‘Are extension cords or power strips allowed on cruise ships? Let’s find out in this article.
The lack of power outlets in the stateroom is still a problem with almost all leading cruise lines. Everyone carries multiple electronic devices like their smartphone, tablet, laptop camera, and more on a cruise trip and struggles to charge them onboard.
Since the cruise ships lack enough power outlets in the cabin, many people plan to take an extension cord or power strip with them.
But not all cruise lines allow you to carry power strip or extension cords onboard. In this article, you will find the complete list of all cruise lines that allow and don’t allow you to bring power strips and extension cords on board.
Major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity, Princess, Disney, etc., have different rules and regulations regarding prohibited items on board.
Can You Bring Power Strip On Cruise Strip?
Power strips or extension cords may or may not be allowed depending on the cruise line. For example, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess do not allow you to bring power strips, while Carnival and Norwegian Cruise allow non-surge-protected ones.
Before embarking on the cruise, ensure you read the prohibited items list of the specific cruise to get more idea regarding what’s allowed and what’s not. For example, not every cruise lets you bring snacks or vape/e-cigarette onboard.
Let’s now take a detailed look at the policy of bringing power strips or extension cords to individual cruises.
Can You Bring Power Strip On Carnival Cruise?
Power strips and extension cords without surge protectors are allowed on carnival cruises.
You are allowed to bring power strips or extension cords that do not have a surge protector. If you try to take an extension cord with a surge protector, the same will be confiscated at embarkation.
Carnival Cruise is one of the few cruise lines that allow you to carry a power strip on board.
You can carry power strips, multi-plug box outlets or adapters, and extension cords without surge protectors on all Carnival cruise ships like Carnival Horizon, Panorama, Sunrise, Vista, Splendor, Luminosa, Celebration, and more.
Even though Carnival Cruise line allows you to bring power strips or extension cords onboard, it’s your responsibility to use them properly with caution.
Can You Bring Power Strip On Royal Caribbean Cruise?
Power strips and extension cords are not allowed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The same applies to all cruise ships under all classes.
Electrical extension cords, power boards, or surge-protected power boards, including power strips, are prohibited on Royal Caribbean cruises as they could pose a hazard.
Do note that even if the power strip or extension cord does not have surge protectors, they are not allowed. The same is explicitly mentioned on the Royal Caribbean website.
If you try to bring a power strip or extension cord onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the same will be confiscated on the day of embarkation.
Can You Bring Extension Cord On Celebrity Cruise?
Extension cords and power strips are prohibited on Celebrity Cruise as they could pose serious hazards.
One of my friends took a power strip with her on a Celebrity cruise, and it was confiscated on the embarkation day, and they never returned it to her.
It doesn’t matter if it is a normal one without a surge protector or a power strip with a surge protector; you are not allowed to take it on board.
Can You Bring Power Strip On Princes Cruises?
Princess Cruises allows you to bring a power strip or extension cord provided; it does not have a surge protector.
As long as your power strip or extension cord does not have a surge protector, you are free to carry the same on Princess Cruises.
Using a power strip with a surge protector can cause electrical hazards, and no cruise allows the same onboard. Similar is the case with Princess Cruises as well.
When I went through the Princess Cruises official website, they mentioned you can carry a power strip to charge several electronic devices at once, but they do not mention anything about a surge protector.
But it is seen that no cruise line allows you to carry an extension cord with a surge protector, so the same should be the case with Princess Cruises, too.
Are Power Strip Or Extension Cord Allowed On Norwegian Cruise?
You are allowed to bring power strips or extension cords on Norwegian Cruise, provided it does not have a surge protector.
Since surge protectors are known to interfere with the cruise ship’s internal electrical wiring, a power strip with a surge protector is not allowed.
If you’re planning to travel on a Norwegian cruise ship, ensure you pick up the right power strip without a surge protector.
Best Power Strip For Cruise Ships
If you are about to embark on a cruise ship that allows power strips but without the surge protector, below are some options you can consider:
- Cruise Power Strip No Surge Protector with USB Outlets
- Cruise Power Strip Foldable Non Surge Protector with USB C Outlets 3.4A
- Multi Plug Outlet Extenders, Cruise Power Strip No Surge Protector with USB Outlets
Why Are Power Strips Not Allowed On Cruise Ships?
No cruise lines specifically say why exactly they don’t allow people to bring power strips or extension cords onboard. All they say is it poses a hazard and could be dangerous.
When connected to the power outlet on a cruise ship, the power cord or extension cord may interfere with electrical wiring and may be dangerous.
Due to the same reason, many cruise lines do not allow you to carry an iron box onboard. But to iron your clothes, many cruises have irons onboard.
Since specific cruise lines allow people to carry power strips without a surge protector, it’s safe to assume that it has something to do with the surge protector.
Many cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises do not allow you to carry power strips even if they don’t have a surge protector.
What Happens If You Bring Power Strip Or Extension Cord On Cruise Ships?
What action will be taken if you bring a power strip on an extension cord on a cruise ship it depends on its policy. Generally, it’s seen that the cruise line will confiscate the item and may or may not return it to you on the disembarkation day.
Many people unknowingly carry power strips or extension cords with surge protectors on cruise ships that allow extension cords or power strips without surge protectors. In such cases, the officials confiscate the item during the initial security scanning.
If you take a power strip or extension cord on a cruise line where it is prohibited, the item will be confiscated.
No other action will be taken besides confiscating the power strip or extension cord.
What’s Next?
Now that you know whether or not power strips and extension cords are allowed on your cruise line, you can make an informed decision.
If you’re sailing on a cruise that allows a power strip or extension cord, ensure you buy the right one without a surge protector.
Suppose you are caught carrying a power strip or extension cord with a surge protector on a cruise that prohibits it. In that case, the security officer will confiscate the item post the security scanning.
