Cruise Hacks

There were a few clever tricks picked up from various on-line sources which helped make room for all the stuff that needs to be crammed into a small stateroom.  One of the best ideas, was the use of magnets.  Since the walls are metal, it's easy to affix hooks and clips.  This is a trick we will use again and again.  These were found at Walmart -- a four pack was around four bucks.

These hooks were great for bathing suits, cover-ups and items of clothing we wore for a short time and would be wearing again.  These also works outside, providing a way to hang wet items to dry.  Another method we used for drying, were round plastic shower rings hung from the back of our balcony chairs.

Cheap metal clips from Dollar Tree were handy in the bathroom.   On this cruise the stateroom and bathroom were tiny.  This trick helped us keep clutter off the minuscule area around the sink.  We also used them to hold hats, lanyards, and a shower cap.

Having a hanging laundry bag might not have been that attractive, who cares? The only person other than us to see our room, was the attendant -- who probably appreciated that we had a dedicated space for worn clothing.  When it came time to pack at the end of the week, this bag was put into one of the suitcases.  It was just about the right size for two adults on vacation -- provided the clothing was rolled or folded in order to save space.

This lousy picture shows the over the door organizer used to hold both shoes and various toiletry items.  It was a very helpful way to keep clutter out of the bathroom and off the floor.  While this piece would probably not hold up well for day-to-day use, it's perfect to bring on a trip.  Both the laundry bag and this organizer are being stored in our suitcase, along with the magnets, so they will be ready for the next cruise.

It is amazing how cluttered and claustrophobic life on a cruise ship can be.  Having a few tricks to keep things put away was a big help!