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Travel with Brigitte

Banned & Restricted Items on a Cruise

A red circular sign with a white circle and a diagonal line over a person's head and a hand.

Key Takeaways:

  • Check your cruise line’s prohibited-items list before packing for your trip.
  • Leave fire hazards, weapons, explosives, and restricted electrical items at home.
  • Review rules for food, medications, batteries, and other restricted items before sailing.
  • When in doubt, contact your cruise line to confirm whether an item is allowed.

Before setting sail on your cruise vacation, pack everything you need. You have your usual essentials like extra shoes, makeup bags, gadgets, etc. However, you should know that there are certain items you’re not allowed to bring into the ship, even if they may seem harmless.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through a list of prohibited items on cruise ships. From household appliances to certain snacks and even items for your morning routine, cruise lines have firm rules in place to ensure passenger safety and smooth sailing.

1. Flat Irons and Clothes Steamers

A person's hand guides a blue and white steam iron over a white garment.

Cruise lines ban these everyday household tools because of their potential fire hazard. Cruise ships take fire safety very seriously; even a small spark could lead to a major onboard emergency. Most cruise lines offer laundry and pressing services anyway, or you can pack wrinkle-release spray as a safe alternative.

2. Extension Cords and Surge Protectors

Two white electrical plugs, one male and one female, with a knotted cord under red and blue light.

While bringing extra outlets for your gadgets may seem convenient, many power strips, especially ones with surge protectors, pose a fire risk or may not be compatible with the ship’s electrical system. Some cruise lines do allow basic non-surge extension cords, but it’s best to check with your cruise provider.

3. Candles and Incense

Two lit scented candles in glass jars sit on a wooden table next to a sign that says "be kind".

These banned items are a definite no-go because they involve open flames, which are strictly prohibited. Even if you’re trying to set a romantic vibe or want your cabin to smell nice, there are flameless alternatives like battery-powered LED candles or solid air fresheners.

4. Live or Imitation Weapons

Four plastic toy guns, two pink and two green, arranged on a solid pink background.

This includes firearms, blunt weapons, pepper spray, gas guns, and anything that could be considered a weapon, including toy replicas. Security is tight on cruise ships, and anything that could pose a threat or cause confusion is banned outright.

5. Explosives or Fireworks

A hand holds a lit sparkler, creating a shower of bright sparks against a dark background with blurred lights.

Bringing anything explosive, even sparklers or small firecrackers is a huge safety risk. With thousands of passengers onboard and strict fire control protocols, there’s no wiggle room for items that could cause combustion or panic.

6. Tools (Like Hammers, Drills, or Screwdrivers)

An overhead view of various wrenches, screwdrivers, and other tools neatly organized on a blue wall.

Unless you’re planning to fix the ship yourself (which the crew would strongly prefer you didn’t), tools are not allowed. They can be seen as security threats or used inappropriately, so leave the toolbox at home.

7. Hoverboards, Scooters, and Skateboards

A person stands next to a skateboard, wearing black pants and black-and-white sneakers.

While these are fun on land, they’re restricted on ships due to the risk of injury and storage challenges. Plus, hoverboards contain lithium batteries that may become unstable in certain conditions.

8. Vapes, E-Cigarettes, and Smoking Materials

Four ornate vape devices are arranged on a background of four different colored panels: blue, red, purple, and black.

While not always completely banned, these are often restricted to designated smoking areas. Using them in your cabin or balcony can result in fines, as smoke detection systems are sensitive, and fire risks are taken seriously.

9. Perishable Food and Homemade Snacks

Two bento boxes filled with a variety of healthy snacks, including sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, and crackers.

Cruise lines don’t allow you to bring homemade or perishable food because it can pose a health risk. Food safety is tightly regulated onboard to prevent illness outbreaks. Packaged snacks are usually fine, just no spaghetti dinners from home.

10. CBD Products and Certain Medications

A small black bowl of hemp seeds next to a hemp plant stalk and a dark dropper bottle on a burlap surface.

Even if CBD is legal in your home country, it may not be in the countries you’re visiting or under maritime law. Many cruise lines strictly prohibit it, along with certain medications not approved by their medical team and other illegal drugs. Always check their list beforehand and carry prescriptions if needed.

11. Large Batteries or Fuel

The hood of a car is open, showing a red car battery with jumper cables attached to its terminals.

This includes car batteries, loose lithium batteries (above certain wattage limits), or any fuel containers. These items can spark fires or leaks, both of which are dangerous in a marine environment.

13. Non-Service Pets

Two long-haired guinea pigs, one white and brown, the other black and brown, sitting on green grass.

As adorable as your fur baby is, most cruises only allow certified service animals, not emotional support pets or regular pets. This is due to health regulations and the ship’s limited facilities for animal care.

Need Help Booking Your Cruise? Travel With Brigitte Has You Covered!

If you’re unsure whether some cruise items are allowed, you can always talk to a trusted travel agency. That’s where Travel With Brigitte comes in! Our expert team will give you all the important information, help you navigate the planning process, find the best deals, and make sure you’re fully prepared (and properly packed) for smooth sailing.

Contact us today to start planning your dream cruise vacation. Let us handle the details so you can focus on the fun!

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