12 Intense Cruise Ship Rules Most Passengers Don't Know (#1 Will Surprise Even Frequent Cruisers)
You've embarked on your cruise, excited for a relaxing day by the pool, only to find every chair "reserved" with towels and flip-flops — yet no one's actually using them.
Welcome to the chair-hogging saga, a common but hotly debated cruise ship practice that some lines, like Carnival, have started to strictly regulate. But that's just the beginning. Cruise ships have other surprising policies that can impact your experience and your wallet.
Here are 12 unusual rules to understand before you book so you can save money on travel and avoid unwanted fines and charges.
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1. Chair hogging is prohibited
Cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are cracking down on chair hogging to ensure fair access to poolside loungers. If a chair is left unattended, Carnival crew members place a time-stamped notice on it. If the guest doesn't return within 40 minutes, they remove the belongings.
The Royal Caribbean website itself also states that chairs cannot be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. If so, they will remove any belongings and place them in the lost and found.
This policy helps prevent guests from unfairly reserving chairs all day, ensuring that everyone gets a chance to enjoy the pool deck without frustration.
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2. No shaking the captain's hand
Shaking hands with the captain may seem like a sign of respect, but on many cruise ships, it's strictly off-limits. To minimize the risk of illness, captains avoid physical contact with guests. After all, if the captain gets sick, it could disrupt the entire voyage.
Instead, a friendly nod or a wave is the best way to show your appreciation.
3. Abide by the dinner dress code
While most meals onboard are pretty casual, don't forget that some specialty dining spots and evening dinners might require you to step up your style game. For example, Royal Caribbean has a "Smart Casual" dress code for dinners.
Think collared shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats, and blazers are appropriate if you want to look extra sharp. But if you're rocking shorts, jeans, or flip-flops, you might be turned away. It's always worth checking the specifics for each cruise line and restaurant to avoid any wardrobe mishaps.
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4. Irons and steamers aren't allowed
If you were planning to bring your iron or steamer on board, you might want to think again. Many cruise lines, including Carnival, have a strict policy against any heat-generating devices. They do sometimes make exceptions for personal beauty tools such as curling irons.
That said, the crew makes the final call. If they think your curling iron could be a safety risk, they'll take it and return it to you on the last day of the cruise.
5. No wearing camo
You might love your camo jacket or patterned shorts, but leave them at home if you're cruising to certain destinations. In places like St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, and Antigua, wearing camouflage is reserved for military personnel, and locals take it pretty seriously.
If you happen to wear camo on a shore excursion and run into law enforcement, they'll likely ask you to remove it or pay a fine. Pack something else to avoid the hassle.
6. Don't bring the baby monitor
When packing for your cruise, leave the baby monitor behind. Many cruise ships ban these devices because they can interfere with communication and navigation systems.
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If a monitor accidentally interferes with the ship's frequency, it could cause serious problems—definitely not something you want on vacation.
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7. Limit your canned soda
Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises limit how many cans or bottles of soda you can bring onboard. Royal Caribbean permits 12 per stateroom, while Princess limits it to 12 per person.
While you might want to stock up for your room, know there's a cap on what you can bring. But don't worry, you can still drink as much soda as you want from the ship's bars and restaurants.
8. No instruments on board
Thinking of bringing your guitar or violin? Many cruise lines don't allow musical instruments because they can disrupt other passengers.
Some will let you bring them, but only if you keep them locked away in your cabin. Before packing it, consider if it's really worth the hassle.
9. Drones aren't allowed
As much as you'd love to capture the perfect aerial shot of your cruise, drones are pretty much banned on all cruise lines for safety reasons.
The only exceptions? Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line allow drones to be brought on board but can only be used off the ship, on land and in the port. On Carnival, your drone will stay in the ship's possession, and you must check it in and out with the crew.
10. Leave homemade snacks at home
As tempting as it is to bring along grandma's homemade treats, it's best to leave them at home. Boarding a cruise is like entering a foreign country, and cruise lines are cautious about what you bring onboard.
They worry that homemade or pre-cooked foods could carry contaminants or pose a risk to local crops or other guests. Stick with store-bought, pre-packaged foods — it's a much safer (and easier) bet.
11. No helium balloons
While balloons are a fun way to celebrate a special occasion, helium ones are a no-go on most cruises. If they get loose, they could float away and add to marine pollution. Plus, helium is highly flammable, which raises safety concerns.
If you're celebrating something special, stick to magnets or signs to mark the occasion instead.
12. Stay on ship time
While changing your watch to local time might be tempting, remember that ship time takes priority over real time. As your cruise crosses time zones, sticking to one consistent time onboard helps avoid confusion with meal times and other activities.
This rule applies even when the ship's docked in port, so tune in to any announcements.
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Bottom line
Cruising can be an amazing experience, but it comes with some surprising rules. Understanding these policies ahead of time can help ensure a smoother journey. They will also save you from unexpected fines or disappointments.
One often-overlooked benefit for cruise-goers is earning rewards on their trip. Many cruise lines partner with top travel credit cards, offering points for your cruise purchases, excursions, and onboard spending. To maximize your savings, consider using one of these cards for your bookings and everyday travel expenses.
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