Maybe it’s the sea air or the branded items, but everything on a cruise feels so souvenirable.
From those tiny shampoo bottles to the fluffy bath towels, cruise ships are practically the best places for visitors to snag a little something for their suitcases.
If you’ve ever slipped a pair of slippers or a branded pen into your bag while checking out, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
I’ll show you some hilariously common items that people can’t resist stealing from cruise ships—and it’s not just the toiletries!
NOTE: Some items can be safely taken home, while in other cases, it’s considered stealing. I will clearly specify the difference for each item.
1. Mini Bathroom Bottles
Who doesn’t need another half-used mini collection of toiletries in their bathroom?
Most people pack mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash before leaving a cruise or checking out of a hotel.
You can get lucky depending on the level of luxury of your cruise or hotel—some people get away with Bvlgari minis!
Anyway, if they are mini sizes, you can safely take them. If they are opened, they should be thrown away, so it is also a good way to avoid waste.
2. Branded Pens and Notepads
Branded pens and notepads are very common on cruise ships.
Owning something with the cruise line’s logo on it makes you feel as if you’re part of an exclusive club, which is why most people tuck these notepads into their bags before checking out.
Plus, cruise notepads are often small and convenient to keep in your pocket. You can use them for reminders or for quick tic-tac-toe games during boring times.
Even in this case, you can take them and bring them home. They are there specifically for use so you can put them in your backpack, and they may be useful during excursions or your trip back home.
3. Pool Towels
Pool towels are on that very thin line between borrowing and stealing.
They’re among the most controversial items that people take from cruise ships because some cruises threaten to charge you if they find missing towels.
However, most of the time, they don’t keep track—that’s why a lot of people pack these soft, fluffy towels in their bags before leaving. Be careful, though, if the borrowing is linked to your cruise card, as it may indicate that you haven’t returned it.
So, can you take them home? No, I’d say, in this case, it could be considered stealing.
4. Port Guides
Everyone on a cruise ship gets some handy little booklets called port guides to give them the lowdown on the next destinations.
Though most people don’t even read them while on board, they make sure they stash them away and keep them for the trip back home.
More often than not, they don’t even take a look at them again, but when you’re leaving a trip, you want to take anything that will remind you of the good memories you had there.
Port guides are lightweight, easy to pack, and can usually be taken without any problems, so they’re at the top of the list.
5. Cruise Card
I personally never left a cruise without keeping the little plastic card as a souvenir. These cards are (most of the time) yours to keep, so it’s not stealing.
Some people even use these cards to make scrapbooks, and others—guilty!—keep cards from all cruise lines they go to and keep them color-coded.
It’s nice to have a stack of cruise cards at home, makes you remember how many good cruises you took!
Another cute idea? Glue a magnet to the back, and you can put them on the fridge!
6. Bathrobes and Slippers
Bathrobes and slippers are the holy grail of cruise souvenirs. The robes are plush, cozy, and almost always oversized enough to make you feel like royalty.
Most cruise ships say that you’re not supposed to take the robes, but will anyone stop you? Not really! That’s why they’re often taken.
Usually, if you’re traveling in a suite, you’ll also find disposable slippers that come in a bright white color and clear plastic bags. More often than not, passengers will stash these in their bags before leaving.
7. Dishware and Cutlery
Another thing that often disappears from cruise ships is tableware and cutlery.
Some people really take everything: plates, trays, glasses, forks, spoons, and even the salt and pepper rack.
I must admit, in some cases, the plates and mugs—especially the hard plastic ones from the buffet—are branded, making them tempting to take home as souvenirs.
Unfortunately, this isn’t allowed. Many people do it, but it’s best to resist the urge.
8. Souvenir Glasses
A nice exception is souvenir glasses. When you order a fancy cocktail while on board, it sometimes comes in a fancy glass with an elaborate design—it could make a great decorative piece for your dining room.
The souvenir glasses are yours after you pay for the cocktail, and of course, you can take them home.
If in doubt, ask the bartender if you can take it. In other cases, you can also have a look at the list of 13 free things you can take from a cruise cabin.
9. Postcards
Sometimes, there are postcards tucked neatly into the cabins of cruise ships, and most people take those back home.
While you’re meant to use these cards while still on board to send heartfelt messages, most people just take them for themselves and keep them for memory.
One thing that many people don’t know is that sometimes they also have free postcards at the guest service. Remember to check the list of things you can ask for free from guest services on a cruise.
10. Decorative Items
The last thing I heard that many people take home is all those decorative things they find in the cabin.
For example, small picture frames, vases or small ornaments, bed runners, lights, and even sofa pillows.
This is not a joke, but I also heard about a passenger who put an ice bucket in her suitcase because she needed one at home.
Well, once again, avoid it. In my experience, inspections in these cases are practically nonexistent, but do it for your own integrity—stealing is never a good thing.
Instead, you can get these 17 things for free on a cruise only if you ask!
I have tried several of them but these are the most durable and sturdy.
