Can you bring a knife or scissors on a cruise?
It depends on your cruise line. Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and Virgin Voyages allow it with limits. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney and MSC ban it.
Pick your cruise line
Knives, scissors and open razors are banned. Large craft scissors may be OK with security's approval. Dive knives are held by security and given out only for dive tours.
All 9 lines side by side
- Allowed with limits Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Virgin Voyages
- Not allowed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney, MSC
| Cruise line | Status | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Not allowed | Knives, scissors and open razors are banned. Large craft scissors may be OK with security's approval. Dive knives are held by security and given out only for dive tours. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean | Not allowed | Knives, scissors and sharp tools are banned. Small scissors for facial hair with blades under 4 inches are OK, and so are nail files. Security holds dive knives and gives them out only for dive tours. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Norwegian | Allowed with limits | Knives with blades longer than 4 inches are banned, and so are open razors. Scissors aren't named. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Princess | Allowed with limits | A small locking pocket knife is allowed if the blade is under 2.5 inches. Knives with longer blades are banned. Scissors with blades over 4 inches are banned. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Celebrity | Not allowed | Knives are banned. Scissors are allowed if the blade is under 4 inches, and safety razors are fine. Dive knives must be declared at boarding and are held by security when you're not ashore. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Disney | Not allowed | Knives of any blade length are banned, and so are straight razors. Scissors are allowed only if they have blunt ends and blades 4 inches or shorter. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| MSC | Not allowed | Sharp objects such as blades and scissors are banned. Knives bought in port must be shipped home or handed to the ship until the end of the cruise. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Holland America | Allowed with limits | A small locking pocket knife is allowed if the blade is under 2.5 inches long and no more than 0.5 inch wide. Bigger knives, switchblades and straight razors are banned. Scissors with blades over 4 inches are banned. Safety razors are fine. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Allowed with limits | Knives with blades longer than 4 inches are banned, and so are scissors with blades longer than 4 inches. Scissors for trimming facial hair are allowed. Pages disagree: The prohibited items list allows scissors with blades up to 4 inches. The ticket contract bans pointed scissors of any size. To be safe, leave pointed scissors at home. We show the stricter rule. | 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.
Questions people ask
Can I bring nail scissors or a razor?
Royal Caribbean allows nail files and small facial-hair scissors with blades under 4 inches. Celebrity allows safety razors. Straight razors are banned on several lines.
What if I buy a knife in port?
MSC says knives bought in port must be shipped home or handed to the ship until the end of the cruise. Royal Caribbean holds Alaska ulu knives. Expect the same on other lines.