Norwegian Cruise Line is raising awareness of popular prohibited items

Norwegian Cruise Line has made another adjustment to its list of prohibited items and clarified its new policy regarding guests bringing fans onboard. Now the directive allows small fans, subject to inspection and approval by Ship Safety if required.

Policy defined, small fans now allowed

Norwegian cruise line has clarified its new ban on fans, which are now on the cruise line’s list of prohibited items.

If Fans were recently put on the ban listjust read the inclusion “All types of fans including portable, battery powered, electric, etc.” indicating that any type of fan, regardless of size or power source, would not be permitted on board.

Now the list element for reading has been specified “All types of fans except small electric and battery powered fans.”

Although no specific size is listed as acceptable, this is further stated in the listing “Fans are subject to confiscation by the ship’s security team for inspection and approval.”

“Small” is a subjective measure, and fans come in a range of sizes, from very small portable personal fans that run on AA batteries and measure just a few inches in diameter, to large towers, box fans, and Pedestal fans with oscillation heads.

It’s fair to consider that most fans specifically labeled as portable, personal, or travel can be acceptable, while larger models are more likely to be rejected and confiscated.

Regardless of the size of the fan, the power source of the fan is also taken into account as to whether or not a particular fan is permitted, and fans can be inspected to ensure their cables and housings are also secure and pose no risk of fire or injury.

Also Read: Things You Can’t Take on a Cruise

Do you need a fan on board?

When guests first learned of the total fan ban, there was a huge outcry, as there are many reasons cruise travelers often bring fans.

For some, the white noise of a fan is necessary for a more comfortable night’s sleep, depending on the overall noise level, ship noise, or whether or not a traveling partner may or may not snore.

For other travelers, slow or poor air circulation in a cabin can affect sleeping comfort, especially on tropical itineraries where temperatures are inherently warmer. While cruise ships are air conditioned, extra airflow can make the space appear much cooler.

Guests with health conditions that cause excessive sweating or body temperature irregularities may also need fans to stay comfortable.

Finally, some cruisers also use a small fan to dry swimwear, wet shoes and socks, or other clothing after a day at the beach or pool so damp garments are ready for the next day’s adventure. Most cruise lines have small clotheslines in the bathroom, but a lack of airflow can mean it can take many hours for anything to dry.

Bring your fan on board

For guests who wish to bring a fan Norwegian cruise ship, it is best to bring the smallest possible fan that suits your needs. If possible, choose a travel-size fan or a small portable fan.

If you’ve been using the same little fan for a number of years, it might be a good idea to upgrade to a new model that might be slightly smaller but is more energy efficient and has lower power requirements that are less of a concern to ship officials.

Less complicated fan models may also be more acceptable, so choose a simple fan to pack for a cruise vacation. Just in case the fan is confiscated upon embarkation, it’s not such a big loss if you can’t retrieve it after the cruise.