Royal Caribbean has revised its list of prohibited items again, better explaining what is and what is not allowed to be brought on a cruise ship.
A week after the cruise line added "multi-plug outlets" to its list of banned items, the prohibited item list has been updated again to further clarify what's allowed.
The addition of "multi-plug outlets" to the list sparked an avalanche of questions from confused customers who did not understand exactly what's banned because so many of these devices include variations on plugs.
Royal Caribbean has always banned power strips, but there are many items that add a few extra outlets without going as far as to be called a power strip.
The revised rule bans electrical extension cords, "including power strips/surge protected strips and multi-plug outlets."
Royal Caribbean specifically states, "We do allow consumer type power conversion device USB charger (multi-plug blocks on which the outputs are for USB cables)."
Moreover, devices must be stamped with US/Europe recognized Conformance Marking to demonstrate compliance with Electrical Safety standards.
This confirms a USB hub would be acceptable since it adds just USB outlets, and no power outlets. (Contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use)
The big change is the ban applies to devices that had outlets and USB outlets together, which were commonly used for many years by passengers.
Royal Caribbean also added a catch-all to the top of its prohibited item list that states some items that are not specifically on the list may be prohibited if they are deemed questionable by the Staff Captain and Security Officer.
The need for more outlets
If you're wondering why someone might need to bring an outlet extender or multi-plug outlet, it's to be able to keep multiple devices charged.
Families bring many devices with them on vacation: phones, tablets, smart watches. Plus, they have a need to use electrical items, such as a hair dryer or hair straightening iron.
Cruise ships built more than 10-15 years ago have very few outlets in the cabin. Many of Royal Caribbean's ships built before 2010 have just two outlets in total in the cabin.
For years, cruisers have relied on cruise packing hacks to bring their own outlet extender plug to provide a safe and effective way to add more outlets.
These outlet extenders mean less contention over which device can charge first, such as phones, watches, laptops, or tablets.
On newer Royal Caribbean cruise ships, such as Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas, there are many more outlets that have been added.
In fact, Icon of the Seas staterooms are loaded with outlets. There are USB outlets on the lamps on both sides of the bed. The vanity has a large charging strip with multiple outlets and plugins. There is a US and EU plug for guests to use. In between, there is a USB-A and USB-C charging port available.
On the opposite end of the vanity, there are two additional USB-C plugs. The addition of USB-C plugs is a recent trend on newer cruise ships and provides more options for connectivity.
More updates to the list of things you can't bring on a cruise
In addition to the clarification on chargers you can bring, the prohibited item list was expanded in other ways.
The list added camouflage clothing as not allowed, because of local laws against such apparel.
"Wearing camouflage and/or military apparel is illegal in Barbados. Clothing of this nature will be confiscated and the wearer may be charged by local authorities."
The section covering weapons was also expanded, and explains how weapons for any reason are not allowed.
"We do not allow any guest (including law enforcement officers on vacation) to bring weapons onboard our vessel. Law enforcement officers need to understand that they will be boarding a foreign flag vessel going to foreign countries. All weapons should be left at home, locked up in a vehicle if they are driving to the port, or turned over to a local office of Customs, police, FBI, etc. for safe keeping during the voyage."
Other items added to the prohibited items list includes:
- Coffee makers
- Oil diffusers
- Electric Blankets
- Electric Heating Pads
- Roller Skates (permitted onboard but must not be used on the ship)
- Professional metal detectors (those used for commercial reasons). However, small, amateur style metal detectors (for example, those used to locate coins on a beach) are allowed.
- Blenders/Immersion blenders
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Banning these items certainly has to do with them either being a fire threat or could be used as a weapon.
