Royal Caribbean has had an eventful start to 2026, with a power outage disrupting a departure from Los Angeles in February, leaving thousands of passengers waiting outside in cold, windy conditions. Not long after, a winter storm on the East Coast caused additional delays, stranding thousands of guests at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey.
This time, the cruise line is turning heads with a quieter update. Royal Caribbean recently revised its prohibited items list, but passengers say one commonly debated item is still missing:
Bluetooth speakers
While some cruise lines have already banned or restricted the devices, Royal Caribbean has not followed suit.
Here’s a closer look at what is included on Royal Caribbean’s updated banned items list—and why some cruisers say the speaker rule should be next.
Royal Caribbean Updated Its Banned Items List, But Bluetooth Speakers Aren’t On It
Several cruise lines have already banned or restricted the use of portable speakers on board in response to complaints about loud music in public areas. Royal Caribbean, however, has not introduced a fleet-wide ban.
The updated list does include some new rules, though. For example, the cruise line now restricts the use of smart glasses in certain parts of its ships.
According to Royal Caribbean:
“Smart glasses cannot be worn in the casino, spa service areas, restrooms, locker rooms, medical facilities, security screening locations, youth facilities, during back-of-house tours, [or] in crew areas.”
Royal Caribbean also reminded passengers that certain destinations have strict dress requirements when visiting religious sites—like St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, which calls for visitors to “dress modestly, covering the shoulders, chest, and knees.”
While these updates may be helpful for passengers—and the cruise line already bans speakers at its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay—some passengers have questioned why the rule doesn’t apply on its ships.
Cruisers Have Been Calling For A Bluetooth Speaker Ban For Months
Carnival Cruise Line became one of the first major cruise lines to ban Bluetooth speakers in late 2024 after years of passenger complaints about noise on pool decks and balconies. Many cruisers expected Royal Caribbean to follow Carnival’s lead, and some have been urging the cruise line to do exactly that.
Discussions online show that many passengers have experienced situations in which personal Bluetooth speakers disrupted their vacations, leading them to call for acomplete ban. At the same time, though, some cruisers say a full ban may not be necessary. Instead, they suggest limiting Bluetooth speakers to staterooms only, noting that many passengers use them for white noise while sleeping.
Commenters’ Reactions To Bluetooth Speaker Use On Cruise Ships:
However, others question whether that rule would leave too much room for interpretation. On cruise lines that already have cabin-only speaker policies, like Virgin Voyages, some travelers say noise can still be an issue.
One Reddit user described a situation in which neighbors repeatedly played music on their balcony late into the night, eventually forcing them to contact guest services to request a cabin change.
“On my fourth cruise, we had this happen. Called Sailor Services, but the guests refused to open their door each time. Didn’t care during the day, but at 12 am and 1 am, we were over it. We had them move us. I’m glad those speakers aren’t allowed anymore,” the Redditor wrote.
While Royal Caribbean’s updated prohibited items list does not include Bluetooth speakers at all, some of its other guidelinesdouse wording that can be interpreted differently by passengers.
Some Of Royal Caribbean’s Updated Rules Leave Room For Interpretation
Royal Caribbean’s updated guidance also includes several policies that rely on broad wording rather than strict limits.
One example of its newly updated banned items list using broad language is its guidance on snacks. Passengers are allowed to bring a”sensible amount”of pre-packaged snacks onboard. The cruise line notes that ships already offer complimentary grab-and-go options but does not define exactly how much outside food is acceptable.
The cruise line took a similar approach to luggage. Unlike airlines, which have strict baggage limits, Royal Caribbean says guests can bring a”reasonable amount”of luggage.
Royal Caribbean has also placed restrictions on smart glasses. The policy lists several specific locations where devices are not allowed, but it also states that they cannot be worn”anywhere there is a reasonable expectation of guest and crew privacy.”
So while Royal Caribbean’s updated prohibited items list clarifies several policies for passengers preparing to sail, some of the language could still cause confusion among passengers. Additionally, until Bluetooth speakers are addressed, the debate over onboard noise is likely to continue.
