A cruise cabin is small. Somehow it also has to hold luggage, shoes, swimsuits, chargers, a daypack and whatever you bought at the last port. With a little planning, a tiny room can feel like a cozy little cabin instead of a suitcase explosion.

Here are 10 simple tips that keep a cruise cabin organized, from what to pack before you board to how to stay tidy all week. Cabin sizes and rules vary by ship and cruise line, so check yours before you pack.

Before You Board

1. Check your cruise line’s rules first

Policies vary, but cruise lines commonly prohibit surge protectors and extension cords, and they can be taken away at the terminal. Check your cruise line’s prohibited items list before you buy anything. Nothing ruins embarkation day like losing your power strip at security.

2. Pack a cruise-safe power strip

Cabins often have very few outlets. A power strip with no surge protector and no long cord gives you room for your phone, watch and camera. Many are made for cruises, so look for that, and confirm your cruise line allows it. A small power bank is a good backup.

3. Bring magnetic hooks (not tape)

Most cabin walls are metal, so magnetic hooks give you storage without damage. Use them for hats, bags, robes, lanyards and jackets. Skip adhesive tape and sticky hooks on walls, doors and ceilings, since they can damage surfaces and may lead to surcharges. The size of the hook decides how much weight it can hold, so keep it to light items.

Your First Hour Onboard

4. Unpack right away

As soon as your cabin is ready, spend 20 minutes unpacking. Hang clothes, set up the bathroom and slide your empty suitcase under the bed if it fits. A clear floor makes a small room feel twice as big.

5. Use a hanging toiletry organizer

A hanging organizer frees up the tiny bathroom counter. Use it for toiletries, charging cords, sunglasses and small items, and hang it from a magnetic hook so it stays off the surfaces you need.

6. Create a drop zone

Pick one spot for your cruise card, sunglasses, sunscreen and lanyard. A small tray, pouch or hook near the door works. When everything has a home, you’ll never ask, “Has anyone seen the key card?”

Staying Organized All Week

7. Use packing cubes

Pack by outfit or by type: tops, bottoms, swimwear and dinner clothes. Then you pull out one cube instead of digging through the whole suitcase. Packing cubes also make it easy to see when it’s time to do laundry.

8. Add a nightlight

Interior cabins can get very dark at night. A small nightlight keeps you from tripping on the way to the bathroom and from turning on the overhead light at 2 a.m.

9. Set up a swimsuit and laundry system

Hang wet swimsuits on a magnetic hook or in the shower to dry, and keep a laundry bag for worn clothes so clean and dirty never mix. It’s a small habit that saves a lot of cabin chaos.

10. Stage tomorrow’s port-day bag

Each evening, pack your daypack for the next day: ID, cruise card, sunscreen, water bottle, hat and a little cash. Mornings go faster, and you won’t sprint back to the cabin for sunscreen.

Quick Cruise Cabin Organization Checklist

Cruise Cabin Organizing Gear Worth Buying

Travel is so much more enjoyable when your stuff isn’t scattered everywhere. These are the items that make a small cabin work, with a quick note on why each one helps.

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Check your cruise line’s prohibited items list before you buy, and measure your suitcase and under-bed space if you plan to slide luggage underneath.

Plan Your Cruise