Carnival Cruise Line and others like it have policies involving common items that customers cannot take on cruise ships. The cruise line’s policy states that customers who bring these common items onboard could find themselves banned for life from the ships. Let’s take a look at what we know about these guidelines.
Carnival Cruise Line Bans These Items
In a recent interview with the New York Post, travel and cruise expert Gary Bembridge disclosed the typical goods prohibited by well-known cruise lines like Carnival.
He shared that the first items are extension cords, surge protectors, or “anything allowing multiple plugs.”
“All cruise lines ban any extension cord with a surge protector feature,” he said, noting that cables are considered a fire hazard.
Additionally, several cruises, such as Carnival Cruise Line, do not permit Bluetooth speakers.
“They have said that if any passenger tries to bring them on board at embarkation or at a port, they’ll be confiscated, and if cruisers buy a Bluetooth speaker in the on board shops, they will be held until the end of the cruise,” Bembridge explained. “I am sure it has really been done as it is annoying and intrusive having people playing loud music at the pools, around the deck, on their balconies and in their cabins.”
Satellite dishes, routers, and Wi-Fi hotspots are also prohibited from entering the ship. One visitor, YouTuber Richard Shillington, discovered this the hard way on a Carnival cruise when his belongings were seized after he attempted to bring a Starlink mini dish onboard.
Despite being widely used for therapeutic purposes, CBD oil is also prohibited on cruise ships, according to Bembridge, who recounted how a Carnival cruise passenger was “denied boarding with no refund” after CBD candies were found in her luggage. In addition, she received a lifetime ban.
Carnival Cruise Line’s list of prohibited items also includes flammable materials, hard liquor, explosives, fireworks, drugs, ammunition, and sharp objects like knives, scissors, and open razors. Paper pineapples, meant to indicate that couples in suites are open to swingers, are among the most bizarre artifacts prohibited from the boat.
Controversial Changes for the Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line has made controversial changes to its policies recently, most recently regarding hand sanitizer, which is no longer widely available on board.
“It is hand sanitizer that has been removed from many of the places at the request and recommendation of the medical professionals. Hand sanitizer is not a deterrent against Gastro illness,” longtime brand ambassador John Heald wrote on Facebook. “To prevent that and other surface-borne illnesses, we recommend washing hands with warm water and soap. That’s why this is promoted. That’s why we do have handwashing stations. And we are very, very glad to say that at the time of my writing this, we’ve not had any outbreaks for many, many years.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against hand sanitizer and proposes hand-washing facilities instead. “Cleaning hands at key times with soap and water or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you,” the agency reported.
What’s more, Carnival Cruise Line recently announced that AARP members will no longer be eligible for discounted gift cards. After lowering the price of the Carnival gift card twice in less than a month, AARP revealed that the cruise line had stopped selling the cards through them.
“Carnival Cruise Line has decided to discontinue offering their gift cards through the AARP Rewards Program,” read the AARP website at the time of the announcement. “We understand that this may be disappointing news, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We remain committed to providing you with valuable rewards and appreciate your understanding.”
