Your cabin steward can bring far more than fresh towels. Extra pillows, ice, hangers, a mattress topper, robes, wine glasses and a bed split into twins are usually free, and you only need to ask. A few things aren’t allowed at all, though, like kettles on most US lines and surge-protected power strips. Here’s what you can ask your cruise cabin steward for, what depends on the line, and how to ask.
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What Does a Cabin Steward Do?
A cabin steward (also called a stateroom attendant or room steward, depending on the line) looks after a section of cabins on your deck. They make the beds, change towels, restock toiletries, refill the ice bucket and keep the cabin tidy. On some ships they also do an evening turndown. They’re usually one of the first crew members to introduce themselves, often on embarkation afternoon, and they’re the quickest way to fix most small problems in your cabin.
Service levels have changed in recent years. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian (in non-suite cabins) moved to one main service a day, while lines such as Holland America, Princess and MSC have kept two. If you prefer your cabin made up at a particular time, tell your steward on day one.
Things to Ask Your Cabin Steward For (Usually Free)
| Request | Usually free? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extra or different pillows | Yes | Pillow menus on some lines, often for higher cabin grades |
| Extra blanket or duvet | Yes | Helpful in cabins with strong air conditioning |
| Mattress topper or bed board | Yes, while stocks last | Ask early, as supply is limited |
| Twin beds or one larger bed | Yes | Often done during dinner on night one |
| Extra hangers | Yes | Pack a few if you bring lots of formalwear |
| Extra towels | Yes | Pool towels are usually swapped on deck |
| Ice bucket and refills | Yes | On some lines you have to ask for it |
| Bathrobes and slippers | Often | Standard in suites, on request elsewhere |
| Wine glasses, flutes, corkscrew | Yes | Handy if you’ve carried on a bottle |
| Empty fridge for your own items | Usually | Ask if the minibar is stocked |
| Towel animals | Often | Some ships only make them on request |
Pillows, blankets and a better night’s sleep
Cruise beds are generally comfortable, but pillows vary a lot. If yours is too flat or too firm, ask for another. Celebrity, Princess, Norwegian, MSC, Disney and Cunard have pillow menus, although they’re sometimes listed only for higher cabin grades. Anyone can still ask. A mattress topper or a board under the mattress can help with a bed that’s too firm or too soft. Stewards have only a few of each, so ask on embarkation day.
Ice, glasses and a corkscrew
Many stewards fill the ice bucket every day. On some lines, including Royal Caribbean, you may need to ask for this on the first day. If you’ve brought a bottle of wine from home, your steward can usually bring wine glasses and a corkscrew, which saves you paying corkage in a restaurant.
Robes and slippers
Robes are standard in suites. In other cabins they’re often available on request. Carnival, for example, provides robes in balcony and lower-grade cabins if you ask at the first evening turndown. They’re especially welcome on a balcony early in the morning.
Room Steward Requests That Vary by Cruise Line
Toiletries: conditioner, lotion and more
Most ships provide shampoo and body wash, often in wall-mounted dispensers. Conditioner and body lotion are more hit and miss, and some lines include them only in suites. Ask, as your steward often has small bottles. If you have a favorite brand, it’s still worth bringing your own.
Fresh milk, lemons and limes
Some passengers like milk for in-cabin tea, or a few lemon slices for water or gin and tonic. Stewards sometimes bring these from the pantry, but on other ships you’ll be sent to room service or the buffet. The answer varies, so ask politely and don’t count on it.
Tea and coffee making facilities
Here the cruise line matters most. British-market lines such as P&O Cruises and Fred. Olsen have generally provided tea- and coffee-making facilities in cabins, because their guests expect them. Most US lines, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival, don’t supply kettles or coffee machines in standard cabins and ban guests from bringing appliances with heating elements. On those ships, try room service, the buffet or a coffee bar instead.
Fans, adapters and power strips
Some ships keep a small number of desk fans for passengers who feel the heat or need white noise. Power is harder. Royal Caribbean’s current prohibited items policy lists extension cords, power strips and multi-plug outlets among electrical items that aren’t allowed, although device and USB chargers with recognized safety certification are fine. Carnival has allowed power strips without surge protection but bans surge-protected ones. Rules change, so check your line’s list before you pack. If you’re short of sockets, ask your steward whether they can lend an approved adapter.
What Your Cabin Steward Can’t Help With
- Banned appliances: Irons, steamers, kettles and coffee makers are banned on many ships because of fire risk. Most ships offer laundry and pressing services instead.
- Medical equipment: Things like refrigeration for medicines or a CPAP setup should be arranged with the line’s accessibility team before you sail.
- Cabin changes and billing: These go to Guest Services, not your steward.
How to Make Requests
- Ask early. Pillows, toppers, robes and fans run out, so ask on embarkation day.
- Ask in person if you can. Stewards are often in the corridor in the morning and late afternoon.
- Or leave a note. A short, friendly note on the bed works well, especially if your English and your steward’s first language differ.
- Use the app or phone. Many ships let you call housekeeping or send a request through the cruise app.
- Be specific and reasonable. Stewards look after many cabins, so a clear request gets the best result.
Use the steward’s name. It’s easy to remember and appreciated. If you’re cruising for the first time, our first-time cruise tips cover more cabin etiquette.
How Much to Tip Your Cabin Steward on a Cruise
On most big US lines, your cabin steward is paid partly from the automatic daily gratuity. That’s about $17 to $20 per person per day in standard cabins in late 2026 (Royal Caribbean $18.50, Norwegian $20, Carnival $17). Housekeeping gets a share of that, so you don’t have to tip extra.
That said, many passengers hand over a cash envelope on the last evening when service has been outstanding, or when they’ve asked for a lot of extras. There’s no set amount. A few dollars a day per cabin is a common gesture, and a handwritten thank-you note and a good mention in the post-cruise survey also count, since lines track those comments. On lines with gratuities included, such as Fred. Olsen, or with no daily service charge, such as P&O Cruises, any extra tip is entirely up to you.
Your cabin is where you’ll rest between busy days, so making it comfortable is worth a few requests. If you’re still choosing a cabin, compare balcony vs inside cabins or browse the latest cruise deals for 2027.
For problems your steward cannot solve, see our guide on how to complain on a cruise, from guest services to post-cruise escalation.
If your steward goes the extra mile, our guide explains how much to tip on a cruise and when extra cash makes sense.
FAQs
Is it OK to ask the cabin steward for extra things?
Yes. Extra pillows, towels, hangers, ice and blankets are normal requests, and stewards expect them. Just be polite and ask early.
How much should you tip a cabin steward on a cruise?
Automatic gratuities already cover part of their pay on most lines. Extra cash is optional. Many guests give a few dollars a day per cabin for great service.
Can I bring a kettle or power strip on a cruise?
Usually not a kettle, because heating appliances are banned on most US lines. Power strip rules differ. Surge-protected strips are widely banned, and Royal Caribbean restricts power strips altogether, so check your line’s list.
Do cabin stewards still make towel animals?
On many ships, yes, though on some they appear only if you ask. Your steward is usually happy to make one if they have time.
How often is a cruise cabin cleaned?
Once or twice a day, depending on the line. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian moved most cabins to one main service daily.
