11 Surprising Things You Can't Take on a Cruise

Some of the items that all the big cruise lines prohibit are obvious and common sense. You can’t bring any firearms or firearm replicas, sharp objects like knives or scissors, any illegal drugs, or anything that could be used as a weapon, like a baseball bat or a hockey stick. Others are a much more niche and unexpected, but if you get caught with them, which you will when your luggage goes though the scanner before embarkation, they’ll not only be confiscated and/or destroyed, but you’ll likely be labeled as a naughty cruiser from day one. If in doubt about what you’re allowed to bring on a cruise, check out the cruise line’s website, but the following list should help.

You’re allowed to bring a cooler on board, but it has to be no larger than 12 x 12 x 12 inches in size. Why bigger coolers are prohibited is a bit of a mystery. On its website, Carnival Cruise Line‘s justification reads as follows: “Screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security screening process. Therefore, large coolers are not permitted as carry-on or checked luggage.” Note that most cabins and staterooms on board cruise ships are equipped with a mini fridge so you’re unlikely to need a big cooler.

If, like me, you like your clothes to be wrinkle-free, you’re in for a disappointment: clothe steamers and travel irons are prohibited on cruise ships. The reason behind the ban is that any object containing a heating element is considered a fire hazard. If you want your clothes to be smooth while cruising, you’re either going to have to pay to get them pressed or, if the ship you are on has a laundrette equipped with an ironing board and an iron, you can do it yourself for free in this common area. The same rule applies to curling irons, hair straighteners, and heated blankets, among others. Baby bottle warmers and sanitizers are allowed on a case-by-case basis.

This ban has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with the fact that cruise lines want you to buy the alcohol they sell on board, or even better, purchase a drinks package. I’ve seen people filling water bottles with clear liquor before embarking on a long cruise but I would not recommend it. Getting caught would be extremely embarrassing.

As surprising as this might be, camouflage and khaki items of clothing are prohibited in several countries, including some Caribbean destinations where cruising in very popular, such as Barbados and St. Lucia. While not forbidden on cruise ships specifically, camouflage and khaki clothing is listed as items to avoid packing on several cruise lines’ websites, including Royal Caribbean’s where it’s stated: “It’s often because the government wants only members of the military to be wearing those colors.”

Along with power strips and extension cords, multi-plug outlets are prohibited on cruise ship due to the fact that they could start an electrical fire on board. Such a ban is problematic for many cruisers who believe the number of outlets in cabins and staterooms are insufficient for their needs.

No matter what you were planning to do with a pair of handcuffs, you can’t bring it onboard a cruise ship. Anything that could be used as a restraining device is forbidden for the health and safety of all the passengers.

While cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, and e-cigarettes are allowed on board, hookah and water hookah pipes aren’t. Cruise lines don’t explain why this particular smoking apparatus is prohibited, but it I believe that it’s because hookah and water hookah pipes are large, therefore cruise lines assume that people will use them in their cabins or staterooms rather than take them all the way to the ship’s smoking areas. Of course, smoking is strictly forbidden outside of designated areas on cruise ships, which usually includes the casino and a small section of on outdoor deck.

For safety reasons, it is forbidden to operate a drone on board a cruise ship, therefore travelers attempting to bring one in their luggage will either get it confiscated for the duration of the cruise, or the item will be in the custody of the Chief Security Officer and you can request to have it during port days. That said, rules surrounding drones are varied, and the destinations you’re going to visit on a cruise might not allow them, so do your research prior to sailing.

While medication with proper prescription is allowed on board cruise ships, medical marijuana is forbidden, no matter how many doctors’ notes you have with you.

If you’re going on a cruise to Alaska and are planning to do some hiking during port days, know that you’ll have to make do without bear spray. Because it can be used as a weapon, bear spray is prohibited on cruise ships. On its website, Holland America states that “items containing Incapacitating Substances such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, pepper/mace cartridges, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable” are forbidden.

A variety of sporting goods are forbidden on board cruise ships, including surfboards, canoes, fishing rods, and more, for a variety of reasons. Sporting goods with wheels, such as skateboards and roller skates are prohibited for safety reasons — if you use them on the outdoor decks, you’re more likely to fall overboard, and if you use them indoors, you’ll probably crash into something or someone.

If you’re cruising with little ones, you’re going to have to make do without a monitor. According to Royal Caribbean, “their radio signal could interfere with ship communication and/or navigation systems.”