About Surge Protector

[CableKC]

Like a lot of people, we will be going to Disneyworld before the cruise. We will be bringing a regular 5 plug Surge Protector to plug all of our laptops and my 5 port USB Phone charger to for use at the hotel. We will then be going to the DCL after our Disneyworld trip. I know that there is restrictions against allowing the use of the Surge Protectors when going onto the boat.

In terms of need for the cruise...I am fairly certain that the 5 port USB Phone Charger should be allowed...but if we pack the Surge Protector into the suitcase, will DCL confiscate it when they are inspecting and going through the luggage?

Usually, we'd have a car that I can store the Surge Protector....but we are using the Disney Magical Express to go from POR directly to DCL.

If so, what do you usually do in these situations?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Like a lot of people, we will be going to Disneyworld before the cruise. We will be bringing a regular 5 plug Surge Protector to plug all of our laptops and my 5 port USB Phone charger to for use at the hotel. We will then be going to the DCL after our Disneyworld trip. I know that there is restrictions against allowing the use of the Surge Protectors when going onto the boat.

In terms of need for the cruise...I am fairly certain that the 5 port USB Phone Charger should be allowed...but if we pack the Surge Protector into the suitcase, will DCL confiscate it when they are inspecting and going through the luggage?

Usually, we'd have a car that I can store the Surge Protector....but we are using the Disney Magical Express to go from POR directly to DCL.

If so, what do you usually do in these situations?

I do not think they will take it, it's just you can't use it.

 

[mhconley]

Post your question on the cruise board. From what I've seen there they confiscate surge protectors and return them at the end of the cruise.

Martin

 

[Empress Room]

We were on the Wonder for the DVC Alaskan cruise on May 23 and had our three-port miniature travel surge protector packed in our day bag that went through inspection. No issue at all. We also had it plugged in and on the desk the entire cruise. No problem. No one said we couldn't use it and it was not confiscated. My guess is that it all depends on who your cabin steward is because we have never had an issue bringing one on board any of the ships.

 

[CableKC]

It's one of those 5 plug Surge Protectors....It's not huge...but you'll notice it if you see it. I have no choice but to pack it since we'll be in DisneyWorld for a full week before ( hate searching for plugs at hotels to charge the millions of different items I have ). Hopefully they won't confiscate it.

If they do, how will they return it later?

 

[C6PT7]

You can collect it at the end of your cruise. On the last morning.

 

[RebelHawk]

I always travel with a power strip in my luggage and frequently use it in different hotels. For our cruises we just had our TA contact DCL and request a surge strip from DCL. For our Alaskan cruise we picked it up at the Customer Service Desk and returned it the last night of the cruise. If you don't return it there was a $50 or $75 charge (can't really remember the exact amount). We were lucky enough to sail concierge for our last sailing and we had one waiting for us in the room when we arrived. Just call DCL and they will reserve on for you so you don't have to worry about having an issue using your own.

 

[squirrel]

Several years ago I went on my second cruise and everyone here said you need a power strip. So I picked one up at the second hand store and packed it. DCL took it from my carry on and said they weren't allowed (this was before they put it in writing) and that I could get it after the cruise. You have to ask at a desk when disembarking and it's up to you to remember.

I posted what happened after the cruise and everyone was shocked. I would expect that yours will be taken since now they have let everyone know it isn't allowed.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I have taken one for years and never knew it was banned until I read it on this board last year. Still took it and plugged it in with no problem. I did see the one they gave out at service desk. It was exactly the same as mine.

 

[westom]

We will be bringing a regular 5 plug Surge Protector to plug all of our laptops and my 5 port USB Phone charger to for use at the hotel. ... I know that there is restrictions against allowing the use of the Surge Protectors when going onto the boat.

In the early 1980s, PC Magazine demonstrated protectors are so grossly undersized as to sometimes cause house fires. As more people buy these near zero protectors, companies such as Disney are now becoming concerned about increasing fire risk. And rightly so.

Best USB charger is one that is not a protector - at Disney and in your home. Superior protection is routinely inside all USB chargers. Best laptop protection is already inside that power brick. Protection that (sometimes) can be compromised by a plug-in protector.

Whether that protector gets confiscated will probably be unique to that ship. However learn about this now since it also applies to your home. Plug-in protectors (with near zero joules - do not ignore that number) do not claim to protect electronics from (the other) typically destructive surges. And may create fires. Best USB charger is one that is not a protector.

 

[Pens Fan]

I took one of those inexpensive 1 to 3 plug adaptors (not a power strip) on our last cruise on the Magic. I took no great pains to conceal it, but just packed it in with all our other chargers. I figured if the confiscated it, it was no big deal. When our bags arrived, there it was along with our other stuff. However I never used it. We were pleasantly surprised at how many plugs there were. We don't use the wave phones, preferring the texting feature on the app, so we unplugged those immediately. Between the desk plugs and the ones by the bed, we had no issue keeping multiple phones / tablets / cameras charged, though we did have to take turns sometimes. I had remembered having an issue on the Wonder several years ago which is why I brought the adapter to start with. Either they added plugs when they reimagined the Magic, or we were just too clueless to find all the plugs on the Wonder! But I don't think I will bother in the future. Plugs were never an issue for us, at all.

 

[GooniesAndy]

They may or may not confiscate it, but if they don't I wouldn't use it. It's a rule that is in place for a good reason. There should be no pride in flouting the rules and there are plenty of outlets in each room (I think there were two on one nightstand, one on the other, two on the desk, and an extra one behind the TV).

I'd say put it in your carry-on luggage because then if it gets confiscated you will still have possession of your luggage. If your checked luggage gets pulled due to "contraband" it can take hours for it to get to you.

 

[safeti01]

Got this through Amazon. Works great. My wife used on trip to DC and charged everything fast. Would not used a surge protector, they are dangerous

 

[Meriweather]

How about extension cords....same thing?
DH needs one for his CPAP machine and we will be at WDW before hand so he will have one packed.

 

[GooniesAndy]

Same thing, I believe, though they will provide one for you if you request it. There's an outlet built right into the nightstand, so he may not need it depending on how long the cord is. Again, I'd just pack it in carry-on to simplify things. If they take it, they take it, and you can get it back at the end of the trip. At least then your luggage won't be delayed!

 

[lanejudy]

How about extension cords....same thing?
DH needs one for his CPAP machine and we will be at WDW before hand so he will have one packed.

You should contact DCL (or have your TA do so) with notation that he will be using a CPAP and need an extension cord. It will be provided and you'll be on a priority list to receive one. If you wait to ask for it after you board, they could be all out since it's first-come first-served. I believe the Special Services Form has been revamped recently and now has a section that asks about medical equipment needs; they ask that this be returned 30 days prior to sailing. They will also provide 1 gallon of distilled water for medical needs.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[CM Dad]

You should contact DCL (or have your TA do so) with notation that he will be using a CPAP and need an extension cord. It will be provided and you'll be on a priority list to receive one. If you wait to ask for it after you board, they could be all out since it's first-come first-served. I believe the Special Services Form has been revamped recently and now has a section that asks about medical equipment needs; they ask that this be returned 30 days prior to sailing. They will also provide 1 gallon of distilled water for medical needs.

Enjoy your cruise!

My wife recently started using a CPAP machine and we had our TA request and extension cord and distilled water. We never got the cord, but it wasn't necessary in out stateroom on the Magic. There was an outlet by her side of the bed that she could use.

 

[Meriweather]

He doesn't need the water, but I will talk to TA when I go in make a payment.
Thank you

 

[beckysko]

Just to note, the form says 60 days prior to sailing, not 30.

 

[lanejudy]

Just to note, the form says 60 days prior to sailing, not 30.

Interesting! I hadn't read the fine print on the form, but it does say "at least 60 days prior to travel date." However, the website indicates 30 days:

If you or a member of your travel party has special medical needs, please complete and submit the Special Services Information Form 30 days prior to the start of your vacation.​

The sooner the better, I guess!