Can you bring a white noise machine or humidifier on a cruise?
It depends on your cruise line. Disney allows it with limits. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and MSC ban it. Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America and Virgin Voyages don't say.
Pick your cruise line
Humidifiers are banned. White noise machines, air purifiers and diffusers aren't named, so ask Carnival before you pack one.
All 9 lines side by side
- Allowed with limits Disney
- Not allowed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC
- Not stated Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Virgin Voyages
| Cruise line | Status | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Not allowed | Humidifiers are banned. White noise machines, air purifiers and diffusers aren't named, so ask Carnival before you pack one. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean | Not allowed | Not named, but Royal Caribbean bans electrical items that aren't made for personal grooming. That covers white noise machines, humidifiers, air purifiers and diffusers. Not named on the page; this comes from a general rule. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Norwegian | Not stated | Norwegian's pages don't mention sound machines, humidifiers, air purifiers or diffusers. Ask the line before you pack one. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Princess | Not stated | Princess's pages don't mention sound machines, humidifiers, air purifiers or diffusers. Ask Princess before you pack one. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Celebrity | Not stated | Celebrity's pages don't mention white noise machines, humidifiers, air purifiers or diffusers. Ask the line before you pack one. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Disney | Allowed with limits | Sleep machines, white noise machines and humidifiers are taken for a check by the ship's Chief Electrical Engineer. You get yours back only if it is approved. Diffusers are banned by name. Air purifiers are not named. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| MSC | Not allowed | Sound machines, humidifiers, air purifiers and diffusers are not named. The FAQ says the only electrical appliances allowed in staterooms are electric shavers, hair dryers, battery chargers and computers. They aren't on that list. Not named on the page; this comes from a general rule. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Holland America | Not stated | Holland America's pages don't mention sound machines, humidifiers, air purifiers or diffusers. Ask the line before you pack one. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Not stated | Virgin's pages don't mention sound machines, humidifiers, air purifiers or diffusers. Any appliance with a heating element is banned. Ask the line before you pack one. | 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.
Sound machine, humidifier or purifier?
Lines treat these as separate items. A humidifier is banned by name on some lines. A plain sound machine is often not named at all, so the rule depends on your line.
A phone app or a small battery speaker can cover white noise if your line won't allow a plug-in machine. Check the speaker rule for your line too.
Questions people ask
Will my baby's sound machine be taken?
On Disney it goes to the ship's engineer for a check, and you get it back only if it's approved. Other lines vary, so check yours before you pack.