7 Hidden things you can find in a cruise ship cabin!

Cruise ship cabins are designed to make the most of every inch of space, often in ways that surprise first-time cruisers.

That’s why I’ve put together a list of seven hidden features you might not even realize are in your cabin. I’ll show you where to find them and how they can make your cruise even better.

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know all the cabin secrets most cruisers never notice!

Storage behind the mirror

In some cruise ship cabins, the mirror in the bathroom or near the vanity doubles as a storage cabinet.

To find out if your mirror hides storage, you might try moving it slightly forward or looking for a way to open it.

If the mirror offers hidden storage, it usually looks deeper than a standard mirror, indicating space behind it for storing items like beauty or body care products.

However, some mirrors, especially corner ones on ships like those of Norwegian Cruise Line, are well disguised, and you wouldn’t know there’s storage behind them unless you try to open them.

In the photo above, you can see an example of the ones you can usually find on NCL ships.

Discovering this storage can be a pleasant surprise. It’s a very handy spot to keep your items organized and out of sight.

Doorstop behind the door

Over the years, many people have asked me about that mysterious object they found behind the door.

If it looks like the one in the photo above, it’s a door stopper used by the cabin steward during cleaning.

Can it be useful? In some cases, yes. For example, if you have connecting cabins, it can help keep the door open.

Hidden electrical outlets

Nowadays, staying connected is more important than ever, and cruise ships have adapted to this need by adding more electrical outlets.

Usually, some electrical outlets are perfectly visible and are located over the cabin desk.

Be careful, however, because some may be more hidden and difficult to locate. They can be discreetly installed in drawers, under desks, or behind movable panels.

For example, many cruise ships have electrical outlets on the sides of the bed that are hidden in the lamps.

Above, you can see a picture of the ones on Royal Caribbean. They are still quite visible, but on some ships, they are more hidden.

Volume controller for the announcement channel

I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed it, but on some older ships, there might be a volume control for the announcement channel.

It’s usually located on the desk and works with a dial system that lets you turn the volume up or down.

Of course, this only applies to non-essential announcements. If there’s an emergency, you’ll still hear the evacuation signal loud and clear.

Let me just remind you that the general emergency signal for a cruise ship is seven (or more) short blasts followed by one long blast. Before going on a cruise, have a look at the emergency codes used on cruise ships and their meaning.

Clothesline

Many cruise cabins have a hidden retractable clothesline in the shower or bathtub.

It’s incredibly useful if you enjoy onboard pools or shore excursions that involve water activities.

Swimsuits and small laundry items can be hung and will easily dry overnight.
It’s a thing that I really love because it saves space in the cabin and also reduces the need for frequent laundry services, which can be costly on cruise ships.

The clothesline is typically discreet and tucked away when not in use. Just pull the wire from one end and hook it on the other end.

Below is a picture of the clothesline I found on one of my last cruises (I think it was MSC).

Mini-fridge

The mini-fridge in cruise ship cabins is a hidden thing that can significantly enhance the stay. Very often, it is tucked away within a cabinet or under a desk.

If you can’t find it or open it, just ask the cabin attendant, sometimes it may have been locked by mistake.

While it’s not very large, these refrigerators are perfect for storing snacks, medication that requires cooling, or a bottle of wine for a special occasion.

If you store medication, remember to check the temperature of the fridge. Sometimes they don’t cool like normal refrigerators, so if you have any doubts, ask at the help desk.

Upon arrival, it might be stocked with chargeable items. If you prefer to use the space for personal items, you can also request the removal of these products.

Usually, the drinks inside it are not free. If you are looking for free drinks, check the list of the 10 drinks that are always free on cruise ships.

Ice bucket (don’t take it from the bathroom)

The ice bucket is usually very easy to see, but some people have a hard time finding it.

If you don’t see it on the desk in your cabin, it might not be there. In that case, you can simply ask your cabin steward to bring it for you.

Some of you will laugh, but I have to say it because someone actually thought it: what you see in the bathroom is not an ice bucket but a metal bin.

Again, if you can’t find the bucket, just ask for it; It’s among the 10 things your cabin steward can bring you for free.

Luggage mat

An item that always goes unnoticed (or people don’t know why it’s there) is the luggage mat.

You can usually find it in the closet or on a shelf, ready to be laid out upon your arrival, or already on the bed.

The mat is designed to protect the bedspread when unpacking or repacking your suitcase. The room steward will usually store it for you afterward, but I usually place it under the bed with the empty luggage.

Luggage mats are usually customized with the company’s logo. In the picture above, you can see the one from Carnival that says, “Unpack and choose Fun.”

Remember that you can’t take the mat with you. The things that you can take home from a cruise cabin are all listed here.

Laundry bags

Look well in your closet or drawers, and you should also find one or more laundry bags.

It will be handy to store all dirty clothes to be sent for washing to the laundry room located on the ship.

For short cruises I almost never use the laundry, however, I still take the bag and put it in my backpack because it can always come in handy.

Remember that if you want to send the clothes to be washed, you must also complete the accompanying form with the cabin details and your laundry preferences.

READ ALSO: 10 Things You Must Never Do in a Cruise Cabin (Can Get You Banned)

BONUS POINT: Space under the bed

As you probably know, cabins on cruise ships are very small, so it’s important to make the best use of space.

Unfortunately, not everyone knows this, but there are two excellent spaces for storing suitcases, clothes, and other items.

The first one is under the bed, a perfect spot to store empty suitcases after you’ve unpacked them.

The second one is under the bathroom sink. As you can see in the photo below, you can use it to store dirty laundry or bathroom products.

To conclude

I hope this article was helpful and made you discover aspects of the cabins that you had not noticed before.

In addition, If you haven’t yet found the perfect cabin for you, check the article with the tips to find the best cabins on a cruise ship.

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