15 Essential Cruise Ship Cabin Bathroom Tips
- Connie George
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
Most cruise ship bathrooms tend to be small. But with these hints, you can make the most of the space and enhance your experience.
One of the first cruise jokes I ever heard was that the shower stalls are so small that you could soap up the walls, step in, turn around, and rinse off without ever using your hands. It’s a bit of an exaggeration—but not entirely off! Depending on the ship, there can be a bit of truth to the joke.
Above photos:
Most cruise cabin bathrooms have small counters, towel bars, toiletry shelves, and a shelf under the sink.
Most cruise lines offer tub/shower combinations in mini-suites and above. Holland America offers some tub/shower combinations in lower categories. Here's a verandah cabin bathroom on Noordam.
Celebrity Cruises offers nicely appointed bathrooms in Sky Suite cabins such as this one on Celebrity Apex and other Beyond-Class ships.
Sample upgraded toiletries that Princess Cruises supplied to Elite loyalty members.
But on a more serious note…..
Exciting or not, you are going to spend part of your vacation in your bathroom. To help you make the best of this small space, here are 15 tips for both new and seasoned cruisers:
Bring Magnetic Hooks
Most cruise ships’ walls are made of steel and some ships’ doors are also metal, so magnetic hooks can be a great way to hang necklaces, papers, clothing (including wet swimsuits), and toiletry bags.
Pack Over-the-Door Organizers
An over-the-door shoe or toiletry organizer is perfect for extra storage, helping keep small items organized and the sink area clear.
Use Travel-Sized Toiletry Bottles
Save space by bringing only essential toiletries in travel-sized bottles.
Super Tips:
Save space by bringing only essential toiletries in travel-sized bottles.
If flying, be sure to follow TSA regulations about bringing gels and liquids in carry-on luggage.
Bring a Battery-Operated Nightlight or PUCK Light
If anyone in your cabin makes nighttime bathroom visits, a nightlight can make these trips easier and safer without needing to keep the bathroom light on or disturbing others by turning on the main cabin light.
Super Tip:
If anyone in your cabin makes nighttime bathroom visits, a nightlight can make these trips easier and safer, without needing to keep the bathroom light on or disturbing others by turning on the main cabin light.
Pack an Air Freshener
A small, lightly scented air freshener, aromatherapy oil, or a hanging car freshener can help keep the bathroom and cabin smelling fresh. Avoid plug-ins, as cruise bathrooms only have shaver outlets. Pleasant scents can make a big difference in tight quarters and help manage any plumbing odors possibly experienced on an older ship.
Personal Tip:
I find the summer-scented car fresheners by Yankee Candles to be lighter frances than typical "car fresheners" and work great in cruise cabin bathrooms. Plus, the hanging cardboard ones take no space in my luggage and can't leak in luggage like a spray can or bottle of oil can do.
Bring a Waterproof Speaker
A compact Bluetooth speaker lets you enjoy your music, podcast, or audiobook while using little space in your baggage. If waterproof, you can use in your bathroom without concerns about shower-caused humidity.
Use a Shower Curtain Clip
I’ve found that most shower stalls on ships have lightweight curtains, and they love to wrap my legs as if they were an octopus with tentacles. To avoid this, pack curtain clips, clothes pins, or binder clips to attach to the bottom of the curtain to weigh it down.
Super Tip:
Some items mentioned in this article can be picked up inexpensively at a "dollar store." To read about trip shopping on a budget so you can put your money toward experiences and souvenirs instead of packing items, visit here.
Take Advantage of a Glass or Two
With limited counter and shelf space, use a glass to keep toothbrushes upright and another to organize items like mascara, eyebrow pencils, and other small items. Need extra glasses? Just ask your cabin steward.
Limit Your Makeup
Consider the makeup you are most likely to use and only pack that. i.e. If you have a lot of eyeshadows and lip glosses, you won’t need them all. “Less is more” means that the less you pack, the more space you’ll have. And space is coveted.
De-Wrinkling
You can’t bring a clothing iron or handheld seamer onto the ship. But you can pack a wrinkle-reducer spray and take advantage of steaming your clothes while you shower. Put the clothing on a hanger and hang in the bathroom using one of those magnetic hooks previously mentioned.
Super Tips:
I buy a travel-size bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser at CVS rather than pack a full-size bottle. And I learned the hard way, after spending a long weekend with all of my clothing smelling like hairspray, to pack any containers of liquids in a ziplock bag.
Leave Your Towels and Washcloths at Home
Your cruise line will provide bathroom towels and usually beach towels, as well as washcloths. However, keep in mind that washcloths are less common in Europe. If you're on a European line, like MSC, and don’t find one in your cabin, simply ask your cabin steward.
Super Tip:
If staying in hotels before or after a European cruise, pack a washcloth or two in a ziplock bag in case your hotel doesn’t supply them.
Consider Your Cruise Ship’s Toiletries
I believe in packing what I need and avoiding extras that just take up space in my bags and cabin. Cruise ships offer soap at the sink. And most offer shower gel and a shampoo/conditioner combination. Separate shampoos and conditioners are less common. Shower toiletries are typically in wall dispensers, which is better for the environment than small “travel size” bottles.
Super Tip:
I’ve found that I’m happy with the shower gels and feel that the shampoo/conditioner does a good job washing my hair. However, I don’t like how stiff my hair feels after using most of them. Therefore, I skip packing shower gel and shampoo, but I DO pack a travel-size container with a good conditioner.
Flush Nothing Other Than Toilet Paper
You should only flush the toilet paper specifically provided by the cruise line. Cruise ships have delicate plumbing systems, and flushing anything else can cause issues, leaving you waiting for maintenance while affecting other guests’ toilets as well. Additionally, cruise lines must follow specific environmental regulations. The toilet paper may not be as soft as what you use at home, but it will do the job. Sanitary bags are also available. If not automatically provided, ask your cabin steward for some.
Know Where You’ll Dry Your Hair
As mentioned earlier, cruise ship cabin bathrooms only have a shaver outlet. Most ships provide a low-wattage hair blower, usually hardwired, at the vanity in the cabin.
Consider a Cabin Upgrade
Consider upgrading your cabin to upgrade your bathroom. That bathroom upgrade could manifest in a larger floor, counter, and/or storage space, as well as moving from a tiny corner shower stall to a tub/shower combination and upgraded bathroom amenities and toiletries. For instance, Royal Caribbean’s Junior Suites, Princess Cruises’ Mini-Suites, and Celebrity Cruises’ Sky Suites offer nice tub/shower combinations.
These tips make cruise bathrooms feel more spacious, organized, and enjoyable, allowing you to maximize comfort during your trip!
Implementing these tips can transform your cabin experience into a more comfortable, organized, and enjoyable retreat.
I invite you to book your next cruise with Connie George Travel Associates. We’d love to help you plan a wonderful cruise vacation and share our tips with you.
Happy cruising, and may your adventures at sea be extraordinary!
Happy Traveling!
-Connie
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