News & Trending Travel News

12 Intense Cruise Ship Rules Most Passengers Don't Know (#1 Will Surprise Even Frequent Cruisers)

These cruise policies could impact your trip more than you think.

By Amanda Teague , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Sept. 22, 2026

Add Us On Google

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.

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.

Shopping for cheaper auto insurance? Enter your zip code here to get started.

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.

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.

Earn a travel bonus worth $250 with this incredible card

With the Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

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.

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.

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.

If a monitor accidentally interferes with the ship's frequency, it could cause serious problems—definitely not something you want on vacation.

Earn Points and Miles: Find the best travel credit card for nearly free travel

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Grow Your $$: 9 things you must try when your savings reach $50,000

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.

More from FinanceBuzz:

$0 annual fee
Simple, flat-rate rewards
Flexible redemption options
Potential for up to a 75% rewards bonus for BofA Rewards™ members
Apply Now

25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel.
Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Travel Rewards credit card for the things you already buy - from gifts to getaways - BofA Rewards™ members earn more points.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants, including takeout.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

4.4

Apply Now

on Bank of America's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

Why we like it