After watching many cruise videos and reading articles, it seems like a major recommendation is to use magnetic hooks to provide additional methods for hanging up articles. This could include robes, clothes, umbrellas, canes, cameras, or any other item that makes sense. While I have never had a problem with space, I decided to test out whether magnetic hooks work well.  However, I do have some advice that is not mentioned in any of the articles I have read.

Which Style to Pick?

I went onto Amazon and looked up “magnetic hooks for cruise cabins” (yes, this did pop up as an option). I was a little surprised to find out that I had to make some decisions.

What Strength Did I Want?

It seems like these hooks come in 22 lb. and 50-55 lb. strengths. This, however, can be misleading since the weight the hook can support is based on whether it is attached to the ceiling or the wall. Generally, if a hook can support 22 lbs. on the ceiling, it will support around 5 lbs. on the wall before slipping. I thought this would be too weak to do any good, so I opted for the 50-55 lb. hook which can support around 20 lbs. on the wall. Keep in mind that the amount of weight the hook will support on a wall is dependent on the type of surface. When I tested on my refrigerator, the hook started to slip at much less than 20 lbs. as there was not enough friction to keep it from sliding. On a rougher surface, it will support more. So, the weight that can be supported will vary depending on the type of surface to which your magnetic hook is attached.

CAUTION: Be aware that the stronger the magnet, the more it will impact items in your baggage – see my warning  below about magnets near credit cards and electronics.

Fixed Hook or Swivel Hook?

Magnetic hooks are available in two styles.

Fixed Hooks

Fixed hooks are hooks that screw into the base ans stick out 1-2 inches from the wall. These seem to be sturdier, but they can also be in the way in a cramped cruise cabin.

Swivel Hooks

Swivel hooks, on the other hand, lay closer to the wall and would be less of an obstacle. However, the hook seems to be less sturdy, although it was sufficient to serve my purposes. Basically, the hook hangs down flat against the wall. I decided to get the swivel hooks so we would not bump into them too much.

My Choice

I decided to purchase swivel hooks in decorative colors. Interestingly, they were delivered in a box that said “do not ship on airplane” – not sure why, but suspect the strong magnets cause problems. However, I do plan to fly with them, so we will see. I purchased six hooks in three colors and am very happy with them. Them come with plastic separators so that two hooks can be attached and separated easily (this is really tough if you do not have the separators as the magnets are very strong). They also included stick-on pads to prevent scratching painted surfaces which I thought was a nice feature.

Testing

I tested the hooks on a cruise to South America where we had  2-day pre-cruise hotel stay.  I transported the magnetic hooks in my checked bags.  They were packed in the box in which they were shipped and I took care to keep them away from any metallic items and electronics – I put them in the bottom corner of the bag surrounded by clothing.  Another way to pack them would be inside a shoe.  I had no problem either on the airplane or with cruise security, so I can only assume they are safe to transport in this way.  I would not recommend putting them in your carry-on bags as they are heavy and I suspect might draw some attention during the security screening.

At the hotel, I tested the hooks on various surfaces.  Since the walls were not metal and there were few metallic surfaces, I found them to be sub-optimal for hotel rooms.

On the cruise ship, it was another matter.  I placed one hook by the door, on which we hung my wife’s cane and my walking stick.  This was great as these items always seem to wander or fall down.  This way, we always knew where they were and they did not fall down or get in the way.  The same hook could also be used for hats or other small items.

The remaining five hooks were placed on the wall by opposite the bed.  We hung our jackets, shirts, nightgowns, and robes on these.  They could also hold camera gear, although I prefer to keep my gear on the desk.  I was surprised to see that they would support a heavy robe, along with a few other items on the same hook.  The walls in our room were covered with a vinyl material, rather than fabric, so I suspect they would hold more on a fabric covered wall.  Despite my best efforts, I only overloaded them one time and that was on purpose.

I did consider some locations, such as the bathroom and over the desk.  The bathroom is pretty small, but they could be used to hold items with straps, such as hairbrushes, or shower caps and the like.  I did try to put one in the shower to hold wet suits, but the surface was not sufficiently metallic and they did not stick well.  Besides, we had a clothesline in the shower that worked much better for this.

Recommendations – Use with some cautions

I think these work just fine in a cruise cabin. Base on my experience, I do have some recommendations:

• Pack hooks in small box (preferably one used to ship them), as they will stick to ribs in suitcase and other items.
• VERY IMPORTANT: Do not pack close to any item in your suitcase that might be susceptible to magnetism. This includes credit cards, cameras, phones, computers, memory cards, USB drives, etc.
• Pack in checked bag, tucked away in a corner, surrounded by clothing.  One suggestion is to pack the box with the hooks in a packing cube surrounded by other clothing.  That way, the box will not ship when your luggage is tossed around during the flight.
• Test on different walls in cabin as some surfaces work better than others.  A wall with some texture will work better than a smooth wall.  Some bathrooms have metal surfaces that work great, but I find the bathrooms to generally be too small and the hooks would get in the way.
• Be careful not to place hooks where they stick out into your waking path. This includes by the entry door or in the tight space between the bed and the wall where you will bump them as you squeeze by. Ideal locations will depend on your cabin configuration.
• When hanging them from ceiling, be careful not to get too close to a sprinkler, light, or smoke sensor.  I did not try the ceiling as I could not really see any advantage of hanging anything from the ceiling, unless you keep it close to a wall.  It would just get in the way.
• VERY IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to pack them at the end of the trip as they are very easy to overlook.  Like any other small item, these are easy to overlook in the rush of last day packing.

All in all, I think the hooks are helpful. My major caution is that strong magnets near electronics can affect you electronics by erasing memory, distorting displays, and more, so be careful where you pack them.  Please let me know in the comments below if you use magnetic hooks or have any additional suggestions.