What Not to Pack for a Cruise
Quick answer
Items commonly banned on cruise ships include clothes irons and garment steamers, kettles and other heating appliances, surge protectors (and, on some lines, any extension lead or power strip), candles and anything with a naked flame, weapons and replicas, and self-defence sprays. Many lines also restrict drones and your own alcohol. Rules differ between cruise lines, so always check your own line’s current prohibited-items list before you pack.
There is no single, universal list of items banned on cruise ships. Each cruise line sets its own rules, and they change – sometimes more than once a year. This guide explains the items that are commonly prohibited or restricted, gives examples from official cruise-line policies, and points you to where to check the rules for your own sailing.
Always check your own cruise line. The examples below come from official policies at the time of writing, but your line’s current prohibited-items list is the only one that applies to you. It is usually in your booking documents, your online cruise account or the line’s FAQ pages.
Commonly prohibited items
| Item | Typical status | Example from an official policy |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes irons and garment steamers | Commonly prohibited | Royal Caribbean lists clothing irons and garment steamers as prohibited. |
| Kettles, coffee machines and appliances with heating elements | Commonly prohibited | Cunard does not permit appliances with heating elements, but allows hairdryers, straighteners and curling tongs. |
| Extension leads, power strips and surge protectors | Rules differ by line; surge protectors are commonly prohibited | Royal Caribbean prohibits extension cords, power strips and multi-plug outlets; Celebrity prohibits extension cords; Cunard allows extension leads only for essential medical equipment and never accepts surge-protected leads. Carnival and Princess allow some power strips and multi-plug adaptors without surge protection. |
| Candles, incense and naked flames | Prohibited | Royal Caribbean prohibits items with open flames and flammable materials. |
| Weapons, replicas and ammunition | Prohibited | Royal Caribbean prohibits firearms, replicas, ammunition, explosives and fireworks. |
| Self-defence sprays | Prohibited | Royal Caribbean lists mace and pepper spray as prohibited. |
| Knives, scissors and tools | Restricted by size | Royal Caribbean allows small grooming scissors but prohibits larger knives, scissors and tools. |
| Drones | Often prohibited or restricted | Cunard lists aerial drones among prohibited items. |
| Your own alcohol | Restricted – allowances vary | Some lines let each adult bring a limited amount of wine or Champagne at embarkation; others allow none. |
| Illegal drugs, including cannabis | Prohibited | Royal Caribbean prohibits them regardless of medical authorisation or local legality. |
Why irons and extension leads are banned
Fire is one of the most serious risks at sea. Appliances that heat up, such as irons, steamers and kettles, and leads that let you overload a single socket, are restricted for that reason. Cunard says surge-protected extension leads can also interfere with the ship’s electrical distribution.
If you need to remove creases, most ships offer a pressing service, and some have self-service launderettes – Cunard notes that irons are available in its launderettes. Hanging clothes in the bathroom while the shower runs also helps.
Charging your devices without an extension lead
Cruise cabins can have fewer sockets than hotel rooms. Check your specific ship before travelling, and check your cruise line’s prohibited-items policy before buying a charging accessory – some cruise lines ban extension leads and multi-plug devices.
Older ships in particular may have only a couple of sockets, while many newer cabins add USB or USB-C sockets near the desk or bed. A single plug with several USB ports is the usual solution, because it charges several devices from one socket without an extension lead. Check the socket types on your ship before you choose an adapter – many ships have a mix, but it varies.
Where lines do allow power strips, the conditions matter. Carnival says power strips and extension cords without surge protectors are allowed when used with proper caution, and that surge protectors are prohibited. Princess allows some multi-plug adaptors and power strips without surge protectors, subject to inspection by the onboard electrical team. Royal Caribbean prohibits power strips and multi-plug outlets altogether. Other lines, including P&O Cruises, MSC and Norwegian, publish their own rules – check the current version before you buy anything.
Items that are allowed but restricted
Some items are fine to bring but have rules attached:
- Hair straighteners, curling tongs and hairdryers are allowed by many lines, but check – most cabins provide a hairdryer anyway.
- Power banks are allowed by many lines, but some restrict them. If you are flying, the UK Civil Aviation Authority says power banks and spare lithium batteries must be carried in your hand luggage, not in checked baggage.
- Medical equipment such as CPAP machines is usually allowed, but tell your cruise line in advance, especially if you need an extension lead.
- Mobility scooters are usually allowed when arranged in advance, whereas recreational scooters and hoverboards are often banned.
- Food and drink rules vary. Some lines allow a limited number of soft drinks at embarkation; many don’t allow perishable food. Some countries also restrict bringing food ashore.
Destination rules that can catch you out
Some ports have their own rules. Royal Caribbean, for example, warns guests that vapes and e-cigarettes may not be taken ashore in Mexico, and that camouflage clothing is prohibited for non-military personnel in Barbados. Check GOV.UK foreign travel advice for local laws in every country you visit.
Things you probably don’t need
Not banned, just not worth the space:
- Beach and pool towels – most ships provide them.
- A hairdryer – most cabins have one.
- Lots of formal outfits – one or two, restyled with accessories, is usually enough. See what to wear on formal night.
- Expensive jewellery you would hate to lose.
- Full-size toiletries that most cabins already supply.
What happens if you pack a banned item?
Luggage is screened at embarkation. Cruise lines commonly confiscate prohibited items and either dispose of them or return them at the end of the cruise, depending on the item and the line’s policy. It is far simpler to leave them at home.
Where to check your cruise line’s rules
- Royal Caribbean – prohibited items
- Cunard – prohibited items
- P&O Cruises – luggage allowance and restrictions
- Carnival – electric outlets
- Princess Cruises – pre-cruise FAQs
- Celebrity Cruises – what not to pack
- Other lines: search your line’s website for “prohibited items” or check your pre-cruise documents.
Once you know what to leave behind, the packing planner builds the list of what to bring – including a “things not to pack” section as a final reminder.
Sources
- Royal Caribbean – What items are prohibited onboard?
- Cunard – Prohibited items
- P&O Cruises – Luggage allowance and restrictions
- Carnival – Electric outlets
- Princess Cruises – Pre-cruise FAQs
- Celebrity Cruises – What not to pack
- UK Civil Aviation Authority – What items can I travel with?
- GOV.UK – foreign travel advice
Cruise-line policies and entry requirements change. We link to official sources where we discuss rules, but always check with your cruise line andGOV.UK before you travel. Spotted something out of date?Let us know.