Overview
- Royal Caribbean quietly revised its prohibited-items list to bar 'smart' glasses that can record video or audio in specified onboard areas and its app says the chief security officer and captain may seize those devices.
- Media reporting says passengers who record others without consent could face penalties including fines, confiscation, removal from the ship, or bans from future sailings.
- Other operators have tightened or clarified 2026 rules that target unsafe or intrusive behaviors such as launching drones, fighting, skipping mandatory muster drills, and smoking or vaping outside designated areas.
- Enforcement happens at the ship level and penalties vary by line and incident, and current coverage combines confirmed company wording with guidance from frequent-cruiser social media commentators.
- The policy shifts respond to wider consumer use of wearable cameras and a rise in onboard incidents, meaning passengers should check their cruise line's rules before sailing to avoid penalties.