Cruise cabins come with the basics, but what’s waiting inside on embarkation day isn’t always everything available.
And plenty of passengers spend an entire sailing without realizing they could have some extra things completely for free.
Your cabin steward is a good person to speak to about these little extras.
Some can be delivered during the next cleaning visit. Others may need to be arranged through housekeeping.
Just consider that availability varies by cruise line, ship, and cabin category, so think of this as a list of things to ask about. And remember that borrowed items still need to stay onboard.
1. Extra pillows
The pillows already on the bed don’t have to be your entire supply for the week.
Ask your steward for another if you like more support or enjoy sitting up in bed.
A different firmness may also be available, although a full pillow menu can depend on your cabin category.
Make the request early so there’s time to get comfortable before bedtime.
2. An extra blanket
Even on a Caribbean sailing, an air-conditioned cabin can feel chilly at night.
A spare blanket is a simple request, especially when two people have very different ideas about the right sleeping temperature.
Ask for an additional one to keep nearby rather than changing all the bedding. It’s useful for an afternoon nap, too.
3. More clothes hangers
A closet can look reasonably spacious until two people start unpacking.
Dresses, dinner shirts, jackets, and all those outfits packed “just in case” quickly use up the hangers provided.
Before doubling everything onto the same few hangers, ask your steward for extras.
There’s usually no need to give precious suitcase space to a big bundle from home.
4. A bucket of ice
Cold drinks in the cabin are a small pleasure after a hot port day. The catch is remembering to ask for ice.
Your steward can help with an ice bucket and explain when refills are available.
If you’d like ice regularly, mention that instead of assuming it will automatically appear every afternoon.
Housekeeping works to a schedule, so allow some time for delivery.
Royal Caribbean specifically lists ice, extra pillows, blankets, and hangers among the requests its stateroom attendants can help with.
5. Extra towels and washcloths
Two people sharing a bathroom can get through the towel supply surprisingly quickly. Add a third passenger and the little towel rack starts looking rather bare.
Ask for enough bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths for everyone using the cabin. If an extra towel for your hair would help, say so.
Carnival specifically lists daily towels, hand towels, and washcloths among the supplies provided by its stateroom attendants. Other lines may stock bathrooms differently.
For the pool or beach, follow the ship’s separate towel arrangements. Those towels may need to be checked out and returned.
6. A mattress topper or extra bed padding
A mattress that feels wonderfully supportive to one passenger can feel far too firm to another.
If the bed isn’t comfortable, ask whether housekeeping has a complimentary mattress topper or another way to add cushioning. Some ships have toppers available; others may offer a more limited bedding adjustment.
This is one request worth making as soon as you notice the problem. Supplies can run out, and a steward can’t promise equipment the ship doesn’t carry.
It may not transform the bed completely. Still, a little padding can make a welcome difference.
7. Wine glasses or additional drinking glasses
A drink in the cabin is nicer when there’s a suitable glass to put it in.
If the room only has a couple of basic glasses, ask whether your steward can bring wine glasses or additional clean drinking glasses. Depending on the ship, the request may be passed to another department.
Be clear that you’re asking for ordinary glassware to use onboard. Souvenir glasses and gift packages are separate purchases.
Any rules or charges for bringing and drinking your own wine still apply.
8. More of the included soap and shower products
An almost-empty shower dispenser doesn’t mean you have to ration the remaining shampoo until disembarkation.
Tell your steward if the included products need refilling or if you’ve run out of the soap supplied with the cabin.
Exactly what’s included varies. Some cabins have shampoo and body wash; others also come with conditioner or upgraded products.
Ask for a refill of your cabin’s normal amenities. A request for something different, such as a particular brand or premium conditioner, may not be possible.
9. A bathrobe
A robe isn’t always hanging in the closet, even when one is available for use during the sailing.
On Carnival, passengers in standard accommodations can request bathrobes through their stateroom attendant. That makes this a useful question even without a suite booking.
Other cruise lines handle robes differently. They may be included with certain cabins or loyalty benefits, or offered on request when supplies allow.
Please remember that free to use doesn’t mean free to take home. Leave the robe in your cabin unless you’ve arranged to buy it.
To avoid mistakes, have a look at the list of things you can take home from your cabin.
10. A fresh box of tissues
Not the most exciting cruise extra. Definitely useful, though.
If the tissue box is empty or nearly finished, ask for a replacement rather than assuming someone will notice immediately.
Carnival explicitly includes tissues among the supplies its attendants replenish as needed.
Mention it when you see your steward or leave a clear request through the ship’s usual housekeeping contact method.
A quick heads-up is often all that’s needed.
11. A shower stool
For passengers who find standing in the shower difficult, a shower stool can make an important difference.
Some cruise lines can provide one as an accessibility accommodation.
Royal Caribbean, for example, lists shower stools among the equipment passengers can request through its special-needs process.
Remember to arrange this before sailing whenever possible. Equipment is limited, and the bathroom needs to accommodate it safely.
If you’re already onboard, speak to your steward or Guest Services. They can help check what’s available and coordinate the request.
And don’t forget to have a look at the list of things you can request for free at Guest Services as well!
12. A sharps disposal container
Passengers traveling with injectable medication should ask about a proper sharps container rather than putting used needles or lancets in the bathroom trash.
Your steward can help arrange one or direct the request to the appropriate department.
Carnival tells guests who need a container to contact housekeeping or the Medical Center, while Costa explicitly states that its sharps containers are provided free of charge.
Let the cruise line know before departure if you’ll need one. Once onboard, confirm where the container should be kept and how the ship handles disposal.
It’s a practical request that helps protect the housekeeping crew, too.
How to ask without making it complicated
When your steward introduces themselves, mention the things you already know you’ll need. Extra hangers, another blanket, perhaps ice during the afternoon.
There’s no need for a long explanation. Be specific, ask politely, and allow a reasonable amount of time, especially on embarkation day when the crew is preparing a lot of cabins.
For equipment you depend on, make arrangements with the cruise line before traveling.
For the everyday little comforts, a quick conversation with your steward can make the cabin feel much better suited to your stay.
