Carnival Cruise Line clarifies onboard ban on helpful carry-on item
If you're driving to your cruise and not limited by airline baggage restrictions, you can basically bring as much luggage as you can manage on a cruise. Most cruise lines, including Carnival, offer suggestions on limiting luggage and avoiding oversized bags, but they don't impose strict luggage limits.
However, cruise lines do have strict rules around items that cannot be brought on board their ships and even how some items that passengers are permitted to bring can be used during a cruise. These rules are important to consider before you pack, so you don't bring something that ends up being problematic or unable to be used in the way you planned.
With that in mind, if you're thinking about bringing a wagon with you to carry items on a Carnival cruise, you might want to reconsider. Although Carnival allows passengers to bring collapsible wagons, there are significant restrictions around their use that might make bringing one more cumbersome than useful.
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
Carnival allows passengers to bring wagons, but only for port use
Carnival's brand ambassador, John Heald, clarified the cruise line's policy on bringing wagons on board and how it limits how passengers can use them in an April 21 Facebook video for his more than 669,000 followers.
"I also want to mention that we had some confusion, and it was all my fault, about wagons. You know these things that you can pull. A lot of people were asking me about the wording and whether they could be used or not. So, I just wanted to clarify that if you are going to bring them on board they must be folded. You have to carry them," Heald said.
Related: What not to forget when packing for a cruise, toiletries edition
That means you can't use a wagon to bring anything onto the ship on embarkation day or to carry items off the ship in port. You can't pull a wagon onto the ship or use it onboard; it must be collapsed. You can only use it to carry items when you're off the ship in port.
"The only time you can use a wagon is when you are off the ship in the ports of call and some of those ports may possibly also have some restrictions as well. So, as you're getting on the ship, if you want to carry something in a wagon you can't so you would need to carry it," Heald explained. "If you are getting off the ship and you want to [use a wagon to] take something with you into port you can't. You have to carry the wagon. So, I guess if you look at it like that it is not really worth you going through all the hassle of bringing them."
Why can't wagons be used on board Carnival cruise ships?
Heald also clarified that there are a couple of reasons why Carnival doesn't allow passengers to use wagons on board its ships.
"They do damage the deck. They are a bit of a safety hazard to other guests as well and that's why we don't allow them," Heald added.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line shares warning about item you may want to pack
Although Carnival's ban on wagon use on board includes wagons used as strollers for children, families traveling with young children are permitted to bring a stroller and use it on board Carnival cruise ships.
Single strollers are also available to rent on board, which may be used on the ship and in port. Parents interested in renting a stroller can check with Camp Ocean staff on board for availability. Strollers can be rented for a day or an entire cruise for a cost of $12 per day or $48 per voyage, according to Carnival's website.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 10:10 AM.