When preparing for a Royal Caribbean cruise, one of the most common concerns travelers face is whether they can bring their own electrical devices and small appliances onboard. With limited outlets inside cabins, strict safety policies, and fire-risk regulations at sea, it’s important to know what is allowed and what will be confiscated at boarding.

This guide explores every detail you need to sail confidently — including approved and prohibited electronics, power ratings, adapters, extension rules, recommended alternatives, and packing strategies. Whether you want to bring a hair straightener, electric kettle, fan, or CPAP machine, you’ll find complete clarity below.

Why Electrical Appliances Are Regulated on Cruises

Electrical restrictions exist for passenger safety. Ships operate in a confined environment with thousands of travelers, making fire prevention a top priority. Items that produce heat or overload circuits pose serious risk, which is why Royal Caribbean enforces limitations.

Key reasons appliances are restricted onboard include:

• High fire risk from heating devices

• Overloading of ship’s power circuits

• Sparks caused by faulty plugs or frayed wiring

• Potential for burns, accidents, and short circuits

• Voltage incompatibility for devices designed for home use

Cruise lines don’t ban items to inconvenience you — they do it to keep everyone safe.

General Rule for Electrical Appliances on Royal Caribbean

The baseline rule is simple

You may bring low-wattage, non-heating personal electronics, but most heat-producing household appliances are restricted.

This means laptops, cameras, chargers, and phones are normally allowed. However, kettles, irons, heating pads, cooking devices, and open-coil appliances are not permitted and may be confiscated.

Below, we break down every category.

Electrical Items You Are Allowed to Bring

Royal Caribbean generally allows low-watt devices such as:

 Grooming & Personal Care Items

These are approved because they have built-in safety features:

• Hair dryers

• Curling irons

• Hair straighteners

• Electric shavers & trimmers

• Electric toothbrushes

• Facial steamers (limited wattage)

Note: Although permitted, hair dryers are already included in every stateroom, so you may not need to bring your own.

 Medical Devices & Accessibility Equipment

Allowed but sometimes require prior notification:

• CPAP machines

• Portable oxygen concentrators

• Nebulizers

• Battery-powered mobility devices

• Glucose/medical monitors

If using CPAP or oxygen equipment, request distilled water through Guest Services before sailing.

 Electronics & Entertainment Devices

No restrictions on non-heating electronics such as:

• Mobile phones & tablets

• Laptops & portable monitors

• Cameras, stabilizers, GoPros & drones (usage rules vary)

• Game consoles (PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)

• Bluetooth speakers (moderate volume required)

• E-readers like Kindle

• Noise-cancelling headphones

Wi-Fi packages are available onboard for streaming, messaging, and video calls.

 Small Personal Comfort Items

Some low-heat items are also accepted:

• Small travel fans

• White noise machines

• Portable battery chargers

• Nightlights

• Rechargeable hand warmers

However, devices must not exceed safe wattage ratings.

Electrical Appliances That Are Not Allowed on Royal Caribbean

The list of prohibited items is longer because most household appliances generate heat or contain a heating element.

 Cooking Appliances

Absolutely not permitted:

• Electric kettles

• Coffee makers (unless cruise-provided)

• Hot plates / induction cookers

• Slow cookers / rice cookers

• Toasters, toaster ovens

• Air fryers

• Sandwich makers & grills

These items trigger fire hazard risk due to open coils or high wattage.

 Laundry & Pressing Equipment

• Irons (including steam irons)

• Clothes steamers

• Garment press machines

• Heating pads

• Electric blankets

Reason: potential for overheating, melting, and ignition.

If you need ironing, self-serve laundry & pressing services are available onboard for a fee.

 High-Power Personal & Spa Appliances

• UV gel nail lamps

• High-wattage hair styling tools

• Industrial-grade grooming devices

Spa services onboard offer most of these treatments anyway.

Multi-Outlet Power Strips with Surge Protection

Cruise ships forbid surge protection bars because they can overload circuits.

Allowed instead:

Non-surge, simple extension or multi-plug Power cube without breaker switch USB charging hubs

Make sure your adapter does NOT have built-in surge protection feature.

Voltage Requirements on Royal Caribbean Ships

Stateroom outlets typically support:

VoltageUsage

110V (U.S. standard)Most North American devices

220V (European standard)EU-compatible plugs

Universal adapters are allowed and recommended.

You do not need a converter for standard phones or laptops, but hair devices must match voltage ratings — otherwise overheating may occur.

Can You Bring a Travel Kettle or Coffee Maker?

Most travelers ask this first. The answer is clear:

No. Travel kettles, coffee makers & water boilers are not allowed.

Tea, coffee, and hot water are available freely in the dining areas and room service, so there’s no need to bring one.

Are Irons and Steamers Permitted?

No. Clothing irons and steamers are banned.

To manage wrinkles, you can:

• Use onboard laundry & pressing services

• Hang clothes in the bathroom during a hot shower

• Pack wrinkle-release spray

A steamer may be confiscated during embarkation and returned after your cruise ends.

What Happens If You Pack a Restricted Appliance?

If luggage screening detects a banned item:

• It may be held & returned at disembarkation

• Guest may receive a warning

• In rare cases, items are permanently confiscated for safety

To avoid delays, always pack compliant electronics.

Smart Alternatives to Bringing Appliances

Instead of risky items, use cruise-safe substitutes like:

NeedSafer Alternative

Ironing clothesWrinkle release spray / laundry service

Coffee/tea prepCafé stations onboard

Cooling comfortSmall portable fan

Hair stylingUse provided dryer or travel-safe devices

Extra charging portsUSB hub (non-surge)

Royal Caribbean offers plenty of convenience onboard — you won’t miss most home appliances.

Tips for Packing Electronics for Your Cruise

Make your trip easier with these tips:

• Bring a non-surge power strip for multiple charging ports

• Use cable organizers to avoid tangles

• Carry a portable battery pack for shore excursions

• Store electronics in a waterproof pouch during pool or beach days

• Keep essential devices in your carry-on, not checked luggage

This ensures smooth boarding and zero confiscation worries.

Final Answer: Can You Bring Electrical Appliances on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Yes, you can bring electronics — but only specific types.

Allowed items include:

Phones, tablets, laptops Razors, straighteners, hair dryers Fans, chargers, CPAP machines

Banned items include:

 Irons & steamers Kettles, coffee makers Cooking devices & open-coil appliances High-heat electricals

If in doubt, choose a safer substitute or rely on onboard amenities.