Avoid Packing These Banned Items on Your Cruise

Updated 10/25/24

Knowing what is banned and prohibited on a cruise when packing is important, while some items can even get you thrown off the ship.

Cruising is different from a land vacation or staying in a hotel. Some of the prohibited items you want to avoid packing may surprise you. In this post, I will share with you 7 prohibited items that are banned on cruise ships and what I had confiscated that surprised me.

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List of Banned Items on a Cruise

Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives

One of the most important prohibited items on a cruise are firearms, ammunition, and knives. Bringing any of these can result in serious consequences, including having the items confiscated, being thrown off the cruise ship, and even potential arrest and legal penalties. It's crucial to avoid packing any weapons or replicas, even if you plan to purchase them at a port. If you do buy a knife while in port, make sure to ship it home instead of trying to bring it back on the ship.

You can bring:

• Grooming scissors with a 4" blade.

• If purchasing a knife at a port as a souvenir, ask you cruise line if they can hold it for you until you disembark. Some cruise lines will allow this.

Illegal Drugs and CBD Products

Illegal drugs and even CBD oils or products are strictly banned on cruise lines. If your stateroom attendant finds these items, you may be asked to leave the ship altogether. It's not worth the risk, so leave any prohibited substances at home.

Flammable Items

Anything that could potentially cause a fire, such as candles, irons, steamers, and hot plates, is prohibited on cruise ships. These items will be confiscated if found in your luggage. The top two most confiscated items are irons and steamers, so it's best to avoid packing them entirely.

Yes, I brought a steamer on the cruise. I'm unsure of what I thought, as I knew this was most likely a prohibited item. But a tip I suggest for getting out those wrinkles, so you won’t be tempted to bring on an iron or steamer, is:

Tip:

• Downy wrinkle remover

• Or hang your clothes in the bathroom while the shower runs and let the steam pull the wrinkles out. (This is what I do.)

You can bring:

• Lighters for smoking (only in designated areas)

Alcohol

While some cruise lines may allow you to bring a limited number of bottles of wine or champagne, hard liquor and beer are typically not permitted. Even if you have free alcohol provided by the cruise line, you should not attempt to bring your own bottles on board a different cruise. The alcohol will be confiscated, and you may face additional consequences.

You can bring:

• 750 ml corked bottle of wine (check with your cruise line first)

Have you ever brought your own wine onboard?

Surge Protectors and Power Strips

Surge protectors and power strips are other commonly packed items that are prohibited. Even basic multi-outlet power strips are often banned on cruise ships. The surprising factor is that power strips sold online that say cruise-approved are not allowed on some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean.

This is the surprising item that was confiscated from me. I brought on a power strip that has made it through security on many Carnival cruise ships, but Royal Caribbean confiscated it from me. I was told anything with a cord would be taken to avoid confusion. So, here is what I suggest bringing so you won’t find yourself in the same position as me.

Update: Multi outlet charger ports are banned on Royal Caribbean. However, I have been informed if you have a multi-USB charging port, that is okay. Let me know if you have heard different.

You can bring:

• An outlet wall charger block with no cords (Check first as some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean have recently banned these charger blocks.)

Prepare for Your Cruise

Before your cruise, thoroughly review the prohibited items list for your specific cruise line. This will help you avoid packing anything that could be confiscated or cause problems during your trip. It's also a good idea to pack any necessary electronics, such as fans or chargers, in a way that avoids the need for surge protectors or power strips.

Enjoy Your Cruise Worry- Free

By familiarizing yourself with the prohibited items and packing accordingly, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience, free from any issues with confiscated items or potential consequences. Cruising should be a relaxing and carefree vacation, so take the time to plan and avoid bringing anything that could cause problems onboard.

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for more cruise tips and packing essentials for any cruise.