Bathing suit, sunscreen, comfortable shoes – all of these are essentials you’ll find on any good cruise packing list, even if you’re sailing to Alaska. But as you’re throwing all of the basic necessities into your suitcase, there are a few things I want you to take out, not only because you won’t need them, but in some cases, security will confiscate them.

1. Travel iron or portable steamer – These are HUGE cruise no-nos due to the fire risk associated with them. On most cruise ships, you won’t even find laundry facilities a guest can use themselves. We recommend Downy Wrinkle Release (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)as a way to help reduce wrinkles in your packed clothing. It comes in travel sized bottles that are perfect for cruise packing.
2. Power Strip – Most are banned due to fire hazards unless they’re “cruise-approved,” but even some of those get confiscated. Royal Caribbean has recently cracked down on allowing most power strips, now allowing only ones that offer multiple USB ports but no additional power outlet – like this one. Most newer ships are equipped with an adequate number of USB ports and plenty of outlets, but this may be challenging on an older ship. Whatever you bring, make sure it is does not have surge protection.
3. Candles – Since we’re on the “fire hazard” theme, let’s just add this one to the list! If you’re looking for a romantic, candlelit stateroom to set the mood, you might want to opt for battery-operated tea lights, as most cruise lines still permit them. If you’re looking for the delicious scent of a lit candle, check out some essential oils to dot on your pillow before you go to bed.
4. Booze – There are pretty significant restrictions on the alcohol you may bring on a cruise with you. Some cruise lines allow a limited amount of alcohol to be brought onboard in your CARRY-ON luggage, but it’s usually a bottle of wine per adult in the stateroom or a six pack of beer. No hard liquor is permitted.
   

   

   
   
5. Towels – There is a limited amount of space in your luggage, and you know you’re going to overpack as it is. You will not need to bring towels from home to enjoy your cruise. Your stateroom attendant will bring you the number of bath towels you need, and you can request extra if you need more, like to wrap your hair. Pool towels are readily available at the pool deck. Some cruise lines require you to check them out, so that if you don’t return them, you’ll be charged for them, but you can take as many as you want. If your cruise has a stop at an island or beach destination, you’ll find towels are usually available right by the gangway as you disembark.
   
   
   
6. Drugs – Medications prescribed by your doctor are fine, but marijuana and illegal substances are not. Even if you are from a state that has legalized marijuana, it isn’t permitted on a cruise ship – that’s everything from weed to edibles and anything in between.
7. Weapons – It should kind of go without saying, but leave even those self defense items at home. You may be tempted to bring pepper spray or personal taser devices, especially if you’ve heard stories about different ports, but they are not allowed. You can, however, carry a personal safety alarm, like Hootie.
8. Personal Heaters – Again with the fire safety, these are definite no-nos. You will find, however, that most cruise lines will allow small, personal sized fans, but those are generally taken from your bags to be inspected by the ship’s crew before being delivered to your stateroom.
9. Water Balloons – Totally random, but you cannot bring water balloons on a cruise ship. Aside from the safety risk to marine life from disposed balloons, the cruise lines don’t want to encourage you to throw things at other cruise guests – even if they are the ones in your own stateroom that are annoying the crap out of you.
10. Excessive Valuables – This is not the time to bring out the family jewels. Even though pretty much every stateroom has a safe, that does not mean that you are safe from anyone ever having access. Don’t bring too much cash with you and definitely switch to costume jewelry and less expensive pieces that you wouldn’t be heartbroken to lose. We recommend this really adorable travel jewelry organizer – it fits into the safe, holds just a few pieces to switch into, and keeps things from getting tangled.
11. Live plants – It’s hard enough to find someone to feed Fido while you are traveling, but to have to hire someone to water your plants? UGH! Unfortunately, that’s just what you’ll have to do, since you cannot bring live plants onboard. The cruise lines are simply trying to avoid introducing invasive pests or diseases to the various ports of call, as they can truly disrupt local ecosystems. We use plant watering bulbs for our houseplants, but they do sell automatic irrigation systems for indoor plants if you’ll be away a bit longer.
12. Large sized coolers – These are usually not allowed because of the size and the difficulty with getting them through the security system. They won’t fit through the screening belt, so they would have to be inspected by an individual security agent. You can, however, bring a small, personal sized cooler. You can bring a small, personal cooler, though, and this small cooler is great if you have to bring any type of medication or snacks that have to be kept cool.
13. Inflatable Pool Toys – Primarily due to space limitations and safety risks, most cruise ships do not allow you to bring any sort of inflatable pool toys, noodles, etc. onboard. Although you can use those items when you go to the beach, they won’t be allowed on the cruise ship.
14. Plastic Straws – With the push for more ecologically friendly cruising, most cruise ships have banned plastic straws. You can, however, bring paper or your own reusable straw.
15. Hoverboards or Drones – Big no-nos on cruise ships. This is mostly for safety reasons, as you don’t want either to interfere with not only ship navigation but the safety of other guests as well.
16. Unsealed Food – Don’t get too snacky on your way to the port, because if you open the snacks you planned to have stowed in your stateroom, you won’t be able to bring them onboard. Snacks in sealed/unopened packaging is allowed, provided it doesn’t contain produce or meat products. You also can’t bring homemade food and seal it with a vacuum sealer – it has to be factory sealed.
17. Too Many Shoes – I’m here to tell you that at the most, I think three pairs of shoes should be PLENTY. Definitely a pair of closed toed shoes, like sneakers/running shoes. You may also want a pair of dressier shoes to go to dinners or to the parties in the evening. And I totally understand a pair of sandals or beach shoes. But girl, leave those 12 other pairs behind!
    
    
    
18. Pets – Ummm, yes, we do need to mention this to some people. You can not bring pets of any kind onboard a cruise ship – this includes but is not limited to hermit crabs, turtles, birds, lizards, snakes, goldfish, cats, and dogs. Service dogs – but not emotional support animals – are permitted on most cruise ships.
19. Bluetooth speakers – Okay, so you can bring these with you, but you cannot use them outside of your stateroom, so do you need it? A grey area here is using it on your cruise ship balcony. While technically your stateroom, you want to keep it down to a reasonable volume and only use it at appropriate times of the day.
    
    
    
20. Bikes/skateboards/skates – These are so much fun at the beach, but you can’t bring them onboard the ship. They have a safety risk not only to you but to fellow passengers as well.

This is by no means all-inclusive – you won’t be able to bring cooking appliances or tea kettles, for example. Each cruise line provides a list of prohibited items that you should familiarize yourself with before you sail. Pack well, pack safely, and go enjoy your high seas hijinks!

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