What Not to Pack for a Cruise? 20 Items to Leave at Home

What not to pack for a cruise? Certain items from home won’t make it past the cruise ship’s guidelines, leading your luggage straight to the naughty room. Some items are downright illegal and prohibited. Other items you should leave at home. Check out these 20 items you should not bring on a cruise.

We tend to bring our daily go-tos from home, thinking we’ll need them on vacation. However, many items, like irons and surge protectors, are prohibited. Drugs and weapons are also illegal. Hangers and beach towels may just be redundant. It’s time to pack smart and save that luggage space for those cruise essentials.

This list aims to help prevent packing mishaps and guide you on what not to bring on a cruise. If it’s deemed dangerous or unsafe, skip it. Let’s keep packing simple and worry-free.

Redundant or Unnecessary Items You May Probably Want to Leave at Home

1. Beach Towels

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Do you have to bring beach towels on a cruise?

No need to bring your beach towels on a cruise. Cruise lines offer towels you can take ashore and exchange for fresh ones when you return to the ship. Leave your towels at home and enjoy the convenience.

Many cruise ships also have towels available by the pool. Depending on the ship, you might be allowed to take and return as many as you need, with some even placing them on empty pool chairs for you. However, on certain cruise ships, there may be a policy of allowing only one towel per person at the pool, which is closely monitored.

Remember, if you lose your beach towel, you could be charged for it.

2. Hangers

Can you take clothes hangers on a cruise ship?

Yes, you can bring clothes hangers on a cruise ship, but it’s advisable to save luggage space. Cruise cabins typically come equipped with several hangers in the closet. If you need more, your room steward can always provide additional hangers upon request. No need to pack them yourself.

3. Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Soap

Packing shampoo, conditioner, and soap are optional since cruise lines supply these basics in every cabin. While the quality may not be top-notch (hello, shampoo/conditioner combo pictured above), feel free to bring your own if you have specific preferences.

We usually pack our own, catering to my curly hair and sensitive skin, but many cruisers are okay with what the ship offers. Hubby is usually okay with using what’s in the cabin.

4. Hairdryer

Do you have to pack a hairdryer on a cruise?

No need to pack a hairdryer for your cruise—they have one in every cabin. Remember that the quality of blow dryers can vary.

If you do decide to bring your own, consider that it might not work with the voltage set up in the cabin. We’ve heard of Dyson hair dryers and wraps that have stopped working or wouldn’t work.

5. Books

The book debate can be controversial, as some prefer the tangible feel of a book. However, it’s one item you can skip packing for a cruise to travel lighter.

Cruise ships often have libraries varying in size and selection. Borrowing a book from the onboard library can be an option; we recommend a quick search to see if the cruise ship you’re sailing on has one. Alternatively, consider investing in a Kindle e-reader or downloading the Kindle app to your device for vacation ease.

Prohibited Items on a Cruise

6. Power Strip with a Surge Protector

It is highly recommended that you bring a multi-plug outlet, especially if you have many devices to plug in. Just make sure it does not have a surge protector. If your home strip has an auto-off button for surges, leave it behind. Grab one without a surge protector for your cruise.

Note: Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line do not allow multi-plug electrical outlets on their cruise ships. However, you can bring a multi-USB outlet or a Universal Travel Adapter to make the European outlet into an additional US outlet.

7. Iron

Nix the iron from your cruise packing list—you’re not allowed to bring irons on a cruise ship. Don’t count on finding irons in your cabin, either.

While some cruise ships have laundry rooms with ironing boards and tables, don’t always expect they exist. Carnival, Princess, and Disney cruises are known to have self-service laundry rooms. You can always research ahead of time and ask to see if the cruise ship you’re sailing on has self-service laundry rooms.

What should you do if you need to iron something while on your cruise?

• Always bring travel-sized wrinkle-release spray for a quick fix. Spray and let the steam work while you shower, as we normally do.
• Ask your cabin steward to borrow an iron if needed. This request doesn’t always work. It depends on the cruise line, steward, and the guidelines on board.
• Send out your clothes for pressing through your steward, usually available for a fee on most cruise ships.
• Look for embarkation day promotions. Sometimes, they have ironing specials and deals on the first day. Deals may pop up on day one.

8. Steamer

Can you bring a steamer on a cruise?

Unfortunately, although steamers are a favorite travel item of mine, they are not allowed on cruise ships. To tackle wrinkles without a steamer, stick to the methods and options mentioned earlier in item 8.

We’ve read about cruisers sneaking them on and getting past the naughty room somehow, but we wouldn’t risk it.

9. Coffee Makers

For coffee lovers, skip packing your coffee maker—it’s best left at home. Some cruise lines and cabins may provide coffee makers upon request. Research in advance, as amenities can change.

Staying in a suite, like the Haven on Norwegian, might score you a Nespresso coffee maker—a fantastic cabin perk. We enjoyed daily cappuccinos on our balcony.

How can you get a morning coffee fix during a cruise?

• Schedule room service the night before for a hassle-free delivery. Wake up to a fresh thermos of coffee and any other menu items you ordered.
• Pack instant coffee packets for convenience.
• Inquire with your cabin attendant about possibly facilitating a coffee maker for your cabin. While not widely known, some cruise ships offer this service upon request.
• You can also ask for a kettle for hot water. You can then use the hot water to make a cup of coffee with a pour-over cone, filter, and coffee grounds you bring from home.
• Check if your cruise ship cabin features Keurigs or Nespresso machines; bring your favorite single-serve coffee pods if allowed.

Read more: Useful Stateroom Cabin Tips and Hacks

10. Hot Plate and Other Cooking Appliances

Skip the hot plate and cooking gadgets at home—cruise ships provide all the food that is included with your cruise fare.

• Hot plates
• Toaster ovens
• Electric kettles
• Rice cookers
• Instant Pots

11. Candles and Incense

Using tea lights in our cabin as a night light.

For safety reasons, cruise ships don’t allow candles or incense. Yet, you can create a similar ambiance with safe alternatives. Consider packing flameless candles, like the dollar store’s tea candles—they double as a delightful nightlight.

12. Heating Pads and Heaters

Steer clear of anything that generates heat when plugged in, such as heating pads and heaters. Instead, consider the safer option of air-activated heating pads for relieving aches and pains—they’ve proven to be lifesavers in the past.

13. Perishable Food

Leave perishable items like meats and vegetables at home. Instead, opt for pre-packaged snacks and non-perishable food, such as protein bars, which are helpful when needed. You can’t take any food off the ship for most cruise ports, especially abroad.

14. Alcohol

Thinking of bringing your own alcohol to cut costs? Reconsider. Most cruise ships restrict outside alcohol to boost onboard sales. While few sneak alcohol onboard, getting caught will result in the alcohol being thrown out.

There are exceptions, though. Certain cruise lines may allow limited alcohol, like a bottle of wine per person per cabin, for an additional corkage fee—check your cruise line’s rules. Every cruise line has specific guidelines.

What happens when you buy liquor at cruise ports?

Security holds the bottles until the end of the cruise. Similarly, onboard purchases are held until the day before disembarkation.

15. Drones

Drones are banned from being flown on cruise ships. Certain cruise lines might permit you to bring a drone for on-land use only, but security will hold it until you disembark at the port. Policies regarding drones vary between cruise lines, so do your research ahead of time.

16. Bicycles, Scooters, Rollerskates…

Rolling items like bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, and skateboards are a no-go on cruise ships. It’s a safety measure with thousands of passengers. Considering the array of activities on a cruise, it’s best to leave these items at home. Still, the thought of roller-skating around an empty ship does sound pretty fun!

17. Inflatables

Inflatables like rafts, kiddie pools, and blow-up balls are off-limits on cruise ships. Pool space is reserved for swimmers, so it’s best to leave the inflatables at home.

18. Weapons of Any Kind

Leave weapons off your cruise packing list—they’re strictly prohibited. Anything considered a weapon, including pepper spray, mace, tasers, and knives, is not allowed on cruise ships. The rule aligns with airplane restrictions, so if you can’t bring it on a plane, it won’t make it onto a cruise ship either.

19. Explosives or fireworks

Certainly, avoid bringing explosives or fireworks on a cruise ship—it’s dangerous and irresponsible. Save fireworks for the professionals.

20. Illegal Substances

Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on cruise ships. Getting caught with them can result in immediate disembarkation at the next port, with offenders turned over to local authorities or even banned for life from the cruise line.

The prohibition extends to marijuana and CBD products as well, even if it’s legal in the state where you’re embarking or if it’s medically prescribed. So leave the gummies at home.

Cruise ships maintain a strict policy against any form of illegal drugs, regardless of regional legality.

See what not to bring on a cruise by cruise line

• Norwegian Cruise Line Prohibited Items
• Celebrity Cruise Line Prohibited Items
• Royal Caribbean Prohibited Items
• Carnival Cruise Line Prohibited Items
• Holland America Cruise Line Prohibited Items
• MSC Cruise Line Prohibited Items
• Disney Cruise Line Prohibited Items
• Virgin Voyages Prohibited Items
• Princess Cruise Lines Prohibited Items

What items are NOT allowed on cruise ships?

Weapons, illegal drugs, flammable liquids, and items that may pose a security or safety risk are not allowed on cruise ships. It’s important to check the guidelines of the cruise line you are traveling with, as restrictions may vary.

What happens when you bring banned items on a cruise ship?

Any less severe but still prohibited items will land you in the “naughty room” at security. You might be required to surrender or discard the item. Checking with your cruise line beforehand is important to ensure your luggage makes it to your cabin.

Can you bring weed on a cruise ship?

Correct, bringing marijuana on a cruise ship is not allowed. Even if it’s legal in the state where you embark or it is medically prescribed, it remains classified as an illegal drug under U.S. federal laws.

Can you bring an empty water bottle on a cruise?

Absolutely! Bringing a reusable water bottle is a smart move. Many cruise ships charge for bottled water and sodas, so having an empty bottle to fill up with free filtered water at the buffet can be quite handy.

Can you bring a pocket knife on a cruise ship?

Pocket knives are not allowed on cruise ships. They are considered weapons and fall under the prohibited items category.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

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• Beach Vacation Packing List
• Must-Have Alaska Cruise Essentials
• Cruise Wardrobe Don’ts