This Easy Magnetic Hook Hack Keeps Your Cruise Cabin Organized

Beyond their fancy parts, cruise ships, at their core, are technically just large hunks of metal. Roughly 25,000 tons of steel are used to assemble a ship's frame alone, complemented by other metals like aluminum and iron. And while the interiors of cruise staterooms may sometimes appear like they're crafted out of cement and wood, they're actually built from, yup, you've guessed it: metal.

This is actually advantageous to passengers, particularly those who have booked interior cabins, as they can sometimes feel like a shoebox with barely any space to store your stuff. If your cabin lacks secret storage spaces under the bed, behind the mirror, or inside the ottoman, here's a nifty trick: install some magnetic hooks on the metal-infused walls for hanging some of your things.

The last thing you want is to have your belongings strewn across the snug quarters. Instead of draping jackets over chairs or piling hats on desks, use magnetic hooks to organize your stuff and minimize clutter. They're perfect for suspending hats, bags, jackets, and even those damp swimsuits and towels. However, you may want to steer clear of the plastic varieties as they tend to be flimsy and may be more susceptible to sliding down the wall. It's best to invest in industrial-strength options, particularly those guaranteed to support up to 150 pounds, allowing you to hang everything from your backpack to your entire toiletry kit. Their durability means they can last years, too, so you can bring them to your subsequent cruises.

One of the best things about magnetic hooks is that they're multipurpose. If you are sharing a stateroom with other people and value your alone time, you can attach some magnetic hooks on the ceiling (yup, they're metal, too) to create a room within a room. TikTok user @HappyGoLiving tried this when she had to share a cabin with a friend who's admittedly a morning person, as opposed to herself who is more of a night owl. Instead of booking different cabins, she used metal hooks to install blackout curtains around her bed, essentially building a small fortress with minimal light peeking in or out. "This is a good thing to do if you need privacy on a cruise," she noted.

If you're keen on trying this clever hack, it's important to note that the hooks used for suspending your everyday items might not be ideal for curtain hanging. In this case, it's better to use magnets with swivel hooks so you can easily attach them to the curtain's holes and then effortlessly open and close your makeshift room. While these specialized hooks aren't as durable as the fixed hooks, with most only capable of holding up to 25 to 30 lbs, they are more than enough for building your personal hideaway within your shared cabin.