I can tackle the day so much better if I've had a good night's sleep, but a being on a cruise vacation means a different bed and sleeping conditions.
I've found I sleep pretty well on cruise ships overall, but I've had to tweak a few things to make it more conducive for a good night's rest. I think that's partly because I want to adapt my cabin to how I like to sleep at home.
Getting proper rest is important to just about anyone, and you shouldn't have to settle for poor sleep simply because you're not at home. I think a lot of people view vacation as an opportunity to relax and rest up with plenty of sleep.
As your ship moves through the ocean in a bed you're not used to, it can be an adjustment to acclimating to it all.
I wanted to share the tips and tricks for sleeping better on a cruise that have worked for me and our readers.
Make the room colder
If you ask my wife, I keep our cabin like a freezer while we cruise. That's partly because I sleep so much better when it's cold in my room.
Your stateroom will have air conditioning controls, and I'd recommend turning the air conditioner down so it's as cold as you're comfortable with a few hours before you go to sleep.
This is especially important in the summer when the Caribbean sun is stronger and can really heat up your cabin, even if the balcony door is closed.
A good strategy is to make the room as cold as you can before you leave for dinner so there's sufficient time for it to cool down.
You should also draw the curtains to help darken the room so it can cool down even faster.
Mattress topper
Did you know you can make your bed even softer by asking for a mattress topper?
I prefer a firm mattress, but plenty of others like their beds to feel much softer. If you're someone like that, then there's an option to help.
You can ask your stateroom attendant for a mattress topper as soon as you meet them on the first day of the cruise.
Depending on the ship, they'll either have an actual mattress pad to insert below the sheet or a comforter that does the same thing.
I'd recommend asking for one as early as you can, because there's a limited supply available.
Stick to your sleep routine from home
There's so much excitement on a cruise, but I find when our kids were younger, it was important to keep them on their schedule.
While it's probably impossible to adhere to the exact schedule, the closer you can keep it, the better overall.
It's a good idea with young kids to keep them doing the usual things at as close to the normal times as possible, including taking a shower, having a glass of milk, or reading in bed.
Don't be shy about asking for what you need
In addition to the mattress topper request, you should ask if you need other extras in your room to help you sleep.
If you need extra pillows or comforters, your stateroom attendant can get them for you.
Your bed will have a few extra pillows to begin with, but don't assume what's in the room is all you're entitled to.
A white noise machine works well too
A lot of people are used to a certain amount of noise while they sleep, whether it's the hum of an air conditioner, television on, or something else.
You could buy a small white noise machine to bring with you, or download an app for your phone to simulate the same thing. Our readers have recommended “bedtime fan” from App Store.
If you prefer a device, try the LectroFan white noise machine. It's powered by USB, so there's no issue with it being confiscated. (This link contains an affiliate link, which costs you absolutely nothing extra to use while supporting this site).
Pack ear plugs
While a little white noise is good, loud noises really make it difficult to sleep.
There are all sort of sounds inside your cabin and outside that could keep you awake, such as snoring, the ship creaking, hangers clanging, or loud passengers.
I'd recommend buying a pack of disposable ear plugs to have, just in case.
The Flents Foam Ear Plugs fit well, muffle noise, but you'll still be able to 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).
Don't pick a cabin near a public venue
You can avoid a lot of noise issues that could disturb your sleep simply by picking the right room.
Tried-and-true cruise advice is to pick a cabin that is one deck above and below other cabins, and not a public space.
Picking a room that's below the pool deck, or above a lounge could result in a lot of unwanted noise bleed.
All you need to do is consult a deck map when choosing a room, and double check that there's other cabins one deck above and below the cabin you're considering booking.
Book an inside stateroom
People that cruise a lot swear the best room to sleep in is an inside cabin with no windows.
Because interior rooms have no natural light, it can get pitch black once the lights are off.
This makes it ideal for sleeping if you're sensitive to light in the morning. As an added bonus, it won't get hot in there either because of heat coming from the sun!
Plus, an inside room will cost a lot less than a balcony cabin.
Buy a USB fan
One more thing you could buy to bring with you is a fan.
My wife loves to sleep with the sound a fan creating white noise at night. Plus, the fan cools the air.
You'll want to get a USB or battery operated fan, and not one that plugs into the wall.
Your ship will have a limited supply of complimentary fans to use if you were to ask your stateroom attendant, but there are very few of them. Bringing your own assures you that you'll have one.
