No knife, no scissors on a cruise ship.

PitCarver · **on:** April 14, 2026, 05:44:17 PM

Ok, folks, I need some help.

Were going on our first cruise next month.
I was going over the list of things that aren't allowed and knives and scissors are on the list. Now I've carried a pocket knife on me ever since I was 7 or 8. (Granted, for the time I worked in a prison, for those 10 hour shifts, the knife stayed home).

I need some options here. I need to at least feel that I have something available.

What do y'all recommend?

Old Boy · **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2026, 06:39:50 PM

Never tried this on a cruise but the Gerber Shard has passed domestic and international flights for me.

The nail puller notch is sharp enough to cut small cordage or plastic wrapping. I would also bring a nail clipper with a file.

powernoodle · **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2026, 08:25:08 PM

Considering that most cruise ship hijacking are committed by bandits wielding 1" scissors, it is certainly understandable that these weapons are banned.

Before going, you might practice making a slicey shard from a Coke can torn into a strip. Maybe sharpen the edge of something like an old credit card, and stick it in your wallet.

Or swallow a Victorinox Classic before boarding, and find it in the toilet the next day. There is a Challenge Badge for that.

I try not to go anywhere where someone tells me how to live. But I understand that is not always practical.

Enjoy your cruise!

charlie fox · **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2026, 12:30:03 PM

I have carried sevral flavors of SAK in my checked luggage and never had an issue (10 cruises under my belt mostly with Carnival, but also with Royal Carribien and Princess). Taking them back onboard after a port call can be another issue.

Recently though I've rethought the hassle and, while I will still bring something to put in my pockets, it won't be big. As one gentleman I spoke to in line during our last cruise said; "You ain't fixin s%^& on the boat", which is 100% true. However a kniofeless man is a lifeless man...

ReamerPunch · **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2026, 02:31:35 PM

How about a modular tool? Get a Roxon Flex or Companion, and just have allowed tools in there. Files, drivers, openers, maybe sneak a package opener in there?

PitCarver · **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2026, 06:26:06 PM

I'm thinking that a rambler, put in with my sewing kit might make it onboard.
I already have a Shard and a couple of other keychain tools but not having anything with a blade goes against my thinking.

However, the thought of a Bahamian pirate getting hold of it and comandering the ship to Cuba has me cautious.

Alan K. · **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2026, 04:33:23 PM

I wouldn't count on them letting you keep even a bladeless tool because they have 3000 passengers to scan and don't have time to argue the nuances with anyone. If they confiscate your tool, you will not get it back, and worse, they might not let you take the cruise.

PitCarver · **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2026, 05:34:05 PM

It's more like 5000 people on this ship, Alan.

BPRoberts · **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2026, 08:25:48 PM

Quote from: Alan K. on April 18, 2026, 04:33:23 PM

I wouldn't count on them letting you keep even a bladeless tool because they have 3000 passengers to scan and don't have time to argue the nuances with anyone. If they confiscate your tool, you will not get it back, and worse, they might not let you take the cruise.

In my experience, cruise security is both lax and polite. They've usually taken my (and my wife and others we've traveled with) word for it if we said a tool had no blade, with at most a cursory inspection. They've certainly never denied entry (at worst, they'd toss the tool and let you on), and the few times we had other items taken (my wife bought the wrong extension cord or something) they've always been returned without issue.

All that said, only travel with tools you're prepared to lose. The Shard is a great choice. One of those "wallet card" multis is also good. Both are likely to pass without issue, and cheap enough if it comes to it.

I'm a big fan of the Swisscard family for travel. The knife (I usually carry the Nailcare, which doesn't have one) is easily left on the dresser at home, and I've never had trouble with those scissors in security. While the card itself is a bit pricey, the individual parts can be replaced at a reasonable cost if security does give you trouble. Even with the blade and/or scissors removed they give you a solid assortment of tools.