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Credit: DisneyAll guests planning to take a Disney Cruise must abide by a rule that bans one surprising item.
Rules aren’t uncommon at Disney’s theme parks, with the code of conduct prohibiting guests from bringing items such as selfie sticks, megaphones, or loose or dry ice (yes, it happens) into the likes of Magic Kingdom or Disneyland.
It goes without saying that these rules also dictate the manner in which guests are expected to behave. In other words, guests who aren’t respectful towards their fellow parkgoers or Disney cast members can – and will – be removed from the property, with some even facing lifetime bans.
The Disney Cruise Line also implements its own set of rules for those taking to the water with Mickey Mouse and friends.
Unsurprisingly, its ships – which include the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Treasure, with the Disney Destiny joining the fleet for its maiden voyage tomorrow and the Disney Adventure setting sail in 2026 after a delay – ban several items that may prove disruptive or dangerous on the high seas.
This includes firearms or firearm replicas (although store-bought light sabers, plastic toy pirate swords, and plastic store-bought toy Mjolnir hammers are permitted), lasers, satellite receivers, and a long list of appliances. The latter covers everything from ham radios and hot plates to heating pads, remote-controlled toys, coffee makers, and hookah pipes.
Recently, another surprising item has joined this list: hair dryers.
Disney Cruise Line Bans Specific Item on Ships
The move came to light after Beci Mahnken, founder and CEO of MEI Travel, shared the update on Facebook when her hair dryer was confiscated at the beginning of one of the pre-official launch voyages on the Disney Destiny.
“My trusty blow dryer – the one I’ve used for years – it probably has Pearl status on its own – got itself confiscated on the Disney Destiny. Yup. When I opened my bag, I got a little note: ‘Welcome aboard — we took your blow dryer!'” she wrote.
Notably, all Disney cruise cabins include hair dryers. Just like those found in many hotel rooms, these tend to be relatively slow, meaning plenty of guests prefer to bring their own.
The good news is that not all hair dryers are banned from the Disney Cruise Line.
As per a notice on the Disney Cruise Line website, the ships prohibit guests from bringing aboard hair dryers that are a maximum of 220V/2000 watts or 110V/1500 watts. Curling irons and flat irons are still allowed.
If you’re not sure about the wattage of your hair dryer, the best option is to admit defeat and use the device provided in your stateroom. Disney warns that bringing prohibited items aboard the ship may lead to a delay in your luggage delivery.
“Unapproved items found during the security screening process will be confiscated,” it says, “causing a delay in the delivery of your luggage to your stateroom until late evening on embarkation day.”
It also adds: “Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to seize and secure any item deemed to be dangerous or pose a security or safety risk.”
Mahnken theorized that the Disney Cruise Line has updated its rules on hair dryers in response to new liquefied natural gas (LNG) safety protocols. These limit outlet use to 1,500 watts for 110-volt outlets and 2,000 watts for 220-volt outlets.
Of course, temporarily downgrading your hair dryer is a pretty small sacrifice to make in the grand scheme of things that could go wrong on vacation. The Disney Cruise Line – which was highlighted as a significant moneymaker in The Walt Disney Company’s FY2025 earnings report – has experienced more than its share of vacation upsets over the years, including guests who found bed bugs in their staterooms and those who were forced to flee their rooms due to plumbing issues.
Disney has also been forced to reroute several voyages this year due to hurricanes. Hurricane Melissa caused particular chaos for the Disney Cruise Line, with some guests only finding out that their vacation had been changed after receiving a notice aboard the ship itself.
Have you ever had an item confiscated on the Disney Cruise Line?