Can you take straighteners on a cruise?

What cruise lines usually allow

Hair straighteners, curling wands, curling tongs and hair dryers are generally allowed as personal grooming items. Many cabins already have a hair dryer. Items that are commonly banned include clothes irons and steamers, kettles, candles and extension leads or power strips with surge protection.

Policies change and differ between lines, so always check your cruise line's current prohibited items list on its website or in your booking documents. If in doubt, contact the cruise line before you travel rather than relying on general advice.

• Usually allowed: straighteners, curling wands and tongs, hair dryers.
• Often banned: clothes irons, steamers, kettles, candles.
• Often banned: extension leads and power strips with surge protectors.
• Check: cordless tools with lithium batteries and gas curling tongs.

Cabin sockets and voltage

Many ships, especially those sailing from the UK, have UK sockets in cabins. Ships that operate from the US often have US style sockets at around 110 to 120 volts, and some have both, or European sockets. Your cruise line usually lists the socket types for each ship.

UK straighteners are designed for about 230 volts. In a 110 volt socket, a single voltage UK styler may heat weakly or not at all, which is a common reason straighteners stop working abroad. Dual or universal voltage stylers, including several ghd models, switch automatically and only need a plug adaptor. Our best straighteners for travel guide compares universal voltage options.

Cordless and battery stylers

Cordless straighteners such as the ghd Unplugged and Dyson Corrale contain lithium-ion batteries. Cruise lines generally allow personal devices with lithium batteries, but some have specific rules on charging or on spare batteries. Gas powered curling tongs use butane cartridges, which some lines may restrict. Check before you pack.

If you fly to join the ship, airline rules also apply: lithium battery stylers usually go in hand luggage. Our explainer on taking straighteners on a plane covers flight rules, and our guides on charging the ghd Unplugged and charging the Dyson Corrale cover charging away from home.

Note:Fire safety at sea is critical. Never leave a hot styler unattended, always switch off and unplug after use, let tools cool on a heat proof surface and never cover them with towels or bedding.

Using straighteners safely in a cabin

Cabins are small and often have limited sockets, sometimes only at the desk. Plan to style there rather than in the bathroom, where sockets are usually only for shavers and cannot power straighteners. Bring a heat resistant mat or pouch so you can put hot tools down safely, and use a tool with automatic shut-off; our explainer on whether straighteners turn off automatically lists what to look for.

Pack the styler in a heat resistant pouch once cool, and keep the cable loosely coiled to avoid damage in transit.

Choosing a styler for cruises

The most flexible choice is a universal voltage straightener with a sleep mode, packed with a plug adaptor. If you want to style away from the desk, a cordless model adds freedom, within the line's battery rules. Our best straighteners for travel guide compares universal voltage and cordless models, including ghd gift sets that come with travel pouches.

See the best straighteners for travel →

Frequently asked questions

Are hair straighteners allowed on cruise ships? Usually yes, as personal grooming items. Check your cruise line's prohibited items list.

Can you bring a curling iron on a cruise? Generally yes, under the same rules as straighteners.

Can I bring an extension lead on a cruise? Many lines ban extension leads and power strips with surge protection. Check before you pack.

Will my UK straighteners work on a cruise ship? On UK or European sockets, yes. On US sockets, only if they are dual or universal voltage.