Banned & Restricted Items on a Cruise

Can you bring alcohol on a cruise from a port?

• Alcohol

  In some cases, you can take some alcohol on board selected cruise lines. Typically speaking, you are able to bring unopened 750ml bottles of wine or champagne. This can vary from 1-2 bottles per guest depending on the cruise line, as long as they are of drinking age.

  You can consume your own bottle of wine or champagne in your cabin, or if you wish to drink it in the restaurant then there is likely to be a corkage fee.

  Bringing hard liquor and beer is generally prohibited across cruise lines, and it will be taken on embarkation day and returned to you at the end of your cruise.

• Can you bring alcohol on a cruise from a port?

  Yes, most cruise lines allow you to purchase alcohol from a port and bring it back to the ship. You need to declare it when you get on board, and this will be safely held for you until the end of the cruise, ready for you to take home.

  It's important to remember that different cruise lines have different rules regarding the amount and type of alcohol you can purchase in port. We’ll cover these rules in our Banned, Restricted or Prohibited Items by Cruise Line section. Always check your specific cruise line's policy beforehand.

• Illegal Drugs

  This really should go without saying, but if it’s illegal on land, it’s illegal on our cruise holidays. If you’re found to have illegal drugs on your person, they will be confiscated and NOT returned.

• CBD

  Cannabis and CBD products are not allowed on cruise ships and will be confiscated if you’re found to have them. Even though CBD might be legal in your home country, it can still be considered an illegal substance in the waters you are sailing through or in the ports you are visiting.

• Weapons, Ammunition & Imitation Weapons

  Again, this really should go without saying but you absolutely cannot bring weapons, ammunition or imitation weapons on board. This is for the safety of others as well as your own.

  This ban also includes children’s toy guns or toys that closely resemble real weapons.

• Knives, or Scissors with blades longer than 4 Inches

  Despite having a practical function in the home, even kitchen knives can pose a significant safety risk on board a cruise liner. We want you to be safe and reduce the risk of accidents during your holiday, which means that even scissors with blades longer than 4 inches will have to be left at home.

  You can take small nail scissors on a cruise if you think you’ll need them whilst at sea.

• Irons & Steamers

  We appreciate that you’ll want to scrub up well and get a shirt or two ironed for dinner on board the liner you’re travelling on.

  However, clothes irons and steamers are not allowed on cruise ships, including travel-sized irons and steamers, due to their heating element being considered a fire hazard.

  A great alternative to an iron or steamer is crease spray, which is permitted on board a cruise ship.

• Extension Leads

  A common travel hack with holiday goers, you may be wondering if you can bring an extension lead on a cruise. Extension leads can also pose a fire safety risk, so you are not allowed to pack these for a cruise.

  Luckily, modern cruise liners are designed to be as accessible as possible, with plenty of access to plug sockets that usually have USB ports too.

  If you’re still struggling for sockets, you can purchase a cruise-approved extension lead onboard.

• Coffee Makers, Kettles, and Hot Plates

  As well as taking up a lot of room in your luggage, appliances such as coffee makers, kettles (including travel kettles), and hot plates can be dangerous at sea if they get too hot or malfunction, so are not allowed on a cruise. This is another safety measure to prevent fires on board. 

  However, some cruise lines provide tea and coffee-making facilities in select cabins, so guests can still enjoy a morning brew whilst getting ready for the day.

  If you’re particular about your tea and wondering if you can bring your favourite tea bags on a cruise? Most cruise lines will allow you to bring tea bags in their original sealed container.

• Candles & Incense

  We all love a scented candle to make a room smell nice, but this can endanger you and your fellow passengers if knocked over or left unattended. No matter the size of the candle, they’re a strict no-no on board. Cleaners on board will ensure that your room smells fresh as a daisy.

• Volatile & Highly Flammable Liquids

  As with candles and incense, highly flammable liquids are dangerous items to have on board a cruise liner.

  • Examples of volatile and highly flammable liquids that are banned from cruises include:

  • Flammable refrigerants (e.g., certain types of aerosol sprays that aren't personal care)

  • Containers of lighter fluid

  • Fuel, including kerosene, gasoline, or diesel

  • Fireworks and pyrotechnics

  Standard lighters are generally allowed on a cruise ship (for those who smoke), however, this should be just a standard lighter and only one per person. It’s advised to check this with the cruise line directly before going.

• Paint

  You might think of yourself as a budding Picasso or Monet, but paints can contain harsh chemicals that could be dangerous to you, your child, and other passengers, so they are not allowed on a cruise.

• Bleach

  As with most things on board a cruise ship, cleaning is well and truly taken care of by the wonderful cleaners. We know it might be tempting to bring your marigolds and cleaning products but rest assured, your cabin and the rest of the ship will be kept spotless.

• Compressed Gas Bottle/Cylinders

  Compressed gas bottles or cylinders can pose a serious risk of explosion if exposed to the right conditions. As you can imagine, this is not ideal when aboard a cruise liner. There is an exception to this rule if it is needed for a medical reason, but the cruise liner must be informed prior to travel.

   Dive tanks are also not permitted on board for the same reason.

  Ones for personal care, such as deodorant, hairspray, and shaving cream, are usually allowed.

• Certain Sports Gear

  Largely because of the weight and size of some sports gear, cruise companies have decided to ban some of it. These include canoes, kayaks, bikes, etc. Bats such as baseball and cricket bats are also not permitted on board as they do pose a risk of injury.

  Golf clubs can generally be brought onto a cruise ship, but will be stored by the crew and delivered to you on shore days when you plan to use them. Check with your specific cruise line for their policy on sporting equipment.

• Radio-Controlled Flying Toys

  Drones are allowed on board, but they must be kept by security on board the cruise to be used exclusively when the ship is in port. Drones are prohibited for use when the ship is at sea.

• Hookah Pipes

  Some smoking devices, such as hookah pipes, are not allowed on board a cruise. We cover cigarettes and e-cigarettes further down in their own section.

• Animals

  You may be wondering if you can bring your beloved pet, whether it's a dog, a cat, or a tiny hamster, with you to enjoy the high seas. While the thought of Fluffy sipping a mocktail on the lido deck is adorable, the vast majority of cruise lines operate a strict 'no pets allowed' policy.

  The only notable exception to this rule is certified service animals. If you require a service dog, you must contact your cruise line well in advance of your sailing date, as there are strict rules, regulations, and often limited availability for these working animals on board. 

  An exception is the Cunard Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, which does have kennels on board.

• Personal Grooming Items

  Personal grooming items are allowed on board when kept in good condition and are used responsibly with proper caution. This includes:

  • Hair dryers

  • Curling irons

  • Razors and electric shavers

  • Electric toothbrushes

  You’ll find a hairdryer in most modern cabins, so you might save a bit of luggage space by leaving yours at home.

• Homemade Food Items

  Although it isn’t strictly banned, we’d really encourage you to limit the amount of food that you bring from home. There is more than enough delicious food from a variety of on board restaurants to treat yourself to. If you do decide to bring a couple of meal deals, make sure all the food is non-perishable and pre-packaged.

• Flotation Devices (apart from Armbands)

  Floatation devices such as lilos aren’t permitted on a cruise ship because they take up quite a bit of space in the relatively small pools that are on a cruise ship. Armbands are allowed for people who feel they need them, but keep your inflatable flamingo at home.

• Musical Instruments, Radio & Music-playing Devices

  Loud music might be great at a gig, but it’s not ideal when you’re trying to sleep on your cruise holiday. Musical instruments and music-playing devices are allowed on board, but guests are encouraged to be considerate of the volume and time of day that they’re using these items.

• Coolers

  Small coolers are allowed on board a cruise; however, they must be of a personal size. This size might vary between companies, so if you want to take one with, it’s probably best to check with the cruise line ahead of time.

• Cigarettes and Vapes

  Cigarettes and vapes are allowed on the ship, but their use is strictly limited to certain designated areas.

  They are not to be used in cabins or on cabin balconies due to the fire risk and for the comfort of other guests. Guests must seek out designated smoking/vaping areas if they wish to smoke or vape.

• Fans

  Most cruise lines are hesitant about letting you bring a fan on a cruise due to the potential fire hazard from the electrical components.

  However, some lines will permit a small personal fan (e.g. a small USB-powered desk fan). Other cruise lines don’t allow them at all, and they may be confiscated during boarding.

  It’s important to check with the cruise line before you go to ensure you’re able to bring them, especially if you get warm easily!