Are you trying to work out if your cruise line provides hair dryers, whether they are any good, and if you even need to take your own?
We have checked all the main cruise lines’ prohibited items and whether they provide them onboard, but in short:
Most heat-producing items are prohibited on cruise ships because they are considered a fire hazard. However, hair dryers and other heated grooming products are allowed on all the main cruise lines.
You can double-check our list of all the main cruise lines which allow hair dryers on board. We only found one that didn’t and another that often blew a fuse (see below).
The next question is, do you even need to take a hair dryer as many cruise lines provide them.
Below we go over where and what the cruise lines offer and what you should consider if you want to take your blow dryer.
Can You Take Hair Dryers In Your Carry-on Luggage?
You can take your hair dryer in your carry-on luggage, although you may not need to as cruises provide them in the cabins.
Can You Bring Hair Dryers On in Checked Luggage?
You can pack your hair dryer in checked luggage. Bear in mind you cruise ships provide hairdryers in the cabins, so you may not need to take one and could use the weight and space for packing other items.
See our tips below on the best ways to pack your hair dryer safely.
Can You Take Hair Dryers on a Plane?
For those flying to a port for any part of your vacation, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) allows you to take hair dryers in your carry-on and checked luggage.
Which Cruise Lines Allow Hair Dryers Onboard
All the main cruise lines listed below allow you to bring a hair dryer on board with you in either your carry-on or checked luggage.
Main Cruise Lines That Allow Hair Dryers:
- Carnival Cruise
- Celebrity Cruises
- Disney Cruises
- Holland America
- MSC Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line (*see notes)
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Virgin Voyages
Exception
Of all the main cruise lines, the only one we found that did not allow hair dryers was Viking Cruises.
Can You Bring a Hair Dryer on the Norwegian Cruise?
Norwegian Cruises Lines (NCL) don’t expressly state whether you can bring a hair dryer on board.
Passengers have reported taking their own however it was common for them to very easily blow a fuse in the rooms.
You view the prohibited items list here. No. 21 is where they mention prohibited heating items.
Are There Hair Dryers on Cruise Ships?
All the main cruise lines provide hair dryers in the cabins, but often they are very basic and weak in power. If you prefer using the better standard of hair dryers, such as Ionic or Ceramic, with varying temperature settings and accessories, consider bringing your own.
We have double-checked all the main cruise lines to see if they all have hair dryers in the staterooms.
You’ll be pleased to know all the following lines do provide hair dryers:
- Carnival Cruise
- Celebrity Cruises
- Disney Cruises
- Holland America
- MSC Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Viking Cruises
- Virgin Voyages
Where Are the hair Dryers on a Cruise Ship?
If you can’t see your hair dryer in the cabin, it will either be attached to the wall on a desk or with a draw. Sometimes they are also in bathroom cabinets.
Below we cover some of the main cruise lines and where the hair dryers are in the cabins.
Do Carnival Cruises Provide Hair Dryers?
They are quite small and not very powerful (1250 watts), so drying your hair may take longer than if you are used to a more powerful model and have long or thick hair.
Location: Carnival Cruise hair dryers are attached to the inside of the dressing area drawers or in the bathroom.
For more info on Carnival, Stateroom Bathroom Amenities, see here.
Does Royal Caribbean Have Hair Dryers?
All Royal Caribbean cabins have hair dryers. The power is pretty low, and they are the type where you must keep your finger down on the button to power it.
Location: They are usually attached to the desk.
Do Celebrity Cruises Have Hair Dryers?
All Celebrity Cruises staterooms have hair dryers, although not very powerful.
Location: Wall-mounted in the bathrooms or portable one in a drawer.
Do Disney Cruises Provide Hair Dryers?
There are handheld hair dryers in every cabin on a Disney cruise ship.
Do Norwegian Cruises Provide Hair Dryers?
There are handheld hair dryers in every cabin on Norwegian cruise ships.
If you take your own hair dryer, NCL ships have outlets for North American standard, 110 volts AC, and standard European 220/230 volts.
Are Hair Dryers Allowed on Viking Cruise?
Viking cruises are popular for both their river and ocean cruises.
Viking Cruises’ list of prohibited items states “Any electrical device that produces heat” and then lists several items, including heat pads, clothes irons, kettles, etc.
Although they specifically list “curling irons” as an “Allowable item,” there is no mention of hair dryers.
On a good note, Viking cruises hair dryers are considered some of the best and most powerful because they are plugged into 220-volt outlets, unlike most US cruise lines which are 110 volts.
What to do if There Is No Hair Dryer in Your Cabin
On rare occasions, your cabin might not have a hair dryer. This is more likely to happen on older ships in a fleet that hasn’t been refurbished in a while.
If you are without a hair dryer, contact your cabin steward to request one.
How to Pack Your Hair Dryer
Hair dryers can be packed in both your carry-on and checked luggage. If you are bringing your own, pack it in a padded bag or towel so it doesn’t get damaged in transit.
Here are a few other tips to keep in mind when packing your hair dryer:
- If your hair dryer has a removable nozzle, take it off and pack it separately.
- Pack your hair dryer after you have finished using it, so it is cooled down.
- Ensure the cord is wrapped up securely, so it doesn’t get tangled.
Tips For Using Hair Dryer on Cruise Ship
Extension/Powerstrip: If you take your hair dryer, consider taking a powerstrip. There are often only 1 or 2 power sockets in the cabin, which may be needed for other devices, and you may want the option to use the hairdryer further away from the outlet.
Travel Mirror: Also, take a small travel mirror as often there is only one in the cabin, and it can be in a less than ideal position.
Compact: If you’re worried about packing space, some hair dryers these days come with a foldable handle.
If you take your hair dryer, don’t plug it into the bathroom if you have other alternatives as it may be too powerful for the outlet as these are designed for small appliances such as electric toothbrushes and razors and might blow a fuse.
Hair Dryer To Remove Wrinkles From Clothes
As you may know, many other heat-generating devices are prohibited onboard, including clothes steamers and irons.
Therefore a bonus for some people taking a more powerful hair dryer on their cruise is that they can use it to remove wrinkles from clothes.
The stronger the hair dryer, the more effective it will be.
You can do it while wearing the clothing item, gently pulling away from your body as you do so, and start at the lowest heat setting, gradually increasing it if needed.
Simply hold the hair dryer a few inches away from the item of clothing and move it around until the wrinkles have disappeared. The hotter the temperature, the better, but be careful not to hold it too close, or you could scorch the fabric.
Or you can lay the clothing item flat on a bed or towels and, using the hair dryer, hold it about 6 inches away from the fabric and move it around. Again, start on a lower heat setting and increase as needed.
This works well for a few wrinkles on a shirt or dress, but don’t expect it to work miracles on a crumpled pile of clothes. It’s best used as a touch-up method before heading out for the day or evening.
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Frequently Asked Questions About hair dryers on cruises
Do All Cruise Ships Have Hair Dryers?
Yes, all the main cruise lines provide hair dryers in their cabins.
What Type of Hair Dryers is on Cruise Ships?
The hair dryers provided by the cruise lines are usually not very powerful. If you have long or thick hair, you may want to consider bringing your own.
Do I Need a Converter for my Hair Dryer on a Cruise?
No, most hair dryers these days have dual voltage and will work with the power outlets on a cruise.
