Cruise Ships Provide Towels, But the Amount and Type Vary by Line
Yes, cruise ships provide towels as part of your cabin. Most major cruise lines—including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian—stock your bathroom with bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths when you board. The housekeeping staff refreshes these daily, usually in the morning or early afternoon, and will replace any you use throughout the day if you request them.
The catch is that the number and quality of towels depend on which cruise line you choose and what cabin category you booked. A standard inside cabin typically gets two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths per person. Suites and higher-category cabins often receive more towels and higher-quality linens. If you need extra towels beyond what's provided, you can call your cabin steward or visit guest services, and they will bring them at no charge.
Key Takeaways
- All major cruise lines provide bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths in your cabin, refreshed daily by housekeeping staff.
- Standard cabins typically include two bath towels and two hand towels per person; suites receive more.
- You can request additional towels free of charge by calling your cabin steward or visiting guest services.
- Bring your own beach towels—cruise lines do not provide these, though some ships rent them or sell them at the gift shop.
- Pool deck towels are usually available at towel stations near the pool, but bringing your own avoids waiting in line during busy times.
Bathroom Towels Versus Pool and Beach Towels
The towels in your cabin are for bathroom use only. Cruise lines do not provide separate towels for the pool deck, hot tub, or beach excursions. If you want to use a towel at the pool, you have three options: bring your own from home, rent one from the ship (usually $5 to $8 per towel per day), or purchase one at the onboard gift shop.
Most experienced cruisers bring at least one lightweight beach towel from home because it saves money and gives you a towel whenever you want one. If you are flying to the port and packing light, the towel rental is a reasonable backup. Some cruise lines, including Disney and certain Royal Caribbean ships, have towel stations near the pool where you can grab a towel during the day, though these are often in short supply during peak hours (late morning through early afternoon).
Daily Towel Refresh and How to Request More
Your cabin steward will enter your room once per day, usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., to clean and refresh towels. They will replace any towels you have used and leave fresh ones on the bathroom rack and towel bars. If you are in your cabin during this time and want to request extra towels, you can ask the steward directly. If you are out of your cabin, you can call the cabin phone and dial the housekeeping extension (usually listed on the cabin information card), or visit guest services.
There is no limit to how many towels you can request, and the service is included in your cruise fare. Some guests request extra towels if they have children, if they shower multiple times per day, or if they want to set up a makeshift beach towel setup in the cabin. The steward will bring them within a few minutes to an hour, depending on how busy housekeeping is that day.
What Happens if Your Towels Are Damaged or Missing
If a towel is stained, torn, or missing when you board, report it to your cabin steward or guest services when ready. They will replace it at no cost. Cruise lines expect normal wear and tear on towels and do not charge guests for towels that are damaged during use.
If you accidentally take a towel off the ship as a souvenir, most cruise lines will charge your onboard account $15 to $25 per towel. This charge appears on your final bill. To avoid this, leave all cabin towels in your room when you disembark. The only exception is if you purchased a towel at the gift shop—those are yours to keep.
Towel Quality and Size Across Different Cruise Lines
Towel quality varies slightly between cruise lines. Disney Cruise Line and premium lines like Cunard provide thicker, higher-quality towels in all cabin categories. Carnival and Norwegian provide standard-weight towels that are adequate but thinner. Royal Caribbean falls in the middle. If you are sensitive to towel thickness or quality, this is worth considering when choosing a cruise line, though the difference is not dramatic enough to be a deciding factor for most travelers.
All cruise line towels are standard hotel size—roughly 27 by 54 inches for bath towels. They are not oversized beach towels. If you prefer larger towels or have a strong preference for a particular brand or material, bringing your own is the best solution.
Specialty Towels for Spa and Fitness Areas
If you use the ship's spa, fitness center, or sauna, towels are provided in those areas as well. You do not need to bring your own towel to the gym. Towel stations are located near the entrance, and you can grab a fresh towel before your workout. Some ships also provide towels at the thermal suite (if the ship has one) and at any adult-only pool areas.
These towels are separate from your cabin towels and are laundered on a different schedule. If you cannot find a towel at a fitness or spa area, ask a staff member—they can direct you to the nearest station or bring one to you.
Packing Tips for Towels
Unless you have a specific preference or plan to spend significant time at the beach, you do not need to pack towels in your suitcase. Your cabin towels will be refreshed daily, and pool towels are available through rental or purchase. If you do want to bring your own beach towel, pack one lightweight microfiber towel—it dries quickly, takes up minimal luggage space, and works well for both pool and beach use.
If you are cruising with young children, consider bringing one extra small towel for the cabin. Kids often go through towels quickly, and while housekeeping will provide more, having an extra on hand means you do not have to wait if you need one during an off-hours time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take towels from my cabin as souvenirs?
No. Cruise lines charge $15 to $25 per towel if you take cabin towels off the ship. This charge is added to your final bill. Towels purchased at the gift shop are yours to keep, but cabin towels must stay on the ship.
What if I need towels in the middle of the night?
Call your cabin phone and dial the housekeeping extension listed on your cabin information card, or use the cabin phone to reach guest services. They can bring towels to your room, though response time may be longer during late-night hours. Most ships have 24-hour guest services available.
Do I need to bring my own towels if I am cruising with a baby?
No. Your cabin will have standard towels, and housekeeping will refresh them daily. If you need extra small towels or washcloths for a baby, request them from your steward—they are provided at no charge. Some parents prefer to bring one or two lightweight towels from home for peace of mind, but it is not necessary.
Are towels provided if I book a balcony cabin?
Yes. All cabin categories, including balcony cabins, include bathroom towels. Balcony and suite cabins typically receive more towels than inside cabins, and the quality may be slightly higher depending on the cruise line.
What if the pool towel station runs out during busy times?
If the towel station is empty, ask a pool deck attendant or staff member nearby. They can direct you to another station or bring towels to you. You can also rent or purchase a towel at guest services if you need one when ready. Most ships restock towel stations regularly throughout the day.