What not to pack for a cruise
The short answer
Don't pack irons, steamers, surge protectors, candles or incense: cruise lines ban them as fire risks. Check your line's drinks rules before packing any wine, water or soda. And skip beach towels, lots of shoes and 'just in case' outfits; the ship provides towels and you'll wear far less than you pack.By Kathryn Lyn2 min readReviewed September 2026
Banned on most cruise ships
- Clothes irons and steamers: a fire risk. Ships offer pressing services, and some have irons in self-service launderettes.
- Surge protectors and power strips with surge protection. Use a non-surge USB cube instead.
- Candles, incense and anything with an open flame.
- Weapons, including many knives and multi-tools.
- Drones: rules vary; some lines allow you to bring one but not fly it on board.
- Most drinks: see each line's rule below.
Here is how two lines put it:
Royal Caribbean on irons
- Laundry
No self-service laundry — washing, pressing and dry cleaning only
Self-service laundry facilities are not provided, for safety reasons.
Irons are not provided in staterooms because they are a fire hazard.
A wash-and-fold special runs during the voyage: fill the supplied bag with smaller items for a fixed $34.99 per bag.
Source: Royal Caribbean International, checked September 21, 2026
Holland America on irons and steamers
- Laundry
Full laundry and dry cleaning on every ship, for a fee
Laundry bags and a price list are in your stateroom closet.
For safety reasons, travel irons, steamers and electric water heaters or kettles may not be used in your stateroom.
Source: Holland America Line, checked September 21, 2026
The drinks rules, line by line
Bringing alcohol
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | One sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest 21 or older, on embarkation day only | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | One sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest of drinking age, on embarkation day only | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Only wine and champagne, and a corkage fee applies | September 21, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | One 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest | September 24, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | One sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest of drinking age, on embarkation day only | September 21, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | One 750ml bottle of wine or 6 beers per adult, carry-on only | September 21, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | Wine and champagne only, with a US $20 corkage fee per bottle of 750 ml or less | September 21, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Two 750ml bottles of wine per cabin — no spirits or beer | September 24, 2026 |
| Viking | Bring your own, drink it anywhere, no corkage fee | September 24, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | One bottle of wine or champagne, 750 ml or smaller, per guest of drinking age per voyage | September 21, 2026 |
| Oceania Cruises | Up to 6 bottles of wine, 1 of spirits and 12 beers per stateroom | September 24, 2026 |
Bringing water and soft drinks
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | One bottle of wine or champagne per adult at embarkation | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | Alcohol is prohibited, apart from the Beverage Policy exception | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | No drinks of any kind, with two narrow exceptions | September 21, 2026 |
| MSC Cruises | No soft drinks at all — medical and infant water excepted | September 24, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | Up to 12 cans or cartons per person, hand luggage only — no bottles | September 24, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | One 750ml bottle of wine per adult; corkage $35 in venues | September 24, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | Soft drinks are free on board, so there is little need to bring your own | September 21, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | Water only, within a fixed allowance per stateroom | September 24, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Cans and cartons only in hand luggage — no bottles | September 21, 2026 |
| Viking | Allowed — guests may bring beverages with them | September 24, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | Bring water and snacks; one 750ml bottle of alcohol per guest | September 24, 2026 |
Not banned, just not needed
- Beach towels: the ship provides them.
- A hair dryer: most cabins have one.
- More than three or four pairs of shoes.
- A different outfit for every occasion 'just in case'.
- Large amounts of cash: ships are cashless.
First-timer questions
Questions, answered.
The questions people ask most. Tap one to open it, or open them all and read straight down.
3 questions on this page
What is banned on a cruise ship?
On most lines: irons and steamers, surge protectors, candles and incense, weapons, illegal drugs and most drinks beyond each line's allowance. Each line publishes its full prohibited-items list.
Can I bring a power strip on a cruise?
Only one without surge protection. Surge-protected strips are banned on most lines. A USB charging cube is the easy alternative.
Can I bring my own alcohol on a cruise?
Usually a limited amount of wine or champagne, carried on at embarkation, often with a corkage fee to drink it in public areas. Rules differ a lot by line; see the table above.