Trip Prep

What You Can't Bring on a Cruise: Prohibited Items by Cruise Line

October 5, 2026 · 8 min read

Cruise security officer inspecting an open suitcase packed with prohibited items like an iron, rum, drone, speaker, power strip and CBD, beside a sign listing banned categories

Nothing sours embarkation day faster than a security officer pulling a travel iron, a Bluetooth speaker, or a bottle of rum out of your suitcase — items you won't see again until the cruise ends, if at all. Every cruise line publishes a prohibited items list, and while they overlap heavily, the details differ in ways that catch even seasoned cruisers off guard. Here's a practical guide to what's banned almost everywhere, and where individual lines are stricter (or more generous) than the rest.

Banned Almost Everywhere

These items show up on the prohibited lists of every line we reviewed — Holland America, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, Virgin Voyages, Viking, and Oceania among them:

Weapons, ammunition, and replicas. Firearms of any kind, including realistic toy and replica guns, are prohibited. Royal Caribbean notes it does not provide weapon storage on the ship or at the pier.
Illegal drugs — including marijuana. This catches many travelers off guard. Royal Caribbean prohibits marijuana "regardless of medical authorization or local legality," and Holland America, MSC, Cunard, and Virgin Voyages all extend the ban to medical marijuana.
Fire hazards. Candles, incense, hookahs, fireworks, flares, and flammable liquids like lighter fluid are out.
Heat-producing appliances. Clothes irons, steamers, coffee makers, kettles, hot plates, and immersion heaters are banned across the board — a top reason bags get flagged at security.
Drones. Most lines either ban them outright or prohibit flying them from the ship. MSC lets you keep one in your cabin but forbids using it onboard, and Celebrity confiscates drones operated onboard.
Large knives and sharp objects. Blade-length limits vary by line (more on that below).
Self-defense items. Pepper spray, mace, stun guns, handcuffs, and martial arts gear.
Specialty radio and communications gear. Ham radios and satellite equipment are commonly banned; Virgin Voyages specifically lists networking equipment such as Starlink dishes and routers.

Where the Rules Get Tricky

Alcohol

This is the biggest area of variation. MSC prohibits alcohol brought aboard entirely. Carnival does not allow hard liquor, beer, or plastic/glass bottled beverages containing alcohol. Virgin Voyages is more flexible: guests may bring up to two 750 mL bottles of wine in their carry-on per cabin, with other alcohol collected from luggage. Royal Caribbean prohibits alcohol except as defined in its beverage policy, and Celebrity stores beverages purchased onboard or in ports until the final day of the cruise. Always check your specific line's current policy before packing anything liquid.

Hair Dryers and Styling Tools

Most lines allow hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons — MSC, Cunard, and Virgin Voyages explicitly permit them, and Celebrity allows certified low-wattage curling irons and straighteners. Royal Caribbean is the exception worth knowing: it prohibits personal hair dryers because one is provided in every stateroom.

Power Strips and Extension Cords

Surge protectors and extension cords are banned on Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, and others, which is a real pain point when your cabin has a limited number of outlets. Many lines make an exception for USB chargers and laptop chargers, and Royal Caribbean allows chargers with U.S. or European certification. A compact USB wall charger or a cabin-safe cube (check your line's rules first) is a safer bet than a traditional power strip.

Knives, Scissors, and Grooming Tools

Blade limits differ: Holland America bans blades over 2.5 inches, Cunard and Virgin Voyages set the limit at 4 inches, and Celebrity and Royal Caribbean allow small scissors under 4 inches. Nail files, tweezers, and standard grooming items are generally fine. If you're bringing a souvenir blade home from Alaska or another port, MSC asks that souvenirs with prohibited materials be shipped or declared.

CBD and Hemp Products

Even though CBD is legal in many U.S. states, Cunard, Virgin Voyages, and Celebrity all list CBD products as prohibited. If you rely on a CBD product, check your line's policy before you pack it.

Speakers, Radios, and Sound Equipment

Carnival prohibits all speakers — Bluetooth, portable, and wireless — as well as radios. They're confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise, and personal audio devices must be used with headphones in public spaces.

Coolers, Food, and Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Policies range widely. Holland America allows a small cooler (roughly 12 x 12 x 12 inches), while Virgin Voyages prohibits coolers except for medication or dietary storage. Virgin Voyages also allows up to twelve sealed 12-oz beverages per person and only pre-packaged, non-perishable snacks. MSC permits dry, packaged, commercially produced foods but not fresh or homemade items.

Hoverboards, Scooters, and Recreational Gear

Hoverboards, Segways, skateboards, and surfboards appear on many lists. Holland America prohibits bicycles and kayaks, and Virgin Voyages bans scuba tanks, surfboards, and non-medical scooters, though golf clubs are permitted for cabin storage. Mobility devices are generally allowed, but Carnival notes they must fit through a standard 22-inch doorway.

Surprises Worth Knowing

Seashells and coral. Virgin Voyages bans marine souvenirs onboard, including seashells and corals.
Vapes in Mexico. Royal Caribbean notes vapes and e-cigarettes cannot be taken ashore in Mexico.
Camouflage clothing. Royal Caribbean flags camouflage and military-style attire as prohibited in Barbados for non-military personnel.
Smart glasses. Royal Caribbean restricts them in casinos, spas, restrooms, and other privacy-sensitive areas.
Littering overboard. Carnival charges $500 per violation for willfully or negligently discharging items overboard.

What Happens If You Pack Something Prohibited?

It depends on the item and the line, but the common outcomes are: the item is confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise (alcohol and drones are often handled this way), it's confiscated permanently, or — for illegal substances — the situation can escalate to law enforcement involvement or denied boarding. MSC, for example, notes that illegal substances can result in boarding denial. Remember too that lists are not exhaustive: Holland America states that its Ship Security Officer and Staff Captain can make a professional judgment on any item, and Royal Caribbean says every item remains subject to review by ship security.

A Quick Pre-Packing Checklist

Check your specific cruise line's current list before you pack — policies change, and some published PDFs are several years old.
Leave behind irons, steamers, kettles, candles, and anything with a heating element.
Skip the power strip; bring a compact USB charger instead.
Plan alcohol around your line's policy rather than assuming a bottle or two is fine.
Pack medications in original containers, and check CBD and cannabis-related products against your line's rules.
Keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on.

Official Prohibited Items Pages

Policies are updated periodically, so always confirm against the source before you sail. Here are the official pages for the lines covered above:

To be sure you won't have issues when you get to the ship, be sure to check our cruise lines list of banned items. Ready to book your next amazing experience? Contact [email protected]

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