I just received a call from a friend that as he was boarding a Royal Caribbean cruise and they confiscated his power strip from his luggage.
They said that it was a prohibited item under Royal Caribbean Prohibited and Questionable Items List. So, Power Strips are considered at dangerous as weapons and portable steamers. With the lack of outlets on ships, Royal Caribbean is making it difficult to stay charged and ready to enjoy a cruise. Why is that? The answer lies in safety concerns. Power strips and surge protectors can potentially overload the ship’s electrical system, leading to fire hazards. Cruise ships have unique electrical systems that differ from those on land, and using power strips not designed for maritime environments can pose serious risks. That seems reasonable enough.
On the positive side, you do have alternatives to power strips.
1. USB Charging Stations: These are a great alternative as they allow you to charge multiple devices without overloading the electrical system. Look for models with multiple USB ports. So in addition to taking key travel accessories, you will need a usb power strip like these
2. Outlet Adapters: Simple adapters that allow you to plug in more devices without adding extra outlets can be useful. Make sure they do not have surge protection features.
3. European Outlet Adapters: Many modern electronics can operate on both 110V and 220V, so a simple adapter can give you extra outlets.
4. Portable Chargers: Consider bringing portable chargers or power banks to keep your devices charged without needing extra outlets.
One option that I would never consider is limiting my electronic devices to address the Royal Caribbean charging limitation. I need and want my devices like phone, computer, tablet, kindle and watch.
The only positive development is that you get your power strip back at the end of your trip unlike you confiscated alcohol or weapons!