Royal Caribbean International is not shy when it comes to enforcing rules on board its vessels. On May 10, 2026, the cruise line was forced to send its passengers a letter reminding them of the door decor policy after receiving complaints about unruly behavior, while in April, a man sailing aboard a Royal Caribbean ship was allowed to keep his smart glasses as they were prescription, but was forced to tape up the recording lens to comply with the cruise line’s ban.
Now, however, Royal Caribbean has quietly updated one of its more confusing onboard rules, offering greater clarity about what kind of electronic chargers passengers can pack for their cruise.
Since causing confusion when it expanded its prohibited list in 2024, the cruise line has now revised the wording, aiming to make it easier for Royal Caribbean passengers to know what type of chargers are banned to ensure electrical safety, and what can be freely brought onboard.
Royal Caribbean Updates Confusing Charger Policy
Royal Caribbean has recently amended its wording on its prohibited items policy to allow passengers to better distinguish between unsafe and approved electrical charging devices. Under the guidance, Royal Caribbean states that extension cords, power strips, and multi‑plug outlets are prohibited.
When this rule was introduced in 2024, the policy did not specify if “multi-plug outlets” included USB charging blocks with multiple ports. With traveling with multiple electronic devices now the norm and many older vessels having a limited number of outlets in the cabins, passengers were left to believe that they would have to fight it out over the plug sockets available and lose their ability to charge multiple devices at once.
The updated guidance now clears up that uncertainty. Royal Caribbean’s prohibited items policy now clearly states that USB charging blocks are permitted, as long as they are marked with a recognized U.S. or European conformity certification.
Cruisers have also noted that Royal Caribbean’s app has been updated to further support the guidance.
“A single electrical plug (110v/220v) with up to four USB outlets (B/C) is acceptable if it has a recognized International Safety Certification on the plug,” Royal Caribbean’s mobile app reads, as reported by the Royal Caribbean Blog.
This clarification means that passengers traveling onboard Royal Caribbean ships, especially older vessels such as Vision of the Seas or Oasis of the Seas, which have fewer charging points, no longer have to question if they can charge multiple devices at once, or if their USB charging hubs will be confiscated at embarkation.
Why Multi-Plug Outlets Are Banned By Royal Caribbean
While USB charging blocks with up to four outlets are permitted, Royal Caribbean guidance still states that extension cords, power strips, and multi‑plug outlets are still banned.
This rule is rooted in safety. Multi-plug outlets have the potential to damage the electrical system of cruise ships, as well as overheat and become a fire hazard. Cruisers have taken to Reddit to further explain the rule to other confused passengers:
“There are no circuit breakers or fuses like in a home, if you draw more current than the outlet wiring can handle things can start a fire,” one Reddit user commented.
Fires are a top risk on cruise ships as they can spread quickly in confined spaces. However, Royal Caribbean clearly states that if an extension cord is needed for medical devices, passengers can request this 30 days prior to sailing.
Royal Caribbean Has Made More Changes To Its Prohibited Items List
Aside from the clarification surrounding USB plugs with multiple ports, Royal Caribbean updated its prohibited items list to clear up confusion surrounding other onboard rules.
Royal Caribbean has always adopted a strict no-pets policy. However, the cruise line did not explicitly mention pets on its list of prohibited items, leaving passengers unsure. Now, the updated list lets passengers know that pets are not allowed onboard except for service animals. Animals that do not meet service animal requirements will be denied boarding or removed from the vessel.
Royal Caribbean has also cleared up questions around bringing snacks onboard. While rules surrounding this were previously unclear, the cruise line has now confirmed that prepackaged and sealed snacks can be brought on the ship in “sensible amounts.” Open food containers, however, remain prohibited.
Smart glasses are the latest addition to Royal Caribbean’s prohibited item list. While they are technically not banned and allowed onboard, they may not be used in “any location where there is a reasonable expectation of guest or crew privacy.” According to Royal Caribbean, these locations include:
- Casinos
- Spa Areas
- Locker Rooms
- Restrooms
- Medical Facilities
- Security Screening Locations
- Youth Facilities
- During Back-Of-House Tours
- Crew Areas
Anyone found to be using smart glasses in any of these areas risks having them confiscated.
Royal Caribbean’s updated electronic charger device rule aims to help clear up confusion for passengers and to make it clear that USB charging blocks with up to four outlets are permitted, adapting to the needs of modern-day cruisers. However, as Royal Caribbean continues to update its prohibited items list, it is important to check this before embarking.
