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If you’re getting ready for a cruise you’re probably thinking about what you’ll need to bring on your cruise vacation. However, it’s just as important do you know what you cannot bring on your cruise.

Cruising is different than a land vacation and even airplanes. In fact, you might be surprised to find out some of the items that are actually prohibited on cruise ships!

While some things are obvious, others may seem a bit weird or strange, and can even get you in trouble if you bring them. There are also some practical travel items that you might normally bring on a vacation, but aren’t allowed onboard cruise ships.

In this post, I share the prohibited items you can’t take on your cruise. This includes recent changes from Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, 2 cruise lines which have updated their banned items policies.

You’ll also find a list of exceptions and things you can bring on a cruise.

Items that Are Prohibited on a Cruise

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Clothing Irons and Steamers

Many people wonder if they can bring clothes steamers or irons on a cruise ship. Since these things are a potential fire hazard, they’re prohibited to be brought on a cruise ship. Fire is considered to be the worst thing that could happen on a cruise ship and therefore this is strictly enforced.

It might be surprising to know, especially if you’re cruising for the first time, that unlike a hotel room, you won’t have an iron in your cruise cabin.

If you do need to get wrinkles out of your cruise outfits, some cruise ships have public laundry rooms that cruise passengers can use. You can also use the ship’s laundry and pressing service at an additional fee.

Cruise tip: Use packing cubes and roll items to prevent wrinkles as much as possible. Then, bring along a travel size Downy Wrinkle Release for touch ups.

Related post: What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise 

Coffee Makers, Kettles and Mug Warmers

Items with heating elements are almost never permitted on a cruise ship. This includes coffee machines, kettles, hot plates, mug warmers cannot be brought on a cruise. Other small appliances like rice cookers should also be left at home.

Heating Pads

For safety reasons, heating pads and heating blankets are on the list of prohibited items for most major cruise lines.

Surge Protected Power Bars

Surge protected power strips and extension cords are not allowed on a cruise. Since cruise ship staterooms often don’t have enough electric and USB outlets, many cruisers bring a non-surge protected power bar instead.

This will be fine for most cruise lines. However, Royal Caribbean recently added non-surge power bars of any sort to it’s list of things not permitted on a cruise.

Clarifying what is allowed, cruisers can be USB multi-plug blocks with no additional electric plugs.

Recommended: “Cruise approved” non-surge protected power bar (see price & 5* reviews on Amazon)

Bluetooth Speakers

Carnival Cruise Line recently added bluetooth speakers to their prohibited items list. This is likely because they were being used in public areas and becoming a disturbance to other guests.

Upside Down Pineapple Door Decorations

Another addition to the banned items list, only on Carnival cruise ships for now, are upside down pineapple door decorations. Carnival Ambassador John Heald recently shared the new policy on his popular Facebook page, stating that crew have been instructed to remove these from cabin doors.

If you’re wondering what pineapples mean on a cruise, here you go: What Do Upside Down Pineapples Mean on a Cruise? Everything Cruisers Need to Know

CBD Products and Marijuana

Illegal substances, including marijuana are prohibited on cruise ships. This is banned even if it’s legal in certain states or it’s medical marijuana. 

CBD products are also not allowed.

Cruise lines follow Federal regulations and are very strict on this policy. This includes using sniffer dogs at security during the embarkation process, which we encountered during a recent cruise from Miami.

Weapons

Guns, knives and other weapons aren’t allowed on board cruise ships. Some less obvious weapons that are listed as cruise line banned items include throwing stars, pepper spray, crossbow bolts, brass knuckes, flick knives or switchblades, and similar items. All martial arts, self defence items, and concealed bladed knives are also strictly forbidden.

You’ll find a fairly extensive list of banned weapons on your cruise line’s website. It’s important to note that passengers should never bring ammunition onto the cruise ship or in ports of call.

Scissors and knives with long blades are on the prohibited items list for most major cruise lines. The blade length can vary by cruise line, but 4 inches in referenced most.

Knives and Scissors

When it comes to knives and scissors, there are expections for personal grooming items, like safety razors and small and manicure scissors. 

Utility knives or “Swiss army knives” aren’t usually allowed. These items are typically confiscated by cruise line security, but can be retrieved at the end of the cruise upon debarkation.

Candles and Incense

Anything with an open flame is a fire hazard and not allowed. So candles and incense can’t be brought on board a cruise ship.

Cruise tip: If you’re in need of a “fresh smell” in your cabin, bring along a favorite cruise essential, Poo-Pourri Spray (verify price on Amazon here).

Drones

Cruise line policies on drones vary, as you can never fly a drone above the cruise ship while at sea. Some cruise lines allow you to bring a drone on board and store it in your cabin. Other cruise lines forbid drones completely.

Cruise ports also have strict rules as to when and where you can fly a drone. Make sure to check with your cruise line before you bring on on board, as it can be confiscated.

Homemade Food

While you are allowed to bring packaged snacks onboard a cruise, such as chips, candies and granola bars, homemade food is not permitted.

Liquor or Beer

Cruise lines don’t permit passengers to bring hard liquor, alcohol or beer onboard the cruise ship. 

However, if you enjoy wine, most cruise lines allow you to bring one bottle of wine per adult. This must be brought in your carry-on bag or hand luggage on embarkation day.

​Related post: 27 Cruise Travel Hacks Repeat Cruisers Use

Wheeled Shoes, Hoverboards and Skateboards

Shoes with wheels, hoverboards and skateboards could all be dangerous on a cruise ship and are not allowed.

Pool Noodles and Inflatable Pool Toys

While they might be fun, there’s simply no room in cruise ship pools for inflatable pool toys, so best to leave them at home. If you’re cruising with young children, life jackets for swimming are usually available.

Toy Guns

Toy guns or gun replicas are not permitted on a cruise.

Baby Monitors

Surprising to many, you can’t take baby monitors on many cruise lines. Royal Caribbean has recently banned baby monitors. This made the news after when an influencer couple was engaged in a baby monitor controversy.

This is just one case where different cruise lines may have their own rules and policies on prohibited items. It’s a good idea to check your cruise line website for information specific to your cruise.

Kayaks and Surfboards

Kayaks, canoes and surfboards are not allowed on a cruise ship. According to cruise line policies, anything that can be launched off a cruise ship is prohibited.

In some cases you are able to bring items that you might use in a cruise port onto a ship and leave them in your cabin. So do you check with your cruise line.

Kites

Flying toys like kites are prohibited on a cruise ship.

Fireworks

Fireworks are a fire hazard and can’t be taken onto a cruise ship.

Dive Tanks & Diving Knives

Cruise lines won’t permit you to bring dive tanks onto the cruise ship, however the policy on diving knives may vary from cruise line to cruise line. In some cases, short diving knives can be taken onboard, however they may not be kept in the passenger’s possession.

Cruise passengers are always advised to check the information for your specific sailing and booking.

Hookah Pipes

Although you can smoke cigarettes and cigars on a cruise in designated areas, as well as vape and smoke e-cigarettes, hookah pipes are not allowed.

Restraints

Restraints of any kind, including handcuffs cannot be brought on a cruise.

Helium Balloons

It might seem fun to bring helium balloons on a cruise to celebrate or even decorate your cruise cabin door, however they aren’t permitted.

Meat or Fish Products

No perishable food can be taken onboard a cruise ship, nor can you bring fish or meat.

You might be wondering why this might happen? Perhaps on a fishing shore excursion or even in Alaska when people may want to bring home some “fresh” salmon packed on ice.

While you can’t bring fish or meat onto a cruise ship, companies may be able to pack and ship the items to your house instead.

Metal Detectors

Metal detectors are on the prohibited items list for most cruise lines. It seems that they could cause a problem with the ships electrical and navigational systems.

Related post: 63 Things Not to Do on a Cruise Ship

Read next: 10 Things NOT to Pack for a Cruise Vacation

Things You Can Bring on a Cruise (Exceptions)

After reading about all the things you can’t bring on a cruise, you might be wondering is there are exceptions. The following items are things you can bring. However, keep in mind that the final decision rests with a security officer.

Sporting Equipment

Depending on the cruise line, sports equipment may be allowed to be brought onboard your cruise ship. However, guests are usually required to store these things in their cabin, only to use in the cruise port.

This includes hockey sticks, baseball bats and gold clubs.

Hairdryers, Hair Straighteners and Curling Irons

Even though most electrical appliances are banned on cruise ships, there is an exception of hair curling irons and hair straighteners on most cruise ships today. However, since there’s a heating element, it can be subjected to a security screening.

​CPAP

Cruise lines allow guests to bring CPAP machines onboard. It’s a good idea to contact your cruise line to ask about an extension cord. This is is usually prohibited but there are arrangements that can be made.

Electric Shavers 

Electric shavers, along with most personal grooming devices are allowed. 

Small Personal Fan

It’s not uncommon for cruise passengers to pack a small personal fan to use in their cabin.

Wine and Soda

Many cruise lines allow guests to bring a bottle of wine and small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages on boarding day. Keep in mind that security can inspect containers and bottles.

Related and Popular Posts:

• 50 Must-have Cruise Essentials (Packing, Organizing & Shore Excursion Items)
• How to Save Money on a Cruise
• What To Wear on a Cruise Vacation
• Cruise Luggage Tags Holders (all major cruise lines)
• 33 Fun Things to Bring on a Cruise

Video: Things You Can’t Bring on a Cruise

In this video, I go over more of what you need to know about items that are banned on cruise ships.

Recap: Surprising Things You Can’t Bring on a Cruise (prohibited items)

In this post we went over the items that are not allowed to be brought onto a cruise ship. From items that can be a potential fire hazard to things that are illegal and get you in trouble, this is important information to know before you cruise.

As well, I shared a few items that you can bring on a cruise, that people wonder about. I hope this post has been helpful as you plan and get ready for your cruise vacation.

Did any of the items that are prohibited on a cruise surprise you? Are there other items that you know of that you absolutely cannot bring on a cruise please let me know in the comments below

Happy Cruising!

Ilana

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