Cruise ship electrical outlets amperage limitations?

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scotteng

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Location
Apollo Beach, FL
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Professional Engineer
Electrical engineer here with a curious observation on a recent cruise. The wife had a 3-barrel curling iron that would not work when plugged into any of the cabin electrical outlets. Everything else worked just fine in those same outlets immediately before and after, just not the curling iron. I suspect they must be using some type of current limiting tech that disables the circuit temporarily. After returning home, we plugged in the curling iron and confirmed it works. Does anyone know what technology cruise ships might be using that detects higher currents and cuts off the circuit if above a certain threshold, but restores the circuit it when that high-amperage device is removed?
 
I am amazed you were able to bring a curling iron onto a ship in the first place. Usually heating devices are caught when boarding or later by a cabin steward.

But, I have never heard of a device that can limit the current you can draw other than the standard OCPDs.
Was this using a North American receptacle or an IEC one?
 
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I agree with the shaver theory, were the 'normal' receptacles shukos and just the bothroom one a NEMA 15A two prong?
 
jim dungar said:
I am amazed you were able to bring a curling iron onto a ship in the first place. Usually heating devices are caught when boarding or later by a cabin steward.

But, I have never heard of a device that can limit the current you can draw other than the standard OCPDs.
Was this using a North American receptacle or an IEC one?
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How long has it been since you took a cruise?
Curling irons and hair dryers haven't been a problem for quite a while. We went on one on 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2023. All on Carnival.
 
qcroanoke said:
How long has it been since you took a cruise?
Curling irons and hair dryers haven't been a problem for quite a while. We went on one on 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2023. All on Carnival.
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Jan 14, 2026 on Princess Cruise lines out of Fort Lauderdale, we watched 3 people pulled out of the line. They were brought to hand inspection at a table covered with confiscated items, including heating devices and fans.
 
jim dungar said:
Jan 14, 2026 on Princess Cruise lines out of Fort Lauderdale, we watched 3 people pulled out of the line. They were brought to hand inspection at a table covered with confiscated items, including heating devices and fans.
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Wow. I had no idea that was still a thing.
Carnival didn't have anything like that. Just made us put our carry ons down and run the drug dogs by them. Lol
 
qcroanoke said:
Wow. I had no idea that was still a thing.
Carnival didn't have anything like that. Just made us put our carry ons down and run the drug dogs by them. Lol
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We cruise multiple times per year. First time on Princess and first time seeing this blatant removal. On other lines, like Norwegian, we have walked past the room storing items confiscated by stewards.
I know hair is being done all the time. Ask your cruise line about their restrictions and allowances.

The point, for the OP, is other than the shaver outlet, I have never heard of current limiting being done on cruise ships.
 
jim dungar said:
We cruise multiple times per year. First time on Princess and first time seeing this blatant removal. On other lines, like Norwegian, we have walked past the room storing items confiscated by stewards.
I know hair is being done all the time. Ask your cruise line about their restrictions and allowances.

The point, for the OP, is other than the shaver outlet, I have never heard of current limiting being done on cruise ships.
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I know on Carnival there was a lot of discussion on forums about what curling irons and hair dryers would and wouldn't work.
 
From the last documentation we received from Carnival as far as "allowable items"

  • Personal grooming devices such as hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, shavers, and other electrical devices, such as fans (no larger than 12" in diameter), power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords (without surge protectors) are allowed when used with proper caution. However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned on debarkation morning. Handheld clack (or clap) fans are not permitted in the nightclub or on any indoor dance floor.
 
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