Cruise Cabin Hacks for Families: How to Make Small Space Work

When we first opened the door to our stateroom on Symphony of the Seas, my first thought was: “Okay… this is actually pretty nice and spacious for a family of four.”

My second thought?

“We need a system… fast.”

Cruise cabins are wonderfully cozy, but when you add kids, swimsuits, snacks, chargers, toys, and the excitement of vacation? Space gets tight very quickly. The good news is that with a few smart hacks, your cabin becomes a well-oiled machine — organized, comfortable, and surprisingly peaceful.

These are the family-tested cabin hacks that helped our crew stay organized, relaxed, and totally sane during our week at sea.

Hack #1 — Pack Smart and Unpack Early

If you do only one thing on embarkation day… make it this.

Unpack as soon as your luggage arrives.

Filling drawers, hanging outfits, and sliding empty suitcases under the bed instantly transforms the room from “luggage explosion” to “cozy home.”

What we use:

• Packing cubes for each person

• A foldable laundry hamper

• Collapsible totes for shoes, toys, or snack overflow

  
  

We learned quickly that suitcases under the bed are non-negotiable; it doubled our cabin space in minutes.

Cruising Reitz Tip: Unpack everything — it’ll feel like you instantly doubled your cabin space.

Hack #2 — Use Vertical & Hidden Space

On a cruise ship, think up, not out.

So many cabin walls are metal, which means magnetic storage becomes your secret weapon.

Try:

• Magnetic hooks for hats, bags, lanyards, swimsuits

• Over-the-door shoe organizers for toiletries or kid items

• Hanging organizers for sunscreen, wipes, and tech

  
  

Our favorite “hidden” storage spots?

• Behind curtains

• Inside nightstand cubbies

• Under the bathroom sink

• On the closet floor (stacking packing cubes vertically works wonders)

  
  

Small space… big creativity.

Hack #3 — Create Simple “Zones”

With kids, having a designated spot for everything saves time and sanity.

Here’s how we zoned our room:

• Morning Prep Zone: Swimsuits, sunscreen, hats — all by the closet

• Kid Zone: A drawer for each child (color-coded cubes help!)

• Electronics Zone: One central charging area

• Nighttime Zone: Pajamas and lovies on each bed

  
  

The kids knew exactly where their swimsuits were every morning — no digging, no stress, just ready to go.

Hack #4 — Keep the Bathroom Functional

Cruise bathrooms are tiny, but they don’t have to feel chaotic.

A few small swaps make a huge difference:

• Hanging toiletry bags that stay zipped when not in use

• Travel-size bottles to avoid bulky clutter

• Magnetic hooks for loofahs

• A pop-up laundry bag for dirty clothes

  
  

And yes… wipes and hand sanitizer are still heroes even at sea.

Hack #5 — Power & Charging Solutions

One universal truth: there will never be enough outlets.

Between phones, watches, tablets, cameras, and sound machines, charging becomes a family puzzle.

Pack:

• A non-surge USB hub (cruise-compliant!)

• Extra-long charging cables

• A designated “power station” at the desk

  
  

We charged important things (camera, battery pack) at night, and less important things (phones) in the morning. Without Wi-Fi everywhere, phones get a lot less use anyway.

Cruising Reitz Tip: Bring a non-surge USB hub; one outlet can power everyone’s devices safely.

Hack #6 — Manage Laundry & Wet Clothes

Between pool time, beach days, and surprise spills, keeping clothes dry is a must.

What saved us:

• Collapsible laundry hamper

• Magnetic hooks for hanging damp swimsuits

• The small clothesline above the shower — incredibly underrated

• A waterproof tote for sandy or salty outfits

  
  

No musty odors. No “Mom… where’s my swimsuit?” chaos.

Hack #7 — Keep It Cozy & Personal

Even in a small space, comfort matters — especially for kids.

A few simple touches make a cabin feel warm and familiar:

• A soft nightlight

• A favorite bedtime book

• The boys’ lovies

• A tiny travel-safe air freshener

• A few magnets for decorating and holding itinerary cards or drawings

  
  

These little touches turned our cabin into a space our boys loved coming back to.

Even in a small room, a few cozy touches made it feel like home.

Bonus: Packing Shortcuts That Save Space

Quick wins for families (and great for Pinterest!):

• Use reusable toiletry bottles

• Roll, don’t fold

• Shower caps = the perfect shoe covers

• Limit shoes to: sneakers • dress shoes • flip flops/crocs

• Coordinate colors (mix & match outfits for fewer items)

  
  

Small hacks → big difference.

Small Space, Big Memories

By the end of the week, our small stateroom felt less like a tight squeeze and more like a cozy little home where we made some of our favorite memories.

And that’s the beauty of cruising — it’s not about the square footage. It’s about being together, unplugging, and enjoying every moment.

If you’re planning your first family cruise, don’t stress about the cabin size. With a few clever hacks, it becomes a comfortable, happy, perfectly functional space for your whole crew.

If you need help planning your next cruise, I’d love to help you find the perfect ship and itinerary.

Contact Me to start planning 💙