Can you bring a power strip on a cruise?
It depends on your cruise line. Carnival, Princess, Holland America and Virgin Voyages allow it with limits. Royal Caribbean and Disney ban it. Norwegian, Celebrity and MSC don't say.
Pick your cruise line
Power strips are allowed. Security can take one away if it looks unsafe.
All 9 lines side by side
- Allowed with limits Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Virgin Voyages
- Not allowed Royal Caribbean, Disney
- Not stated Norwegian, Celebrity, MSC
| Cruise line | Status | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Allowed with limits | Power strips are allowed. Security can take one away if it looks unsafe. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean | Not allowed | Power strips are on Royal Caribbean's banned list. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Norwegian | Not stated | Norwegian's pages don't mention power strips. Ask the line before you pack one. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Princess | Allowed with limits | A power strip without a surge protector is allowed after the ship's electrical team checks it. Princess still asks guests not to bring one if they can avoid it. Anything judged unsafe is held and given back on the last day. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Celebrity | Not stated | Celebrity's pages don't mention power strips. Ask the line before you pack one. Extension cords are banned, and cabins have both 110V and 220V outlets. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Disney | Not allowed | Power strips are banned by name on Disney's prohibited items list. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| MSC | Not stated | MSC's US pages don't mention power strips. They do ban bringing your own extension cords. Ask the line before you pack one. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Holland America | Allowed with limits | A power strip without a surge protector is allowed if you use it with care. The banned list names power strips that have surge protectors. Crew can take any device they think is unsafe and give it back on the last day. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Allowed with limits | Multi-plug power strips are allowed only if the ship's electrician inspects and approves them. Plan on yours being checked, and it may be kept. | 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.
The quick split
Four lines allow a power strip with limits: Carnival, Princess, Holland America and Virgin. Two ban them by name: Royal Caribbean and Disney. Three don't mention them at all: Norwegian, Celebrity and MSC.
So the answer really depends on your line. A strip that sails through on Carnival will be taken on Royal Caribbean.
What "with limits" means on each line
Carnival allows power strips, but security can take one that looks unsafe. Princess allows one without a surge protector after the ship's electrical team checks it, and still asks guests to skip it if they can. Holland America allows a strip without a surge protector if you use it with care.
Virgin is the strictest of the four. The ship's electrician has to inspect and approve your strip, and it may be kept. On Princess and Holland America, anything judged unsafe is held and given back on the last day.
Power strip, surge protector or USB cube?
A plain power strip turns one outlet into several. A surge protector has a part that soaks up voltage spikes, and that part is what Princess, Holland America and Disney name as the problem. A USB cube is one plug with a few USB ports and maybe one or two outlets.
If your line allows power strips, pick one with no surge protection and expect security to look at it. If your line bans them, a USB wall charger with several ports is the simple fix for charging phones and watches. Check your line's USB rule first.
About "cruise approved" power strips
Stores sell strips labeled cruise approved or cruise safe. Cruise lines don't hand out that label. Royal Caribbean and Disney ban power strips no matter what the box says.
On lines that allow them, the feature that matters is no surge protection. Read the box for words like surge protector or a joule rating. If you see either, it's a surge protector, and Princess, Holland America and Disney ban those by name.
Ways to get more outlets without a strip
Many ships give you more power than you'd think. Holland America says most of its ships have USB outlets by the bed, except Volendam and Zaandam. Celebrity and Holland America cabins have both 110V and 220V outlets, and MSC cabin outlets take US-style and Northern European-style plugs.
A multi-port USB charger is the other route. Royal Caribbean allows chargers that carry a U.S. or European safety mark. Princess's power FAQ says a USB hub can be helpful. MSC lists battery chargers among the few appliances allowed in staterooms.
What to pack instead
- A USB power cube with no surge protection. A small block with a couple of outlets and USB ports. Only pack one on a line that allows power strips, and pick one without surge protection. OK on: Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Virgin Voyages. See options on Amazon
- A multi-port USB wall charger. One plug that charges a phone, watch and tablet at once, with no extra outlets. Royal Caribbean asks for a US or EU safety mark on chargers. OK on: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, MSC. See options on Amazon
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Questions people ask
What happens if security finds my power strip?
Princess and Holland America say they hold it and give it back on the last day. Other lines say security can take away anything that looks unsafe. Either way, you won't have it during the trip.
Is a "cruise approved" power strip allowed everywhere?
No. That label comes from sellers, not cruise lines. Royal Caribbean and Disney ban power strips no matter how they're labeled. Check your line's rule above.
Can I bring a power strip on Norwegian, Celebrity or MSC?
Their pages don't say. Celebrity and MSC both ban bringing your own extension cord, and MSC's FAQ lists only shavers, hair dryers, battery chargers and computers as allowed cabin appliances. Ask the line before you pack one.
Does a strip with USB ports count as a power strip?
If it has outlets, treat it as a power strip and follow your line's power strip rule. A wall charger with only USB ports is a different item.