Cruise Security Vs Airport Security – What’s Actually Different?

Most people assume cruise security is just like airport security.

After going through both regularly, there are some big differences and a few things really surprised me.

You still go through scanners, bags are checked, and there are still rules about what you can have in your bags, but the experience feels completely different.

It’s Usually Much More Relaxed

Airports feel strict and can be really stressful for me.

They are often really crowded, with long lines of people desperate to get through security and on to their boarding gate.

Rules about what you can keep in your bag vary from one airport to another.

Do you need to take out your laptop and keep it separately? Do you need to take your boots or shoes off? What are the rules on liquids in your hand luggage?

Often, the security staff are barking orders, sometimes in different languages – it can all be a bit tense!

While I have been through airport security many, many times, there always seems to be passengers who have no clue what is expected of them.

They seem totally unprepared, which leads to delays for other passengers while they rummage through their luggage for perfume bottles, or are forced to leave their bottles of spirits behind.

Cruise terminals are often calmer, less rushed, and less intense.

So even though there are plenty of rules in place, somehow it feels friendlier and less stressful.

You Don’t Have The Same Liquid Rules

For years, at airports, liquids have been tightly restricted.

On cruises, it’s very different, but the rules vary by cruise line.

On many, you are allowed to bring a bottle of wine or soft drinks onboard on embarkation day, as long as they are in your hand luggage.

This isn’t the same at airports.

In August 2006, British police stopped a terrorist plot. They had been planning to smuggle liquid explosives onto planes flying from London to the United States.

They were planning to disguise the dangerous liquids inside regular drink bottles, such as Coke or water, so that the security screeners wouldn’t notice anything unusual.

Once on the plane, all they needed to do was mix the chemicals to create bombs mid-air. Scary stuff!

Back in 2006, airport X-ray machines couldn’t reliably detect the contents of a bottle. A bomb could just look like a bottle of juice or water.

When the plot was uncovered, governments worldwide reacted quickly. They couldn’t take any chances, so they had to put a ban on liquids in place.

Straight away, the United Kingdom and the United States banned all liquids in carry-on bags. 

They couldn’t ban all liquids forever because people needed basic necessities like toiletries, water, baby milk and medicines. They introduced the “100ml rule”.

Here’s how it works:

• You can bring liquids in containers of 100 millilitres or less.
• Containers must fit inside one transparent, resealable plastic bag.
• The plastic bag can’t hold more than one litre of liquid in total.
• The bag should be approximately 20 cm by 20 cm.
• You must put the plastic bag out separately alongside your hand luggage bag.

At some airports, such as Gatwick and Heathrow in the UK, rules have very recently been relaxed. You can take more liquids and leave them in your bag for screening.

If you do take liquids in your hand luggage, these cannot be in metal or double walled containers. All other liquid containers can now hold up to two litres and can remain in your hand luggage for security screening

London Gatwick Airport

It is important to check the liquids rules of the airport you will be travelling through. They can differ.

Some airports now allow you to bring more than 100ml of liquids onto a plane.

Some Things Are Allowed…Until They’re Not

Cruise lines have their own rules about what you can bring onboard.

Things like irons, extension leads, hair straighteners, alcohol and other items might be taken away.

Again, it is vitally important to check the rules for the cruise line you will be sailing with.

If items are confiscated, they will be returned to you at the end of the cruise.

If you are trying to smuggle anything illegal onboard, you will be in big trouble! You will be denied boarding, and the police will be called. You would most likely be banned from the cruise line for life.

To find out about the top confiscated items from cruise ships, read this article next:

These Are The 5 Items Most Regularly Confiscated by Cruise Lines

You Can Bring Some Things You Definitely Can’t On Planes

There are certain things you can bring that you can’t bring on planes.

For example:

• A large quantity of soft drinks/water. (Depending on the cruise line)
• Wine. (Again, rules are cruiseline dependent)
• Full-sized bottles of toiletries, suncream, etc. (No 100ml rules)

Embarkation Feels Less Rushed

At airports, everything is time-critical, and everyone is rushing to get through the security and out to the boarding gate on time.

On cruises, once you’re through security, it’s far more relaxed. You can embark the ship, you will be welcomed by the crew, and your holiday/vacation can start straight away.

I love it when I can cruise from my local cruise port and avoid airport stress altogether!

Find out more about why cruising from your local cruise port is a great idea here:

7 Reasons To Sail From Your Local Cruise Port

It Is Usually Far Quicker

With some notable exceptions (Carnival Miracle from Lisbon!), going through security at a cruise terminal is normally far quicker.

When I embarked on Marella Voyager in Palma, Mallorca, it took six minutes from stepping off the coach to setting foot onboard the ship!

Have a look at that great, peak-season cruise here:

Disembarkation Is Completely Different

When you disembark the ship at the end of your cruise, there is unlikely to be any security scanning.

You put your case outside your cabin on the last night of the cruise, and pick it up in the terminal building the next morning as you pass through.

In theory, you could be stopped by security as you wheel your case out of the terminal – but it certainly has never happened to me or anyone I know.

This might surprise you, if you are a first-time cruiser, you might be expecting something far more arduous!

7. The Rules Vary By Cruise Line

Cruise lines all have slightly different rules about what they allow you to take onboard, and what isn’t allowed.

It is important to check your cruise line’s rules before you travel. It will save you lots of stress at the terminal building.

Rules regarding taking alcohol and drinks onboard are the ones people often fall foul of.

Have a look at my list below to get an idea of what is allowed on your cruise line. DO, however, also check the most up-to-date information on the cruise line’s website, as rules and regulations are regularly updated!

Can You Bring Alcohol on a Cruise? – Searchable Cruise Line Table

If your cruiseline doesn’t allow you to bring alcohol onboard, I would recommend NOT trying to circumvent their rules and sneak it onboard!

There is a risk of being denied boarding and being banned from the cruiseline altogether (and possibly not just that cruise line, all the cruiselines owned by the parent company!), which isn’t worth taking, in my opinion.

Find out more about that in the article below:

Can You Sneak Alcohol Onboard A Cruise Ship? The Cruise “Hack” Some People Still Try

The Biggest Mistake People Make

Is assuming cruise security works exactly like an airport.

That’s how people end up bringing the wrong thing, or worrying about things they really don’t need to.

Do some research about what you can bring on board, and what is banned – then stop worrying and enjoy the whole embarkation day experience.

Cruise security is still there for good reason, but it feels very different from airport security. Once you know what to expect, it’s all a lot easier

Have a look at the worst embarkation I have ever taken, trying to board the Carnival Miracle in Lisbon. We were standing out in the sun for three hours, waiting to board.

To be fair, this wasn’t because of the security. I think it was to do with many of the guests onboard not having the right paperwork to visit the UK. Carnival never told us why there was such a delay.

Find out more about that here:

Before You Go

Find out the most common reason for people being banned from cruise ships here:

These Are The 5 Most Common Reasons Guests Are BANNED From Cruise Ships

One ship tried to ban smoking entirely, but it didn’t work out! Find out why here:

This Cruise Ship Banned Smoking Completely — But It Didn’t Last Very Long!