9 ways to sleep better on a cruise ship

While a cruise ship vacation usually conjures up all sorts of fun activities, getting lots of sleep is an undeniable must-do as well.

Whether you want to catch up on sleep you missed, or just enjoy not having to set an alarm and seeing how late you can sleep-in, getting plenty of rest is important to a lot cruisers. After all, you want to recharge and feel relaxed during your time off.

Everyone has different sleep patterns, and you might find it a challenge to get quality sleep in a different bed than you’re used to while your ship slowly moves through the ocean.

I’ve heard lots of advice on the topic, so I wanted to share some of the best strategies for getting the sleep you really want.

Ask for mattress topper

A very subjective topic is how firm is too firm for a mattress. It’s a relative matter of opinion, but there are some that really want a plush bed.

I sleep just fine on Royal Caribbean’s beds and look forward to how good they feel, there is an option for those that don’t like any kind of a firm mattress.

You can ask for a mattress topper as soon as you meet your room attendant on the first day.

On some ships, you’ll get an egg foam mattress topper, but newer ships may have a nice cooling mattress topper.  Your mileage may vary.

Keep in mind there are a limited supply, so ask early on your cruise to ensure you get one.

Bring white noise machine

Whether you’re used to falling asleep at home to the sound of a fan, radiator, or television, a white noise machine might be a good investment.

There are many devices on the market to buy. Some just download an app for their smartphone that can play the music on loop (“bedtime fan” from App Store is one that a reader recommended).

The LectroFan white noise machine is one such device, and it could be what you need to sleep peacefully (and it can be powered by USB). (This link contains an affiliate link, which costs you absolutely nothing extra to use while supporting this site).

Turn down the air conditioning

I find I sleep better in a colder cabin than a warmer cabin, so consider adjusting your air conditioning between day and night.

During the warmer summer months, it can get very hot out and that sunlight can radiate into your room, even if you have the balcony door closed.

I recommend turning the air conditioning down before you head out for dinner to ensure there’s plenty of time for the cabin to cool down.

You could also pull the curtains closed to your balcony to block the sunlight.

Bring ear plugs

You never know what kind of noise issues you may have in a hotel room or cruise ship cabin.

Someone snoring, creaking sounds, or just random sounds in the night could wake you up and that can be very frustrating.

A good pair of ear plugs can be a game-changer for keeping you asleep longer.

The Flents Foam Ear Plugs come highly recommended by our readers because they fit well, muffle noise, and you can still hear your alarm go off in the morning. (This link contains an affiliate link, which costs you absolutely nothing extra to use while supporting this site).

Book a cabin above or below other cabins

If sleeping well is important to you and you want to minimize the chances of noise bleed, pick a cabin that is one deck above and below other cabins.

Some cabins are underneath a public venue, and these cruise ship cabins should be avoided. Noise from patrons in the venue, or crew members moving furniture could ruin your evening slumber.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid

Look at a deck map and ensure you’re seeing other cabins one deck higher or lower than your room, and you should be good.

Book an inside room

If you really want the best sleep on a cruise, try booking an inside cabin.

Since inside cabins have no natural light sources, as soon as you turn off the lights, it will get pitch black in your room.

You won’t know if it’s 3am or 3pm in there, which makes it ideal for people that want to sleep well.  Plus, there’s no heat coming in from your balcony!

As an added bonus, an inside cabin will cost much less than a balcony.

Read more: Inside cabin vs. balcony room on a cruise ship

Buy a USB fan

Along the lines of a noise machine, a USB powered fan could be all that you need.

A noise machine is great, but it can be pricey. Plus, if you’re used to a fan, you may also be used to the air movement it generates on top of the noise.

This USB and battery operated fan is one such model you could easily bring along.

It’s worth noting you could ask your stateroom attendant for a fan.  They have a limited supply, so if having a fan is mission critical for you, then I would be proactive and bring one yourself.

Ask for extra pillows or blankets

Maybe your sleep routine is to be rolled into the shape of a human burrito, or you just like to have more pillows than anyone else.

Your stateroom attendant should be able to provide these for you.

Try to keep your normal nighttime routine

Keeping a familiar routine is another good tip for making sleep better, especially if cruising with kids.

Try to keep your pre-sleep tasks going while on a cruise, such as taking a shower, having a glass of milk, or reading in bed.

It’s tempting to try to “do it all” on a cruise and run from activity to activity, but giving your body clues it’s time for bed with some familiar tasks could be the ticket to ensuring sleeping well on a cruise too.