Power Strips, Surge Protectors, Charging Hubs

I have read in several different threads about power strips, surge protectors, extension cords and charging hubs.

So, if there is anybody with first hand experience please enlighten me.

Yes, I have read the Celebrity policy, it says nothing about charging hubs or 3 way outlet adapters.

Thank you !

This is the unit I use:

It comes in two versions, the original without surge protection and a newer version with. For use aboard, the former is the one to buy. I've had no issue brining it on HAL, Celebrity and RCI. Available from Amazon.

Here's a picture of the 3 way adapter I've used. Since there's no circuitry, there's no problem. I've used it on four Celebrity cruises.

And here are the power strips confiscated on embarkation waiting to be picked up upon debarkation.

If you want to use a charging hub, look for one that has a two prong plug, as this is not surge protected. Most multiple USB chargers are this type, but the problem comes when you combine USB ports with power outlets. Most of these combination units are surge protected, but there are a few out there, like fouremco says, the older powercube models, for instance, that are not.

I have taken a 4 gang strip like this on every boat trip and never had an issue.

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If it's surge protected, don't bring it.

Even if you have brought a surge-protected device in the past, don't use that as a justification for bringing an unsafe device on future cruises.

OK, here's first hand experience. We had the surge protector and anything with more than one outlet availability to it, confiscated when we were on Summit in February 2017. They were in our luggage left with the porter. We were able to reclaim it before exiting the ship on the last day. There were lots of people in line to get their electrical outlet cords back. They are SERIOUS about their new policy. Don't show pictures of what you were able to bring on board last time. Trust me, they will take it from you.

I have taken a 4 gang strip like this on every boat trip and never had an issue. [ATTACH]405479[/ATTACH]

 

 

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I can't say whether this is surge protected or not, but lots of UK stuff isn't. What i will say, is that UK/European power strips tend to be safer onboard ships than US ones. This is because the on/off switch slash circuit breaker will open both legs of the power circuit, not just the hot one like US. Also, the UK plugs usually have a fuse in them as well, for added protection.

I used my Belkin 3

I used my Belkin 3

The Belkin 3 is surge protected, and should not be used onboard ships.

I will be more clear. Any power cord with more than one plug opportunity (multi-plug-in cords) will get taken. They will allow a single extension cord which I think is stupid since they are more dangerous in my mind than a surge protector/multi-plug-in cord. As I said before, they are very serious about this rule. There were MANY people in line to get their cords back at the end of the cruise.

I will be more clear. Any power cord with more than one plug opportunity (multi-plug-in cords) will get taken. They will allow a single extension cord which I think is stupid since they are more dangerous in my mind than a surge protector/multi-plug-in cord. As I said before, they are very serious about this rule. There were MANY people in line to get their cords back at the end of the cruise.

A single extension cord is no more dangerous than a multi-plug power strip, since the power strip will generally have a circuit breaker in the on/off switch. A surge protector is possibly the most dangerous electrical device to use onboard a ship, only exceeded by the heating appliances like irons and steamers.

This is the unit I use:

 

 

It comes in two versions, the original without surge protection and a newer version with. For use aboard, the former is the one to buy. I've had no issue brining it on HAL, Celebrity and RCI. Available from Amazon.

Ordered it month's ago just got notice they are out of stock and they cancelled the order.

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A single extension cord is no more dangerous than a multi-plug power strip, since the power strip will generally have a circuit breaker in the on/off switch. A surge protector is possibly the most dangerous electrical device to use onboard a ship, only exceeded by the heating appliances like irons and steamers.

Liike I said my opinion, worth about 2 cents or less. Just wanted to let people know they are serious and not bother with packing these items as they will take them out of your luggage and return them at end of cruise. I have never heard of a cruise ship fire due to a multi-plug-in power cord but I guess it could happen. :confused:

The Belkin 3 is surge protected, and should not be used onboard ships.

Yes I have heard that before.:eek: I only charge items when I'm in the suite. So it is unplugged when I leave. I did buy a cube once. As advised on CC. The USB slots did not work. So I threw it out.:mad: It is not that I'm hiding it from the butler, it is right on the desk. With only the 2 of us and 3 outlets. I'm sure we could get by without the Belkin if need be.

So it's ok to start a fire as long as you're there to see it burning?

I've read on a prior posts that people have taken their European adapters as well so that they can use the European plug. I'm going to try that on my next cruise.

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Liike I said my opinion, worth about 2 cents or less. Just wanted to let people know they are serious and not bother with packing these items as they will take them out of your luggage and return them at end of cruise. I have never heard of a cruise ship fire due to a multi-plug-in power cord but I guess it could happen. :confused:

Thanks for the info.....I hadn't heard about Celebrity banning these. Guess I'll leave mine at home.

Anyone know about getting an Anker Powerport onboard?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VH8ZW02/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use all 5 ports and I need to upgrade to a bigger one!

They will not confiscate items like the Power Cube, but on this past cruise on Reflection they did have a note in the cabin asking that these type of items not be used. Just FYI

Here's a picture of the 3 way adapter I've used. Since there's no circuitry, there's no problem. I've used it on four Celebrity cruises.

 

And here are the power strips confiscated on embarkation waiting to be picked up upon debarkation.

 

We also use the adapter...and use a battery toothbrush to cut down on one elec item to worry abt...need to charge tablet , camera and on last nite our phone

OK, here's first hand experience. We had the surge protector and anything with more than one outlet availability to it, confiscated when we were on Summit in February 2017. They were in our luggage left with the porter. We were able to reclaim it before exiting the ship on the last day. There were lots of people in line to get their electrical outlet cords back. They are SERIOUS about their new policy. Don't show pictures of what you were able to bring on board last time. Trust me, they will take it from you.

The item I posted a photo of I brought aboard only two weeks ago. No issues, but then again, unlike yours that was confiscated, mine has no surge protection.

Without debating the rights or wrongs of the policy, why is an adaptor with surge protection a problem?

I thought they just protected the device plugged into it and if they are safe at home why is it different on a ship?

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Without debating the rights or wrongs of the policy, why is an adaptor with surge protection a problem?

I thought they just protected the device plugged into it and if they are safe at home why is it different on a ship?

 

 

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I won't do this as well as our resident chief engineer, and I'm uncertain of the wiring in the UK, so this problem may be different for you...

A typical US land-based circuit has a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground. The surge protector interrupts the hot side when it senses a surge. On the ship, you have two hot wires that each supply 55-60V; there is no neutral and there's a floating ground. So a fault in the ship's system can translate upstream on the neutral side of a surge protector, potentially causing a fire (there are USCG bulletins on this. chengkp75 has posted multiple times that no ship's systems are surge protected; not needed, wouldn't work.

If, as I recall, the UK/European 220V system have two hot wires, then a surge protector for 220 shouldn't have the same problem, but I am not an electrician or an electrical engineer.

The difference is the wiring on the ship.

So it's ok to start a fire as long as you're there to see it burning?

Now how many fires have been started on cruise ship by these devises.

http://www.shipdetective.com/advice/safety/fires.htm