Virtually every transportation company of any kind – including airlines, railroad, and cruise lines – have lists of items you are not allowed to bring with you. And while most Americans who travel are well aware of what you can’t take on an airplane, there are many items banned on Carnival cruises that you might not have considered.
To be sure, many of the items on the prohibited list aren’t likely to be a surprise. Things like “illegal narcotics” fall under the realm of common sense when it comes to things you can’t bring on a cruise. The same goes for firearms, tear gas spray, fireworks, and items that contain incapacitating substances.
Related: Carnival Cruise passengers share clever fixes to common problem
Then there are some that (most) people would never think to bring on a cruise in the first place. This includes inflatable kiddie pools, throwing stars and crossbows, and handcuffs.
But if they earned a spot on Carnival’s list, that means someone has tried carrying them onboard – or at least asked about it.
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8 things you might not know are banned
On the other hand, there are several items that are banned by Carnival that you might not be aware of that may surprise passengers. This is not a full list of banned items. It's a look at eight items some passengers may not expect would be banned:
- You cannot bring CBD products, even those used for medicinal purposes that are perfectly legal at home. Cruise lines follow U.S. federal law, and these products are still illegal on a federal level.
- You cannot bring compressed gas, including dive tanks. If you plan to go diving in one of the ports you visit, you’ll need to find a way to rent the equipment you need.
- You cannot bring any beer or liquor on board for consumption. There are some excellent deals on liquor at duty-free stores in most ports, but you’ll need to check these when you come back on the boat (they will be returned to you on the final night of the cruise). The only alcoholic beverage you can bring is one 750ml bottle of wine per adult 21 years or older in a cabin.
- You cannot bring anything with a heating element, including irons, steamers, electric blankets, coffee makers, humidifiers, and hot plates, just to name a few examples. The single biggest danger on a ship is fire, and Carnival doesn’t want to take any chances.
- You cannot bring knives, scissors, or open razors. There are very few exceptions, as these fall under the general category of weapons. (Personal grooming-size items in these categories are generally allowed).
- You cannot bring any internet equipment, satellite dishes, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), communications scanners, or satellite phones – or any similar communications equipment. These can interfere with the ship’s own communications.
- You cannot bring hoverboards, air wheels, or any footwear with wheels. These can be very dangerous on cruise ship decks.
- You cannot bring any fish on board, even if you do an excursion you buy through Carnival that involves fishing. Any fish caught during an excursion must be eaten in port or shipped home. (Tip: You can usually find a local restaurant that will cook your catch.)
Prepare now, reduce stress and frustration later
To be clear, this isn’t an exhaustive list. Carnival maintains a prohibited items list (readily available on its website or on your cruise ticket contract) that includes dozens of categories and literally hundreds of specific items. I’ve just tried to cover some of the most commonly overlooked examples.
More Carnival news:
- Carnival Cruise Line passengers learn a hard lesson
- Carnival Cruise Line passengers share what makes them happy
- Carnival Cruise Line's new ban surprises passengers
One key takeaway is that it’s best to do your homework ahead of time to figure out what you can and cannot take on a cruise before you go.
Nobody wants the hassle of an extensive luggage search because security saw scissors or a small Keurig in your carry-on luggage, and you really don’t want to see your items confiscated before you board the ship.
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As you can see from the discussion above, not all of Carnival’s banned items are completely obvious, so it’s a smart idea to thoroughly read the cruise line’s list before packing.
In most cases, banned items will be confiscated and then returned to you in the cruise terminal after your cruise. Trying to bring a weapon onboard or sneaking liquor or illegal drugs in your luggage could see you being denied permission to board.
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