When a cruise line changes a rule — specifically a rule about what passengers can bring on board — the company should make every effort to let the cruisers know.
That's not what Royal Caribbean has done with the latest change to its banned-items list.
On its website, Royal Caribbean has a section headlined "Flammable Items." The language under that includes an overview of what types of items are prohibited.
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"All items with open flames or heating elements are strictly prohibited, with the exception of hair curling irons and hair dryers which are permitted onboard," it shared.
Below that Royal Caribbean includes an extensive list of obviously banned items, like candles and incense, as well as things cruisers may not think of, like clothing irons and travel steamers.
The list also includes some items that many people would not think are flammable.
Hoverboards, for example, perhaps should be banned because they are unstable and dangerous in the tight spaces of a cruise ship. In addition, their lithium-ion batteries have been known to catch fire.
In addition, the cruise line has long banned surge protectors, which the average person may not realize are a fire risk because of how cruise ship electrical systems work.
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Image source: Pixabay
Royal Caribbean changes its banned items list
Recently, Royal Caribbean changed the language in that section of its banned-items list to say "Extension Cords and Multi-Plug Outlets/ Power Strips." That led to serious confusion among passengers as multiplug outlets without surge protectors had previously been allowed.
The language made some people think that Royal Caribbean did not mean multiplug outlets that plug in directly. Many assumed they meant the ones that had cords.
Royal Caribbean, however, did not offer any clarity and did not provide clarification to Come Cruise With Me after multiple requests to its media-relations team.
Now, the cruise line appears to have clarified the situation via its social-media team.
"One person asked Royal Caribbean's X/Twitter team if a European to 110V converter block that has USB ports built-in is allowed given that it doesn’t add more plugs and isn’t corded," the Royal Caribbean Blog reported.
The device being described would have offered the cruiser one American-style power outlet and multiple USB ports.
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Zack from Royal Caribbean's social media team replied on X, the former Twitter.
"We do allow blocks that have multiple USB plugs, however, as it has an additional power outlet it wouldn't be permitted."
That's the first known statement from a Royal Caribbean employee that makes clear that you can add USB and USB-C ports, but passengers are not allowed to use any sort of device that becomes an extra plug.
That, it appears, includes turning the European outlet most cruise ships have into an American one.
Royal Caribbean tries to be more clear
The person who asked the question, @NiceCarFather did not think that answer gave enough detail.
"Is there a plan to post a list of acceptable and unacceptable chargers on the website? This is creating chaos among your customer base and we’re trying to be compliant by being informed," he asked.
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Royal Caribbean did respond.
"I apologize for any confusion. However, power strips and extension cords are not permitted. Charging blocks are permitted," it added.
Some passengers are still rightly confused.
"This is really confusing as the block shown is not adding another outlet. The adapter shown converts the 220 to a 110 outlet. It’s a 1-1 conversion that also has inputs for charging personal devices. Is RC now saying a simple 220-110 adapter is no longer allowed?" asked @thorn_PHD.
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And, while it's far from perfectly clear, the response does seem to clarify that passengers can bring devices that add USB and USB-C ports as long as they don't have any sort of power outlet.
By not sharing examples of what's allowed and what's not with passengers, Royal Caribbean seems to be creating a situation where passengers will have their formerly-allowed multi-plug devices confiscated. That could lead to people struggling to keep their phones and other devices charged.
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