Norwegian Cruise Line bans popular travel gadget as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line issue similar warning

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has taken a zero-tolerance approach and banned a popular cruise ship item that passengers keep bringing on board.

And with roughly 1.3 million passengers a year, it's a move that will impact a lot of people heading on to the open seas for their holiday of choice.

Rules and cruise ships are nothing new - in fact, you could end up in cruise ship jail for breaking one when travelling on the world's largest spicy cruise that is home to 6,700 swingers.

On the more family friend cruise lines, rules have also seen children's toys confiscated on Carnival Cruise Line ships over rules everyone must follow.

And with Royal Caribbean, an electronic device experts say is a 'must pack' has been banned. The same cruise line has also recently tinkered with its cruise ship drinking rules, with some passengers left annoyed.

Now, though, NCL has banned another gadget. And it's not walkie talkies (although they are also banned, actually).

Norwegian Cruise Line bans gadget

It's time to say goodbye to drones on all Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

That's right. According to The Travel Scouts on YouTube revealed, Jason from the channel said: "It is a prohibited item by Norwegian, however most cruise lines do allow you to have them.

"The most typical practice would be that you check the drone in with the cruise line. They hold it, and when you arrive at a port of a call, you can check it out and use it at that time."

Jason also stated that drones are banned in many countries for private use, so it is something you pack and use at your own risk.

Over on the NCL website, its prohibited items list says 'any remotely controlled or autonomously flying devices, toys or drones' are banned.

The Norwegian Viva cruise ship has a zero tolerance ban on using drones (Horacio Villalobos-Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Carnival Cruise Line to also ban drones?

Carnival Cruise Line hasn't quite banned drones in their entirety.

Carnival's Brand Ambassador, John Heald, recently spoke about the issue in a Q&A with follows over on his Facebook page.

"I get asked so much these days about our rules on this that I thought I had better mention it," Heald said. "I am sorry but for safety reasons of the drone perhaps crashing into a guest or damaging the ship in some way we cannot allow people to be flying drones over the ship.

“You will be given the drone back in port but please check on the websites and the rules of the places you are cruising to so that you can make sure drone flying is allowed."

So it's a no while on the ship when its moving. But if it's docked? Happy days.

Royal Caribbean ships allow drones but not at private destinations, on the ship, or in ports (Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean drone policy

On the Royal Caribbean website, the company explains in detail where you can and cannot use drones - and it is quite particular.

You can bring them on to the ships, for example. But they can only be used 'on land only and outside of the port area'. So you can't fly from your balcony while on the ship.

"While onboard, drones must be stored safely in the stateroom," Royal Caribbean says.

"Drones used on the ship will be confiscated until the end of the cruise. A Guest Conduct Policy warning will be issued, and guests may be subject to disembarkation at their own expense for onboard drone usage."

Given the cruise line also has private islands, such as the $250 million CocoCay island, policy also exists on using drones at these locations.

The rule? Zero tolerance, with RC saying 'drones may not be operated at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas or Labadee, Haiti'.