You've spent months planning. The excursions are booked, the "Out of Office" email is set, and you can practically taste the lime in your first poolside margarita. Then you hit security at the terminal. Suddenly, the port agent is pulling a seemingly innocent power strip or a pair of hiking shears out of your carry-on, and you’re starting your vacation with a "naughty room" confiscation slip. It happens. Honestly, it happens more than you’d think because the list of prohibited items on Royal Caribbean isn't always common sense.
Security isn't trying to be a buzzkill. They’re obsessed with fire. Fire is the absolute nightmare scenario on a ship in the middle of the ocean, which is why almost anything that generates heat or has a sketchy battery is a total no-go. But it’s not just about fire. It's about local laws, safety, and preventing a literal zoo on the pool deck.
Let's get into the weeds of what you actually cannot pack.
The Fire Starters: Why Your Hair Tools Might Be Suspect
Royal Caribbean is pretty clear: if it has a heating element, it’s probably staying on the dock. This is the category that trips up most travelers. You’d think a clothes steamer is a travel essential, right? Wrong. In the eyes of ship security, that steamer is a floating incendiary device. If you bring one, they will find it. They use high-tech X-ray scanners that flag the specific shape of heating coils.
What about your hair? Don't panic. Curling irons and hair straighteners are actually allowed. I know, it feels like a double standard since they get hot, but they are generally deemed "safe" as long as they are in good working condition. Just don't leave them plugged in when you head to the Windjammer for lunch. Coffee makers, however, are strictly banned. Even those tiny single-cup ones. If you need caffeine, just hit the 24-hour station at Café Promenade. It's free and won't get you flagged by security.
Candles are another big one. Even if they're for "ambiance" or a romantic anniversary vibe, they are prohibited. Incense? Forget it. If you want a nice scent in the room, stick to a solid air freshener or some Poo-Pourri. Don't even try to bring those plug-in scented oils either; some security teams see the "plug-in" part and treat it like a fire hazard.
Power Strips and the Surge Protector Trap
This is the most common mistake people make. Modern cruise cabins never have enough outlets. You’ve got two phones, a Kindle, a GoPro, and a smartwatch. You need a power strip. But here is the kicker: prohibited items on Royal Caribbean specifically include surge-protected power strips.
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Why? It’s technical.
Ships use a different electrical grounding system than your house. On land, a surge protector is great. On a ship, it can actually cause a fire by overheating the "neutral" line. It’s a legitimate safety risk. If you want more outlets, you must buy a "Non-Surge Protected" power strip. Most of them are labeled "Cruise Ship Approved" on Amazon. If it has a long cord, they might still take it away because long cords are considered trip hazards. Your best bet is a multi-plug cube that plugs directly into the wall with no cord at all.
The Alcohol Rules Are Fairly Strict
Royal Caribbean isn't a "bring your own bar" kind of line. They want you buying those drink packages. However, they aren't total monsters. Each stateroom is allowed to bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne on embarkation day. Note that this is per stateroom, not per person. If you're a solo traveler, you still only get two. If you have four people in a suite, it's still two.
What about beer or hard liquor? Absolutely not.
If you try to sneak vodka into a Listerine bottle or use those "rum runner" plastic bags, you’re playing a risky game. Security is onto every trick in the book. If they catch you, they don't just take the booze—they might hold your entire suitcase until later that night, meaning you’re stuck wearing your travel clothes to the first formal dinner. It’s embarrassing.
Non-alcoholic drinks are okay, but there’s a limit. You can bring up to 12 cans, bottles, or cartons of soda, bottled water, or juice per stateroom. Just make sure they are in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. Luggage handlers are rough, and nobody wants a burst can of Sprite soaking their formal wear.
Weapons (and Things That Look Like Weapons)
This seems obvious, but the definition of a "weapon" is broader than you think. Guns? Obviously banned. Even if you have a concealed carry permit, it means nothing on a ship. Ammunition is also a huge no-no.
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But what about that small Swiss Army knife you keep on your keychain? If the blade is longer than four inches, it’s a prohibited item. Honestly, leave it at home. You won’t need it to peel an apple; the crew will do that for you.
Surprisingly, things like "tactical" pens or heavy-duty multi-tools can get flagged. Even toy guns are banned. This includes those bright orange Nerf blasters or water pistols. They don't want anything on board that could cause a panic or be mistaken for a real threat in a dark hallway. If your kid can't live without their toy sword, buy a foam one in the gift shop—don't bring it from home.
Drones, Scooters, and Hoverboards
The "cool toy" category is a minefield. You can actually bring a drone on a Royal Caribbean ship, but there are massive strings attached. You can only use it on land, and never on the ship itself. Even at Perfect Day at CocoCay, drones are strictly forbidden. You have to store it in your room the whole time you’re on board. If a security guard sees you flying a drone over the pool deck, they will confiscate it faster than you can say "Bird's eye view," and you might even be asked to leave the ship at the next port.
Hoverboards and Segways are banned. They have those lithium-ion batteries that like to catch fire, and the ship is already a giant moving vehicle; they don't need you zipping around the Promenade on a board that might explode.
Bicycles are out too. If you’re a serious cyclist wanting to ride in Cozumel, you’ll have to rent one there. The only exception for wheeled transport is for legitimate mobility aids like wheelchairs and scooters.
CBD, Marijuana, and the "Legal" Confusion
This is where people get into real legal trouble. Marijuana is legal in many U.S. states and several countries. CBD oil is sold at every CVS. However, prohibited items on Royal Caribbean include all forms of marijuana and CBD.
The ship operates under federal law and the laws of the "flag state" (usually the Bahamas). Even if you’re departing from Los Angeles and visiting Mexico, you cannot bring weed. Not even for medicinal purposes. Not even "legal" Delta-8 gummies. If security finds it, they don't just take it—they often involve local authorities. People have been kicked off ships and banned for life over a pack of gummies. It’s not worth the risk.
Random Stuff You Forgot to Consider
- Handcuffs: Seriously. Unless you’re an on-duty law enforcement officer with prior clearance (rare), leave the "bedroom toys" or prank handcuffs at home.
- Hookahs: Anything that involves burning charcoal or open heating elements is a hard no.
- Cleaning Chemicals: Bleach, turpentine, or spray paint. Why you’d bring spray paint on a cruise is beyond me, but it's on the list.
- Perishable Foods: You can’t bring your own steaks to grill or a tray of homemade lasagna. Pre-packaged, store-bought snacks are fine, but anything that needs refrigeration or could carry pests is banned.
What Happens if You Get Caught?
Royal Caribbean’s security team is professional but firm. If they find something in your checked bag, they will remove the item and leave a note. Sometimes they hold the whole bag in a central area (The "Naughty Room") and you have to go down, explain yourself, and watch them take the item.
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Usually, you get your stuff back on the last morning of the cruise. You’ll see a long line of people at a desk near the gangway waiting to reclaim their steamers and multi-plugs. However, for illegal items like drugs or weapons, you won't get them back, and you'll likely be meeting with the Ship’s Security Officer or local police.
Actionable Steps for a Smooth Boarding
- Check your power strips. Look at the back of the device. If it says "Surge Protected" or has a "Joules" rating, leave it at home. Buy a USB hub instead.
- Photograph your wine. If you bring your two bottles of wine, keep the receipt and take a photo of the bottles in your carry-on. It helps if there's a dispute at the X-ray machine.
- Email the Access Department. If you have a medical device like a CPAP machine, you can bring it, but it’s smart to notify Royal Caribbean’s "Access Department" ahead of time. They can often provide distilled water and extension cords so you don't have to pack your own.
- Use the "Snack Rule." Only bring snacks that are factory-sealed. That bag of homemade cookies from your aunt is technically against the rules and might be tossed if found.
- Read the updated list. Royal Caribbean updates their "Prohibited Items" page on their website periodically. Check it 48 hours before you leave. Things like specific battery types or new "fad" toys get added frequently.
Planning ahead keeps you out of the security line and on the FlowRider where you belong. Pack smart, leave the steamer at home, and just use the ship's laundry service if your shirt gets wrinkled. It’s cheaper than a ruined vacation.