A cruise ship expert has revealed the top mistakes people make before embarking which could see them getting stuck at security.

In a video on her Life Well Cruised YoutTube channel, cruise ship expert Ilana Weigensberg Schattauer said that, despite the differences between travelling on a cruise and travelling on a plane, one thing thay had in common was that passengers still had to go through security. 

Ilana said that there were a number of “rookie mistakes” travellers could make that could delay boarding and advised passengers on what they could and could not bring onto the ship. 

Having the correct documents and downloading the cruise line app were just some of the tips Ilana dished out to ensure passengers could get through security as quickly as possible.

However, she said that the “biggest mistake” passengers made before embarking onto the ship was packing prohibited items.

She said: “Big ship or small ship, we’re all going to have to go through cruise ship security before embarking and, especially if you’re a first time cruiser, it can be a little bit stressful not knowing what to expect.

“However, even for more experienced cruisers, procedures change, and rules change, and avoiding these mistakes will ensure a smooth and stress-free start to the cruise.

“This is probably the biggest mistake and it can delay boarding, it’s bringing prohibited items. Now, a lot of times people might bring prohibited items unintentionally and some of those things can include bringing an iron.

“It’s a potential fire hazard, and it’s not allowed on a cruise.”

Ilana said that passengers are also banned from bringing non surge-protected power bars as well as a number of items that you also can’t bring on a plane; including weapons, ammunition or explosives. 

Expecting security to be the same as the airport, arriving unprepared and not downloading the cruise line app before you get to the cruise terminal were Ilana’s top three security mistakes for passengers to avoid. 

Not emptying your pockets before you get to the X-ray machine, not knowing which types of drinks to bring on board and not being aware of the sniffer dogs were the other mistakes Ilana highlighted in the video.