17 Surprising Things You Can Steal From Cruise Ships Legally

If you have ever stood in your cruise cabin wondering what you can or cannot take home, you are definitely not alone. Cruise ships are filled with items that look tempting to pocket, but only some of them are actually meant for guests to keep. The good news is that there are several surprising things you can legally take without getting in trouble, and many of them make fun little souvenirs from your trip.

1. Your Cruise Card

Your cruise card becomes your property once the sailing ends. It stops functioning the moment you disembark, so cruise lines expect you to take it home rather than return it. Many travellers save their cards as souvenirs because they show the ship name, sailing date, and sometimes even the itinerary.

If you have multiple cards from previous cruises, you can create a great little collection. As long as your cruise is over, your card is yours to keep.

2. Daily Newsletters and Activity Schedules

The daily newsletter is one of the most common items guests take home, and cruise lines expect it. These schedules are printed specifically for your sailing date, so they cannot be reused once the voyage ends. Many guests like keeping them as souvenirs because they show exactly what happened on board during their cruise.

You will usually find the newsletter delivered to your cabin each evening, or available through the ship’s app as well. If you get the printed version, feel free to tuck it into your suitcase. It is one of the few paper items cruise lines produce knowing most passengers will take them home.

3. Cruise Ship Maps and Deck Plans

Cruise ship maps and deck plans are another item guests often slip into their bags, and cruise lines are completely fine with it. These pocket-sized guides are printed for each voyage and are not reused, so taking them home does not affect ship operations. Many travellers like keeping them as mementos because they show the exact layout of the ship they sailed on.

You will usually find these maps either in your cabin, at Guest Services, or tucked inside embarkation materials. If you enjoy collecting souvenirs that remind you of your ship, this is one of the easiest and most acceptable items to take with you.

4. Toiletries in Your Cabin

Most of the small toiletries in your cabin are completely fine to take home because they are considered single use. Items like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and bar soap are replaced for every new guest, so cruise lines expect you to use them or pack them. These minis are part of your fare and are never reused once opened.

Some ships now use larger refillable dispensers in the shower, and these are not meant to be removed. The rule of thumb is simple: if it is a small bottle or wrapped item placed specifically for your cabin, you can take it. If it is attached to a wall or refillable, leave it behind.

5. Slippers Provided in Certain Cabins

If your cabin comes with slippers, they are almost always yours to keep. Cruise lines do not reuse them because they are considered personal items, and once they are unwrapped, they cannot be offered to another guest. You will typically find them in higher cabin categories, suites, or in staterooms that include enhanced amenities.

These slippers are designed for single use and are part of the comfort package that comes with upgraded accommodations. If you enjoy having a small, practical reminder of your cruise once you get home, slipping them into your suitcase is completely acceptable.

6. Postcards

Many cruise lines place postcards in your cabin or give them out at Guest Services, and these are completely fine to take home. They are printed specifically for your ship or itinerary, so they are considered complimentary promotional items. Guests often collect them because they feature ship photos, destination art, or branded designs.

Since postcards are meant as keepsakes or to be mailed during your cruise, they are never reused. Feel free to grab any that are left in your cabin or displayed in public areas.

Related reading: 20 Free Things You Can Get from Guest Services on a Cruise (Just Ask!)

7. Pens, Notepads, and Stationery

Cabin stationery is one of the most commonly taken items on cruise ships, and the cruise lines expect it. Pens branded with the ship’s logo, small notepads, and writing paper are stocked for each sailing and are not reused once they have been placed in your room. These items are inexpensive promotional materials, so taking them home is perfectly acceptable.

Many cruisers enjoy collecting branded pens or jotting notes about their trip, and since these supplies are restocked for every new guest, you are free to slip them into your bag. They make simple but fun keepsakes that continue to be useful long after you return home.

8. Chocolates and Treats Left by Your Cabin Host

Any chocolates or little treats left in your cabin are always yours to enjoy or take home. These goodies are meant as small surprises from your cabin host, and they are replaced daily rather than reused. Whether it is a wrapped chocolate on your pillow or a sweet treat delivered for a special occasion, cruise lines expect guests to keep them.

Some lines also offer themed chocolates or holiday treats that make cute souvenirs. Since they are individually packaged and intended for your personal use, you can pack them without worrying about breaking any rules.

9. Art Auction Materials

Catalogues, bidding paddles, and brochures from onboard art auctions are all meant to be taken home. These items are printed specifically for each event and cannot be reused once the auction ends. Cruise lines treat them as promotional materials, so guests are encouraged to take them if they want to browse the artwork later or keep them as souvenirs.

Some collectors even enjoy saving these catalogues because they show the artists featured during their particular sailing. If you have ever wondered whether those glossy booklets are allowed in your suitcase, the answer is yes.

10. Kids’ Club Crafts

Anything your children make in the kids’ club is always free to take home. These crafts are created with materials supplied for each session, and staff expect kids to keep whatever they make. From drawings and painted projects to simple souvenirs made during themed activities, none of these items are reused for other children.

Many parents enjoy saving these crafts as reminders of their child’s time on board. Since they are personal creations rather than ship property, you can pack them without giving it a second thought.

11. Spa Product Samples

Spa staff often hand out small product samples during consultations or after certain treatments, and these are completely fine to take home. They are meant to let guests try out lotions, oils, or skincare items before committing to a purchase, so the samples are intentionally provided as giveaways. Once they are handed to you, they are considered yours.

These mini sachets or tiny bottles are single use and cannot be reused for hygiene reasons. If you enjoy a particular scent or want to test a product later, feel free to slip the samples into your bag without any concern.

12. Puzzle Sheets

Puzzle sheets are usually tucked inside the daily newsletter or available at Guest Services, and they are always meant for guests to take. These sheets are printed fresh for your sailing, and once distributed, they cannot be reused. Whether it is a crossword, sudoku, or trivia game, you can take as many as you like.

Many cruisers enjoy bringing these puzzles home as light entertainment or as a reminder of their sea days. Since they are considered disposable printouts, you are free to keep them.

13. Drink Umbrellas and Decorative Picks

Those tiny drink umbrellas and cute decorative picks that come with certain cocktails are completely fine to take. These items are considered single use, so once they are served with your drink, they cannot be reused for another guest. Cruise lines treat them as disposable bar accessories, which means they are yours to keep if you want them.

Some cruisers like collecting different colors or styles as fun little reminders of their favorite onboard beverages. Since these decorations are meant to be thrown away after use, slipping them into your bag is perfectly acceptable.

14. Souvenir Coasters and Paper Bar Mats

Paper coasters and bar mats are another item you can take without any trouble because they are designed for single use. Once they are placed under your drink, they cannot be reused for another guest. Cruise lines treat these as disposable bar supplies, especially when they feature ship logos or themed designs.

Many bars across the fleet use coasters that change depending on the venue or ship, which makes them fun to collect. As long as they are the paper variety and not the thicker reusable versions, you can safely pack them as a keepsake from your cruise.

15. Cruise Ship Ducks Hidden by Other Passengers

Cruise ship ducks have become a fun tradition where guests hide small rubber ducks around the ship for others to find. These ducks are placed by passengers, not the cruise line, and they are meant to be kept or rehidden according to the tag attached. Since they are voluntarily left behind as part of a community game, you are completely allowed to take one if you discover it.

Many cruisers enjoy collecting these ducks because they often include tags showing who hid them, where they came from, or even a social media username. If you happen to spot one tucked behind a plant or sitting on a railing, feel free to claim it. Finding a duck is considered a lucky little bonus during your cruise.

16. Souvenir Glasses

Many cruise lines offer specialty drinks that come in souvenir glasses, and these are yours to keep once you have bought the drink. They usually cost a little more than the standard version, and they are not included in most drinks packages. If you like collecting ship branded glassware, this is one of the easiest ways to bring home a fun keepsake.

Just make sure you pack it carefully. I learned the hard way when mine made it home in pieces because I did not wrap it properly. A little extra padding can save you from that heartbreak.

17. Casino Chips

Some cruisers love collecting low value casino chips, and it is easy to see why. They are inexpensive, they show the ship’s branding, and they make a fun little keepsake from your sailing. I once met a woman who kept a one dollar chip from every cruise she had ever taken. She said it was the cheapest souvenir onboard, and she was probably right.

If you forget to cash in your chips before the casino closes on the final night, you will be stuck with them. The casino can only operate when the ship is in international waters, so once it closes, the staff cannot exchange anything. At that point, keeping the chip is perfectly fine.

If you end up with a one dollar chip in your pocket, nobody will mind. The cruise line is usually just happy you spent time in the casino in the first place.

Related reading: 15 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting a Cruise Ship Casino

Final Word

Cruise ships offer far more take home items than most guests realise, and many of them make memorable little souvenirs from your time at sea. The key is sticking to things that are consumable, disposable, personalised, or intentionally left behind, like cruise ducks. These items are meant for guest use and cannot be reused once your sailing ends.

As long as you steer clear of anything reusable, permanently fixed, or clearly marked as ship property, you will always stay within the rules. If you are ever unsure, a quick check with your cabin host or Guest Services can give you peace of mind. Otherwise, enjoy collecting the fun items that make your cruise feel unique and let the memories sail home with you.

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