Royal Caribbean Banned & Prohibited Items: Your Complete Guide

Cruising with Royal Caribbean offers an exciting escape into luxury, adventure, and relaxation. However, to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests and crew, Royal Caribbean maintains a strict list of banned items that are not permitted on board. While some Royal Caribbean prohibited items may be obvious, others might surprise you. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to help you understand what you must leave at home before embarking on your Royal Caribbean cruise.

The Role of Safety and Security for Prohibited Items on Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean places great emphasis on passenger safety. Items that pose a risk to health, security, fire prevention, or vessel operations are strictly prohibited. Furthermore, some objects are not allowed simply due to the laws of visiting ports. For example, certain clothing items are illegal in specific destinations.

Royal Caribbean's security team, led by the Staff Captain and Security Officer, has the authority to deem additional items questionable or unsafe, even if they are not explicitly listed. With that in mind, here are the main categories of Royal Caribbean banned items you should be aware of:

Illegal Drugs and Controlled Substances

All illegal drugs and substances are strictly banned on all Royal Caribbean ships. This includes marijuana—even in places where it's legal recreationally or medicinally. Guests caught with drugs will face severe consequences, including denial of boarding or disembarkation at the nearest port.

Weapons, Firearms, and Ammunition

Bringing any kind of firearm or weapon on board is strictly prohibited. This rule applies to all guests—including off-duty law enforcement officers. Weapons must be left at home, in your vehicle, or stored with a local law enforcement agency.

Examples of banned weapons:

• Rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers
• Ammunition of all types
• Paintball guns, BB guns, spear guns, starter pistols
• Gun parts, flare guns, and realistic replicas of firearms

Note: Firearms and weapons are not accepted for safekeeping by terminal or ship security staff.

Explosives and Incendiary Devices

All explosives and items with fire hazards are banned. This includes:

• Fireworks and blasting caps
• Hand grenades and plastic explosives
• Gunpowder
• Bomb-making components
• Realistic replicas of explosives

Flammable and Heating Items

Items with open flames or heating elements are not allowed, except for specific hair styling tools.

Banned items include:

• Candles, incense, and burners
• Travel steamers and hot plates
• Coffee makers, immersion heaters, and tea kettles
• Lighter fluid, gas torches, gasoline, turpentine
• Flammable paints and thinners
• Electric blankets and heating pads
• Hookahs and water pipes
• Car batteries and hoverboards

Exceptions: Hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners are permitted.

Restricted Clothing

Certain clothing items are illegal in specific countries. For instance, camouflage and military-style clothing are prohibited in Barbados. Wearing such attire can result in confiscation and even legal consequences by local authorities.

Knives and Sharp Objects

Sharp objects, particularly those that could be used as weapons, are banned unless they're permitted under specific exceptions.

Banned items include:

• Box cutters, ice picks, meat cleavers
• Sabres, swords, and fencing foils
• Scissors with blades longer than 4 inches
• Flick knives and concealed knives (e.g. belt buckle knives)

Exceptions:

• Diving knives: Permitted if stored with the Chief Security Officer
• Alaskan ulu knives: Allowed if stored in guest cabins
• Personal grooming tools like nail clippers, tweezers, and scissors under 4 inches

Tools

To avoid damage or potential harm, most large tools are prohibited.

Prohibited tools include:

• Hammers, saws, drills
• Axes and hatchets
• Screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches over 7 inches in length
• Cattle prods and other heavy-duty devices

Martial Arts and Self-Defence Items

Items used in martial arts or for self-defence are banned to maintain a non-threatening environment.

Examples:

• Nunchakus, throwing stars, brass knuckles
• Mace, pepper spray, stun guns
• Kubatons, black jacks, and night sticks
• Handcuffs and similar restraining devices
• Bows and arrows

Disabling Chemicals and Dangerous Goods

Chemicals and dangerous liquids pose serious risks aboard a ship and are not allowed.

These include:

• Bleach, chlorine, and spray paint
• Tear gas and fire extinguishers
• Spillable batteries (wheelchair batteries are allowed)
• Gas cylinders (empty dive tanks and medical oxygen bottles are allowed)

Electronics and Cybersecurity Items

To avoid interference with ship communications, some electronic items are also prohibited.

Banned devices include:

• Satellite dishes, routers, and networking gear
• HAM radios or any transmitting devices
• Extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices (due to fire hazards)

Note: USB charging blocks are allowed, but must be safety-certified.

Sporting Goods (With Conditions)

Sporting goods are allowed but must be stored in your stateroom and never used in public areas unless you are boarding or disembarking.

Examples:

• Surfboards, skateboards, roller skates
• Golf clubs, cricket bats, and hockey sticks
• Fishing rods and hooks

Miscellaneous Royal Caribbean Prohibited Items

• Electric scooters (unless pre-approved on certain sailings)
• Baby bottle warmers and sanitizers (require prior approval via Royal Caribbean's Access team)
• Blenders and immersion blenders
• Alcohol outside of Royal Caribbean’s alcohol policy

Conclusion

Cruising with Royal Caribbean offers an enjoyable and luxurious experience. For seamless travel, remember to complete your cruise ship booking and familiarize yourself with the ship's strict security policies, which are in place for everyone’s wellbeing. It’s essential to check the list of banned items thoroughly before packing for your trip. If in doubt, it’s always best to leave it out or contact Royal Caribbean’s customer service for clarification.