14 Things Your Cabin Steward Secretly LOVES You Doing

Want a smoother cruise, a spotless cabin, and maybe a few extra touches of care along the way? It all starts with how you treat your cabin steward.

These are the people who work quietly behind the scenes, keeping your floating home comfortable and welcoming day after day. They notice the small things, and how you interact with them can make a real difference to your experience.

A few small, thoughtful habits can make life easier for your steward and make your own cruise feel even more relaxed. Here are 14 simple things they secretly love you doing.

1. Use Your “Do Not Disturb” Sign

Your cabin steward works to a schedule that’s tighter than it looks. Those little signs on your door aren’t just decoration – they’re how they plan their day.

If you’re heading out, flip the sign to “Make Up Room” so they know it’s a good time to pop in. If you’re having a quiet morning or an afternoon nap, switch it to “Do Not Disturb.”

The trick is consistency. Forgetting to use the sign, or leaving it on the wrong side all day, can throw off their routine. A clear signal helps them keep things running smoothly, which means you’ll come back to a perfectly tidy cabin right on time.

2. Tip Thoughtfully (and Maybe Early)

A Royal Caribbean tipping envelope with the playful message 'Tip tip hooray!' printed on the front, inviting guests to acknowledge exceptional service by providing additional gratuity, with space to write the crew member's name and stateroom number.

Most cruise fares include automatic gratuities, but a personal tip still goes a long way. It shows appreciation and sets a friendly tone from the start.

Some cruisers like to slip their steward a small cash tip on the first day. It’s a kind gesture that says, “Thanks for looking after us,” and it often leads to extra attention, like your ice bucket being kept perfectly topped up.

That said, you don’t have to tip early if it feels awkward. A fair tip at the end is always appreciated. The amount doesn’t matter as much as the thought behind it – your steward will remember that kindness long after you’ve disembarked.

3. Keep the Floor Clear

A cluttered cabin floor can make even the best steward’s job harder than it needs to be. Bags, shoes, and scattered clothes slow things down and make it tricky to clean properly.

Cruise cabins are designed with plenty of hidden storage, so use it. Slide your suitcase under the bed, stash shoes in the closet, and keep clothes in drawers.

Not only does it make cleaning easier, but you’ll also come back to a cabin that feels tidy and calm instead of one that’s been carefully worked around. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference.

4. Hide That Dirty Laundry

It’s easy to let worn clothes pile up in the corner, but that little heap can quickly turn into a challenge for your steward. It’s harder to vacuum, dust, or tidy properly when there’s laundry in the way.

Instead, tuck your used clothes into a laundry bag, a spare suitcase, or even the wardrobe. Many ships also provide a laundry service, so you can send items off and forget about them until they’re clean and neatly folded.

Keeping your laundry out of sight helps your steward keep your cabin looking its best, and it keeps the space feeling fresh for you too.

5. Get Rid of Room Service Trays Quickly

A waiter in a red vest and white shirt serves a breakfast tray featuring a freshly baked croissant, a cup of coffee, a glass of orange juice, and a French press, exemplifying a luxurious and comfortable room service experience with a bright, modern backdrop.

That late-night pizza or morning coffee might have hit the spot, but once you’re done, don’t leave the tray sitting in your cabin. Old food and used dishes quickly start to smell, and it makes cleaning up harder later.

The best thing to do is place your tray neatly outside your door and give room service a quick call to let them know it’s ready for pickup. It’s perfectly normal to do this, and it helps the crew clear it away faster.

Leaving the tray inside just creates clutter and extra work for your steward. A quick call and a tidy hallway are small things that keep everything running smoothly.

6. Gather Your Trash

Cabin stewards don’t expect your room to be spotless, but they’ll appreciate it if you make tidying up a little easier. Wrappers, receipts, and empty bottles scattered across every surface slow things down and make it harder to know what’s rubbish and what you’re still using.

Try collecting all your trash in the bin or in a spare bag if you’ve got a lot. Some ships even have separate bins for recycling, which makes their job even smoother.

It only takes a minute to do, but it makes a big difference. Your steward will thank you for making cleanup simple and stress-free.

7. Be Friendly But Brief

A smiling female cruise guest in an emerald green dress flirts playfully with a handsome male crew member in a formal vest and tie. They share eye contact and warm smiles in a softly lit lounge area, creating a light, charming interaction.

A warm hello and a smile can make your steward’s day. Using their name when you see them adds a personal touch that shows you notice and appreciate their hard work.

Just remember, they’re usually on a tight schedule, juggling a lot of cabins. A quick friendly chat is perfect, but try not to keep them too long. They’ll remember you for being kind and respectful of their time.

A little friendliness goes a long way, and it helps build a positive connection that makes your cruise feel even more personal.

8. Leave Clear Notes for Requests

A small cruise cabin coffee station with a few sachets of Yorkshire Tea, coffee creamer, and MSC-branded sugar packets. A paper plate holds a handwritten note reading “Please can we have some more coffee? Thanks ♥,” left neatly beside a silver kettle.

Need more towels, a bucket of ice, or an extra pillow? The easiest way to make sure your steward gets the message is to leave a short, polite note.

Cabin stewards are often working while you’re out, so it’s easy to miss each other. A clear note removes any guesswork and saves time for both of you.

A simple message like “Extra towel please, thank you!” does the trick. It’s thoughtful, direct, and makes sure you get exactly what you need without any mix-ups.

9. Lock Away Your Valuables

Your steward is a professional who takes pride in their work, but keeping your valuables tucked away is still a smart move. It protects your belongings and avoids any awkwardness or worry.

Use the safe for things like passports, cash, and jewelry, or keep them in a zipped bag inside your luggage. This simple habit gives you peace of mind and lets your steward work without hesitation around your space.

It’s not about mistrust, it’s about respect. When everyone feels comfortable, everything runs more smoothly.

10. Reuse Towels When You Can

Hanging up your towel tells your steward you’re happy to use it again, while leaving it on the floor means you’d like a fresh one. It’s a simple system that helps everyone out.

Reusing towels saves water and time, which means your steward can focus on keeping the rest of your cabin in top shape. Plus, it’s an easy way to do something good for the environment while cruising.

If you really need a clean towel, go ahead and ask. But if your towel’s still fine, hang it up and give your steward one less load to wash that day.

11. Don’t Leave Food Out

Close-up of a stack of uniform potato chips spilling out of a cylindrical can onto a white surface, with a pink pencil and a notebook containing highlighted notes visible nearby. The setup suggests a casual snacking moment during a study or work session.

It’s tempting to leave a few snacks sitting around, but food in a small cabin can quickly cause unwanted smells or attract pests. Ships are clean, but leftover food is never a good idea in any space that’s shared and sealed up tight.

Once you’re finished eating, seal any snacks in their packaging, toss leftovers in the trash, or put your tray outside for collection. It keeps your cabin fresh and makes your steward’s job much easier.

A tidy cabin smells better, feels better, and saves your steward from having to deal with old crumbs or half-finished plates.

12. Report Issues Nicely

A guest services crew member in a navy uniform smiles while assisting a middle-aged male passenger at a cruise ship reception desk. The setting is modern and warmly lit, creating a professional yet welcoming atmosphere.

If something in your cabin isn’t working the way it should, let your steward know as soon as you can. They usually know exactly who to call to get it fixed quickly.

The key is how you ask. A polite mention goes much further than a complaint, especially when it’s something outside their control. Your steward wants your stay to be perfect, and a friendly tone makes it easier for them to help.

A little patience and kindness can turn a small problem into an easy fix, and your steward will appreciate that attitude more than you might realize.

13. Be Patient on Turnaround Day

Disembarkation mornings are some of the busiest hours for crew. Stewards are cleaning dozens of cabins under serious time pressure.

If you can leave your cabin promptly and take your belongings with you, it helps them start fresh for the next guests.

14. Say Thank You (and Mean It)

A close-up image of a hand holding a small folded stack of U.S. dollar bills, suggesting a cash transaction or a tip. The background is a plain, neutral color.

Before you leave the ship, take a moment to thank your cabin steward properly. A kind word, a handwritten note, or a small extra tip means more than you might think.

Stewards work long hours and rarely get much downtime, but they take real pride in making sure your cabin feels like home. When you show your appreciation, it reminds them that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.

A simple thank you costs nothing, but it’s one of the most powerful gestures you can make on your cruise.

Final Word

The best cruises aren’t just about the ports or the food. They’re about the people who make the experience special, and your cabin steward is one of them.

These small habits don’t take much effort, but they make a big difference. A tidy cabin, a bit of kindness, and a little thought go a long way toward making life easier for your steward and smoother for you.

Treat your cabin steward with the same care they show you, and you’ll notice the difference right away. A happy steward means a happy cruise, and you might even find an extra towel animal waiting for you at the end of the day.