When you step onto a cruise ship, you probably think you know what to expect—delicious food, entertainment, relaxation, and stunning ocean views.
What many passengers do not know is that cruise ships have some hidden gems that most of the time are not even noticed.
The reason is simple: over the years, cruise ships have become increasingly larger and more complex, making it difficult to explore them entirely, especially during short vacations.
No worries, I’m here for you and I’m going to share ten cool, little-known features, that are useful to know whether you’re a cruising newbie or a seasoned sailor.
1. Many walls are magnetic
Many people don’t know this, but almost all the walls of cruise ships are magnetic, even those in your cabin.
You might wonder what is the benefit of this. Well, they can be incredibly handy because you can bring some magnetic hooks to hang up items.
For example, you can hang important notes, scarves, hats, t-shirts, the lanyard with your cruise card or even create more privacy by hanging a curtain.
Below here you can see a quite interesting setting with two magnetic hooks used to hang a small fan.
2. Escalators in kitchens
Large modern cruise ships can have several kitchens that are often located on different decks.
To make it easier for waiters and chefs to move from one deck to another, many kitchens have escalators that are completely hidden from passengers.
Waiters use them to avoid stairs while carrying many dishes, they are really useful when you think about how much they walk every day.
3. Larger-than-usual cabins
Did you know that not all cabins are the same, even if they are in the same category or have the same price?
The design of cruise ships is not regular, and some cabins may be slightly larger than others.
It is not very common for this to happen, especially with rooms, but it is slightly more common with balconies that may be longer or more spacious.
If you wanna find one of these cabins look at the guide on what I do to get a better cabin on a cruise.
4. Morgues
This might not be something you’ve thought about, but every cruise ship has a morgue on board.
It’s simply a precaution. Unexpected things can happen even on a vacation, and it is best to be prepared.
Also, consider that the average age of passengers on some ships is quite high so these cases are not even that rare.
The morgue is usually located near the medical center and the doctors and nurses on the ship are in charge of it.
5. The crew uses codes to communicate
It’s not exactly a secret, but many people aren’t aware of the codes that cruise ship crews use to communicate discreetly.
These codes allow the crew to discuss situations without alarming passengers, and they’re commonly used during emergencies
If you are curious and want to know what these codes mean, you can find the most common ones in this article.
6. Two-story suites
Surely you know that there are very luxurious suites on cruise ships. What you probably don’t know is that on some ships you can even find two-story suites.
In particular, Royal Caribbean has several cabins of this type that are called loft suites.
They are truly beautiful with a modern and airy aesthetic that uses glass and open spaces to create a feeling of an even larger space.
One of the best features is the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean.
In the pic below you can see the view from the Crown Loft Suite on Symphony of the Seas.
PRO TIP: In general, you can expect to pay about 50% to 100% more for a suite compared to a balcony cabin.
7. Extra storage in cabins
Some passengers may not realize it, but there are some extra spaces in the cabins for storing your belongings.
For example, one of the most common hidden storage areas in cruise cabins is under the bed.
The beds are usually raised just high enough to allow suitcases and other large items to be stored underneath, keeping the cabin floor free of clutter.
In addition, you might find hidden compartments behind mirrors, within the seating areas, or near drawers and shelves.
In the photo below you can see a hidden storage area behind the mirror on MSC Sinfonia. Unfortunately, many passengers don’t notice it.
8. Pull-down (or Pullman) beds
To save a lot of space, many cruise ships have cabins with pull-down beds.
As the name suggests, these beds are cleverly hidden within the cabin’s walls or ceiling and can be pulled down when needed. They’re often referred to as Pullman beds.
During the day, when the beds are stowed away, the cabin feels more spacious and less cluttered. This is particularly useful in smaller cabins where maximizing space is crucial for the comfort of passengers.
PRO TIP: Check the cabin setting before booking. Some cabins may have sofa beds, some have pull-down beds and some have bunk beds.
10. Hidden Pools
I know it is hard to believe, but given the vastness of new cruise ships, some pools may be well hidden from the main ones.
These pools are accessible to passengers who know where to look, for example near the spa or on a more secluded deck, where they create a peaceful oasis away from the crowds.
I’ve already explained how to find them in the article on the 5 hidden places on cruise ships.
Some pools may also be in restricted access areas such as the adults-only area or the area reserved for passengers traveling in suites.
If you want to find out more about these exclusive areas, I encourage you to read the article on the 7 secrets cruise workers don’t tell passengers.
