Have you ever wondered what cheeky mementos you can smuggle in your luggage when leaving the cruise ship? Your last morning could become an exciting treasure hunt, discovering which keepsakes the cabin steward doesn’t realize are missing. But before packing that lush bathrobe and towel, beware. You could end up with a hefty fine or be banned from the cruise line for taking unauthorized items.
Here’s the good news: plenty of items in your cabin are perfectly fine to slip into your bag without asking. Some cruise lines even provide a handy list of what’s OK and what’s considered loot. So, which items are free keepsakes of your dream cruise, and which could land you in hot water? Read on to find out.
What Can You Actually Take From a Cruise Without Getting Into Trouble?
Ah, the dilemma of every cruiser—what’s in the “hands-off” category, and what can you pack without worrying about being searched at security and branded a thief?
It’s easy to tell a fun souvenir apart from items that feel like theft. Think about the monetary value. Does it cost less than $1? Then it’s probably OK. Is it an expensive item? Leave it in the cabin.
Of course, with the all-you-can-eat buffets and lounging at the pool, you’ll probably take home extra weight and a wider waistline. And who can stop you from taking memories of gorgeous sunsets, fun times with family, and exotic shore locations?
But let’s talk about things you can sneak into your luggage when cabin staff aren’t looking. To be safe, I’ve compiled a list of “what’s good to go” and what is petty theft—stuff that should remain in your cabin after departure.
Miniature bath products
Individual bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are the most popular mementos from a cruise. Depending on the cruise, I’ve taken home luxury toiletries from Bvlgari or L’Occitane. You may also like the idea of displaying cruise line-branded toiletries in your bathroom at home.
Many cruise lines have switched to large refillable bottles of hand soap, body wash, and shampoo. Obviously, swiping a quart-sized bottle of shampoo from your cabin is considered “hands-off.”
Welcome champagne or wine bottles
Did your cabin come with a complimentary bottle of wine or champagne? Excellent news—you can pack it (if it’s still full) in your luggage when disembarking. The same also goes for any free alcohol included in your drink package. After all, you’ve already splashed the cash for it, so you may as well enjoy it after the cruise.
Refillable cups or water bottles
Many cruise lines provide a refillable cup or water bottle as part of drink packages. These entitle you to unlimited refills from the soda machines. The best part? They’re yours to keep—so don’t worry about getting accused of petty theft.
But here’s the kicker: don’t start planning to use them for free refills on your next cruise. They have a sneaky microchip that only works on specific days. So, as much as I’d love to give you a hack to save money on a drinks package, this isn’t one of them.
But enjoy your bragging rights when you take your coffee in your cruise souvenir to the office or repurpose it as a desk tidy.
Souvenir glasses
Does your cruise line offer a “drink of the day” special? Very often, they come in branded glasses that are yours to keep. The drink specials are not usually part of a drinks package and can be more expensive. But, hey, you get a free glass to take as a souvenir.
Branded notepads and pens
Some of the best free goodies to swipe from a cabin are the notepads and pens. I already have a great collection, and they make excellent gifts and souvenirs. I’ve found them to be super helpful for writing notes and reminders long after the cruise has finished.
So, as you’re packing, grab a couple of pens, stationery, and envelopes. You could even be cheeky and ask the cabin steward for a couple more to take home as gifts. After all, it’s free advertising for cruise lines.
Cable tidies and glass-cleaning cloths
Some cruise lines have branded cable tidies and glass-cleaning cloths in your cabin. There is no problem with taking these handy items home. They’re always useful at home and a lovely memento of my cruise. However, in my experience, you’ll only get them on Disney and some luxury lines.
Postcards
Most cruise ships have free postcards you can take home with you. You may find them in your cabin or at Guest Services. Rather than posting them from the ship, I’ve got a collection of postcards I plan to make a collage of one day and frame.
Puzzle sheets
I always pack the daily puzzle sheets in my luggage. Although I rarely have time to do them on board, they’re a fun way to relax at home. And if I have a long flight from the port home, they help pass the time in the air.
Cruise card
Ensure you take your cruise card home as a reminder of your trip. It was your trusted companion on the voyage—getting you on and off the ship, into your cabin, and charging drinks to your onboard account. With a few cruises under your belt, you’ll soon have a nice collection.
Daily program and port guides
Don’t worry about becoming a petty thief by stashing port guides or daily programs in your luggage. These cruise line freebies are excellent for reminiscing as you swipe through photos from your past voyages.
Slippers
Did your cabin have a pair of slippers? Don’t worry about stealing—they are single-person slippers and get trashed at the end of the cruise anyway. I love taking them with me and using them around the home. They last a couple of months before I need to throw them in the garbage.
Freebies from onboard shopping advisors
Many Mediterranean, Alaska, and Caribbean cruises give out freebies from shopping advisors. It’s also worth attending the shopping talks because they give out even more. I’ve come home with t-shirts, bracelets, or simple trinkets. But the point is, they’re free and not worth much.
The freebies are designed to entice you to high-end stores onshore. You may even end up with more free goodies when visiting the stores in port. I’ve used them as small gifts or souvenirs to give to family and friends after my trip.
Here’s a good hack to get complimentary champagne on board. Does the cruise schedule include an art auction? If so, it’s worth attending as they often give out free champagne.
Earphones from shore excursions
Did you get plastic-wrapped earphones on a walking tour? If so, you don’t have to give them back at the end. Shore excursion guides use devices like Quiet Vox, where the guide speaks into a microphone, and it transmits to your device. You may also find them on hop-on, hop-off bus tours in port.
Of course, they’ll never deliver pumping bass vibes like high-end headphones, but they are valuable backups in case the batteries on Bluetooth headphones die.
Casino chips
Cruisers who like a flutter in the onboard casino love collecting low-value casino chips. The chips are worthless off the ship. So you should cash in high-value chips and keep a few $1 chips as a souvenir. Hopefully, the single chip doesn’t represent all your winnings.
A word of advice: cruise ship casinos can only operate in international waters. Therefore, ensure you cash high-value chips before the casino closes on the last night. Otherwise, you could have more worthless souvenirs than you bargained for.
Snacks
The crew generally don’t mind you taking items from the buffet for snacks. I’ve found this ideal for day-long shore excursions. The easiest items are pre-packaged snacks, but not all ships have these. Also, some countries don’t allow you to bring fresh fruit ashore. So, it’s worth checking policies about taking food ashore.
Top cruise tip: Pack Ziploc bags in your luggage, as these are ideal for packing snacks for shore excursions. You can also read about other unusual items to pack here.
Branded cruise line souvenirs
Many cruise companies distribute official souvenirs or mementos to cruise passengers. In addition to the usual pens and stationery, I got Delft-style souvenir tiles on Holland America cruise line ships, which I use as fancy coasters.
Here’s a list of other branded souvenirs some cruise lines offer:
- Tote bags for shore excursions
- Branded ice cream dishes
- Branded coffee cups
- Sunglasses
- Crystal block with a picture of the ship (based on loyalty points collected)
What You’d Love to Take Home (But Really Shouldn’t)
Got your eye on that plush bathrobe and fluffy towels? Think again if you think you can sneak them off board for free. Here are four items that are off-limits when it comes to free cruise line souvenirs.
Pool towels
The beauty of packing for a cruise is you can leave bulky items like fluffy towels at home. But what about departing the ship? Will the cruise crew notice a towel missing from your room? If you sneak one in your luggage, expect a whopping bill after the cruise. And it probably costs more than buying similar items at Walmart or IKEA.
If you’re determined to bring a towel home, buy one at the gift shop. It comes freshly packaged, has never been washed, and has never been used by anyone else.
Bathrobes
So, you want to lounge in your home in a cruise line-branded bathrobe? Remember, the robes aren’t complimentary and are only for use on board. So, like the towels, buy one at the gift shop if you want to take one home. At least you know that no one else has worn it.
Cruise line bathrobes cost between $50 and $100, depending on the cruise. You can also have them monogrammed with your initials.
Can you take bathrobes from a cruise ship? Absolutely! But you must pay for it. Steal it, and you end up paying for a used, frequently washed one. But buy it at the gift shop—you take home a fresh robe and a clear conscience.
Glassware and dishes
Unfortunately, silverware, tableware, coffee mugs, and glasses are not ship souvenirs. If you love the design and want some for your dining room, check out the gift shop for branded items. Otherwise, the cruise ship could see you as stealing and send you a bill.
Life jackets
You would think it’s obvious, but you cannot take life jackets from a cruise ship. However, I once overheard a passenger asking if they could take one. The cruise ship member told them a firm no.
Artwork
It goes without saying that taking anything that costs money without asking is wrong. One couple thought it was OK to sneak two sculptures from the ship’s art gallery into their luggage. The website Artnet reported that it wasn’t long before the FBI tracked them down after searching through the suspect’s Facebook vacation photos. In his vacation pictures, he even wore the same clothing as seen on CCTV security footage.
What Happens If You Take the Wrong Thing?
Knowing which items are freebies and which count as stealing if you take them can be tricky.
I’ve read lots of stories online from cruisers who got away with sneaking a couple of towels, bed linen, or bathrobes in their luggage. However, plenty of cruisers have been hit with hefty charges on their final bill. Ultimately, they realized they paid top dollar for something they could have picked up in a thrift store or online cheaper.
One cruiser commented, “Why would anyone want to steal used towels and robes? Gross, eek.” Others complain that towels on their cruise were of poor quality and not worth stealing.
Interestingly, an online survey on Cruise Critic asked cruisers this question: “Would you ever take a Royal Caribbean towel, pool towel, or robe?” According to the survey, 90.91% said no and would never consider it. Only 6.06 responded that they had. The rest said they are considering it after reading the poll.
How to Be a Respectful Cruiser: Don’t Be That Person
Cruises are all about fun, relaxation, and enjoying a ton of complimentary amenities. Sure, there’s free food at the buffet, plenty of perks, and many free onboard activities. But there are cruising rules to follow. One of them is not to steal robes, towels, bed linen, tableware, or glasses.
Being a respectful cruiser means following the ship’s policies and respecting the rights of fellow passengers.
Of course, if you’re unsure, ask your cabin steward. They’re always happy to help and may even throw in a few extras. One cruiser wrote that they asked if they could take the Velcro cable ties home. The attendant gave him a whole pack.
What to Do With Your Souvenirs Once You’re Home
Now you’ve collected all your legal souvenirs, what’s next? Here are some ideas I’ve picked up from fellow passengers and cruise forums:
Create a travel scrapbook: Stick your postcards, daily schedules, and your cruise card in a scrapbook.
Create a travel book: Why not go the extra mile and scan all your items and get a book made that includes port guides, schedules, excursion tickets, and photos from your trip? It makes a novel gift for others in your group. You can get everyone from the group to chip in on the cost.
Novelty gifts: Share the joy of your cruise by giving friends branded pens, notepads, and trinkets.
DIY decor: Repurpose refillable cups or bottles as mini plant pots, desk organizers, or bathroom storage.
Conclusion: Leave the Towels, Take the Memories
At the end of the day, the best souvenirs are the memories you make on the ship. Sure, fluffy towels and plush bathrobes offer a touch of luxury, but it’s the quirky little mementos—like pens, cruise cards, and postcards—that will truly remind you of your adventures at sea.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to pack some essential (and slightly unusual) items for your cruise that could save the day! Curious about what to bring? Check out my guide on must-have cruise packing tips for those unexpected moments that will make your journey unforgettable!
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