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Let's face it: Cruises are magic on the ocean, but cruise cabins can be small, cramped, and not very luxurious. High-quality sheets and a porthole window can sometimes make up for the sheer lack of space but other than that, there's only so much room passengers can be afforded.

Outside luxury suites - which are often outside the price range of many travelers' budgets - ship cabins are notorious for their tiny size. By the end of a week-long cruise, there are clothes scattered all over, shoes kicked under the bed and around the room, and practically no space for hanging outfits. Additionally, the bathroom is short on space, meaning minimal room for toiletries.

So, how can cruise lovers hack these small cabins to make space for necessities? Here are some tips.

How To Rearrange To Make Space In A Cruise Cabin

Many ship passengers don't realize that they can actually rearrange their room a bit in order to make some space. Obviously, this is not doable in every cabin as some have furniture that either can't be moved or there may not be enough space to move anything. For those who are able to move things such as the bed, nightstands, etc., it's worth pushing them into the corner of the room to create a larger space, as opposed to having the bed in the middle of the room.

According to Forever Karen, moving the bed around can also help with motion sickness. When the boat is pitching - usually from the bow to the stern - having the bed repositioned can help to ease symptoms.

Additionally, those who have a mini-fridge in their room can request that the beverages and any snacks be removed (if passengers don't plan on eating them). This makes space for toiletry items such as face wash, lotions, sunscreen, and the like that can be stored in a cooler space - and will also help anyone prone to sunburn!

Related: When Is Cruising Wave Season & How Can You Take Advantage Of It?

Pack Smart Items To Increase Cabin Storage Space

Believe it or not, there are common, everyday items that passengers can pack in order to help make space in their cruise ship cabins. Those include:

  • Over-the-door storage racks can help provide space for shoes, products, or even rolled-up shirts, shorts, dresses, socks, or anything else that can fit in its sleeves.
  • Magnetic hooks are great for sticking to heaters or even in bathrooms to hang anything from formal outfits to jewelry so that it doesn't need to stay packed away.
  • Extra hangers are helpful for hanging clothes in a closet, if the cabin has one, and these aren't always provided by the cruise ship.
  • A hanging closet organizer or hanging shelves can be packed and hung in a closet to create even more storage (if it fits in one's suitcase).
  • A charging station will eliminate the need for a plethora of cords, combining everything into one space.

How To DIY A Laundry Room

One common complaint about cruise ship cabins is that there's nowhere to hang wet clothes. While some people in the past have resorted to hanging their clothes on their balconies, this will likely only result in a pair of missing swimming trunks. Rather, utilizing space in the shower (and other spots around the bathroom) is a great way to hang clothes out of the way... and without the risk of rough wind blowing through and sweeping them away.

Bringing along a laundry hamper, such as the pop-up baskets, is another way to keep dirty clothes separate from clean. These are usually small enough to store in the corner of the room, as well, which is especially helpful for those who are traveling with kids. For those traveling on a cruise that does have a laundry service, a laundry basket will make doing laundry exceptionally easy.

Lastly, consider space-saving bags! These are worth the hype and do come with the option to roll in order to squeeze the air out rather than doing so with a vacuum. This won't only save room in one's suitcase, but it's also a great way to save room when hanging clothes in the closet, or folding them away in a dresser if a cabin comes equipped with one.

The hacks for cruise ship cabins are truly endless, but finding more space is priceless. When it comes to having the room to move around and simply just hang up clothing can mean the difference between a comfortable room, and one that's cluttered and stuffy.