Multiple cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, have recently updated their onboard restrictions.
Along with weapons, illegal drugs, and items that pose a fire hazard like travel steamers, popular tech devices are becoming restricted items on cruises due to privacy and security concerns.
For some passengers, Royal Caribbean’s latest ban will come as a surprise, and failing to follow the cruise line’s new rules could come with inconvenient consequences.
Here’s what to know about the new rules that could impact your next Royal Caribbean cruise.
Royal Caribbean has updated its prohibited items list for 2026 to include a new ban on the use of smart glasses in certain spaces, as first reported by Royal Caribbean Blog, an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line.
“‘Smart’ glasses from any of several manufacturers that can record video and audio are not allowed to be used in certain areas onboard the ship, including, but not limited to, public restrooms, Youth Program areas, medical areas, as well as the casino,” Royal Caribbean’s prohibited items list now states.This ban applies to any form of smart glasses, such as Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and similar wearable devices with built-in cameras and microphones that allow them to record discreetly. Banning smart glasses from key areas helps to prevent passengers from being recorded without their consent and protect cruise operations from security risks associated with unauthorized recording.
Passengers who use smart glasses are advised to pack regular glasses
Although Royal Caribbean isn’t completely prohibiting passengers from bringing smart glasses onto its ships, the cruise line intends to enforce restrictions against their use on board. Royal Caribbean advises passengers who use smart glasses to bring regular glasses to wear in areas where smart glasses are prohibited.
“Guests who have ‘Smart’ glasses that have prescription lenses are recommended to bring a backup pair that is not ‘smart’ enabled,” the cruise line adds on its prohibited items list.
Passengers should also note that Royal Caribbean updated its ban on cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime equipment to clarify that these prohibited items include “satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment, and any other deliberate electronic interference which would constitute criminal activity.”
MSC Cruises bans smart glasses in all public spaces on board
Royal Caribbean isn’t the first cruise line to ban smart glasses. In late 2025, MSC Cruises added smart glasses to its prohibited items list. While Royal Caribbean bans smart glasses only in certain spaces, MSC prohibits the use of smart glasses in any public areas on board its ships.
“Devices capable of covertly or discreetly recording or transmitting data (e.g. smart glasses) are not allowed in ships public areas,” the cruise line states in the Luggage section of its website under “Items Forbidden Onboard.”
For now, Royal Caribbean and MSC are the only cruise lines with confirmed bans on the use of smart glasses, but it’s likely that more cruise lines will join them in the future as more people bring the wearable devices on their vacations.
Source: Travel Host
