Over 25 things NOT to take on a cruise (2023)

Wondering what items you can't take on a cruise? You've come to the right place! Cruise ships have very specific rules and guidelines about what can be carried on their ships. There are slight variations between cruise lines, but for the most part there are consistent rules regarding thiswhat not to take on a cruise.

So you didyou have chosen your perfect cruiseand you used ours wiselythe ultimate packing list for Caribbean cruisesthat will help you prepare for the cruise, but you will learn everything in this articlethings you need to do don't go on a cruiseregardless of destination or cruise line.

Be sure to read oursexpert advice and the best cruise tipsso you can make your vacation perfect! And don't set sail without reading our list37 Must-haves for a boat tripneeded on the go!

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What kind of articles are prohibited?

Certain items are always prohibited on cruise ships. In general, this includes, but is not limited to:

• All kinds of weapons, including toys or replicas
• All kinds of explosives, including fireworks
• Anything that poses a fire hazard, such as candles, incense, hobs, irons and steamers, and appliances of any kind (except personal care appliances)
• Drugs, including marijuana
• Surge protectors and extension cords
• Everything on wheels except prams and luggage.

What happens if you pack prohibited items?

Just like at the airport, you must go through security before boarding a cruise ship. You drop off your luggage, take your hand luggage with you and go to the security checkpoint. Here you go through metal detectors and your hand luggage is searched... Your bagregistered passes security checks, but behind the scenes.

If you are found to be in possession of contraband, they will confiscate it. Depending on the severity of the prohibited item, you may not be allowed on board at all. If it is an illegal substance, you could be fined, arrested or even prosecuted.

Some items may be returned to you at the end of your cruise.We have seen tables set up at the disembarkation filled with various confiscated items. Not everything is always returned, so it is important that you only take permitted items on your cruise.

What not to take on a cruise - Prohibited items

Weapons (including self-defense items)

This should be obvious, but we have to say it. Leave all weapons, even toy guns. Do not bring real weapons, new weapons, hidden weapons or anything that looks like weapons. Also, do not bring any ammunition.

This includes firearms, knives, sticks and pepper spray, brass knuckles, maces, swords, bows and arrows, and anything else that is considered a weapon. Toy weapons such as Nerf guns are also not allowed. Handcuffs are another thing you are not.allowed to bring.

Diving knives may be allowed, but usually the cruise line will keep them until you inspect them for use on your diving trip.

Drugs (including marijuana)

Illegal substances of any kind are not allowed. Marijuana is no exception to this rule. Even if marijuana is legal in your state or the state the cruise departs from, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level. Therefore, do not bring marijuana with you.It will be confiscated, will not be returned to you, and you may even be sued.

This applies to all types of marijuana, including oils, edibles, and other forms. This also applies to medical marijuana.

For prescription drugs, it is good practice to always carry the original prescription bottles with your name on them.

Explosives

This is another item that shouldn't be on the list, but it's banned for a reason. Explosives are not allowed. This includes fireworks, flares, and anything else that can explode. Should have plenty of breathtaking experiences!

Candles, incense, lighters

Being lit with a lit candle holder and incense, it hurts but it makes sense. No naked flames are allowed on a cruise ship. No one wants to be caught in a fire in the middle of the ocean. Leave candles and incense at home.Candles for the atmosphere, please bringbattery operated flameless candles.

Lighters are allowed, but only regular lighters, not new lighters or flashlight lighters.

Irons or steam machines

No irons or steamers for clothing are allowed on the cruise. It's an annoying rule but they are considered a fire hazard. They will confiscate all irons and steamers. Also they don't provide anything in the room for you to use.

So the question arises: "How do I remove wrinkles from my clothes?" Some people hang their clothes in the bathroom when they take a hot shower. Some people bring onewrinkle removal spraysolve the problem. There are people who pay to use a ship wash service. And some people just carelessly rock their wrinkled appearance.

Which one you choose is up to you! You just need to know that it does not require an iron or steamer.

Extension cords with surge protection

Extension cords are generally not allowed on cruise ships. However, power strips are allowed and we strongly recommend that you bring at least one with you. Some cruise ship cabins have very limited power outlets, so a power strip can really come in handy. electrical outlets such as USB portsare even better.

we broughtthis outletwith us and it worked like a charm.

The passenger power rail must not have a surge protector installed. If this happens they will confiscate it. You can usually get it back at the end of the cruise when you first disembark. However, this is not guaranteed, so you should only bring an unprotected power strip with yousurge protector.

Hobs and cookers

No items with a heating element are allowed on the cruise ship, with the exception of personal care items such as straighteners and curling irons. If you try to bring anything hot, it will be confiscated. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Heating plates
• Coffee machines
• Heated blankets
• Humidifiers
• Microwave
• Boilers
• Toasters

Roller skates and other items on wheels

Cruise ships, like any other boat, are subject to the vagaries of the sea. They rock and bump, sometimes unexpectedly. For this reason, no wheeled items should be brought in except for luggage, wheelchairs, scooters and pushchairs.

Do not bring the following items:

• Skating
• Roller shoes (like Heelys)
• Let's go
• Skateboarding
• abuse
• Skateboards
• Scooters

Drones

The vast majority of cruise lines do not allow drones on board.Drones and other flying objects such as kites pose a risk to other people on board. They are therefore not allowed on board.

In fact, many ports and cities around the world have also banned the use of drones. The reasons vary from security to privacy to the protection of certain animal species.

Although drones are a fun and fascinating device, it is better to leave them at home and not take them on a cruise.

Crazy

Whether you made it yourself or it's restaurant leftovers, open food is not allowed on board. You can bring reasonable amounts of unopened, packaged food, but if it's open they force you to throw it away.

This also applies if you have been in port and want to get back on board.Don't take leftovers with you because you'll have to eat or throw them away before they'll let you back on the ship.

Normally you don't need to bring food with you anyway, everything is included on board!

Alcohol

Cruise ships want you to buy alcohol through them, so they usually don't allow you to bring your own alcohol from home.

Some cruise lines allow you to bring a limited number of bottles of wine on board, which are allowed on the first day of boarding and must be in your carry-on baggage.

For example, Royal Caribbean allows 2 unopened bottles of wine per guest.cabin.

During Carnival, adults 21 years and older may bring 1 unopened bottle of wine per person.

Norwegian allows guests to bring unopened bottles of wine on board, but these bottles will be subject to a corkage fee based on their size. A 750ml bottle will cost $15 and a 1500ml bottle will cost $30.

If you purchase alcohol bottles on board or in ports, your bottles will be collected and stored safely. Bottles will be returned at the end of the cruise.

What not to take on a cruise - Unnecessary items

Now that we've covered the items that are strictly prohibited on cruise ships, let's look at other items that are not allowed on a cruise. These items are not necessarily prohibited, but you just don't have space on cruise ships that is valuable and limited, so carryingsome items will be a hindrance rather than a help.

towels

Towels take up way too much in a suitcase. Plenty of towels are available during the cruise, both for use in the room and around the ship. They also allow you to check out towels on port days.

Please note that if you check out towels and do not return them, an additional fee may be charged at the end of the cruise.

Huge amount of clothes

If you're anything like me, you tend to get overly excited about holiday clothes. Trust me when I tell you, you don't need as many outfit changes as you think.

You'll need a maximum of one daywear and one evening gown per day. Add a pair of swimsuits, casual underwear, and anything else you'd wear to bed. Usually these will be formal nights or two, and during these evenings you can dress more elaborately if you like.

Expensive jewelry

No matter where you go on holiday, we never recommend bringing expensive jewelry with you, and cruise ships are no exception. While there are safes in your room and we would like to say that theft never happens, the truth is that​it happens. Items get lost, left behind or misplaced.

It's never a good idea to show your jewelry in odd places. It's quite possible that you'll become the center of unwanted attention and it's just not worth the risk. Leave expensive jewelry at home.

Dryer

Cruises provide hair dryers in the rooms, so if you don't have a specific hair dryer that you can't do without, you don't need to bring one from home. Other hair care devices such as straighteners, curling irons, etc. go on a cruise.

Clothes hangers

Since you can't bring an iron or steamer with you, it's prudent to hang as many clothes as possible to prevent creases. But don't waste luggage space by taking hangers from home.

You usually already have enough hangers in your room, but if not, you can ask the cabin keeper for more, they will be happy to help!

What not to take on a cruise - specific cruise lines

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbeanhas its own list of prohibited items that you should read.

Carnival

AccountCarnival websitedetailed rules and regulations regarding what can and cannot be taken on a cruise.

Norwegian

You need to familiarize yourself with itNorwegian List of Prohibited ItemsAlso.

Disney cruise

Disney has a long website with all the detailsItems that are not allowed on a Disney Cruise

Fame

To readCelebrity Behavior Policydescribes his forbidden items.

Princess

Princess cruise detailsyour list of prohibited itemsalong with many other frequently asked questions.

Important legal information about camouflage

In many places in the Caribbean, it is illegal to wear camouflage. This applies to all clothing and accessories, including hats and bags. Wearing camouflage can result in arrest and possibly a fine. They may ask you to remove the item, otherwise there is a risk of being sent homeYou may even be imprisoned. Do not take camouflage items with you when traveling to the following locations:

• Antigua on Barbuda
• Price
• Barbados
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Jamaican
• Let there be Lucy
• Saint Vincent i Grenadinerne
• Trynidad i Tobago

Additional resources and information about the Caribbean and cruises

My husband and I absolutely love the Caribbean. It's our favorite holiday destination, with or without children. We go on Caribbean cruises, stay at all-inclusive resorts and return many times. Here are some of our other articles that you may find useful andinstructive.

37 must-have cruise itineraries to make your next vacation perfect

The best St. Lucia cruises

Top 10 best sightseeing tours in Cozumel

From the Top 10 St. Lucia Piton Tours

The best packing list for a Caribbean cruise

Professional tips and tricks for beginners

How to choose a cruise - everything you need to know

A complete overview of the best all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

Full review of the Coconut Bay Resort in St. Lucia

That's why it's worth visiting Diamond Falls St. Lucy

Sulfur Springs ul. Lucia - How to visit the only Drive-In volcano in the world