Cruising has a way of turning otherwise normal people into full-on MacGyvers. You’d think a week at sea was the same as prepping for a year in the wilderness with how some folks pack. Don’t believe me? Hang around in any cruise Facebook group and you’ll see the same questions pop up again and again: “Are the walls magnetic?” or “Can I bring my own tea kettle?”
Let’s talk about the top things people insist on dragging onboard for their stateroom—things I’d never dream of wasting luggage space on—but end up taking the trip with so, so many cruisers! While some of these may seem useful, except for a few, most cruise ship staterooms have plenty of space to store your stuff without turning that 200 square feet into a cluttered mess.
Magnetic Hooks
Ah yes, the famous cruise hack: magnetic hooks. The theory goes like this: the stateroom walls are metal, so slap a hook up and hang your stuff. But… what exactly are you hanging? Most cabins already have hooks for coats, hats, or that lanyard with your room key. Unless you’re setting up a retail display of handbags, do you really need more hooks? Half the time, they’re holding up those dreaded shoe organizers (we’ll get to that). I promise you—your stateroom won’t collapse without them.
Portable Ceiling Fans
This is the one that blows my mind—literally. People are now bringing little battery-powered or USB fans that dangle from the ceiling. The kicker? They use magnetic hooks (again) to hang them up and run cords across the ceiling and down the wall to power them. Fire hazard, anyone? If your stateroom attendant doesn’t catch this contraption first, the safety team will, and congratulations—you’re officially on the naughty list. Want airflow? Ask your steward for an extra fan or just, you know, open the balcony door.
Over-the-Door Shoe Organizers
Now, shoe organizers aren’t the worst idea ever if you’re packing for a fashion show at sea, but most people don’t actually use them for shoes. Nope, they stuff them with sunscreen bottles, bug spray, medication, and a mini CVS worth of toiletries. My question: why? You’re on vacation, not filming a survival show. The ship already has storage space, and your steward isn’t judging you for leaving your sunscreen bottle on the counter. Save yourself the packing stress.
Blankets from Home
This one cracks me up. People pack actual blankets. Not beach blankets. Not throw blankets. Full-on blankets. If you’re cruising to Alaska, okay, I get wanting to be cozy on deck, but cruise lines are not short on blankets, and some even provide lap blankets for those colder climes. You can ask your steward for extra and they’ll appear like magic. Plus, do you really want to dedicate half your suitcase to bedding? Unless it’s your childhood blankie that doubles as your emotional support item, leave it behind.
SodaStream Machines
I love carbonated water as much as the next person, but lugging a SodaStream onboard? Hard pass. First of all, the CO₂ canister isn’t making it past security. Second, seltzer is literally everywhere on the ship—fountains, bars, cans. Save the SodaStream for your kitchen counter and let someone else do the bubble work.
Tea Kettles & Coffee Makers
This one is an automatic “confiscated at the pier” item. Tea kettles, hot plates, coffee makers—they’re all banned because, shocker, open heating elements don’t mix with cruise ships. And honestly, why bring your own when coffee and tea are free and endless onboard? Unless you’re dying to brew your own Earl Grey with the exact water temperature of 198°F, let the ship handle it.
Portable Swimming Pools (Yes, Really)
And now… my favorite. Someone, somewhere, decided the ship’s pools weren’t enough and brought along a portable swimming pool. They blew it up right there on their balcony. Yes, you read that correctly—an inflatable kiddie pool taking up the entire balcony space. Besides being a nightmare waiting for a sloshy disaster, can you imagine the steward walking out, seeing this, and thinking, “Yep, today’s the day I quit”?
(Photo evidence doesn’t lie—someone really did this.)
Things I’ve Seen That Deserve Honorable Mention
- Extension cords with power strips the size of Texas. Most ships have USB ports now. If you still need more outlets, buy a cruise-approved non-surge cube and call it a day.
- Full-size humidifiers. Yes, someone thought their stateroom air would be too dry at sea and tried to bring one along. Pretty sure the ocean handles humidity just fine.
- Dryer racks. Because apparently, hanging a week’s worth of laundry in a 200-square-foot cabin screams “vacation.”
- Mini rice cookers. I wish I was making this up. You’re surrounded by endless buffets and specialty dining, and you want to steam rice in your stateroom?
What You Should Pack Instead
Now don’t get me wrong—packing smart for your stateroom is a great idea. Having spent hundreds of days at sea, I’ve got my packing down to a science and it involves NONE of the items above. I’m all for bringing things like:
- A small USB charger block (cruise approved).
- A refillable water bottle.
- Magnetic whiteboard (for leaving notes if you’re traveling with family like, “Go do your own thing and leave me alone today!“).
- Over-the-counter meds you might need (buying Advil on the ship will set you back the cost of three cases of beer, trust me!).
Packing for a cruise is like packing for a week away at a hotel, and chances are you’re not bringing hooks, organizers, kiddie pools, or your tea kettle to the Hilton Garden Inn, so keep it simple, useful, and not likely to get you hauled into guest services for a safety violation. If it can burn, explode, requires its own luggage, or looks like it belongs in a Bed Bath & Beyond clearance bin—don’t bring it. Trust me, the cruise line has already thought of most of your needs, and you’ll thank yourself for keeping your suitcase lighter.
So next time you’re tempted to pack a ceiling fan, a shoe rack, or your SodaStream, remember: you’re boarding a floating resort, not moving into a studio apartment.