Can you bring candles on a cruise?
No. All 9 cruise lines we cover ban it. Leave it at home.
Pick your cruise line
BAG CHECKCANDLES AND INCENSE → CARNIVAL
Leave it at home
Not allowed
Candles, incense and hookahs are banned.
All 9 lines side by side
- Not allowed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Disney, MSC, Holland America, Virgin Voyages
| Cruise line | Status | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Not allowed | Candles, incense and hookahs are banned. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean | Not allowed | Candles and incense are banned as fire hazards. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Norwegian | Not allowed | Candles and incense burners are banned. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Princess | Not allowed | Candles and incense are banned, along with hookahs and strike-anywhere matches. Common lighters are fine. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Celebrity | Not allowed | Candles and incense are banned, along with hookahs and torch lighters. Matches and normal lighters are fine. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Disney | Not allowed | Candles, incense and diffusers are banned by name. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| MSC | Not allowed | Candles and incense are banned by name as open-flame items. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Holland America | Not allowed | Candles and incense are banned, along with hookahs and strike-anywhere matches. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Not allowed | Candles and incense are banned by name. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
Rules checked on Nov 6, 2026. Independent guide. Not affiliated with any cruise line. Rules change, so confirm with your cruise line before you sail. Security staff have the final say at the terminal.
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What to pack instead
- Battery LED candles. Flameless candles for a cabin celebration. Real candles are banned on every line we cover. See options on Amazon
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Questions people ask
Can I bring a lighter?
Princess and Celebrity allow common lighters. Celebrity bans torch lighters, and Princess bans strike-anywhere matches. Check your line.
Are diffusers allowed?
Disney bans diffusers by name. Other lines may not say, so ask before you pack one.