Hey! Are you planning to go on a cruise this holiday? You must be quite excited.
On most ships, hairdryers are allowed as long as it is safe. For example, not all cruise provide 220V plug high voltage hairdryer. If such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise before debark. This is because hairdryers that work safely are already provided in the cabin or are stowed in the desk drawers, wall-mounted in the bathroom, or available for loan upon request. Below is a summary of cruises:-
Cruise |
Rules on Hair Dryer |
Carnival Cruise |
In their FAQ, it only provides an in-room 1250W hairdryers except for Grand Suites and Balcony Suite in their Ecstasy, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, and Carnival Sensation. Guests in standard staterooms can request a hairdryer from their Stateroom Steward, as needed. All Carnival Cruise ships are equipped with a 3-prong 110 volt (North America Grounded) and a 220 volt (Europe German-Style). |
Royal Carribean Cruise |
In their FAQ, it provides hairdryer on all ships. However, based on forums, it was not sufficient or good enough for those with thin hair. All Royal Caribbean ships are equipped with North American standard, 110 volts AC and standard European 220/230 volts AC outlets. |
Princess Cruise |
In their FAQ, all ships are equipped with an electric hair dryer in every stateroom. All Princess Cruise rooms are equipped with a 110-volt, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings. |
Norwegian Cruise |
In their FAQ, all Norwegian Cruise have hair dryers. All Norweigan Cruise have 110 volts & 220V AC. However, some high-voltage hair dryers, electric rollers, and electric razors may require a converter. |
Dream Cruise |
In their FAQ, all Dream Cruises have hair dryers. Each stateroom will have 2 Chinese 3-pin sockets and remaining will be HKG sockets (UK). |
Here’s a list of other things that are better-left home when going on a cruise:
Cruise lines are very cautious about high-seas disasters and fire is a major one in that list, so they will not compromise on any rule related to that. Anything that could cause even a spark in your cabin will not be allowed. Most ships clearly state that if an electric extension cord is found in your cabin, it will be unplugged or even confiscated till the end of the cruise.
And the new ships have multiple electric sockets anyways, so you don’t need to pack a multiple outlet extension cords.
Most commercial and premium cruise lines rely on alcohol revenue for a major part of their income. So, there’s a great chance that your liquor would be confiscated at embarkation and held hostage or worse, discarded. Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean are among those cruise lines that will not allow you to bring your liquor on the cruise.
While some cruise lines do allow you to bring a bottle or two of wine, there is usually a corkage fee if you drink the wine in a dining room. So, before deciding, make sure to check the details with your cruise line.
Cruise lines don’t allow cloth iron for two reasons, one, it would produce a great power surge and two because it could cause a fire. So, irons are not allowed for the same reason electric power strips are not allowed.
If wrinkled clothes are a matter of concern for you, there are several things you can do.
- Don’t pack clothes that wrinkle. (I know you just went “duh!”)
- Bring along a wrinkle relaxer spray.
- Hand the clothes in a hot shower for a few minutes and let the steam release the wrinkles.
Don’t worry; the cruise ships are not jealous of your fashion statement, nor have they restricted high heels on the cruise ships. This one is more of a recommendation than a rule.
Imagine yourself on a giant ship swaying back and forth, while you tightly hold on to the door handle struggling to keep balance. Your high heels don’t seem that good now, do they? Even with stabilizers, rough weather can make the pitch and roll of the ship, choose your footwear wisely.
Again, not a restriction, just a suggestion to make your bag a bit lighter. The cruise lines provide plenty of towels, not only in your room but by the pool and in the spa as well. And there are always those swan-shaped or bunny-shaped towels on the side of your bed (don’t you love them?). And if even that’s not enough, you can ask for extra towels and room steward will bring you more without any questions. Then what’s the point in breaking your back while carrying that heavy baggage, right?
Indeed, onboard crimes have declined in the last few years, and most cruise lines even provide you safes, it is still not wise to bring your best jewelry (or any unnecessary valuable item for that matter) on the ship. But if you still want to shine in the dining room, imitation jewelry is also a good alternative.
Also, note that since 2012, cruise ships embarking from the U.S. are bound by law to report every crime committed on-board. So, you can Google about the crime statistics of each cruise line.
To end this list on a lighter note, your skin-tight jeans might not be a good choice to be worn on the cruise ship. Why? Because, there is a good chance that you will be gaining a few pounds while on the trip, and who likes watching their clothes getting tighter each day, until one day you can’t fit in. therefore, it would be wiser to pack clothes that allow a little room to wiggle, and to leave your tight jeans to be worn on land.
In short, just pack the excess and leave what is unnecessary, you wouldn’t want to be weighed down by heavy baggage. And do check the terms and conditions of the cruise line you are traveling with to avoid further inconvenience. Enjoy!
I hope that the process of packing is not stressing you out and this helps you lighten your luggage a bit. There’s a good chance that the provided hairdryer is out-dated, has short connecting tubes, blows either burning hot or lukewarm air or is faulty some way or the other.
What is the solution then? Well, if you can avoid the use of a hairdryer for a few days that would be great. But if it is a necessity, carry a travel-size hair dryer. They are small in size hence easier to pack, and they are less than 700 watts, which the majority of cruises would allow.