You don't want to start your cruise vacation by being denied boarding because you tried to smuggle something prohibited onboard the ship.
Even if you're still allowed onboard, you may have to speak with security to clear up the issue and have the item confiscated until disembarkation day.
One of the most commonly smuggled items on cruise ships is alcohol. With some drink packages costing $80+ per day, it's no surprise that cruisers want to save money while sipping cocktails by the pool. And though social media shows plenty of success stories, they're the exception, rather than the norm.
Cruise lines have sophisticated security measures to detect and prevent passengers from smuggling banned items on the ship. In addition to alcohol, guests often try to bring steamers, irons, and extension cords onboard.
Here's a list of some of the strangest things passengers have tried to smuggle on a cruise ship—including a few success stories.
Read more: How to sneak alcohol on a cruise and why you should not do it
Portable washing machine
Earlier this year, a mom and daughter duo traveling on Carnival Valor were surprised when their portable washing machine was confiscated during the boarding process. The daughter was upset with how the situation was handled, claiming they were "degraded" by crew members.
"Mom and [I] were on the Valor back in March. We were called to the naughty room because we had a Kuppet portable washing machine in our big bag. We were treated like criminals and degraded," she wrote to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line's Brand Ambassador, "I hope Carnival will be more sympathetic to people and do away with this humiliating experience."
Heald wasn't too sympathetic, stating the crew members were simply doing their jobs. While he did extend an apology, he said their intention wasn't to "humiliate" them, adding that portable washing machines would be added to the list of prohibited items.
Instead of trying to smuggle a small washing machine onboard, utilize the ship's laundry services.
Though valet laundry is expensive (who wants to pay $9.50 for a single dress?!), many cruise ships have self-serve laundromats onboard. Some cruisers also suggest bringing single-use Tide laundry detergent packets, so you can do a small load of laundry in your cabin's sink.
Personally, I don't like to think about doing laundry on vacation. If I'm being honest, there's a load in my dryer as I’m writing this that I haven’t bothered to put away yet (it's been there for three days, oops!). However, being aware of the laundry services available on your cruise can prove invaluable in case there's an accidental spill or if you're traveling with young children.
Read more: 20 things cruise lines really do not want you to bring on ships
Handcuffs
In the r/cruise Reddit, Cruise Gear was curious about the strangest things passengers brought onboard.
"What are some of the strangest / weirdest things you've brought with you on a cruise (and why!?) Anything that has been confiscated? Genuinely curious!" they wrote.
While many responses weren't anything super out of the ordinary (i.e., tea bags, Halloween costumes, clothing steamer, liquid hand soap, etc.), lockednchaste shared that Norwegian Cruise Line confiscated their handcuffs. Other users shared similar sentiments, claiming they brought various adult toys onboard—though they didn't disclose whether they had theirs taken or not.
Read more: 15 cruise ship rules you shouldn't break
Christmas tree
In that same thread, a few Reddit users wrote that they brought a Christmas tree onboard during the holidays. AdSpiritual2594 said, "We cruised on Christmas Day so we packed a [3-foot] tree and decorated it with ornaments from all the ships we’ve been on and jars of sand from all the beaches we’ve visited."
"We brought a Christmas tree last year. We sailed at Christmas and had a suite. It was so fun!" agreed Sort_of_awesome.
Though Christmas trees aren't banned from being brought on cruise ships, they're certainly not at the top of my packing list. In fact, unless you live within driving distance of your cruise port, it's best to leave the festive decor at home—except for cabin door magnets!
Most cruise lines deck out their fleet in holiday decorations, so guests can enjoy the festive atmosphere while onboard. Plus, they'll arrange seasonal events and holiday-themed entertainment. In short, even if your stateroom doesn't have a Christmas tree, there are plenty of opportunities to get into the holiday spirit.
Read more: 15 Packing Tips for First-Time Cruisers
A week's worth of Chipotle
With cruise ships offering unlimited food, most passengers don't think about smuggling snacks and homemade meals onboard. From the Main Dining Room to the buffet, all passengers are sure to find options to please their palate, even if they're on the picky side.
Earlier this year, TikTok user Dillion Wareham (@dillionwareham) brought eleven Chipotle bowls onboard his Norwegian cruise. While I'm a huge Chipotle fan myself, I've never considered bringing my go-to order on a cruise. Why would I pay for extra food ahead of time when I can indulge in what's included in my cruise fare?
Technically, you aren't allowed to bring cooked food onboard a cruise ship. Fresh produce, meats, and other homemade items are restricted for safety and customs reasons. "...[A]ny food items brought on board must be pre-packaged and unopened. Homemade items or pre-cooked foods are not allowed," reads Carnival's website.
That said, non-perishable items—think chips, energy bars, cookies, pretzels, and crackers—are usually allowed onboard, so long as they're in unopened packaging.
Read more: Top 10 Cruise Ship Dining Mistakes to Avoid
Marijuana
Even though cruise ships operate in international waters, they're subject to the local laws of the various countries they visit. As such, marijuana—in all forms—is banned from being brought on board, including edibles, joints, hash oil, and vape pens. And yes, you're not allowed to bring weed onboard for medicinal purposes, either.
Still, the occasional marijuana product does make its way past security; however, it's not worth the risk. When I sailed onboard Carnival Conquest earlier this year, I overheard a group of passengers talking about meeting up later that evening to smoke weed, indicating they successfully smuggled marijuana onboard. If you are caught, you could get kicked off your cruise mid-sailing with no compensation provided.
This happened to TikTok user @infamousxdrew last year. He took to social media to document his experience after being caught with marijuana while sailing on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas.
Instead of being allowed to finish out his family cruise, he was forcibly removed from the ship while docked in Falmouth, Jamaica. Royal Caribbean didn't issue a refund, and he was responsible for all expenses incurred traveling back to the United States.
Read more: 9 Reasons You Could Get Banned From A Cruise Ship
Inflatable rubber duck
Michele Val shared an image of a life-size inflatable rubber duck captured while docked next to Ovation of the Seas in Sitka, Alaska on Facebook. The bright yellow duck was placed on someone's private balcony, supposedly taking in the views of The Last Frontier.
On a scenic cruise to Alaska, I wouldn't waste valuable sightseeing space with a giant duck, especially if I had access to a private verandah! It seems like a missed opportunity to immerse yourself in Alaska's natural beauty. However, everyone has their own idea of fun, even if pretty quirky. Personally, though, I'm more into the idea of searching for small ducks.
On a similar note, some passengers have shared stories about bringing an inflatable pool onboard. Alex Roberson, a self-proclaimed "lover of all things cruising," shared an image to Facebook showing a balcony consumed by an inflatable pool. While he wasn't a fan of the idea, many responded by praising the creativity of the cruiser.
Mary Charlotte Small said, "Genius idea for a [playpen], sleeping, plus, they have their own [lifeboat]. Hope they brought paddles," wrote
Similarly, Crystal Smith wrote that it could have been for children who aren't potty trained since they're banned from using the public pools.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
