These little touches make unpacking and settling in so much easier.
17. Help Resolving Cabin Noise Issues
If something in your cabin is rattling, whistling, or otherwise disturbing your sleep, let Guest Services know. They may send an engineer to fix the issue or move you to a different cabin if one is available.
18. Compensation for a Legitimate Cabin Problem
When a cabin issue is handled kindly and reported properly, compensation is sometimes offered without even asking. This has included a bottle of wine, a specialty dinner for two, or onboard credit, though it’s never guaranteed.
Special Requests That Make a Cruise More Memorable
Some of these are just fun to know about, and others can genuinely make a milestone cruise feel extra special. If you’re planning to celebrate a birthday or anniversary onboard, my post on the best cruise lines for milestone birthdays is a good next stop.
19. Celebration Extras for Birthdays and Anniversaries
Noting a special occasion on your booking ahead of time can lead to a decorated stateroom, a cake, chocolate covered strawberries, or even a bottle of champagne. My own parents once received a $50 spa gift card for their anniversary cruise.
None of this is guaranteed, but it’s worth mentioning to both Guest Services and your cabin attendant.
20. Off-Menu Wine Picks From the Sommelier
If nothing on the by the glass wine list is catching your eye, ask the sommelier for a suggestion. Sometimes they’ll pour you something from a bottle that isn’t even listed on the menu, priced the same as your beverage package.
21. Borrowing an Iron and Ironing Board
This isn’t offered on every cruise line, but it has worked for me on Norwegian Cruise Line. Ask your cabin attendant or Guest Services, and they may lend you one for half an hour or so.
22. Mailing a Postcard
Some cruise lines, particularly river cruise lines, will mail a postcard for you from the ship. On a recent Emerald Waterways sailing, this was a lovely little touch that felt like a throwback to old school travel.
23. Accessibility Assistance Getting On and Off the Ship
If you’re traveling with someone who needs help boarding or disembarking in port, this can be arranged free of charge. It’s best to note this on your booking in advance, though it can also be requested once onboard.
24. Batteries
My son once needed batteries for his digital camera mid cruise, and Guest Services actually delivered a set to our cabin. It’s a small thing, but it’s a good reminder that it never hurts to ask.
25. Help Arranging a Burial or Ashes at Sea Ceremony
For cruisers who loved to sail, some families choose to honor them with a ceremony at sea. This does need to be arranged ahead of time, often through a travel agent, and cruise lines generally handle it with a lot of care and respect.
Timing and Paperwork Guest Services Can Adjust
A few last requests can genuinely change the shape of your cruise day, especially toward the end of the trip. My post on cruise disembarkation tips has more on making the last morning of your cruise as smooth as possible.
26. An Earlier Disembarkation Time
If your luggage tag color has you leaving later than your flight allows, Guest Services can usually switch you to an earlier group. This is a simple fix that solves a stressful problem.
27. Paper Planners and Menus
If you prefer paper over QR codes and apps, just ask. Cabin attendants and dining staff will usually provide a printed daily planner or menu on request.
28. Help From the Lost and Found
If you’ve misplaced something onboard, Guest Services often has access to a ship wide lost and found. It’s always better to search for a lost item before you disembark, since recovering something after you’ve left the ship is much harder.
29. A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way
Some of the best stories from our Facebook cruise community weren’t about specific requests at all. One member shared that after simply being patient and pleasant in a long, chaotic Guest Services line, a bottle of champagne and some treats showed up in their cabin later that day.
Another mentioned that thanking the maître d’ for a great dining experience led to a fruit basket being delivered to their room.
None of this should be the reason you’re kind to the crew, since they work incredibly hard and rarely get the appreciation they deserve. It’s simply a nice reminder that kindness tends to be noticed.
If you’re looking for ways to thank crew members directly, my post on gifts cruise crew members really want and my guide to cruise tipping mistakes to avoid are both worth a look.
30. What Guest Services Can’t Do for You
It’s just as helpful to know where the limits are, so you’re not caught off guard. Here’s what Guest Services generally cannot help with.
- A free cabin upgrade, which was much more common before recent years
- Holding the ship if you’re running late getting back from port
- Automatic refunds for every complaint, since most issues go through a documented process first
- Medical services beyond very basic first aid
- Revealing another passenger’s cabin number, even if you’re trying to reach them
- Changing course for a canceled port, which is almost always a weather or safety decision
If you do have a serious complaint during your cruise, ask Guest Services to help you document it properly before you disembark. Take a photo of the completed form and note who you handed it to, so you have something to reference if you need to follow up later.
Final Thoughts
Guest Services can genuinely do more than most cruisers realize, and a polite, low key request is often all it takes. Whether it’s a Band-Aid, a fan for your cabin, or help finding something you’ve lost, it really is worth asking before you assume the answer is no.
Have you ever gotten something unexpected from Guest Services, your cabin attendant, or another crew member? I’d love to hear about it, happy cruising!