If you’re planning to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or special event at sea, balloons might seem like a fun and easy way to decorate your stateroom. But before you pack balloons or a helium tank, here’s what you need to know about what’s actually allowed onboard Royal Caribbean.

---

🎈 Balloons: Yes, But With Conditions

✅ You can bring balloons on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but they must be un-inflated when you board.

Cruisers regularly bring flat, uninflated balloons in their luggage and inflate them with air once onboard. You can use them to decorate your cabin for birthdays, anniversaries, or surprises, as long as:

• They’re air-filled, not helium-filled.
• You use removable tape or magnets (no glue or adhesives).
• They stay inside your stateroom, not in hallways or public spaces.

🚫 Pre-inflated balloons are not allowed through security. They can pop or interfere with ship systems during embarkation, so you’ll be asked to dispose of them before boarding.

---

🎈 Helium Tanks: Not Allowed

Helium tanks are strictly prohibited on Royal Caribbean cruises.

They’re considered pressurized gas cylinders, which fall under hazardous materials regulations. The same rules apply to propane, oxygen, and scuba tanks. Even small, disposable helium canisters are not allowed in luggage or carry-ons.

If you want balloons that float, your best option is to order them through the cruise line’s official décor service.

---

🎉 Easier Option: Room Decorating Packages

Royal Caribbean offers celebration and room decorating packages through your Cruise Planner, listed under “Gifts and Gear.”

You can pre-order décor for occasions like:

• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Honeymoons
• Bon Voyage surprises

Crew members decorate your stateroom before you arrive, so you can walk in and start celebrating without packing balloons, tape, or decorations yourself.

---

⚖️ Comparison: How Other Cruise Lines Handle Balloons

Cruise Line	Balloons	Helium Tanks	Notes
Royal Caribbean	✅ Allowed if uninflated and air-filled	🚫 Not allowed	Room décor packages available
Carnival Cruise Line	🚫 Not allowed	🚫 Not allowed	Cites environmental and safety reasons
Norwegian Cruise Line	🚫 Not allowed	🚫 Not allowed	Considered potential safety hazard
Disney Cruise Line	✅ Allowed (air only, inside cabin)	🚫 Not allowed	Similar to Royal policy

---

FAQs About Balloons on Cruises

Can I bring pre-inflated balloons on board?
No. Balloons must be uninflated during boarding. Inflate them yourself once onboard using air, not helium.

Can I bring an air pump for the balloons?
Yes, manual air pumps are fine. Avoid any plug-in or electric inflators that generate heat.

Can I hang balloons on my stateroom door?
You can, but only if they’re flat and secured with magnets. Don’t block the hallway or hang decorations from the ceiling.

Can I take balloons to CocoCay or a port stop?
No. Balloons aren’t permitted off the ship because they can harm wildlife if released.

---

🎁 Bottom Line

• ✅ You can bring uninflated, air-filled balloons and decorate your cabin yourself.
• 🚫 You cannot bring helium tanks or pre-inflated balloons.
• 💡 For an easier option, order a Royal Caribbean room-decorating package under Gifts and Gear before your sailing.

It’s safer, easier, and makes your celebration stress-free the moment you open your cabin door.