Norwegian and Royal Caribbean: Banned Items Differences

Above, Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky last summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yahoo! Life has posted an interesting article on different banned items policies between Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. I have taken cruises on both these companies.

What one can bring aboard one cruise line's ship may be banned on the other's.

The article begins with:

To keep both passengers and crew members safe while at sea, each major cruise line has a long list of items that passengers are prohibited from bringing aboard its ships.

As you’d probably expect, firearms, weapons, explosives, and illegal drugs top the lists. Cruise lines also ban any items that could start a fire — candles, flammable substances, and any items that contain a heating element like irons and coffee makers. Hair dryers, styling tools, and personal grooming devices are the only exceptions to this rule.

Passengers are also prohibited from bringing alcohol on board with one key exception. Most cruise lines allow their passengers to bring at least one bottle of wine or champagne along on their sailing.

This exception stems from a tradition of transatlantic ocean liner voyages when passengers would toast to the beginning of a journey with a glass of champagne.

But while cruise lines’ prohibited items lists mostly cover the same types of items and make similar exceptions, each one has a few differences.

So, if you’ve only sailed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, for example, and decide to try out Norwegian Cruise Line, it’s important to be aware of certain items that Norwegian bans that other lines may allow.

To read more, go here.