If you’ve been cruising for a while, you probably remember Royal Caribbean’s very long, very specific prohibited-items list. It spelled out everything: irons, kettles, candles, over-the-door organizers, bungee cords, hoverboards, dive knives, and even certain types of scissors.
But in September 2025, that detailed list disappeared and was replaced with a much shorter, category-based version.
And here’s the issue: many cruisers saw the shorter list and assumed the rules got looser.
They didn’t.
Nothing substantial became allowed overnight.
Royal Caribbean simply changed how they present the information, not the enforcement.
This blog breaks down the change clearly so you know what you can bring, what you can’t, and where the real rules now live.
🔍 What the Old Prohibited Items List Looked Like
For years, Royal published an extremely detailed list on their website, item by item. It included specific wording about:
- Clothing irons
- Steamers
- Hot plates and kettles
- Candles and incense
- Over-the-door organizers
- Bungee cords
- Hoverboards
- Certain types of scissors
- Electric blankets
- Large fans
- Extension cords and surge protectors
- Baby monitors
- Dive knives
- And dozens more…
It was long, clear, and easy for cruisers to reference, but also hard for Royal to maintain as technology and passenger behavior changed.
🔁 What Changed in September 2025?
Royal Caribbean removed the detailed list and replaced it with a much shorter “category-based” list, which now includes:
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons, firearms, ammunition
- Explosives and fireworks
- Flammable items, open flames, steamers
- Knives and sharp objects over 4 inches
- Tools over 7 inches
- Self-defense and martial arts items
- Disabling chemicals
- Extension cords, power strips, multi-plug outlets
- HAM radios and transmitting devices
- Alcohol outside policy
- Cybersecurity/electronic crime equipment
- Recreational vehicles
That’s it.
This new list is accurate, but it’s also vague, which is why so many people now misunderstand what’s actually allowed.
📌 So Where Did All the Details Go?
Royal didn’t stop caring about safety.
They moved the detailed rules into a different document:
👉 The Guest Health, Safety & Conduct Policy
This second policy includes all the specifics:
🔥 Items with heating elements — still banned
The policy explicitly bans:
- Clothing irons
- Steamers (full-size OR travel)
- Hot plates
- Coffee warmers
- Kettles
- Electric blankets
- Wax warmers
- Candles
- Incense
- Any device that produces heat or flame
🔌 Electrical items — clarified
It reaffirms that Royal prohibits:
- Extension cords
- Power strips
- Multi-plug adapters
- Surge protectors
USB-only chargers are allowed if they have no AC outlets and no surge protection.
🔪 Sharp objects — clarified
Allowed:
- Grooming scissors with blades under 4 inches
- Nail clippers and cuticle tools
Not allowed:
- Knives
- Large scissors
- Anything over 4-inch blades
🛩️ Drones — NOT banned
The “prohibited” list might imply they’re banned, but the Conduct Policy clarifies:
- You can bring a drone.
- You must store it in your stateroom.
- You cannot fly it on the ship, from the ship, or at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
- Some ports allow drone use; some don’t.
This confusion is exactly why so many cruisers think drones are prohibited now. They’re not.
✅ So What’s Actually Allowed? (Quick Summary)
✔ Allowed (with normal use)
- Hair straighteners & curling irons
- Your own hair dryer
- USB chargers & USB hubs (no AC outlets)
- Electric toothbrushes
- CPAP machines
- Power banks
- Travel fans (battery-powered)
- Strollers
- Pack-and-plays
- Formula, baby water, breast milk
- Ready-to-drink protein shakes
- Sealed snacks
- Magnetic door décor
- Cruise ducks
- Grooming scissors (blade < 4 inches)
- Drones (with restrictions)
- Walkie talkies under Royal’s limits
❌ Still NOT allowed (even if the list looks shorter)
- Irons
- Steamers
- Kettles, hot plates, coffee warmers
- Candles or incense
- Heating pads
- Electric blankets
- Helium tanks
- Extension cords
- Power strips
- Multi-plug adapters
- Baby monitors
- Weapons
- Large scissors
- Homemade food
- Hoverboards
- Any open flame
- Anything deemed unsafe by the Chief Security Officer
The rules didn’t loosen — the wording just changed.
🧭 Why Royal Caribbean Changed the Format
Royal likely moved to a category-based list because:
- It’s easier to maintain
- It reduces “loophole thinking”
- It allows staff more discretion
- It aligns with modern safety standards
- It prevents outdated screenshots from circulating (ironically, everyone is now circulating outdated screenshots)
But most importantly:
👉 It lets Royal enforce safety consistently without manually listing every possible new device guests might bring.
📝 FAQs — Updated after September 2025 Change
Are steamers allowed now that the list is shorter?
No. Steamers are explicitly banned as “items with heating elements.”
Are hair dryers allowed?
Yes. You can bring your own.
Cabins have one, but many people prefer theirs. NOTE: Some forums mention hair dryers with large electrical capacity working better in the European plug (with an adapter) than the U.S. plug.
Are USB hubs allowed?
Yes — as long as they have no AC outlets and no surge protection.
USB-only is the key.
Are scissors allowed?
Yes — grooming scissors under 4 inches are allowed.
Larger scissors will be confiscated.
Are drones banned now?
No. You can bring one. You just can’t fly it onboard or at CocoCay.
Can I bring a stroller?
Yes. Compact strollers work best.
Where’s the official prohibited list now?
There are two:
- The shortened “Prohibited Items” page
- The detailed “Guest Health, Safety & Conduct Policy”
You need both to understand the full rules.
Did Royal Caribbean loosen the rules?
No.
The list changed in format. Not in enforcement.
Products I Use and Recommend
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