Passengers Express Discontent Over Prohibition of Practical Gadget on Royal Caribbean Voyages
In a move aimed at enhancing safety on their cruise ships, Royal Caribbean has implemented a policy banning multi-plug outlets, surge protectors, and extension cords. The decision, made in 2024, was primarily driven by concerns over fire risk and the potential interference with the ship's unique electrical systems.
The risk of overloading the electrical system, which can lead to electrical fires, is a significant concern on cruise ships, given their confined environments and the challenges in responding to fires at sea. Surge protectors, which can interfere with the ship's electronics, also pose a potential threat by increasing the risk of electrical malfunctions and fires.
Moreover, the shipboard electrical systems on cruise ships are different from those on land. Surge protectors, designed for land-based systems, can be incompatible with these systems, posing an additional fire hazard.
Despite these restrictions, passengers can still bring regular power cords for household items such as laptops, medical equipment, and battery chargers for large cameras. For those who need to plug in multiple items at the same time, Royal Caribbean offers the option to fill out their Special Needs form to request additional accommodation.
The ban on multi-plug outlets and surge protectors is likely to be followed by other cruise companies, as cruise ships strive to maintain a safe and secure environment for their passengers.
It's worth noting that the ban does not extend to USB adapters with several ports, and passengers can bring small extension cords, though their use may be unnecessary due to the size of the cabins. However, multi-plug outlets, which are usually allowed in airports, planes, hotels, and Airbnbs, are not allowed to pass the Royal Caribbean security checkpoint.
The ban on certain items on Royal Caribbean cruise ships includes items that might seem surprising, such as travel steamers and heating pads. Passengers will have more than enough food to eat without being able to bring specific types of food on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
While the ban may seem restrictive, it's important to remember that rest is a crucial element that can make or break a cruise trip. Focusing on rest is more important than having Bluetooth earphones and waterproof cameras at the ready while cruising. The best thing a passenger can do is just unplug while cruising.
Royal Caribbean does not allow passengers to bring firearms, car batteries, knives, hatchets, cattle prods, travel steamers, heating pads, or specific types of food on their cruise ships. These measures are in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise experience for all passengers.
[1] Fire Risk: The more electrical devices you plug into an outlet, the higher the risk of overloading the system, which can lead to electrical fires. This is a significant concern on cruise ships, where fires can be particularly dangerous due to the confined environment and the difficulty in responding to them at sea.
[2] Electrical System Interference: Surge protectors can also interfere with the ship's unique electrical systems, potentially disrupting other electronics onboard. This interference can further increase the risk of electrical malfunctions and fires.
[3] Shipboard Electrical Configuration: Cruise ships have specialized electrical systems that are different from those on land. Surge protectors, which are designed for land-based systems, can be incompatible with these systems and pose an additional fire hazard.
[4] Source: Royal Caribbean International (2024). Cruise Ship Safety Policies and Procedures. Retrieved from https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/safety-policies-and-procedures
- Travelers planning their cruises with Royal Caribbean might want to consider using travel guides that list technology recommendations suitable for their unique electrical systems, as the cruise line has banned multi-plug outlets, surge protectors, and extension cords to reduce fire risk and interference with ship's electronics.
- With the increasing focus on technology, it would be interesting to see how travel guides adapt to the specific electrical system requirements on cruise ships, providing useful information for travelers seeking to bring devices like laptops, medical equipment, or camera chargers while circuitously suggesting alternative methods to power multiple devices when needed.
