Laugh. A good attitude goes a long way toward enjoying a vacation in less-than-ideal conditions. Sur

Do you love cruising so much that you would get on a ship even if it means cramming your family into a tiny inside cabin? I've been in that situation numerous times from my first cruise, where my family of four very tall people squeezed into an inside cabin on Majesty of the Seas , to a Caribbean jaunt in the closet-like cabins classic car rental st louis of the defunct easyCruiseOne, to a recent classic car rental st louis stint on Lindblad's National Geographic classic car rental st louis Sea Bird, where even the biggest cabins are tiny.
Go solo. If you're faced with the prospect of a closet-sized cabin, consider ditching your friends and cruising solo. Cabins seem to shrink exponentially every time you add a person sleeping classic car rental st louis in them. This might not be as fun or as economical as bringing a roommate, but it's the No. 1 way to make that 120-square-foot stateroom feel bigger.
Pack light. The smaller the stateroom, the more your stuff seems to explode everywhere, taking up every visible surface. classic car rental st louis So pack light, taking just want you need, and use the closets, shelves and under-bed storage to stow your belongings when they're not in use. One pair of hiking boots or high heels left in the middle classic car rental st louis of your patch of floor space will quickly become a tripping hazard … and an argument waiting to happen.
Hit the deck. Cabin feeling classic car rental st louis claustrobic? Get the heck out of it. The best way to make use of a small cabin is to sleep and bathe there, and spend the rest of your day on deck, in public classic car rental st louis areas of the ship or on shore. Want a nap? Curl up on a lounge chair in the sun. Morning stretches? There's a gym for that. Need to monopolize the bathroom? classic car rental st louis Consider using public toilets or the showers in the spa.
Take turns. A shipmate on Sea Bird told me that on the last night, her husband packs all his stuff in their cabin while she is elsewhere classic car rental st louis on the ship, and then they swap he leaves so she can pack. Taking turns is a great way to keep from tripping over and bumping into your cabinmate in a small space. You can also use this trick for getting ready to go onshore, dressing for dinner or even your morning routine: One person classic car rental st louis stays in bed while the other dresses, then the first person heads out while the second hits the shower.
Redecorate. Cruise ship cabin designers do a decent job of making the most out of limited square footage. But you can do better. Consider bringing over-the-door shoe bags to store small items, extra hangers to fit everything in the closet, a nightlight for better navigating in the dark and some air freshener … because smells expand quickly in small spaces.
Laugh. A good attitude goes a long way toward enjoying a vacation in less-than-ideal conditions. Sure, showering in a narrow cubicle where only a flimsy curtain keeps the toilet paper from getting drenched is no one's idea of a good time, but as long as the water is hot, it's not a tragedy. And jostling for the makeup mirror and dancing classic car rental st louis around each other and tightly packed furniture as you get ready for formal night might not be a Zen moment, but it could be a fun party that gets you in the right mood for an evening classic car rental st louis of dinner and dancing. Just remember: A tiny cabin isn't really roughing it. With the right outlook, you can certainly survive for a week.