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What items are probihited on board Holland America Line cruises?

Answer: The following list is provided to assist in determining what items are not allowed onboard without a valid, lawful reason.

This is not an all-inclusive list, and there may be other items found at the Security screening area that may be dangerous and that should not be allowed onboard.

All firearms including non-firing weapons. An exception to this rule is law enforcement agents acting in an official capacity and certified armed security guards acting in an official capacity (with full permission of the ship’s Master).
All forms of ammunition, explosive materials and propellants, projectiles of all kinds, cartridges.

All imitation or replica weapons including de-commissioned weapons, those not capable of being fired and realistic imitation/toy weapons.

Air/Pellet guns or any other variety of projectile firing weapon.

Stun Guns, Tasers or any other electroshock device.

All explosives and explosive device components including but not limited to military, civilian and safety devices, detonators, detonation cords, blasting caps, smoke cartridges, grenades, mines, imitation explosives/devices.

Fireworks, Flares and Pyrotechnics
Knives (with a blade over 6.35 cm (2 ½ inches), or 1.25 cm (½ inch) at widest point). bladed weapons, sharp pointed weapons, daggers, sabers, swords, axes, ice axes, hatchets, straight razors (shaving safety razors are allowed), razor blades not in a cartridge, box cutters, ice picks, meat cleavers, and utility knives, (unless specifically authorized for personnel who in the normal course of their duties on board the ship require to be in possession of a knife with a more substantial blade i.e. Gallery Staff and Deck Ratings).

Flick knives, gravity knives, switchblades or lock knives. Small locking pocket-knife with blade lengths less than 6.35 cm (2 ½ inches) and widths ½ inch or less are allowed.

Concealed bladed weapons such as belt buckles knives, cane and umbrella knives/swords, pen knives and credit card knives.

Recreational Diver’s Knives unless accompanied by other diving/snorkeling equipment and a valid diving ID card/license (must be held in the custody of the Security Officer). Dive knives may be checked out/in by the owner for dive excursions during the cruise whereby 24 hours’ notice is provided.

Diver’s spears and spear guns/slings.

Ceremonial knives/swords as well as entertainment props are at times permitted with prior notification from the Fleet Security Department (must be held on-board in the same manner as dive knives).

Scissors with blades longer than 4 inches.

Telescopic or regular truncheons/batons/clubs/coshes/nightsticks/billy clubs/blow pipes/ASPs and or any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon.

Archery equipment including crossbows and bolts.

Catapults.

Martial Arts Equipment including flails, throwing stars, nunchakus/nunchucks, kubatons, bostaff, etc.

Knuckle dusters, brass knuckles, or any other item constructed for use as a weapon in hand-to-hand combat.

Stun Guns, Tasers or any other electroshock device.

Handcuffs.

Items containing Incapacitating Substances such as gas guns, tear gas sprays, pepper/mace cartridges, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable.

Flammable liquids and hazardous chemicals/substances including gasoline/petrol, cooking fuel, acid, spill able batteries (except those in wheelchairs), phosphorous, oil, lighter fluid (common lighters are permitted), methylated spirits, paint thinners, acid, turpentine, spray paint, chlorine, bleach, spray paint and any other dangerous chemicals that could burn, maim, incapacitate or disable.

Compressed gas bottles/cylinders including propane tanks and aerosol cans (except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities). Dive Tanks are not permitted, empty or full. Medical gas bottles are allowed in connection with a certified medical condition but cannot be packed in baggage. Oxygen cylinders must be delivered to the Purser’s Office and stored in a designated safe area.

Oxygen cylinders are not x-rayed.

Drones also referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicle (RPA), and any other remote-controlled aerial devices/toys. (The exception is when permitted for company sponsored events when approved in advance by Fleet Security).

Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as a weapon.

Hookah and Water Hookah Pipes, candles and incense, strike-anywhere matches.
Items brought on board the vessel and not supplied by the Company containing any kind of heating element, such as but not limited to: immersion heaters, heating blankets, flat irons, water heaters, coffee machines with heating / hot plates, etc.

Alcohol in violation of the company alcohol policy.

All illegal drugs, , including medications without proper prescriptions. • This includes legal intoxicant synthetic or “designer” drugs also known as “Legal Highs” such as Lysergamides, Opioids, Methoxetamine, Synthetic Cannabis, Betel Nuts or Kava (Cava).

Medical Marijuana

Poisons

Noxious Items

Baseball bats, hockey sticks, cricket bats, lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, and skateboards.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Ham radios, transformers, lasers, laser pointers.

Bicycles, including electric bicycles.

Tools of trade/hobby including any type of hand or power tool. This includes hammers, drills, drill bits, crow bars, saws, power saws, chef/cooking knives/utensils, tools greater than 7 inches in length such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers (unless prior authorization is provided by Corporate Headquarters and strict controls are maintained on-board).

Surfboards - (Boogie boards no longer than 42 inches in length are allowed).

Boats/canoes/kayaks.

Coolers, only coolers approximately 12 x 12 x 12 in size (holds 6-12 cans of non-alcoholic beverages) are allowed. Guests carrying larger sizes will be directed to return them to their vehicle. If the guest is without a vehicle, the cooler will be destroyed in the same manner as other prohibited items.

Exception: if the cooler is larger and contains baby food/formula, kosher food/special dietary food or medication - these must be hand-carried. Coolers cannot be accepted as checked baggage. Whenever there is doubt an embarkation supervisor or shipboard personnel can be contacted to make the decision.
Scooters (only permitted if used for mobility), Segway’s (only permitted ashore if used for mobility limitations – cannot be used onboard the ship), Heely Shoes, Hoverboards/self-balancing scooters.

*    Electrical devices such as small fans, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, power strips/extension cords with surge protectors.

The above list is not exhaustive.

The SSO/Staff Captain are authorized to make a professional judgment as to the legality of any item declared, detected or discovered on board.