Every cruise ship runs security screening before boarding — X-ray machines, bag checks, the works. Items that violate cruise line policies get pulled out and set aside on a table at the terminal. You've probably walked past it without thinking about it. Those are confiscated items from your fellow passengers.
Some of the prohibited items are obvious. Others will surprise you. Here's what you need to know before you pack.
Important: Every cruise line has its own prohibited items list. What's banned on Carnival may be permitted on Royal Caribbean. Always check your specific cruise line's policy before sailing. Links to the major lines are at the bottom of this page.
The Full List of Prohibited Items
🔫 Firearms, Weapons, and Ammunition
No firearms for regular passengers — full stop. This includes handguns, rifles, and even legally owned concealed-carry weapons. The only exception is law enforcement or security personnel traveling in an official capacity with prior approval. Knives, nunchucks, and other weapons are also prohibited.
This matters beyond just the ship. In April 2024, a US passenger named Tyler Wenrich was arrested in Turks and Caicos after four rounds of ammunition were found in his backpack when he disembarked a Royal Caribbean cruise. He'd used the bag on a hunting trip and hadn't cleared it out. Possessing ammunition is a serious offense in Turks and Caicos — a 2024 court ruling mandated that tourists face the same penalties as locals, including a mandatory minimum sentence of up to 12 years in prison. His wife flew home. He stayed on the island awaiting trial.
Check every bag before a cruise if you've used it for hunting, shooting sports, or any activity involving firearms or ammunition.
🥃 Alcohol (Beer, Wine, Spirits)
Cruise lines sell drinks. They don't want you bringing your own. Most lines prohibit beer, spirits, and coolers entirely. Wine is the exception — most lines allow one bottle per adult to bring aboard, typically to enjoy in your cabin or with a corkage fee in the dining room. See our full guide: Water & Wine: What You Can Bring Onboard.
📡 Satellite Dishes and Starlink Devices
Cruise lines sell Wi-Fi and don't want you bypassing their service. This is newer territory, but they've drawn the line clearly. One passenger aboard Carnival purchased a Starlink Mini thinking the ship's prohibition on "satellite discs" wouldn't extend to it. He was wrong — it was confiscated for the duration of the voyage. Leave any personal satellite devices at home.
👓 Smart Glasses
This is a recent addition to most prohibited lists. Smart glasses like Ray-Ban Meta models that can record video and audio have raised privacy concerns for cruise lines. MSC Cruises banned them entirely from all public areas in late 2025. Royal Caribbean restricts them specifically in restrooms, youth facilities, medical areas, and the casino — they can be brought aboard but not used in those zones. Other lines are likely to follow. Check the current policy for your cruise line before packing any wearable recording technology.
🔌 Extension Cords and Power Strips (Most)
Standard extension cords are prohibited on most lines due to fire risk. However, many lines do allow non-surge-protected power strips with USB ports — which are genuinely useful given how few outlets cabin have. Check your line's specific policy. Surge-protected strips are almost universally banned.
🏠 Household Appliances
Anything with a heating element is prohibited: toasters, toaster ovens, microwaves, waffle makers, hot plates, coffee makers, electric kettles, and blenders. The ship has abundant food available around the clock — you won't need any of these. They're a fire hazard in a small cabin.
👔 Clothing Irons
Prohibited due to fire risk. If you need something pressed, ask your cabin steward — most ships offer pressing service, and many have self-service laundry rooms with irons available for passenger use. See: Do Cruise Ships Provide Irons?
🔥 Fireworks and Explosives
Fireworks are prohibited — you can watch them if your line offers a show (Disney does), but you can't bring your own. Explosives of any kind are prohibited and will result in far worse consequences than a confiscation.
🌡️ Heating Pads and Electric Blankets
Fire risk, same as irons. If you're cold, ask your cabin steward for an extra blanket.
🚲 Bicycles
No room, no policy for it. If you want to bike in port — Bermuda is a popular one for this — rent one there.
🛹 Segways and Personal Mobility Devices
Some lines permit you to bring a Segway but won't let you ride it onboard. It would just sit in your cabin taking up space. Many ports have Segway excursion options if that's your thing.
💊 Illegal Drugs
Marijuana (including in US states where it's legal), cocaine, and any other controlled substances are prohibited. Possession at sea or in international ports can result in serious legal consequences under the laws of the countries you visit, not just ship policy.
🎮 Gaming Consoles and DVD/Blu-Ray Players
Most lines prohibit gaming systems (Xbox, PlayStation) and standalone DVD/Blu-ray players. Ships have extensive entertainment options — this is less about convenience and more about the devices drawing significant power in cabins designed for limited electrical load.
🚤 Boats and Canoes
Listed here for completeness, but truly: don't bring a canoe.
Items That Surprised People (But Are Usually Allowed)
Worth mentioning the flip side — things people assume are banned but generally aren't:
- Curling irons and flat irons — permitted on most lines; auto shut-off often required
- CPAP machines — always allowed; ask your line for distilled water and an extension cord in advance
- Medications — bring everything you need, prescription and over-the-counter, in original packaging if possible
- Drones — prohibited by most lines for flight onboard; a few allow them but only with specific restrictions in port
- Power banks — generally allowed in carry-on, not checked bags (same as airlines)
Check the Source Before You Pack
Policies change and vary by line. Always verify directly:
And don't assume security won't find it — every bag is screened before boarding.
