Royal Caribbean’s Audio & Pool Policies: From Speakers to Walkie-Talkies

When planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean—especially if you’re eyeing their famed private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay—it pays to familiarize yourself with a few important rules. These include the recently updated speaker prohibition on CocoCay, poolside conduct, and the use of walkie-talkies. In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into Royal caribbean pool ban policy, what’s allowed (and not), and how to stay in everyone’s good graces—all without disrupting your fun.

The Ban on Personal Speakers at CocoCay (“Perfect Day”)

What’s Changed & Why

As of March 21, 2025, Royal Caribbean officially banned all personal speakers—including Bluetooth, portable, and wireless types—from Perfect Day at CocoCay. According to the cruise line’s website:

“You’ll find music to set the soundtrack to your day playing throughout the island. But if you’d prefer to listen to your own selection of music, we ask that you please do so with personal headphones.” 

Cruise-friendly publications confirm the update, noting that personal speakers are now prohibited and confiscated until the end of the cruise royalcaribbeanblog.com. Royal Caribbean clarified that the policy promotes a family-friendly, tranquil atmosphere, as personal audio devices often cause unnecessary noise.

Real-Life Consequences

This policy isn’t just theoretical: lifeguards and staff have reportedly taken speakers from guests at CocoCay and even Royal Caribbean’s other private destinations (like Labadee) after interference with safety briefings or music zones 

One quarantine Reddit user described a dramatic incident in Labadee:

“A large family… sets it to top volume… [A lifeguard] grabbed it. Turned it off… no speakers.”

Why Spotify & Podcasts Still Work—but Silently

Royal Caribbean isn’t banning your tunes entirely; they just want them confined to personal headphones. This ensures you can groove to your own playlist without forcing others to listen in. Unwanted noise, especially in communal spaces, can easily dampen the vacation spirit for others.

Cruise-Wide Speaker Policies: Onboard & Beyond

On Ship: Still Allowed, With Caution

In contrast to the island ban, personal and Bluetooth speakers remain allowed onboard Royal Caribbean ships, although cruisers and crew expect considerate usage. The official “prohibited items” list does not yet include speakers.Royal caribbean bans personal speakers on perfect day at cococay

Yet, anecdotal reports from cruise blogs say messages have started advising:

“use headphones in public spaces and keep the volume low.” 

Observers suspect a fleet-wide ban may be coming, following Carnival’s move last year to prohibit speakers across its Fun Ships due to noise concerns and interference with safety announcements 

Crew Authority & Enforcement

Although speakers aren't yet on the dockside banned list, onboard orders from senior crew or Security Officers can forbid their use if deemed disruptive. Cruise Hive underscores how Royal Caribbean may confiscate particularly loud speakers even onboard 

Pool Deck Protocol: No Seat-Saving Shenanigans

The 30-Minute Rule Explained

Royal Caribbean strongly enforces a no-reservation policy for deck chairs—and it’s taken seriously. The official rule:

• Chairs on the pool deck are first-come, first-served, and cannot be reserved.

• If you leave belongings unattended for more than 30 minutes, crew members will move them to lost and found 

That 30-minute limit is key. In contrast with Carnival’s 40 minutes, Royal Caribbean holds your belongings a bit shorter before repositioning them.

Cruiser Feedback: User Highlights

Reddit users weigh in on how this plays out in real life. One commented:

“You can tell them it's RC policy… seats not occupied for 30 min are fair game.” 

Another described the pros and cons:

“Yes people do hold chairs all day… I would just have a crew member take care of it after 30 min rule.” 

Etiquette & Enforcement Realities

Although the rule is clear, enforcement varies. TikTok influencer Jesstravel7 shared how guests have encountered a 3‑hour wait before attendants intervened—sparking a debate about entitlement and crew staffing 

Still, Royal Caribbean maintains that crew will remove unattended items after 30 minutes to keep things equitable 

Bringing a Speaker on Royal Caribbean Cruises?

Onboard

• ✅ Allowed, unless crew orders otherwise.

• ❗ Use headphones in public areas to avoid bothering others.

• 🎶 Confiscation is still possible if the volume is too high or disruptive.

At CocoCay & Private Islands

• 🚫 Strictly no personal speakers or Bluetooth devices.

• Confiscated until the end of the cruise.

• You must use headphones if you'd rather listen to your own media 

Walkie-Talkies Onboard: Yay or Nay?

Official Policy & Specifications

According to Royal Caribbean’s FAQ, two-way radios (walkie-talkies) are allowed onboard. Specs include:

• Up to 10‑mile range

• Up to 5 watts power

• Internal antenna only—nothing externally mounted 

They even offer on-board rentals for DECT phones on Radiance- and Voyager-class ships.

Practical Considerations

Online forums and user communities are mixed. RoyalCaribbeanBlog highlights three drawbacks:

1. Annoying background chatter

2. Poor reception inside metal ships

3. The free Royal Caribbean chat app offers a smoother alternative 

From Cruise Critic, users echo that while acceptable, walkie-talkie signals in foreign ports might violate local regulations 

Real Feedback from Cruisers

A Cruise Critic lifer from Australia warns:

“Yes you can bring them… [but] they tend not to work too well on board … and by local rules are not permitted in certain ports of call.” 

Reddit users often suggest simply using the official app or cabin phones instead of walkie-talkies.

Tips & Etiquette for Poolside & Beachside

Pool Belongings & Safety

• Keep valuables locked in your cabin’s safe—bring just your SeaPass card and essentials to the pool 

• Use a waterproof pouch (e.g. Aquapac) for phones and small electronics .

Towel Use & Seat Savers

• Towel only your own towel—and for no longer than 30 minutes if you briefly leave the space.

• If staff haven’t enforced it, politely ask them to relocate items.

• This approach is generally supported; many cruisers say they’d move coverings to ensure fairness .

Pool Safety Rules

• Only swim if you’re sworn-free (e.g. using swim diapers where required) and abide by posted pool rules and lifeguard instructions .

Quick Reference Table

Why Royal Caribbean Makes These Choices

1. Guest Experience: Loud gadgets disrupt ambiance on sea days and private islands.

2. Safety & Announcements: Personal speakers can drown out life-saving messages.

3. Fleet Consistency: Other cruise lines like Carnival and Norwegian already ban such items.

Royal Caribbean is now following industry trends to prioritize comfort and safety—with indications that further restrictions may apply shipwide soon. can you bring a speaker on royal caribbean cruise,

What To Bring Instead

• High-quality headphones or earbuds – perfect for personal tunes.

• Waterproof wallet/pouch – ideal for SeaPass and phone by the pool.

• Smartphone + Royal Caribbean app – for communication instead of walkie-talkies.

• Lightweight timer – to track your 30-minute chair occupancy and stay courteous.

Final Thoughts & Checklist

🟢 Yes, you can bring speakers onboard, but be respectful: low volume, only in cabins.

🔴 No, speakers are not allowed at Perfect Day at CocoCay or other private islands.

📟 Yes, personal walkie-talkies are allowed—however, they can be glitchy, annoying, and often unnecessary thanks to ship apps.

🪑 No, you can't “hold” pool chairs with towels all day. Leave belongings unattended for more than 30 minutes and they’ll be removed.

Being aware of these nuanced rules ensures you—and everyone else aboard—can enjoy a calm, fun, and stress-free cruise vacation.