There’s nothing like boarding your cruise and seeing your cruise ship cabin for the first time! These are the things you must do immediately when you get into your stateroom, or you might regret it.
On embarkation day, there are a lot of things to do. However, your cruise cabin is important, and you want things to start off on the right foot!
These cruise cabin prep tips will help you to make sure all is in working order in your stateroom and more!
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Important Things to Do as You Get Into Your Cruise Cabin
1. Take a Photo of Your Cabin
Even if you don’t plan to share a photo of your cruise cabin on Instagram, there are a lot of good reasons to take a cabin photo immediately as you enter your room.
Firstly, your cruise ship cabin will never look as clean and put together as it does on embarkation day. You may want to share a photo with someone back home, put it in a future album, or simply remember it this way later on.
If you do create social media content, film your cabin for YouTube, TikTok or Instagram Reels even before you put down your bags. Trust me on this one, it will only be harder later. I’ve learned from experience ;-).
2. Check if Your Bed Configuration is as Requested
Cruise ship cabins are different than most hotel rooms, and this includes the beds. Rather than having a king or queen size bed like an average hotel, cruise ship staterooms usually have 2 twin size beds.
Cruise ship passengers can request, when booking, for beds to be put together to form a larger queen/king size bed.
When you enter your cabin for the first time, check to see if your bed configuration is as per your request. It’s possible to request twin beds, and to see that you have one large bed instead, or vice versa,
However, this really isn’t a big deal at all, and can be easily changed by your cabin attendant. Make sure to let them know as soon as possible, so that the beds can be adjusted before you go to bed later that evening.
Tip: If you have a third or forth passenger in the cabin, you may have pullman beds or a sofa bed, that is only put out at night.
3. Sanitize and Wipe Down Your Cabin
Even though cruise ship cabin stewards do a pretty good job cleaning and disinfecting, I still like to sanitize and wipe down some places that might be missed.
Just like in hotel rooms, it can be a good idea to use a disinfectant wipe to sanitize:
- the remote control
- light switches on the wall and on lamps next to the bed
- drawer pulls
- thermostat/ac
- telephone
- safe keypad
- other surfaces
No one wants to get sick during a cruise vacation, and a quick wipe down of these surfaces can help.
Related: The Ultimate Cruise Lingo Glossary – 85 Terms You Need to Know
4. Check that Everything is in Working Order
Take 5-10 minutes after you enter your cabin on boarding day, to check that everything is in working order. Make your the air conditioning is working, the patio door slides easily, the remote control has batteries, the bed is comfortable etc.
If there’s anything that needs attention, it’s best to let your cabin steward or guest services know right away, so they can put in a service call if needed.
5. Lie Down on the Bed
Frequent cruisers share this valuable tip. Lie down on your bed to see if it’s comfortable.
We usually find the beds on cruise ships to be very comfortable. However, some people like a softer mattress and others prefer one that’s more firm.
If the bed is too hard or too soft, this is something to mention to your cabin attendant when you meet them. They may be able to arrange your bedding or provide a solution.
Tip: Before laying down on the need, some people suggest checking for bed bugs. This isn’t a common problem in cruise ships, but better safe than sorry.
6. Drop Off Carry-On Bags & Put Away Valuable Items
The first day of your cruise is a great time to get out of your cabin and explore the cruise ship. Drop off your carry-on bags and quickly put items away.
All valuables should be put into your cabin safe. Things to remember to put away included:
- car keys
- wallet with money & credit cards
- passports & government ID
- jewelry
- Medication (optional – but some people leave in the safe)
Related: 23 Essential Things to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
7. Meet Your Cabin Attendant
Sometime after you get to your cabin after you board your cruise ship, you’ll likely meet your cabin attendant. It’s a very busy time for them, but they’ll usually take a few minutes to introduce themselves and meet you.
They’ll tell you how often they’ll be cleaning your cabin, along with any information you may need to know.
8. Make Any Special Requests
When meeting your cabin steward, this is a good time to make any special requests. You may need extra hangers, extra towels for the bathroom, or you may like the ice bucket to be filled daily.
If you would like a mattress cover, to make the bed feel more comfortable, this is a good time to ask.
Related: 50+ Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
9. Empty the Mini-Fridge
If you don’t plan on drinking the items in the fridge mini bar (there’s an extra cost), you can ask your cabin attendant if he or she can remove them.
This is especially helpful if you plan on putting water bottles in to keep cold, or anything else during your cruise.
If there are other small pieces of furniture that can be in the way, like a small coffee table, you can ask if this can be removed as well.
10. Place Your Magnets on the Wall
If you brought magnets and other cruise cabin essentials to keep your cabin organized, take 5 minutes and put them up. This is 100% optional, but can make your cabin feel more put together and ready, when you unpack later on.
11. Unpack Clothing that Must Be Hung
If you’re lucky enough to have your luggage delivered already, be sure to hang up any items that could wrinkle right away. Dresses, tops, dress shirts and suits that wrinkle easily should be hung as soon as possible, so that the fabric can relax.
A little shower steam and/or wrinkle releaser should do the trick later on.
Related: How to Pack Wrinkle Free for a Cruise
12. Use the Cabin Signs
Don’t forget to put the cabin signs on your cabin door when you go in or out (as needed). You can make life easier for your cabin steward by placing a “Tidy up please” sign on your door when you go out for the day.
Likewise, place a “Do not disturb” or “I’m sleeping” sign on your door when appropriate.
If you’re on a cruise ship that uses a light switch style notification, it’s even more important. When you’d like your cabin tidied, don’t forget to put this light on as you leave your stateroom.
Unfortunately, if you forget, you’ll likely come back to a cabin that wasn’t cleaned, as your stateroom attendant would not want to go in without the notification.
13. Check Your Muster Station Information
Take a quick look at the muster station information posted on your cabin door or displayed on your TV. This is one of the first safety things experienced cruisers check when they enter their cabin.
You’ll need to know where to go for the mandatory safety drill, and checking this right away saves you from rushing around later. Some cruise lines now offer virtual muster drills through their apps, but you’ll still need to know your designated muster station.
Don’t forget to note the quickest route from your cabin to your muster station. It’s much easier to familiarize yourself with this path when the ship isn’t crowded during an actual drill.
14. Set Up Your Cruise App
Many cruise lines now have their own apps that make your vacation so much easier. Take a few minutes to download and set up the cruise app while you’re still in port and have good cell service.
The cruise app typically allows you to:
- check daily activities and entertainment
- make dining and show reservations
- view your onboard account
- chat with other guests
- find your way around the ship
Trust me, you’ll be glad you did this before setting sail! The ship’s Wi-Fi can be spotty for downloads, and you don’t want to waste precious vacation time struggling with tech setup.
15. Test the Shower Water Pressure and Temperature
Nothing ruins a cruise morning like a surprise cold shower! Take a minute to test your shower’s water pressure and how quickly it gets hot when you first board.
Most cruise ship showers work great, but occasionally, there might be an issue with temperature regulation or pressure. If there are any problems, now’s the time to let your cabin attendant know so they can fix it before your first morning onboard.
Also, check that you have enough towels and that the bathroom amenities are stocked. Some cruisers like to bring their own favorite toiletries, but it’s good to know what the ship provides.
16. Create a Charging Station
With all our devices these days, setting up a dedicated charging area in your cabin is super handy. Find a spot near an outlet to keep your phone, camera, and other gadgets charging.
I like to bring a small multi-port USB charger to make the most of the limited outlets in cruise cabins. This way, you can charge multiple devices at once without taking up all the available plugs.
Some newer ships have USB ports built into the bedside lamps or desks, but it’s never enough for all our gear! Consider bringing a small power strip (non-surge protected, as these are allowed on most ships) to expand your charging options.
17. Check Your Balcony Door Seal
If you splurged on a balcony cabin, check that the door seals properly as soon as you get in. A whistling or drafty balcony door can be really annoying, especially at night when you’re trying to sleep.
Your cabin attendant can usually fix this with a quick adjustment if you mention it early. While at it, step out onto your balcony to ensure everything looks clean and the furniture is in good condition.
Some cruisers also like to check that the partition between balconies is secure for privacy. If you notice any issues with your balcony, it’s best to address them immediately.
18. Locate the Laundry Facilities
If your ship has self-service laundry rooms (not all do!), find out where they are in relation to your cabin. It might seem odd to check immediately, but it can save you time later.
Knowing where to find the laundry facilities can be a life-saver halfway through your cruise when you need clean clothes. Some ships even offer special discounts on certain days for laundry service!
If your ship doesn’t have self-service options, check the pricing for the ship’s laundry service in your cabin information folder. This helps you plan whether to use the service or pack enough clothes for the entire cruise.
19. Try Out Your Cabin’s TV System
The TV in your cabin isn’t just for shows – it often has important info about ship activities, account balance, and port information. Take a few minutes to learn how to navigate the system.
Many cruise ships allow you to:
- book excursions right from your cabin TV
- review your onboard account
- check restaurant menus
- view the daily schedule
- watch safety videos
This is also a good time to check that your TV remote works properly. If it doesn’t, or if you can’t figure out how to use the system, ask your cabin attendant for help.
20. Check Your Daily Schedule and Welcome Packet
Most cruise lines leave a welcome packet and the first day’s schedule in your cabin. These materials often contain valuable information about embarkation day activities you won’t miss.
Take five minutes to review these materials for special first-day promotions, dining options, or events. There might be welcome aboard cocktail parties, spa discounts, or specialty restaurant offers that are only available on day one.
Some ships also include a small map in these packets to help you get oriented. I always check the times for main dining options right away to plan my first evening onboard.
Video: CRUISE CABIN PREP: Do THIS as Soon as You Get Into Your Cruise Cabin
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Final Thoughts on Things to Do as Soon as You Get Into Your Cruise Ship Cabin
When you walk into your cabin for the first time on embarkation day, it’s one of the best feelings. There are a few things you want to do right away, so that your cabin is set up for the perfect start to your cruise.
In this post, we went over several things to do immediately when your get into your cabin on boarding day.
Is there anything that you do or would add to this list? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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