Disney Enforces Surprise Ban, Catching Cruise Travelers in the Crossfire

Packing for a Disney cruise usually feels like a straightforward ritual: sunscreen, a dinner outfit, and the one small appliance many travelers swear by. Yet as the newest ships in Disney’s fleet enter service, even seasoned cruisers are learning that familiar routines can vanish at the gangway.

Disney’s theme parks have long imposed restrictions to keep guests safe. Selfie sticks, megaphones, and loose or dry ice are all prohibited at destinations like Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. Behavior rules are equally strict, with the company reserving the right to remove guests who violate them, sometimes permanently.

The cruise line enforces similar expectations at sea. Its fleet — including the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and soon the Disney Destiny (whose Maiden Voyage sets sail tomorrow) and the delayed Disney Adventure — operates under a detailed code of conduct that extends to personal belongings.

The list of prohibited items is extensive. Firearms and firearm replicas are barred, along with:

• Blenders
• Bottle sterilizers and warmers (a limited number of approved bottle warmers and bottle sterilizers are available upon request through Guest Services on board)
• Coffee makers
• Diffusers
• Electric blankets
• Electric irons and steamers (all ships offer self-service laundry facilities equipped with irons and ironing boards)
• Satellite receivers, emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB), communication scanners, and wideband receivers
• Extension cords, power strips, multi-plugs, and surge protectors
• Ham radios
• Heating elements
• Heating pads
• Hookah pipes
• Hot plates
• Metal detectors
• Microwave ovens
• Power tools, hand tools, and toolboxes (except those utilized by vendors providing services)
• Remote-controlled devices (airplanes, drones, toy vehicles, Star Wars droids)
• Rice cookers
• Toasters and toaster ovens
• Seasonal and/or strands of celebratory lightbulbs
• Streaming devices (Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, etc.)

Now, another common item has joined that list: hair dryers.

A Viral Confiscation Raises Eyebrows

The update surfaced after Beci Mahnken, founder and CEO of MEI Travel, shared that her hair dryer was removed at the start of a sailing on the Disney Destiny, which has been undergoing press sailings ahead of its official launch.

Her Facebook post quickly spread among cruise forums, sparking confusion from longtime passengers.

“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.

Staterooms include built-in hair dryers, but many guests prefer devices with more power — especially those accustomed to hotel-quality equipment. That preference made the sudden confiscation feel abrupt, fueling speculation about whether a new policy had quietly taken effect.

Disney Cruise Line’s website clarifies the rule: hair dryers exceeding 220V/2000 watts or 110V/1500 watts are not permitted on board. Curling irons and flat irons remain allowed, giving guests some styling flexibility for formal dinners, deck parties, and character meet-and-greets.

Luggage delays are possible for travelers who pack unapproved appliances. “Unapproved items found during the security screening process will be confiscated,” the company warns, “causing a delay in the delivery of your luggage to your stateroom until late evening on embarkation day.”

The policy also states: “Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to seize and secure any item deemed to be dangerous or pose a security or safety risk.”

Mahnken later suggested that the stricter enforcement ties to updated liquefied natural gas safety guidelines. Newer LNG-powered ships limit outlet usage to 1,500 watts for 110-volt sockets and 2,000 watts for 220-volt sockets — meaning even a hair dryer can strain the system if improperly rated.

Have you ever had an item confiscated on the Disney Cruise Line?