We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Cruise holidays are very popular but even regular guests might not be aware of all the items that are banned from suitcases. Alison Meacham, founder of travel blog, Everything Mouse, shared some of the most common banned items with Express.co.uk.

Alison said: “Cruises are a great way to escape the everyday stress of life, but it is essential to be aware of the banned items that cruise lines prohibit.

“These items may include alcohol, weapons, fireworks and hazardous materials. If you’re caught with any of these items on your ship, you could face fines or even imprisonment.”

As surprising as it may be, cruise ships do usually have a jail onboard for unruly passengers. Known as the brig, it will usually be located on a low level of the ship.

The brig can be locked by crew members and will usually not have a window. Passengers may be held there until they can be handed over to port authorities.

Passengers could be put in the brig if they bring an item that could be classed as a weapon onboard the cruise ship.

Guests are usually allowed to bring alcohol onboard the ship, but only a limited amount. The crew will confiscate any excess and give it back at the end of the voyage.

Alison said: “Not only do these prohibitions protect passengers and crew members, but they also help to prevent potential accidents or incidents.

“Other banned items may include sharp objects such as box cutters or glassware, aerosols, food additives other than those identified on the vessel’s menu, holy water baskets or vessels and electronic devices larger than a smartphone.

“While these restrictions may seem restrictive at first glance, they are often necessary to maintain safety and security onboard ships.”

As ships could be away from the mainland for days at a time, they need to ensure that passengers will be safe while the ship is at sea.

Candles are usually banned on cruise ships as having an open flame in a ship’s cabin could easily start an out of control fire.

Guests could bring battery operated tea lights or even fairy lights if they want to create some atmosphere in their cabin.

As cruise passengers will usually be visiting many different countries as part of their itinerary, they will also need to follow their laws.

This means that guests will need to be careful if they want to take any snacks off the ship as fresh food may be banned by customs.

The cruise ship crew should be able to advise passengers on the legislation to make sure they don’t fall foul of any customs rules.

If passengers want to buy alcohol to bring back onto the ship, they can hand it over to security and collect it at the end of their holiday.

Guests on Royal Caribbean cruise ships can bring up to two 750ml bottles of personal wine and champagne per stateroom in their hand luggage.

Carnival Cruise Line guests can bring one bottle of wine or champagne per person up to a maximum of 750ml.

Guests on P&O Cruises may bring up to one litre of wine, champagne, beer, spirit or liquor onboard when they embark the ship for the first time.

Alcohol over the limit will be stored and returned to the guest before the end of the voyage. If passengers want to drink the alcohol they bought in the ship’s public areas, they will be charged a £20 corkage fee.

Source: Read Full Article