While it’s understandable that you want to have all the comforts of home while on vacation, you can’t just bring anything you want onto a cruise ship.
Here are 10 Things You Can’t Bring on Your Cruise plus one Bonus Item!
1. You can’t bring on a clothes Iron or other appliances. I think an iron is probably the most likely item that someone would try to bring on board, but you aren’t going to be able to bring on any other small heated appliances either. Really, the only thing that plugs in and heats up that you can bring are hair dryers, and curlers or straighteners. So no kuregs, clothes steamers, hot plates or anything of the sort.
2. This one seems to be brought up the most, but you cannot bring on anything with a surge protector on it. For the most part, that is going to be an extension cord or a power bank. Luckily, they make a lot of power banks without surge protectors. I like to take a power bank that has multiple sockets along with several usb and usb-c ports and is on a cord. I know some people bring power banks that plug directly into a socket, but I like having it on a cord in case I need it to be farther away from one of the few wall sockets you will find in your cabin.
3. This seems like something that shouldn’t need to be said, but you can’t bring illegal drugs onto the ship, and this includes marijuana and CBD products. It doesn’t matter if marijuana is legal in your state. It does’t matter if you have a medical marijuana card (and let’s be honest, anyone can get one of those anyway). Marijuana is still FEDERALLY illegal. Period. And even if it wasn’t, ships are not under the flag of America anyway, and most of the countries they are flagged under have stricter drug laws that we do. The only actual cruise ship that is registered with the US is NCL’s Pride of America, so maybe one day marijuana might be legal on that ship, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. CBD products are also not allowed due to them containing some levels of THC in them and often not being legal in the ports that ships stop at. While I am sure some people sneak oils and lotions on in travel containers, I wouldn’t recommend it.
And while there is a likelihood of smelling someone smoking pot on a ship, I think that it is going to only get harder for people to sneak it onboard as more and more lines are employing drug dogs during embarkation. Carnival is even putting the dogs on some of its cruises! If you do come across someone smoking marijuana onboard, the lines ask that you report it. Personally, I think it stinks so badly that I don’t understand how anyone can get by with it or think they should. It is disgusting to have to smell it. If someone is going to try to sneak it on they could at least do it in edible format so no one is forced to smell it. Plus, they would never get caught.
If you have a prescription for a narcotic, like oxycodone or Vicodin, then you will need to make sure you have it in the original prescription bottle. Honestly, I suggest that all medications are kept in their original bottles, but for sure any scheduled drugs.
4. You cannot bring Drones onboard. If you are wanting your drone for use at port, you can contact the cruise line and see if they will be willing to check it in and keep it for you to be released only while at port. I know that some people have gotten special permission for that, but not often. You will also want to make sure that you are allowed to fly a drone in that port of call.
5. You may love your homemade cookies, but you can’t bring them onboard the cruise ship. No homemade foods are allowed. I mean, I’m not sure why someone would want to bring Tupperware with a lasagna or brownies in it with all the amazing food on a ship, but obviously someone has done so in the past. And now it is a rule.
6. Of course cruise lines don’t want you to bring Alcohol on board. They can’t sell you alcohol when you bring your own. Some lines will allow a bottle of wine or champagne to be brought on board, but you can’t bring your own beer, vodka and Tequila. And if you want to have that wine that you brought with dinner, you will pay a hefty corkage fee. Personally, I don’t know why you would want to bring on hard liquor anyway. It isn’t as if you can whip up a cocktail in your cabin. The best you could do is spike some juice. At that point, aren’t you are just bringing on the alcohol to get drunk?, which doesn’t seem like a good idea on a cruise ship amongst a bunch of strangers. We usually get the drinks package, but do so to try out all the various cocktails you can enjoy, not to get drunk.
7. Don’t try bringing candles on board ship either. Not unless they are flameless, battery-operated ones. Regardless of why you want candles in your room: ambiance, extra light or for the fragrance, you are going to need to find an alternative. Luckily, there are plenty of other options out there that are going to be a lot less likely to burn down a ship. Nothing is more dangerous on a ship than a fire. We bring battery-operated tea lights to place in the bathroom so we don’t need to turn on the main light in the middle of the night. They work perfectly! Along with banning candles, fireworks and any explosives are banned as well.
8. Another item that should be obvious is Weapons. Even fake ones. You cannot bring any weapons on board ship. What might be less obvious is what all is included in that. No long blades are allowed. I know some divers keep knives as part of their dive equipment, but they will need to be checked into storage and are not allowed in your cabin. If you are bringing on sewing, embroidery or anything like that, know that regular sized scissors aren’t allowed either; however, you can usually bring on small, embroidery scissors.
9. This next one might seem silly, especially to anyone from my neck of the wood, but Camouflage clothing is not allowed. Sort of. You can wear it on board ship, but you won’t be able to wear it at many ports you visit, especially in the Caribbean. So you might as well leave it at home. In some areas of the world, camo is only worn by the military. Meanwhile, I don’t think you are allowed to live in the Ozarks without owning at least one article of camo clothing
10. Personal radios and Bluetooth speakers. Ye Old Boomboxes have long been prohibited, but let’s be honest, the boombox of the 80’s has been replaced with bluetooth speakers. And a good bluetooth speaker can be just as loud, if not louder, than any boombox. I just think it’s funny that cruise lines still list boomboxes on their prohibited items list. When is the last time you have seen an actual “boombox” in the wild? While you may be able to get by with bringing on a small bluetooth speaker, it is much more likely to be confiscated nowadays. Carnival has already said they won’t allow them, although some seem to be making it through security.
Personally, I am in the camp that thinks it is rude to play your music out loud in a public place. Unless you got the permission of every single person within hearing distance, it is just rude to assume that anyone else wants to listen to your music. Wear headphones. I feel that way on land as well. I don’t know why some people think others want to listen to whatever music or YouTube video they are listening to, but let me know in the comments your opinion. Do you think it is okay to use speakers in public places?
Bonus – Norwegian Cruise Line is banning larger fans. While this was just added to their list of banned items about a week ago, on our cruise in January we knew someone whose fan was confiscated from their luggage during embarkation. Meanwhile, I had brought one with me, so when I heard they were now banning some fans, I wasn’t that shocked. If you want to bring a fan, I would be sure that your fan connects to power via usb. Those are most likely going to be considered portable and make it through inspection.
Be sure to check your cruise line’s prohibited items list to make sure you don’t back something that will get your taken to the naughty room while to confiscate your items!
Cruising From The Ozarks 