Are you going on a cruise? Before you pack your bags and head to the port, you should be aware of the things that you can’t bring on a cruise that may be banned.
Cruise lines have strict policies and regulations regarding what items are allowed and not allowed on board their ships. These policies are designed to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of all guests and crew members, as well as to comply with the laws and customs of the countries and ports they visit.
Cruise lines may have different policies in terms of what is allowed on board. So you should play it safe and check with your cruise line before bringing any of these items on board.
Below is a list of things that are banned on a cruise.
Prohibited Items You Can’t Bring on a Cruise
1. Illegal drugs and CBD products
It goes without saying…do not bring any illegal narcotics, synthetic drugs, marijuana, cannabis, or CBD products on board. These are prohibited by law and may result in fines or imprisonment.
2. Weapons
Do not bring any weapons or items that can be used as weapons on board. This includes firearms, replicas, spears, crossbows, arrows, blunt weapons, sharp weapons, air guns, stun devices, tasers, paintball guns, etc.
3. Incapacitating substances and chemicals
Do not bring any substances or chemicals that can cause harm or disability to others on board. This includes gas guns, tear gas, mace, phosphorus, acid, etc.
4. Ammunition and explosives
Do not bring any ammunition or explosives on board. This includes imitation explosives and devices, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics, etc.
5. Flammable substances and hazardous chemicals
Do not bring any flammable substances or hazardous chemicals on board. This includes petrol, methylated spirits, paint thinners, etc.
6. Compressed gas tanks, bottles, and cylinders
Do not bring any compressed gas tanks, bottles, or cylinders on board. This includes dive tanks, propane tanks, aerosol cans, etc.
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7. Alcohol and beer
Do not bring any hard liquor or beer on board. These are not allowed and will be confiscated.
8. Electrical and household appliances with heating elements
Do not bring any appliances that can generate heat on board. This includes irons, clothes steamers, immersion heaters, heating blankets, water heaters, coffee machines, hot plates, toasters, heating pads, humidifiers, etc. You can use the ironing facilities and laundry service provided by the cruise line instead.
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9. Knives, scissors and open razors
Do not bring any knives, scissors or open razors on board. These are considered dangerous items and are not allowed. The only exception is recreational dive knives, which must be stored and checked by the security staff. Large scissors for scrapbooking or quilting may be permitted with prior notification, but are also held by the security staff.
10. Handcuffs or other restraining devices
Do not bring any handcuffs or other devices that can be used to restrain someone on board. These are prohibited and may be confiscated.
11. Self-balancing hover boards and air wheels
Do not bring any self-balancing hover boards or air wheels on board. These are not safe and may cause injuries or damage to the ship.
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12. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), communication scanners, wideband receivers, satellite phones, transformers, lasers and laser pointers
Do not bring any devices that can interfere with the ship’s communication or navigation systems on board. This includes EPIRB, scanners, receivers, satellite phones, transformers, lasers and laser pointers. These are forbidden and may be seized.
13. Satellite disk, routers and other internet related equipment
Do not bring any equipment that can affect the ship’s internet service on board. This includes satellite disks, routers, modems, etc. These are not allowed and may be removed.
14. Curtains, drapes or hanging room dividers
Do not bring any curtains, drapes or hanging room dividers on board. These are fire hazards and may block the sprinklers or smoke detectors in your cabin.
15. Boom boxes/large radios
Do not bring any boom boxes or large radios on board. These are noisy and may disturb other guests or crew members. You can use headphones or earphones to listen to music instead.
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16. Candles and incense
Do not bring any candles or incense on board. These are fire hazards and may trigger the smoke alarms in your cabin. You can use electric candles or air fresheners instead.
17. Helium filled balloons
Do not bring any helium filled balloons on board. These are environmental hazards and may cause damage to the ship or marine life if released.
18. Inflatable kiddie pool
Do not bring any inflatable kiddie pool on board.You can use the swimming pools or water slides on the ship instead.
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19. Hookahs
Do not bring any hookahs on board. These are smoking devices and are not permitted in any public or private areas of the ship.
20. Any footwear with wheels, such as, Heely’s type shoes
Do not bring any footwear with wheels on board. These are not safe and may cause injuries or damage to the ship. It’s tempting, I know my daughter loves her heely’s but you can’t bring it on board the ship.
21. Kava
Do not bring any kava on board. This is a psychoactive beverage and is not legal in some of the ports. You may face legal consequences if you are caught with kava on board or ashore.
22. Surfboards, boats and canoes
Do not bring any surfboards, boats or canoes on board. First of all, they are bulky and may not fit in your cabin or luggage. You should plan rent these items during your shore excursions instead.
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23. Fish of any kind
Do not bring any fish on board. If you catch any fish during your shore excursions, you must ship them home or dispose of them properly.
24. Pets/live animals
Do not bring any pets or live animals on board, except for qualified service dogs that assist guests with disabilities. You must provide proof of vaccination and health certificates for your service dog before boarding. You are responsible for the care and supervision of your service dog at all times.
25. Flowers and plants
Do not bring any flowers or plants on board. Some cruise lines will only allow flowers and plants if you order from their gift shop.Flowers and plants are also not allowed to be taken off the ship at any port, as they may pose a risk to the local environment or agriculture.
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26. Musical instruments
Some cruise lines will allow you to bring musical instruments on board, but you must be considerate of other guests and crew members. If you receive a noise complaint, your instrument will be confiscated and returned to you on the last day of the cruise. It’s best to leave your musical instruments at home!
27. Drones
Drones are tricky when it comes to bringing it onboard. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring drones on board, but you must keep them in the custody of the Chief Security Officer and check them out/in for port use only. You should also keep in mind that there are local laws and regulations regarding drone usage.
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28. Snorkel gear
I’m adding snorkeling gear to the list, even though it is not a banned item. You can bring snorkel gear on board, but you can only use it in port. You can’t use it in the pool onboard the ship!
29. Segways
Segways are another thing that you can bring on board (depending on the cruise line) but you can’t use it on the ship.You can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use. You must also follow the local traffic and safety rules when riding segways.
30. Skateboards
Skateboards are treated similarly as drones and segways. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring skateboards on board, but you can’t use it on the ship. You can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use.
31. Golf clubs
Golf Clubs are also one of those items that are banned on the ship (you can’t use it onboard). Many cruise lines will allow you to bring golf clubs on board, but you can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use.
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32. Fishing rods
Fishing rods are also banned on the ship, meaning you can’t use it while onboard. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring fishing rods on board, but you can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use.
33. Tennis rackets
Tennis rackets are also banned on the ship, you can bring it but you can only use it in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use.
34. Kites
Kites are also tricky and can be a banned item. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring kites but you can only use them in port and not while you’re on the ship.
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35. Roller blades or skates
Roller blades and roller skates are also usually banned on the ship. However, some cruise lines will let you bring roller blades or skates on board, but you can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use.
36. Metal detectors
Meta detectors are typically banned onboard. Some cruise lines will let you bring metal detectors on board, but you can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use.
37. Beach chair
Beach chairs are also banned onboard. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring beach chairs on board but you can only use it in port. You must store it in your stateroom when not in use. It makes sense, they don’t want the pool cluttered with beach chairs!
38. Beach Tent
Beach tent is also another banned cruise ship item. Some cruise lines will let you bring a beach tent on board, but you can only use it in port. You must store it in your stateroom when not in use.
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39. Boogie Boards
Boogie Boards is also a banned cruise ship item, you can’t use it in the pool. But some cruise lines will let you bring boogie boards on board, but you can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use.
40. Portable Folding Bicycles
Portable folding bikes are banned on the ship. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring portable folding bicycles on board, but you can only use them in port. Unfortunately, you can’t bike around the deck!
41. Floatation devices
While it’s tempting to bring your own floaties, it’s a banned cruise ship item. You are not allowed to use floaties in the pool. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring floatation devices on board, but you can only use them in port. Some cruise lines will only allow water wings in the swimming pool on board, you have to check with your cruise line.
42. Collapsible wagons
Collapsible wagons are great for transporting things on the beach, however, it’s a banned cruise ship item. Some cruise lines will allow you to bring collapsible wagons on board, but you can only use them in port. You must store them in your stateroom when not in use. And typically, you cannot roll collapsible wagons onto/off the ship during embarkation and debarkation or while in port. Check out: 25 Things People Forget to Pack on their Cruise
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