I don’t know if you have ever seen the table with all the items that are confiscated during embarkation. Even if you haven’t, I can assure you that hundreds of different items are seized during a single embarkation day.
I have already told you about the items that are most often confiscated, and they are the obvious ones, usually the dangerous items that are prohibited at every screening checkpoint.
However, in this article, I wanna tell you about the weirdest things that people tried to smuggle on cruise ships. There are some bizarre ones, and I’m sure they will bring a smile to your face.
1. Chipotle Bowls
It’s hard to believe but a man snuck 10 Chipotle bowls on a 7-day Norwegian cruise.
It was actually a tiktoker who was doing a challenge in which he ate Chipotle every day. He had decided that he didn’t want to stop during his cruise trip, so he packed the boxes spread out in his different luggage.
As you probably know, food prepared on land cannot be brought to the ship, for reasons related to contamination and food safety.
His followers were very surprised when the man managed to get on board carrying all the pre-cooked meals. Was it a security check failure or did they turn a blind eye because he’s famous?
2. Human Ashes
As far as I know, different people tried to smuggle human ashes on cruise ships, but please don’t do it.
Many cruise lines allow you to bring human ashes, you just have to follow a specific guideline.
Contact customer support a few weeks before the departure so that the staff can guide you through the correct procedures.
Usually, you have to carry a copy of the death certificate and the cremation certificate, the ashes should be stored in a sealed container, and the ship’s management will indicate the designated areas and times for the scattering ceremony.
3. Live Animals
There are several stories on the web of people who have tried to bring their pets on board. Snakes, cats, sea turtles…passengers have tried anything and everything.
However, the policy in this case is quite strict. No animals onboard except certified assistance dog.
I know it can be hard to leave your pet at home, but avoid trying dangerous strategies to take your pet with you.
It will probably be safer and more relaxed in a place it knows, you only need to look for someone to take care of it while you are away.
4. Christmas Trees
Everyone loves Christmas, and how can you celebrate it on board without a Christmas tree in the cabin? A family that went on a cruise during the holiday season thought, ‘Let’s bring our own Christmas tree.‘
I don’t know how you can have such an idea since the ship is filled with Christmas trees during the holiday season.
Let’s be clear, Christmas trees are not among the prohibited items but they could be confiscated at embarkation because they pose a fire hazard. Especially if you are also carrying lights to plug into the cabin’s electrical outlets.
Check what you should do in case of a fire on a cruise ship.
5. Surfboard
Sports equipment is not so strange to bring on a trip, but it can become so if you have to board a cruise ship that usually has very limited space.
Again, sports equipment (e.g. surfboards) is not always prohibited but you must ask for special permission.
On the other hand, all those items that could also be used in another way, for example, martial arts equipment, are always prohibited.
6. Handcuffs
I will make you smile if I tell you that the last time I went on a cruise there were a lot of handcuffs on the desk with the confiscated items.
No, it wasn’t a group of vacationing police officers who boarded before me. Those were handcuffs confiscated from couples that use them for some spicy fun.
But they don’t hurt anyone, you might think. Well, According to the policy on prohibited items on cruises, there is zero tolerance for firearms, ammunition, and restraint devices. Even if they are replicas or toys.
7. Lots of Beers
Another thing that is often confiscated is beer, but there is actually a lot of confusion on this point.
First of all, some alcoholic beverages are allowed at embarkation. Usually bottles of wine or champagne, but you should always check your cruise line’s alcohol policy.
On the other hand, many cruise lines don’t allow beer and spirits so passengers come up with the most ingenious methods. You can even check the article with the 7 smart methods to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship
8. Adult Toys
It’s no secret, everyone likes to have fun on vacation. Of course, fun also includes moments of joy with one’s partner or alone.
Adult toys are not banned on cruises, but the funny thing is that many passengers try to hide them because they are ashamed that they will be seen by security personnel.
It’s something that makes little sense since luggage usually goes through X-ray, but if it makes you feel more comfortable do it. Just remember that there are some things you can bring on a plane but not a cruise ship.
9. Drones
Drones are also often seized. I know they are perfect for recording great videos from the ship but many cruise lines do not allow them on board.
This is due to two things: first, the safety risks since they are flying objects that can interfere with the ship’s navigation.
Second, they can record video and therefore could be a privacy risk to other passengers on board. Especially if used on the outside part of the ship where there are balconies.
They were allowed in the beginning, but then the rules were updated as I explained in the list of the 10 things you won’t be able to do on cruises anymore.
10. Personal Supply of Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is always provided in the bathrooms on cruise ships, it would be strange if it wasn’t.
But one passenger still insisted on bringing several rolls of her favorite brand onboard, because she wasn’t willing to use anything else.
When I read about it on social media I found it to be quite weird, or at least unusual. Well, I wasn’t really that surprised, passengers do a lot of really strange things on a cruise.
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