Hiya, fellow cruisers! I’ve been on extra cruise ships than I can rely, and let me let you know, a number of the guidelines nonetheless shock me.
You assume you recognize the drill: pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, perhaps a pleasant gown or two… however nope. There are bizarre insurance policies that even seasoned vacationers miss.
For instance, do you know that solely sure Texas-certified liquor is allowed on Galveston sailings? I certain didn’t, so hear to those wild guidelines so that you received’t be caught off guard!
Strict Booze Limits on Texas Departures
In case your cruise ship leaves from Galveston, Texas, count on a shocker at comfortable hour.
Texas legislation says the one alcohol you’re allowed to drink that first evening is wine, beer or spirits accredited on the market in Texas.
In observe, which means the bar’s drink menu is oddly sparse till the ship hits worldwide waters.
Even for those who’ve pay as you go for a vast drink bundle, most traces received’t allow you to use it till you’re offshore.
Don’t Shake the Captain’s Hand
I don’t assume this is identical on all ships, however I’ve had a few events the place the crew didn’t need passengers to shake palms with the captain.
Why? Nicely, as you may think about, it’s a matter of germ unfold.
Sadly, viruses unfold fairly regularly on cruise ships, and for the reason that captain holds absolute authority over all operations, they attempt to defend his well being.
So, for those who stumble upon the captain, give a salute or a thumbs-up, however don’t be upset in the event that they refuse to shake your hand.
Deliver Your Personal Soda
You would possibly count on a cruise mini-fridge to overflow along with your favourite sodas or bottled water.
In actuality, many cruise traces restrict what number of pre-purchased drinks you may stash in your cabin.
For instance, Royal Caribbean and Princess every cap you at 12 cans or bottles per individual on embarkation day.
Be very cautious as a result of Carnival doesn’t enable any non-alcoholic drinks on board which can be packaged in bottles; solely 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces (ca. 350 ml) every, or much less, per individual.
The remainder you need to purchase on board at bar or buffet costs. So for those who’re a Food plan Coke fiend, it’s higher to go for a beverage bundle.
One factor that many individuals don’t point out is that you must all the time purchase your drinks bundle earlier than departure, as it’s less expensive than shopping for it on board. I discussed this within the article with 20 suggestions for saving cash on a cruise.
Excessive-tech Tools
Nearly each cruise line has strict drone insurance policies to keep away from accidents or privateness points. In reality, solely a few traces even allow you to preserve your drone on board (and just for use whenever you’re not at sea).
On Carnival, you need to hand over your drone to the crew whenever you board, then they’ll give it again in port.
Royal Caribbean allows you to deliver it, however you may solely fly it outdoors the ship and by no means at sea. Disney, P&O, Viking and plenty of others outright ban drones totally.
Different banned high-tech tools often includes satellite tv for pc web gear, private Wi-Fi gadgets, HAM radios, and different highly effective transmitting gadgets that may disrupt navigation.
No Home made Snacks
Home made meals is often forbidden on cruise ships. Customs guidelines apply: the ship is mainly a world voyage, in order that they fear about bringing in mildew, pesticides, or mysterious preservatives.
I as soon as tried sneaking in a Tupperware of home-baked cookies as a shock birthday deal with. The safety observed them and mainly mentioned, “Throw it out or eat it now.”
Solely store-bought, factory-sealed snacks are often wonderful. The constructive factor is you can order a customized cake by means of the cruise line to your celebration.
They’ll even do it room supply for a greater shock. Verify the complete listing of issues a cabin steward can deliver to your room without cost.
Child Screens Are a No-Go
Now, an vital factor for fogeys. Most ships ban child screens. Why? As a result of child screens are like little radio towers and might intrude with the ship’s navigational communications.
In plain phrases, that blinking sign may play havoc with the captain speaking to the harbor.
Disney Cruise Line is one uncommon exception (they’ll allow you to deliver one if it’s inspected), however in any other case they’ll confiscate your monitor at boarding.
Hair Irons and Steamers
Women (and gents with luscious locks) depart the curling irons, straighteners, and journey steamers at house.
These devices are often banned as a result of they generate warmth and might set off a hearth alarm or hazard.
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and others explicitly forbid them (they do present hair dryers in cabins, however no irons.)
The identical goes for journey steamers you would possibly deliver to de-wrinkle your garments. Ships don’t belief passengers to not overlook them on. In consequence, it’s typically safer to pack wrinkle-resistant clothes or plan on utilizing the ship’s laundry service.
For all the opposite gadgets, test the listing of issues which can be all the time confiscated throughout cruise ship boarding.
Oh, and please keep away from utilizing inventive methods to sneak them on board. Some folks have been banned for all times from the cruise line for doing so.
Balloons and Door Decorations
Bought an important day? You’ll should rejoice with out helium balloons and even your enjoyable cabin banners. Many traces explicitly confiscate balloons and sure decorations.
Carnival and Disney are particularly strict, even non-helium balloons may be taken away due to cleanup points.
I as soon as tried bringing a “Completely happy Anniversary” banner for my mother and father‘ door; it seemed harmless, however the crew insisted it needed to be taped with solely magnets or particular strips to keep away from harm.
Deck Chairs Are First-Come, First-Served
Okay, this one’s a little bit of etiquette, nevertheless it’s enforced like a rule: you can not save pool or deck chairs for lengthy durations.
On many ships, for those who depart your towel on a chair and disappear for greater than about half-hour, the crew will clear the whole lot off it!
I witnessed a man come again after breakfast to search out all his seaside learn and sun shades gone, and a workers member politely stating, “We’d like chairs for different visitors.”
Through the years, I’ve observed that some cruise traces are stricter about this, whereas others are extra versatile.
In any case, you may take a look at my 7 good methods to outsmart chair hogs on cruise ships. They work each time!
Throwing Meals Off The Balcony
I feel everyone knows that it’s forbidden to throw issues from the balcony of a cruise ship, particularly harmful or polluting objects corresponding to metals and plastics.
Nonetheless, not everybody is aware of this, and plenty of are stunned to be taught that throwing meals can be prohibited.
Some passengers, particularly these with kids, assume it is perhaps enjoyable to feed the fish and birds, however that is completely forbidden.
Fashionable cruise ships function below worldwide environmental legal guidelines, and so they take them critically.
Meals waste isn’t dealt with casually. Ships have complete techniques onboard that grind, deal with, and course of meals earlier than it’s launched at sea in accredited zones removed from the coast.
Passengers tossing meals over the rail fully bypasses that system, which is why cruise traces deal with it virtually like a security violation.
Some traces point out this rule throughout the security briefing, whereas others quietly implement it, however belief me, they’re watching. The ocean stays cleaner, and everybody stays out of hassle.
Don’t overlook to test the 7 huge cruise ship adjustments in 2026 (some will shock you).
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