7 Cabin Checks Every Cruiser Must Do Before Unpacking (To Avoid Big Problems Later!)

After 125 cruises, I’ve learned—often the hard way—that there are several things you must do the moment you step into your cabin, long before you start unpacking. These quick cruise cabin checks not only set your cruise up for success; they can prevent uncomfortable, frustrating, and sometimes costly problems later.

Welcome aboard—I’m Gary Bembridge from Tips For Travellers, and here are the essential cabin checks every cruiser should do the moment you walk in.

1. Start With Security Checks

✔ Make sure your cabin door actually locks

This one shocked me. On a recent cruise, I unknowingly slept and went out for two days with a cabin door that didn’t lock. I only discovered it when I realised I’d left my card inside and simply pushed the door open.

Don’t assume your door works. Test it.

✔ Check the safe (and that it unlocks again!)

Find the safe—test it before putting anything inside.
I’ve had flat batteries and faulty locks on several cruises.

Some cruisers photograph items they place inside the safe. If anything goes missing, you have a record of exactly what was stored.

✔ Identify your muster station and evacuation route

Even if you checked in before cabins opened, once inside your stateroom:

Locate your muster station (listed on your cruise card and on your cabin door map)
Trace the route there
Know where your life vest is stored
Watch the safety video on the cabin TV/app if required

These steps are quick, but they matter.

✔ Check “Do Not Disturb” and “Make Up Room” systems

Modern cabins use buttons; older ships use door hangers.
Ensure these actually work—so no one bursts in while you’re napping or changing.

2. Confirm That the Cabin Itself Is Right

This one of the cruise cabin checks is especially important if you booked a guarantee cabin, since room assignments can vary.

✔ Check what’s outside your door

Even if you choose your cabin, misreading the deck plan can backfire.

For example, on Queen Elizabeth recently my cabin was opposite a busy crew access corridor used for baggage loading on embarkation day. It was noisy throughout the cruise.

Check for:

Crew service doors
Housekeeping pantries
Noisy venues (nightclubs, bars, kid clubs)
Service staircases

✔ If something’s wrong—go to Guest Services immediately

Most cruises now sail full—moving cabins is harder.
But register your issue straight away, then return the next morning when:

No-shows are confirmed
Cancellations open availability
Discounts or upgrades may be possible

✔ Look for interconnecting doors

Unless you specifically booked them, interconnecting cabins can be noise nightmares. If you have one and didn’t want it, report it immediately.

3. Inspect the Cabin’s Condition

Even on newer ships, things aren’t always perfect. So, here are some key cruise cabin checks.

✔ Photograph any pre-existing damage

If the cabin shows:

Scratches
Stains
Marks
Broken fixtures

Take pictures and notify your cabin steward. It protects you later.

✔ Check balcony functionality

If you have a balcony:

Ensure the door locks and opens smoothly
Listen for whistling or rattling
Inspect rust or wear
Make sure partition doors to adjoining balconies are locked for security

✔ Inspect the mini bar

Key things to confirm:

Is anything included in your fare or drink package?
Are there sensors that auto-charge if you move items?
Do you want it cleared? (Especially if travelling with kids.)

✔ Test the bathroom

On embarkation day, plumbers are often more available on embarkation day —later in the cruise, they are busier.
Check:

Toilet flushes correctly
Shower pressure
Drainage
Hot water

✔ Test the air conditioning

This is one of the biggest sources of cabin frustration I hear from cruisers.

Turn it on. Adjust the temperature. Listen for rattles.

Report problems on day one and they’ll usually be fixed faster.

4. Inspect the Bed Area

✔ Ensure the bed is configured how you want

Twin? King?
Cabin stewards can rearrange it immediately.

✔ Check mattress comfort

Too hard? Too soft? Ask for:

Mattress toppers
Boards
Extra padding

✔ Check the pillows

I prefer feather pillows and always ask for them.
Most lines can locate alternative pillows—even if not advertised.

If you have strict pillow needs, consider bringing your own.

✔ Do a quick bed bug check

It’s rare on cruise ships, but still worth checking:

Lift mattress corners
Inspect seams
Look for black or rust-coloured dots
Check for tiny blood spots on sheets

A one-minute check gives huge peace of mind.

5. Check Power and Charging Options

Before everything gets plugged in do these cruise cabin checks:

Identify US/EU/UK outlets
Check bedside USB / USB-C availability
Note if you need adapters
Ask your cabin steward if you’re missing something—sometimes they can source chargers or adapters from lost-and-found stock

This avoids last-minute hunts or emergency port purchases.

MSC Lirica dancers performed a welcome show sailing out of Marseilles

6. Review All Paperwork and Daily Schedules

✔ Read the Daily Program

I always check:

Itinerary changes
Port times
Dining options (to avoid the chaotic buffet on embarkation day)
Spa, shopping and activity offers
Raffle or prize draws (I’ve won many because hardly anyone goes back!)

✔ Confirm shore excursion tickets

Ensure:

Every tour you booked is listed
Departure times match what you selected
You didn’t get moved from morning to afternoon (or vice versa)

✔ Check speciality dining reservations

Errors happen. Catch them now.

✔ Check main dining room assignments

If you have traditional dining:

Confirm your table number
Visit the dining room early
Ask the maître d’ to change if needed—much easier before the first night

7. Confirm All On-Board Perks and Packages

✔ Loyalty perks

There should be a letter from the loyalty manager outlining:

Complimentary laundry
Free drinks
Internet minutes
Special events
Priority services

Check what you’re entitled to so you don’t miss out.

✔ Cabin-class perks

On some ships your cabin grade includes:

Laundry
Priority dining
Concierge access
Complimentary minibar
Extra included dining

If it’s high-grade: double-check the letter detailing benefits.

✔ Check all pre-purchased items

You should see confirmation for:

Wi-Fi packages
Drinks packages
Photo packages
Thermal suite passes
Specialty dining bundles

Sometimes they’re printed on your cruise card—sometimes listed in your cabin documents.

Final Thought: Your Cabin Is the Foundation of Your Trip

Before you unpack anything—even before you sit down on the bed—running through these checks prevents:

✔ security problems
✔ noisy cabin issues
✔ maintenance frustrations
✔ wrong reservations
✔ missing perks
✔ and unexpected charges

If you want to go even further, watch my guide on how to find the best cabin before you even book—it makes all of this even easier.

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7 Cabin Checks Every Cruiser Must Do Before Unpacking (To Avoid Big Problems Later!)