Think you packed everything right for your cruise? Security might have other ideas. Cruise lines have strict rules about what’s allowed onboard, and some of the most common items travelers pack can get flagged, confiscated, or held until the end of the trip.
Some unlucky passengers find themselves making an unexpected stop at the dreaded “naughty room,” where confiscated items are kept until disembarkation (if they’re returned at all).
To save you the hassle (and some serious frustration at the port), I’ve put together a list of the 14 items cruise lines confiscate most often. I’ve also included smart, cruise-approved alternatives you can pack instead.
Whether it’s your first sailing or your fifteenth, it’s worth double-checking your bags against this list before you head to the terminal.
1. Alcohol (Liquor, Beer, Open Bottles)
Alcohol is heavily restricted on cruise ships, and the rules can catch first-time cruisers off guard. Most major lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival allow guests to bring just one or two bottles of wine per adult, but beer and hard liquor are usually banned outright.
If you buy alcohol at a port, it’s typically held by the cruise line and returned on the last night, but anything that’s smuggled might be confiscated for good. Some cruise lines charge a corkage fee simply for bringing wine onboard, while others only apply the fee if you choose to drink it in a restaurant or public space.
2. Power Strips and Extension Cords
Fire risk and circuit overloads are the main reasons cruise lines ban surge-protected power strips and certain multi-plug adapters.
Non-surge protected versions are generally allowed as a safer alternative, but enforcement can still vary — even “cruise-approved” devices are being confiscated on lines like Royal Caribbean.
To avoid the hassle altogether, a better option is to bring a USB-only charging hub. If you need to, you can also pack a simple European plug adapter to make use of both the American and European outlets often found in cruise ship cabins.
3. Coffee Makers and Electric Kettles
Small appliances like single-serve coffee makers, electric kettles, and portable espresso machines are banned on cruise ships because they contain heating elements that could pose a serious fire risk in cabins.
Many first-time cruisers are surprised to find there’s no coffee maker in standard staterooms, meaning you’ll need to head to the buffet, a specialty café, or the onboard coffee bar for your caffeine fix — or you can go through room service.
Some cruisers get around this by packing a small French press or bringing quality instant coffee to use with the ship’s hot water stations, but it’s still a good idea to check your cruise line’s specific policies before packing anything.
4. Clothing Irons and Garment Steamers
Small appliances like single-serve coffee makers, electric kettles, and portable espresso machines are banned on cruise ships because they can pose a serious fire risk in cabins.
Instead, cruise ships usually offer self-service laundry rooms with irons and ironing boards available for passengers to use. Some ships may also offer professional pressing services for a small fee.
To avoid dealing with wrinkles altogether, many cruisers swear by hanging their clothes in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. Others pack a travel-size wrinkle release spray to keep outfits looking fresh without the hassle.
5. Candles and Incense Burners
Open flames, including candles and incense burners, are universally banned on cruise ships due to the high fire risk at sea, no matter the purpose.
If you’re hoping to create a cozy or romantic atmosphere in your stateroom, a safer and cruise-friendly alternative is to pack a few battery-operated LED candles instead.
6. Bluetooth Speakers
Loud music disrupting other guests has led to strict bans on Bluetooth speakers on several cruise lines. Depending on the cruise line, these items may be banned altogether or only allowed for use inside staterooms.
Carnival Cruise Line fully bans all Bluetooth speakers, while Norwegian Cruise Line also bans them in public spaces, only allowing headphones and earbuds. Royal Caribbean discourages speaker use onboard and has recently banned them at their private island, CocoCay.
Disney and MSC still allow small speakers for cabin use only, not in public areas. Since many of these restrictions are new, they can catch cruisers off guard, so it’s safest to stick to headphones or earbuds for personal listening.
7. Knives and Sharp Objects
Most cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, ban knives with blades longer than 4 inches, while others like Carnival go further by banning all non-grooming blades, even small pocket knives.
Dive knives are sometimes allowed if registered and held by ship security, and souvenir knives bought in port usually must be stored until disembarkation.
To be safe, it’s best to leave all knives and sharp tools at home unless you have a pre-approved exception.
8. CBD Products (Oils, Gummies, Lotions)
Even though CBD is legal in many U.S. states, most cruise lines treat it the same as marijuana and ban it entirely — including oils, lotions, and gummies.
Since CBD is illegal in many ports of call, possession could also land you in trouble with local authorities, and some guests have even been denied boarding without a refund. Even medically prescribed CBD isn’t exempt, so I’d recommend leaving all CBD products at home to avoid trouble.
9. Walkie Talkies
Walkie talkies aren’t always banned on cruise ships, but many lines restrict or discourage their use because they can interfere with ship communication systems.
Royal Caribbean allows them under strict rules — small, low-powered units under 5 watts with no external antennas — while Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises do not allow them at all.
Even when permitted, walkie talkies often don’t work well on board due to metal walls and multiple decks, frustrating many cruisers. If you want to communicate onboard, I’d recommend using a cruise Wi-Fi texting plan like Carnival’s “Chat” app instead — it’s usually a much better way to stay connected.
10. Baby Monitors
Baby monitors are banned on many cruise lines because they can interfere with the ship’s sensitive communication systems. Disney Cruise Line is a rare exception, allowing them with pre-approval and inspection at embarkation, though they aren’t recommended due to safety concerns.
Most cruise ship layouts also make monitors unreliable. Some family-friendly lines like Disney offer nursery paging services as an alternative, but the safest plan is to stay close to your child or use the ship’s babysitting programs when available.
11. Hookahs (and Water Pipes)
Hookahs are banned on nearly all major cruise lines due to the fire risk and smoke they produce. Unlike e-cigarettes or vapes, which are usually restricted to designated smoking areas, hookahs are fully prohibited and will be confiscated if found.
If you want to enjoy a hookah, your best bet is to visit a hookah lounge at a port of call, as some places offer them legally. Bringing your own tobacco or hookah supplies onboard is also usually not allowed.
12. Upside-Down Pineapples (Door Decorations)
Carnival officially banned upside-down pineapple decorations in late 2024 after concerns that the symbol’s connection to “swinger signals” was clashing with their family-friendly image. Regular pineapples are fine, but upside-down versions are now prohibited.
While Royal Caribbean and Norwegian haven’t officially banned them, they do recommend keeping door decorations appropriate. If you’re decorating your stateroom door, it’s safest to stick to neutral, festive designs.
Curious about the story behind the upside-down pineapple craze (and controversy) on cruise ships? Check out this article.
13. Heating Pads, Electric Blankets, and Hot Plates
Heating devices beyond personal grooming tools, like flat irons, are banned on all major cruise lines because they pose serious fire risks. This includes electric blankets, heating pads, hot plates, portable immersion heaters, and space heaters.
Most cruise ships already provide hair dryers and use regulated electrical systems to prevent overloads, and unattended heating items are considered one of the top fire risks at sea.
14. Wi-Fi Routers, Personal Hotspots, and Portable Satellite Devices
Personal Wi-Fi routers, mobile hotspots, and portable satellite devices like Starlink Mini are strictly banned on cruise ships to prevent interference with the ship’s communication systems. In one high-profile case in 2024, a Royal Caribbean guest had their Starlink Mini dish confiscated at boarding.
Cruise lines require guests to use their secured onboard Wi-Fi plans, and bringing unauthorized network devices can lead to fines, disembarkation, or even a permanent ban.
If you want reliable internet, the safest move is to buy a package through the cruise line — personal network equipment is treated as seriously as weapons or explosives when it comes to security.
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