Diplomacy

Over the past few years, we have seen companies unveil designs and prototypes for new cruise ships.

This includes a 60,000 passenger turtle shaped ship, a ridiculous mile long Freedom ship, and a really interesting 430,000 gross ton ship. Every one has their own vision for what future cruise ships will look like.

Now, YSA Design has unveiled a wind powered catamaran cruise ship, Seabreeze, that would have 100 cabins and carry up to 200 guests.

The ship would be over 300 feet long and have dual hulls. Since the ship’s draft would only be 12 feet, it would be able to access shallow waters where larger ships couldn’t visit.

The vessel has four 150 foot high foldable sails. If wind is insufficient, the cruise ship’s engines would run on green bio-methanol. It would have hybrid drive to also offer silent running on battery power.

“Sustainability is critical but cruise shipping also needs to continuously reinvent itself,” said Trond Sigurdsen, Senior Architect and Partner, YSA Design. “A sustainable ship which brings environmentally conscious guests closer to the sea and reaches destinations others cannot is a clear opportunity at the premium end of the cruise market.”

Each hull would have four decks with a yacht like top. The ship would carry 200 passengers in 100 cabins and have 155 crew members.

The dual hulls would also provide greater stability creating a better experience for the guests on board.

The design envisages a transparent bay structure between the hulls so that guests can “hover” over the sea. Enhanced by auxiliary lighting, “seeing a shipwreck or coral reef would be unforgettable”, said Sigurdsen.

In another scenario, guests relax on a mesh connecting the hulls in a “floating experience”.

YSA Design said the following about this new ship:

“Seabreeze also aligns closely with contemporary thinking on destination-based cruising, where a ship gliding in under sail would not disturb wildlife and would be a welcome visitor anywhere. A 21st century wind-powered ship could even drive revival in communities which suffered with the demise of sail.”

Time will tell if Seabreeze will ever be built. But for now, it’s fun to look all of the interesting new design concepts for cruise ships.

As the continued conflict in the Red Sea impacts the cruising industry, more cruise lines are either canceling or repositioning cruises.

In addition to the Red Sea situation, shifting dry dock schedules have led one cruise line to cancel at least 20 cruises that were originally scheduled for 2025.

According to news reports from Travel + Leisure, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced adjustments to its 2025 itinerary, cancelling cruises for seven of its vessels.

This decision is due to a combination of factors, including safety concerns in the Red Sea and Israel, dry dock schedules that have changed, and a full ship charter for one of Norwegian’s cruise ships.

Additionally, a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson told Travel + Leisure that a greater demand for cruises to the Bahamas and from mainland United States also led to the decision to cancel other voyages.

The specific cancelled sailings are spread across the following ships and dates:

· Norwegian Epic (3 departure dates: 2/20/25, 11/1/25/, 11/11/25)

· Norwegian Jade (4 departure dates: 3/4/25, 3/13/25, 3/24/25)

· Norwegian Pearl (4 departure dates: 4/19/25, 5/5/25, 5/16/25, 10/15/25)

· Norwegian Sky (2 departure dates: 5/27/25, 6/5/25)

· Norwegian Spirit (2 departure dates: 1/1/25, 5/17/25)

· Norwegian Star (3 departure dates: 5/18/25, 5/29/25, 6/9/25)

· Norwegian Viva (3 departure dates: 5/27/25, 9/20/25, 9/29/25)

Norwegian Viva is the newest ship in Norwegian’s fleet, having just sailed her maiden voyage in August of 2023 as the second Prima-class vessel.

The ship will be offering longer sailings throughout the Mediterranean Sea before being repositioned to San Juan, Puerto Rico in December of this year.

What happens if guests already had booked cruises on these sailings?

Full Refunds and Future Cruise Credits: Guests booked on cancelled sailings will receive a full refund for their trip. Norwegian Cruise Line is also is offering a 10% Future Cruise Credit that can be applied towards any sailing departing by December 31, 2025.

Alternative Cruise Options: The cruise line is making alternative itineraries available to guests as well, identifying other cruise itineraries that are similar to the ones originally booked. Impacted guests will receive information about these options directly from Norwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s itinerary adjustments, while inconvenient for booked passengers, shows the need for flexibility when booking a cruise and making plans.

There are other factors that could change the itinerary or destination of a cruise ship.  We have detailed many of those reasons a ship may skip a port or two here.

There’s not much a cruise line can do when there are geopolitical issues that threaten the safety of passengers, so the cancellations of cruises in the Red Sea region were not a big surprise.

It’s also another reason to look into cruise travel insurance before any cruise.

In just the last few months several other cruise lines have decided to pull their ships from the Red Sea as well.

MSC Cruises was one of the first cruise lines to cancel cruises that sailed through the Red Sea. Princess Cruises and Holland America also adjusted itineraries scheduled for the region, and several world cruises had to change plans to ensure passenger safety.

Royal Caribbean will have two cruise ships offering cruises from Australia in 2025-2026. These newly announced cruises are now open for bookings.

Royal Caribbean will offer 45 cruises from Australia for the 2025-2026 season. The two ships, Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, will sail a wide variety of long and short cruises that will visit the South Pacific, New Zealand, and Australia.

For the first time, Anthem of the Seas will homeport in Sydney, Australia sailing 24 cruises that will range from three to 18 nights in length.

The shorter cruises will visit the coast of Australia while the longer sailings will visit New Zealand. The ship will also sail longer cruises for Christmas and New Year celebration.

Voyager of the Seas will sail from Brisbane, Australia for the first time starting in December 2025. The 20 cruises on the ship from Australia will visit the South Pacific, New Caledonia, Bali, Singapore, and Vanuatu. 

The cruises will range from four to 12 nights in length with some longer cruises over the holidays.

The 12 night cruise will visit Singapore, Bali, Benoa, and Airlie Beach, Australia. 

Royal Caribbean’s vice president and managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Gavin Smith, gave the following statement about these newly announced cruises:

“Between the excitement of Anthem of the Seas making its Australian debut, Voyager’s return Down Under and more weekend getaways than ever before, the 2025-2026 summer season is one for the books. Every kind of holidaymaker can make memories in more ways than one with a varied line-up, from short getaways to a longer sailing from Asia, and new experiences like the show-stopping ‘We Will Rock You’ musical production, ice-skating shows and six exclusive family adventures created by Royal Caribbean and the Wiggly Friends.”

Royal Caribbean carries more guests on their cruise ships each year than any other cruise line in the world. 

The operate the six largest cruise ships in the world and have been awarded the “Best Overall Cruise Line” for 21 straight years by the readers of Travel Weekly.

Every cruise line has its own version of the “do not disturb” sign. 

This conventional way of letting the cabin steward know to let passengers sleep in or be left alone for a while is not without its limits though.

Some cruise ships use magnets to put on the outside of the cabin door, and some modern ships even have an electronic system.  A passenger can simply hit a button inside the cabin to let the steward know they the room needs to be cleaned or they want to be left alone.

Carnival Cruise Line still uses the standard and true door hangers.  On one side it says “Snoozin’”.  It basically means the passenger does not want to be disturbed.

As a general rule, cabin stewards and crew respect these signs.  After all, who wants to wake up a cranky passenger who just wanted a few more minutes of seaside napping?

But in a recent instance on a Carnival ship, the passenger was upset by this apparent breach of trust.

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald posted a message he received on his social media page revealing the complaint.

“How would you like it if the cabin cleaner walked in on you John Herald. Our cleaner knocked and walked in on us ignoring the do not disturb sign we had out. This was not acceptable. We took away the gratuity and gave it to other crew people. Is this how Carnival trains their workers?” the upset Carnival passenger wrote in.

The comment was made last week, but Heald was able to get some clarification on the exact situation.  As it turned out, things were not exactly as they had seemed.

“The reason I am sharing this post is because when it was made, early last week, it had lots of you adding your thoughts saying that this was indeed wrong and that it should not have happened. I have since spoken with the Housekeeping Manager who explained what had happened. The guests had their ‘Snoozin’ sign out for more than 24 hours. So it is company policy that we check the safety and well being of the guests and that is what happened here,” Heald posted to his social media page.

Cabin stewards are not in the habit of disregarding “do not disturb” signs and barging into cabins.  In this case it was necessary safety protocol that led to the attendant’s entrance.  A safety check after 24 hours is not unreasonable.

In fact, it would have been against procedure to keep skipping the cabin and not check on the passenger’s wellbeing.

Heald then stated that “The stateroom attendant did knock as they always do before entering and as there was no reply they entered the room with the floor supervisor also there.”  

He added, “The crew member was simply doing her job.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings just announced the biggest order in its history.    Eight new ships will be built for the three cruise lines operated by the company.

These eight new vessels will represent almost 25,000 berths in addition to a new class ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line expects to take delivery of four 200,000 gross ton ships with a capacity of 5,000 passengers each.  These deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036.

Right now, Norwegian’s largest ship is Norwegian Encore at 169,000 gross tons. 

The size of this order and the increase in vessel size represents a renewed excitement for the cruise industry going forward.

In today’s press release the company revealed plans to build on the four Prima-class ships expected for delivery starting next year and through 2028.  Currently there are two Prima-class ships in service.

New Ships for Oceania and Regent

The new order will also include two new ships for another brand under NCLH, Oceania Cruises.  Oceania is expected to take delivery of two 86,000 gross tons vessels in 2027 and 2029, with each ship having a passenger capacity of 1,450.

This delivery will come after the success of the current largest ships with Oceania Cruises: Allura-class ships Vista and Allura (coming in 2025).  These ships measure 67,000 gross tons.

The ultra-luxury brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises will also be adding a couple ships to its fleet.  Two 77,000 gross ton ships are expected to be delivered to the cruise line in 2026 and 2029, each with a capacity of 850 passengers.

Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, expressed the company’s confidence going forward, stating,

“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth. It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet.”

The partnership with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will enable Norwegian to design and build these ships that will shape the next decade for the company.

A Two-Berth Pier Coming to Great Stirrup Cay

In addition to the news about order of 8 new ships, Norwegian also announced that a new pier at the company’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.

The new pier will be able to accommodate two large cruise ships at once and will cost about $150 million to build.

The dreaded last day of a cruise is one that always comes too soon.  Even after 40+ cruises the final day of a cruise still sneaks up on me.

You get one last breakfast, and then it’s time to debark the vessel. 

But over and over again I see the same mistakes being made on this bustling day.

Disembarkation day is a busy day for a cruise ship and its crew.  All the current passengers need to get off the ship, and all the new ones need to get on it.

If we all want to avoid over-crowded elevators full of gigantic suitcases and a mad rush of chaos, here are a few mistakes we can avoid during the last few moments on a cruise ship.

1. Missing the Luggage Tag Deadline

Even with the recent addition of “Digital Debark” from Carnival and similar app-based solutions for baggage on disembarkation day, you don’t want to miss the cut-off point for your luggage tags.

You will get constant reminders about selecting a time you’d wish to get off the ship and how many luggage tags you will need if using the ship’s luggage service.  Still, you’d be surprised how many last-minute scramblers there are on every cruise trying to carry a “boat load” of bags and dragging them down the halls.

2. Not Carrying a Carry-on Bag

This mistake also applies to embarkation day– when you’re getting on the ship — as well.  Even if you are allowing the cruise ship to transport your bags on and off the ship, you should always keep some items in a carry-on that you keep with you. 

Things like travel documents, medications, essential devices, an extra pair of clothing, and anything else that would cause major problems if you lost should be kept in this bag.

Some extra things to remember on embarkation day can be found here.

3. Sticking Around the Cabin

I know it’s hard to leave that little oasis you came to love over the course of a 7-day cruise.  But your cabin steward has a busy job getting the ship ready for the next passengers. 

Instead of sleeping in on disembarkation day, make sure you leave the cabin at the appropriate time.  This time will be announced several times by the cruise director and listed on the app or daily schedule as well. 

You might be surprised how many passengers try to stay in their cabins until they are almost dragged out.  Vacate that cabin and enjoy a little more free food around the ship before you have to say goodbye.

Read more: 25 things to do to make your cruise cabin more livable

4. Attempting to Carry Way Too Much Luggage

There’s a reason cruise lines offer to carry your suitcases off the ship for you.  It prevents the all too prevalent clogging of the hallways and elevators.  The problem is that self-assist allows passengers to get off the ship first.  So, they have priority.  If those same passengers also have a massive amount of luggage, it means slower debark times for everyone else behind them.

I’ve written before about how I like to travel with just a carry-on as often as possible, so I’m a very light packer.  For longer cruises this isn’t as easy to manage.  If carrying all of your luggage requires a herculean effort that results in scraping the walls with your bags, stopping every few feet to gather your strength, and filling every square inch of already busy elevators, you probably should have checked your luggage.

Related article: How much luggage can I bring on a cruise?

5. Trying to Sneak Prohibited Items Off the Ship

This one is a big no-no, but it happens on almost every cruise as well.  Don’t even think about trying to take fruits and vegetables off the ship.  You might have shoved them into your bag for a snack on the flight like a hamster preparing for winter, but custom regulations are strict on this matter.

You will see plenty of signage warning about this before you get to customs and there are usually trash cans allowing you to discard these items before they become a problem.  Just don’t let it become a problem.

6. Being Rude, Cutting in Line, Etc.

Sure, you’re grumpy that you must leave this magical floating hotel that has fed and entertained you all week, but everyone else is in the same boat – or ship rather. 

Don’t make the mistake of short cutting lines to expedite the process.  I’ve witnessed some very rude behavior on disembarkation days on cruise ships over the years.    And the reality is it never helps anyone.

People with very early flights are especially in a rush and just want to get off the ship so they can get to the airport in time.    And that leads to me to probably one of the biggest mistakes cruisers make in the next point.

7. Booking Flights too Early in the Day

How early is too early is somewhat subjective, but I don’t like to book flights before noon on embarkation day.  Yes, there’s a mild excited rush you feel when you have a 10am flight and you just barely make it before boarding closes.  But that’s no way to spend the last moments of your cruise.

To make sure readers know that I’m just as prone to make this mistake as anyone else, I recently wrote about a 9am flight on disembarkation day and why I hope to never do that again.  Hey, we all make mistakes.  Just don’t make the same ones over and over again.

8. Not Paying Attention

For first-time cruisers disembarkation day seems a little overwhelming.  But the truth of the matter is that the cruise lines guide you along each step of the way.  All you have to do is pay attention. 

Pay attention to where you can wait to get off the ship, what lounges are open, where you should NOT congregate, etc.  Times for debarking will be announced by group or color and it’s a simple process if everyone just pays attention. 

Final Thoughts

The start of a cruise and the end of one carry very different emotions.  But as long as you focus on the great memories you enjoyed during the cruise and avoid these mistakes you should have no problem. 

Cruise lines have been making the debark process easier and easier over the years.  At many cruise ports you don’t even have to get our your passport at customs as they use facial recognition technology to get you right out the door.

The key is to keep a positive outlook, pay attention and by all means, start planning for that next cruise!

Read more: Cruise cabin rules: 10 things you should never do in your stateroom

If you’re not careful about packing for your cruise, you could end up with a lot of extra “baggage”, the kind no one wants.

In this article, we’ll discuss what NOT to bring on your next cruise so that you can avoid making the same mistakes as many other travelers.

We’ve all seen those “Ultimate Packing List” articles, telling you exactly what you should bring on your cruise. These checklists allow you to make sure you don’t miss out on bringing the essentials.

But this article will be the exact opposite. We are going to compile the very worst cruise packing list of all time. In fact, bringing some of these items will put you in some hot water.

There are some things you cannot bring on a cruise ship and others that you just shouldn’t bring. This post will focus on things you are not allowed to bring on the ship, but you can also read our article on things you CAN bring but should leave at home anyway.

Weapons of any kind

Guns, ammunition, martial arts weapons, stun guns, knives, and switchblades are all prohibited from being brought on board the ship. Yes, you can be charged with a felony for bringing a stun gun onboard. No matter how innocent you might think it is, the cruise lines are not going to take any chances. These items will be confiscated at the security check point before you even get on board the ship.

Firearms are not permitted onboard cruise ships, even if they are in checked luggage or registered to you at home.

Some cruise lines also will not allow you to bring scissors on board if the blades are longer than four inches.

Some other items you are not allowed to bring include pepper spray, brass knuckles, night sticks, and even toy guns. A good rule of thumb is that if it looks like a weapon or could be construed as one, leave it at home.

Also, most ships will not let you bring handcuffs or any kind of restraints on board.

Illegal drugs and substances

Bringing recreational drugs onto a cruise ship is not a wise decision. It is strictly prohibited and can lead to serious consequences such as being kicked off the ship and facing legal charges.

Cruise lines have implemented various methods to prevent illegal drugs from being brought onboard. These include using x-rays, metal detectors, scanners, and drug-sniffing dogs to detect any illicit substances.

It is important to note that even if you have a valid prescription for medication, certain drugs may not be allowed on the ship. For instance, marijuana is not allowed on board. It is best to check with the cruise line beforehand and make sure you have all necessary documentation.

Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line will not allow CBD oil and CBD products on their ships. They state this is because they are not typically legal in many of the ports they visit.

Candles or incense

There are certain cabin rules that you will need to follow on a cruise ship. Although candles can be romantic and fragrant in your stateroom they are not allowed on board.

A fire is one of the biggest threats these ships face. Any lighting of incense is also not permitted so don’t even try to stuff these items in your suit case.

Irons and steamers

Nobody wants wrinkly clothes on a cruise, and it’s hard enough that most cruise lines don’t have self-service laundry with irons and ironing boards to use. But don’t pack your travel iron. Irons and steamers are not allowed on cruise ships and they will be confiscated.

Some cruise lines like Carnival have launderettes which have irons you can use. But for most other lines you will have to pay to have your clothes pressed.

What about curling irons? Most cruise lines will allow curling irons except for MSC Cruises and a few others.

I recommend packing some Downy Wrinkle Releaser or other type of spray to help combat those pesky wrinkles.

Related:  15 things people always forget to pack for their cruise

Camo clothing

Although cruise lines do not have an outright ban on camouflage clothing, it is not allowed in Caribbean countries where many cruise ships travel. And if you wear camo in one of these countries you can get arrested for impersonating an official.

This includes wearing camo pants, shirts, hats, and even camouflage accessories like purses and backpacks. So if you have a cruise itinerary to the Caribbean, leave the camo shorts in the closet at home.

Coffee maker and hot plates

There are plenty of places to get coffee on the cruise ship, so besides being unnecessary coffee makers are not allowed. The same goes for hot plates and hot pots as well. These are considered fire hazards and you won’t be allowed to even get them on the ship.

Crock pots also aren’t allowed. Yes, I have seen people try to bring them onboard and have also seen them many times on the confiscated items table on disembarkation day.

Hoverboards

Zooming around a cruise ship on a hoverboard does seem like fun, but it’s not going to happen. Hoverboards and any kid of self-balancing wheels will not be allowed on the ship. Also, skateboards and shoes with wheels built in will not be allowed.

Drones

Some cruise lines will let you bring drones and others won’t, so this one could go either way. But even if a cruise line lets you bring a drone on the ship you will not be able to fly it while on the ship, and you must adhere to all local ordinances when in port.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean will still let you bring them for use on land only and outside of the port areas. Drones must also be kept with the chief security officer and can be checked out when you arrive in port. They also don’t want you using drones on any of their private destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Haiti.

Other cruise lines will allow you to keep drones in your cabin, but you can only use them when on shore and away from the port area. Drone policies are always in flux with cruise lines, so be sure to check with your cruise line ahead of your trip.

By the way, kites are not allowed either, so forget those fantasies about flying a kite off the back of the ship. Some cruise lines will let you use kites when in port.

HAM radios

Most cruise lines have a ban on HAM radios. Cruise ships have their own radio systems for communication and using a HAM radio could cause interruptions. Although, on Carnival’s website HAM radios are listed under “Exemptions and other considerations”, leaving the door open in certain circumstances.

Usually, it is up to the captain of the ship if you’re allowed to use it or not, but consult with your travel agent or cruise line rep before you decide to bring it.

Some cruise lines will specify that communication scanners and wideband receivers are not allowed on board.

Related:  10 things you should never do in your cruise cabin

Large speakers

Most cruise lines will not allow the large Bluetooth speakers that are becoming very popular these days. Public announcements need to be heard and could cause a safety risk if music from a portable speaker drowns out the announcements. On top of this, it’s just not polite to blast music in a public area.

Small Bluetooth speakers are typically allowed for private use in cabins, so feel free to bring one of those if you have to have your music.

Extension cords and surge protectors

Any kind of power strip with a surge protector is strictly prohibited. These can be fire hazards and mess with the ship’s own electrical system which is different from what you have at home.

Also, don’t pack any extension cords as these are usually not allowed on the ship as well. We all have a lot of devices to charge these days, but modern cruise ships tend to have more power outlets to keep your phone, tablet, computer, and camera charged up and ready to go.

Inflatable kiddie pools

Carnival’s website clearly states that inflatable kiddie pools are not permitted. I’ve seen the pictures of 8-foot kiddie pools on balconies and just wonder, “why?”. Cruise ships have plenty of space in the kid’s pool area.

If you’re wanting to bring a very small inflatable pool for a young child so they can have a bath in the shower area make sure you check with the cruise line first.

Perishable foods and meats

You might want to pack some goodies in your suitcase before your cruise, but Royal Caribbean put perishable foods on their list of prohibited items for a reason. There’s so much food on a cruise ship you can’t even fathom it.

Leave those homemade cookies and treats at home or with a neighbor. You will eat like royalty all week long on that cruise ship, so you definitely don’t need to pack any extra foods.

Some sports equipment

There are certain kinds of sports equipment that are either not allowed or must be kept in your stateroom. Most cruise lines will mention this equipment in general that cannot be brought on board, but there are exceptions.

Things like baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, skateboards, bicycles, and even surfboards can sometimes be brought onto the ship but must not be used on the ship.

Many avid golfers will bring their clubs with them to certain destinations. As long as the golf bag and equipment can fit through the security scanners this is usually not a problem, but once again, the clubs must be kept in your stateroom.

Fireworks or any flammable liquids

Anything that can present a fire hazard will not be allowed on a cruise ship. You might be going on a cruise on New Year’s Eve or the 4th of July but don’t expect to bring any kind of fireworks or pyrotechnics with you. These items are strictly prohibited and you won’t even make it through the cruise terminal with them.

Hookah pipes

While some cruise lines and ships have designated smoking areas, Hookah pipes are typically not allowed. Remember, just because it may be legal in the United States or the state in which you live, cruise lines often have to adopt the rules and regulations of the countries of the ports of call.

Some sunscreens

Not all sunscreens are the same, and some cruise lines are putting a greater emphasis on disallowing sunscreens that are harmful to coral and fragile reef environments.

Sunscreens with oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate are banned from US Virgin Islands. Some other places that have banned these sunscreens include Key West, Hawaii, Cozumel, and Bonaire just to name a few.

While these sunscreens are not explicitly banned by every cruise line, it’s the ports of call and regions that have placed regulations on them.

Here is a list of sunscreens that are considered “reef-safe”:

• Manda Organic SPF 50 Sun Paste
• Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
• Pipette Mineral Sunscreen
• Thinksport SPF 50 Sunscreen
• All Good SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen Lotion
• Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Clear Zinc Lotion
• Suntegrity Natural Mineral Sunscreen
• Badger SPF 30 Unscented Sunscreen Cream
• Raw Elements SPF 30 Certified Natural Sunscreen
• Stream2Sea SPF 30 Mineral Sunblock
• Banana Boat Simply Protect SPF 50+ Sunscreen spray

Baby monitors

Baby monitors used to be on the ban list for several cruise lines, but the reasons have been highly-disputed. Now it seems that cruise lines have removed these monitors from the ban list, so they can be packed. But there are two things to point out.

First of all, many of these baby monitors will not operate very well with the metal walls of the ship. But the main issue here is that cruise lines don’t want you leaving your child in the cabin unattended and using the monitor as an excuse.

If you use the baby monitor because your children are staying in an adjoining cabin that’s one thing. But going out to eat at a specialty restaurant while you try to “monitor” your child remotely is a practice that is not permitted.

Final thoughts

The rules and regulations for what can be brought onto a cruise ship are always changing, so always check with your cruise line if you have specific questions about an item.

We hope this helps keep you out of trouble when going through security on embarkation day for your cruise.

What happens if you bring a banned item?

What happens if you bring a banned item on a cruise? If it if something that the cruise line bans but is 100% legal, then it will get confiscated and you will pick it up at a table when you get off the ship on disembarkation day.

If you are trying to bring something illegal on board, then it’s up to the local authorities. In other words, don’t even bother trying.

Here are some other helpful articles on packing for your cruise that you might find helpful:

15 things people always forget to pack for a cruise
Things you CAN bring on a cruise but should leave at home
10 things you’re NOT supposed to wear on a cruise
Cabin Rules:  10 things you should never do in your cabin