You walk into your cruise cabin, and something immediately feels off. There’s a funky smell you can’t quite place, dirty socks in the drawer, and things in the bathroom you didn’t want to see. That’s when you realize you’d better check everything—under the bed, behind curtains, and in closets to be on the safe side.
Cruise forums are full of comments about stuff left behind in cruise ship cabins. They include everything, from leftover personal hygiene items to dentures, underwear, bugs, and food scraps. Some of the stateroom surprises are highly amusing, some leave you feeling you’d wish you hadn’t seen them, and others will have you skipping the buffet because you’ve suddenly lost your appetite.
Ready to learn about the kind of things that’ll make you pack disinfecting wipes and question whether you’ll sit on the bedspread again? Read on.
The Shocking Stuff They Never Tell You About Cruise Cabins
Cruise cabins are usually a dream—cool air, fresh sheets, and that instant feeling of cabin comfort. Most feel spotless the moment you walk in. But fast turnarounds, back-to-back sailings, and thousands of guests mean not everything gets cleaned the way you’d expect.
Here’s the thing: Not all of them are random complaints—they’re the kind of cruise cabin shockers that turn into viral posts and fuel those follow-up posts you scroll through at midnight. Here’s what real cruisers found and wish they hadn’t.
They Walked Into Their Cabin—And Saw Way Too Much
They swiped in, stepped inside, froze, and got an eyeful they’ll never unsee. A man was already in the cruise cabin, half-dressed and hanging out in all the wrong ways. A keycard mix-up at Guest Services had gone very wrong. The comfort of those cabin walls quickly disappeared.
The couple shared on Reddit, “He thought it was his room, and our keycard worked. Unfortunately, we got the full preview as he tried to hold on to his dignity!”
It’s rare but not unheard of. Fast turnarounds and keycard mix-ups can mean your private cabin isn’t so private after all.
Cruisers now say they knock first—even when the cabin should be empty. Just in case someone else is getting comfortable.
Further reading: Cruisers Confess the Embarrassing Cruise Moments You’ll Never Forget.
A Total Stranger Was Using the Bathroom—In Their Room
They opened the cabin door and heard flushing. A very intoxicated man stumbled out of the bathroom like he belonged there. “What are you doing in my room?” he slurred. Turns out, he’d forgotten his keycard and guessed the wrong number, and a well-meaning, albeit naive, steward let him in.
The couple posted on a Facebook group, “We’ve never been so confused or so annoyed. We thought about complaining to Guest Services, but decided it was a simple mistake and nothing serious happened.”
Found a Camera Under the Bed, and the Photos Were Still On It—Oops!
Would you be tempted to switch on a digital camera the previous cruiser left behind? One couple did, and let’s just say the slideshow wasn’t exactly family-friendly. The camera still worked, and the images were very personal. Obviously, they preferred snapping “private moments” to sightseeing shots.
The couple reasoned that their curiosity led them to do what most people would do—have a cheeky peek. But as they said, “Yikes! Some memories stick whether you want them to or not. But can’t imagine how the amateurs are feeling about their lost ‘memories.’”
Why Were Someone Else’s Dentures in the Closet?!
It sounds like the opening of a bad joke: “A cruiser walks into a cabin and finds teeth in the closet…” But it really happened. A complete denture plate, sitting neatly on a shelf. No case. No explanation. Just smiling back at them like it hadn’t missed a day.
Forum threads went wild with this one. “At least they weren’t still wet,” one commenter joked. Others wondered how the man had eaten his last buffet breakfast.
The consensus? Check closets first before unpacking. Cabin comfort is a little harder to enjoy once you’ve had a run-in with someone else’s dental work.
Found Underwear in the Drawer—And It Wasn’t Theirs
Ten minutes into their cruise, they opened a drawer and recoiled. Neatly folded underwear. Not theirs and not clean either. The cruiser shared, “The undies looked used, and there was no way I was going to touch them. Way too personal.” The room had supposedly just been cleaned.
Other cruisers share similar finds—bras under the bed, socks stuffed behind the couch, even boxers tucked in with extra towels. One joked that finding dirty underwear was the “unwelcome welcome gift” they never wanted to receive.
Needless to say, most cruise guests now check every drawer before unpacking. Nothing ruins vacation vibes like a surprise from the last guest’s laundry.
Things That Should’ve Been Cleaned (But Weren’t)
Most cabins are spotless, but some problems slip through the cracks. When cleaning teams miss the mark, what’s left behind can be anything from mildly gross to full-on stomach-turning.
The Gross Cabin Check No One Warned You About
They bent down to plug in a charger and spotted something tucked beneath the bed— A pile of used tissues. Other cruisers have shared about finding snack wrappers in the nightstand and clumps of hair in the shower drain. So much for that fresh cabin feeling.
Many travelers now do a full sweep the moment they arrive—checking under beds, inside drawers, and even behind curtains. Posts across Cruise Critic and Facebook confirm it: what the cleaning crew misses, you’ll wish you hadn’t found yourself.
They Pulled Back the Covers—And Nearly Lost Their Appetite
What would you do if you pulled back your cruise cabin sheets and saw off-color marks? It’s happened to a few cruise ship passengers, and they describe it as downright gross. It’s time to give the cabin steward a call and request fresh linens. You just hope that the mattress cover has also been changed.
Travelers on forums share similar finds, often uncovered by the use of a blacklight or poor lighting conditions. Some call it rare. Others say it’s more common than you think. Either way, most now pack their own pillowcase, just for peace of mind.
The Bathroom Looked Clean—Until They Noticed This
Imagine stepping into your bathroom and thinking it’s spotless—until your eyes adjust and you spot it. Smudges on the mirror, mystery splatter behind the toilet, a few stray hairs here and there, and something icky near the baseboards.
Thankfully, this wasn’t one bathroom, but a collection of nasty bathroom surprises cruisers have shared online.
Ship passengers say bathroom grime often hides in plain sight, especially on quick-turnaround sailings. Some wipe down every surface with disinfectant wipes before unpacking.
There Was a Strong Smell—and It Wasn’t Sea Breeze
As soon as they opened the door, it hit them. This wasn’t the fresh, ocean-scented cabin the glossy brochure promised. The stateroom reeked of stale smoke that had been masked unsuccessfully with body spray. Fortunately, the couple was able to change cabins.
Experienced cruisers talk about a “classic cruise ship smell.” Some say it smells like a combination of musty carpet and mildew. Others mention stale perfume, wet towels, or that weird “old room” funk you can’t place but can’t ignore. Foul odors from blocked drains are also frequently mentioned on forums.
Many said the only solution was to keep the balcony door open—or change cabins altogether.
Mini Fridge Surprise: It Wasn’t Snacks Crawling Out
They opened the fridge and slammed it shut just as fast. Something was moving. Turns out, ants had taken up residence inside the vent, and one cruiser said the ants looked like they’d been there a while. So much for storing snacks from the buffet.
Forum posts mention ants, gnats, and, in one case, a baby roach. Some cruisers suggest that unless it’s sealed or chilled by your steward, you should skip the mini fridge altogether. One guest wrote that they now travel with Ziploc bags and keep everything on ice.
They Stepped on the Carpet—Eww, It Was Soaked
It felt damp, but the couple figured maybe the steward had just cleaned the carpet. A few steps later, it was clear—this wasn’t water you’d want to walk on. Under the vanity, near the closet, and even by the balcony door, the carpet squished underfoot.
Cruisers report mystery wet spots from AC leaks, pipe issues, or who-knows-what left behind. One guest said that spraying air freshener just made it worse, turning their cabin into a soggy mix of mildew and fake citrus. Most cruisers now check their cabin with their shoes on—just in case.
Mystery Objects Guests Wish They Never Found
Sometimes, what’s left behind feels more personal, more invasive, and a whole lot weirder than forgotten socks or a leftover snack.
Medical Leftovers That Shouldn’t Be There
They were expecting extra hangers, not someone’s used insulin pen in the nightstand. One guest found blood test strips under the vanity. Another noticed mystery tabs—small, white, and unlabeled—scattered on carpets under furniture. One cruiser even discovered a used pregnancy test (positive) in a drawer.
Several cruisers said they were thankful no kids were in the room. Others now check every inch of storage before letting the family unpack. The real danger? Not knowing what someone else forgot to take with them.
A Buzzing Razor and Half-Used Deodorant? Not What They Expected
At first, it sounded like a faint hum. Then they traced it to the bathroom drawer—and found an electric razor still running. It had been left behind, half-buried under a hand towel. Next to it? A half-used stick of deodorant that definitely wasn’t theirs.
The cabin attendant was very apologetic but couldn’t explain how it got missed during cleaning. Needless to say, the couple questioned the general cleanliness of their cabin. But a thorough check didn’t produce any red flags. Just one of those strange things that happen on cruise ships.
Luggage That Wasn’t Theirs—And No One Else Was There
You finally get to your cruise cabin—excited, bags in hand—and find someone else’s suitcase already sitting there. No one around. No steward in sight. Just a mystery bag in the middle of the floor, like it belonged to a ghost guest. Luggage left behind happens more often than you think.
Several travelers have reported walking into cabins that hadn’t been fully cleared or were still technically occupied. One said they stood in the hallway for ten minutes with the door wide open, afraid to touch anything in case they were accused of stealing. Not exactly the welcome they imagined.
Things You’d Be Shocked to Find—But Kinda Want To
Most cruise cabin surprises are gross or awkward, but every so often, someone strikes gold. Literally. From diamond rings behind the mirror to cash envelopes tucked behind TVs, these are the rare finds that spark more curiosity than complaints.
Behind the Drawer: A Diamond Surprise and an Unanswered Mystery
What would you do if you found an engagement ring or an expensive watch left behind in a drawer? Hand it in at Guest Services? Or think, “finders, keepers”? One Carnival cruiser made a different call—he decided to track down the owner himself.
The diamond ring had been stuck in the corner of the safe. It had been lost months earlier during a proposal cruise. Instead of turning it in, the man posted photos online and contacted Fox News. Against all odds, the original owner was found, and the finder reunited the ring with its owner.
Judging by Cruise Critic forums, others haven’t been so lucky. Posts mention lost diamond necklaces, wedding rings, silver money clips, and earrings that vanished without a trace.
They Found an Envelope of Cash Behind the TV—Would You Keep It?
Cruise forums are split on what to do if you find cash tucked away in a stateroom. Some hand it over to Guest Services. Others admit they kept it, assuming it was a tip left behind or “meant to be.”
Posts mention bills stashed under drawers, in safes, and even slipped between mattresses. Most agree: it’s rare to find cash, but it happens more often than you’d expect. And the temptation not to hand it in? Very real.
Food Fails That Make Your Cabin Reek
Most food leaves the dining room when you do—but not always. Some leftovers linger in drawers, fridges, and under beds long enough to earn their own zip code.
Opened the Mini Fridge—And Found Someone’s Half-Eaten Sandwich
You get to your cabin, open the fridge to chill a drink, and there it is—a soggy sandwich wrapped in a napkin, clearly not yours. Not labeled, not fresh, and definitely not something you want near your stash of snacks.
Cruisers say this happens more than you’d think, especially on turnaround days when fridges don’t always get checked. Some passengers are in the habit of asking their steward to empty and sanitize the minibar before use. Others just skip it entirely. Too many mystery meals are left behind.
They Opened the Drawer—And Found Yesterday’s Fruit Salad
They were reaching for the TV remote. Instead, they touched something wet, sticky, mushy — and it instantly grossed them out. Inside the drawer were sticky fruit remnants and a stack of orange peels pressed into the corner like someone had planned to come back for them—and didn’t.
Other cruisers have reported everything from banana skins to old yogurt containers and even moldy fruit hidden in drawers and under beds. It’s the kind of cabin surprise that has people packing antibacterial wipes before sunscreen.
They Hid Dirty Room Service Trays, With Shrimp Tails Still There
Cruisers admit they’ve found room service trays stashed in closets, under beds, and behind curtains—sometimes with shrimp tails, half-eaten desserts, or congealed sauces still on the plates. One traveler said the tray had clearly been there a while, judging by the smell alone.
These aren’t just guest mistakes. Some stewards have said they leave trays tucked away during quick turnarounds, intending to come back later. The result? A funky surprise that makes you think twice before breathing in too deeply.
Want a Clean Cabin? Here’s What I Do Now
Now you know what to check, where to peek, and why that quick cabin scan might save your vacation vibe. A traveler on Cruise Critic said they “never unpack until I’ve checked under the bed, in every drawer, and behind the curtains.” After reading this, you’ll probably do the same.
Because let’s face it: your cruise should smell like ocean breeze, not old shrimp.
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