Gary Bembridge runs the Tips for Travellers podcast, and has now shared a list of items that are banned on cruises that could – in the most extreme cases – see you banned for life
A cruise ship expert has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers planning on bringing unusual items onboard.
Gary Bembridge has revealed that many cruise lines have a list of prohibited items that could potentially get you banned for life if not adhered to. He explains that there are several items, often banned for safety reasons, that travellers should definitely avoid packing before embarking on a cruise.
In today’s digital age, we rely heavily on various electrical devices such as phones, tablets, e-readers, hairdryers and curling tongs, all of which require charging. However, bringing your own mains adaptor to charge all these devices simultaneously is strictly prohibited.
Specifically, multi-plug adaptors with a surge protection feature are completely outlawed. “All cruise lines ban any extension cord with a surge protector feature,” warns Gary, explaining that unlike at home, these are incompatible with the ship’s electrical system and could potentially cause a fire in your cabin.
“Basically, anything allowing multiple plugs is no longer allowed, certainly on Royal Caribbean,” he adds. However, he emphasises that plug adaptors featuring only USB connectors, as opposed to traditional three-pin plugs, are exempt from this ban.
Gary, a seasoned cruiser, shared that Bluetooth speakers are now banned on Carnival cruise line for safety reasons. He explained: “They have said that if any passenger tries to bring them on board at embarkation or at a port, they’ll be confiscated, and if cruisers buy a Bluetooth speaker in the on-board shops, they will be held until the end of the cruise.”
The official reason given by Carnival is to ensure passengers can always hear onboard safety announcements, reports the Express.
However, Gary suspects another motive: “I am sure it has really been done as it is annoying and intrusive having people playing loud music at the pools, around the deck, on their balconies and in their cabins,” Gary, who used to take a Bluetooth speaker on cruises to play white noise to help him sleep, was “devastated” by the ban.
He also warned that wi-fi hotspot devices and Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite dishes could get you barred from boarding. Recalling an incident, Gary said: “Carnival Miracle guest and YouTuber called Richard Shillington brought his own Starlink mini-dish on board his cruise. He made a video showing how he used it on the ship and posted it using it. But as soon as the cruise line saw the video and that he had his own Starlink dish on board, they confiscated it.”
Passengers are being warned that they could be denied boarding if they attempt to board with a wheelchair, unless they’ve paid extra to book a wheelchair accessible cabin in advance. “In the past, people using wheelchairs on these lines could often book a regular cabin, particularly if they used a foldable one and only used infrequently,” says Gary.
However, due to safety regulations introduced in 1974, those individuals are now prevented from boarding. This is because, in the event of an onboard emergency, crews can only supervise the evacuation of a limited number of wheelchair users.
As Gary explains: “If people arrive without having declared that they use a wheelchair and haven’t booked an accessible room, they could be denied boarding at their own cost at check-in.”
Another surprising banned item is CBD oil. Despite its growing popularity for treating joint pain and other minor ailments, it’s not allowed on at least one cruise line.
“As Melinda Erin Van Veldhuizen found out the hard way. She was trying to board a Carnival cruise with her family in Port Miami in Florida to celebrate her wedding anniversary. CBD gummies were found in her bag, and she was denied boarding with no refund.”
To add insult to injury, the unfortunate woman was also banned for life from cruising on Carnival.
Gary reveals that one of the most unexpected items on the banned list is a cardboard pineapple. He explains that when this decoration is placed upside-down on a cabin door, it’s a secret signal to fellow travellers that the occupants are open to swinging sexual encounters.
Gary expresses his bewilderment at their use: “I’ve never quite understood the hit-and-miss nature of advertising using that on regular cruises, when there are entire ship charters dedicated to swingers run by groups like such as Bliss Cruises which seems a surer thing.”
He advises that the bans differ from cruise line to cruise line and can change without notice, so it’s wise to look up your cruise line with the words “prohibited items” to find the most up-to-date list before you embark.
