Smart glasses have come a long way since the days of Google Glass (yes, I had a pair!), and I say that as someone who jumped on that bandwagon way back when. Fast-forward to today, and I rarely travel without my Ray-Ban Meta glasses. They are my go-to sunglasses, my hands-free camera, my translator, my ear buds, and my personal tour guide all in one lightweight frame.
When I am wandering around a port trying to figure out what a sign says, a simple “hey Meta, translate” gets me the answer. When I stumble across a historic monument and want more context, I ask for it and instantly get a mini Wikipedia briefing. For me, smart glasses are not about secretly recording people. They are about convenience, accessibility, and capturing moments without fumbling with my phone.
So I was surprised when I started seeing chatter online that MSC Cruises is restricting the use of Ray-Ban Meta glasses and similar wearable tech. They are now banning them from being used in public spaces.
What MSC Actually Says about Smart Glasses
MSC’s FAQ page lists a variety of items that are confiscated, such as firearms, flammable materials, open flame devices, and similar obvious safety concerns. But smart glasses are not grouped with those. Instead, they appear under a different note stating:
“Devices capable of covertly or discreetly recording or transmitting data (e.g. smart glasses) are not allowed in ships public areas.”
Since I will be sailing on MSC’s luxury line, Explora Journeys, this Friday I decided to check to see if the same policy applies, and yes it does.
That is a usage restriction, not a possession ban. It clearly says not allowed in public areas, not banned from being brought onto the ship. However, reports in Facebook groups and online forums claim that some guests had their Ray-Bans taken from them at embarkation. Others boarded without any issue at all.
Do Other Cruise Lines Ban Smart Glasses Onboard?
Because this is turning into a bigger conversation, I checked the policies of other major cruise lines to see how they handle smart glasses.
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival specifically addresses them. Their policy states, “Google-type glasses are permitted on board in public areas, but cannot be worn at any gangway operation.” That is a clear rule. You can bring them. You can wear them. You just cannot wear them while going on or off the ship.
- Royal Caribbean: No mention of smart glasses of any kind in their prohibited items list.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Also no mention of smart glasses anywhere in their policy.
- Holland America Line: No reference whatsoever to smart glasses in their policy.
- Disney Cruise Line: Nothing listed in the prohibited items that applies to smart glasses.
So at the moment, MSC and their Explora brand are the only mainstream cruise lines that explicitly restricts their use in public spaces. None of the others ban them or list them as prohibited items.
Smart Glasses Are Not Just For Recording
Another part of this story that often gets overlooked is accessibility. Smart glasses are not only used by travelers who want convenience when recording a few video clips. They are also used by people with disabilities to assist with daily tasks.
These glasses can help individuals with visual impairments by reading text aloud, identifying objects, or providing navigation cues. Some models can assist those with cognitive disabilities by offering reminders or contextual information in real time. For these guests, smart glasses are more than tech toys. They function as essential assistive devices.
Banning or restricting their use raises additional concerns, especially in situations where the glasses provide real-world accessibility support.
Smart Glasses Etiquette Onboard
Smart glasses are convenient tools, but they also require a little courtesy when used around other guests. Follow these simple guidelines to avoid problems and respect privacy.
- Take them off and put them in your pocket when entering the casino
- Remove them when walking through security zones and gangways
- Take them off and put them in your pocket when entering bathrooms, locker rooms, spas, or changing areas
- Do not wear them while crew members are performing safety drills or checks
- Avoid wearing them in kids clubs, youth spaces, or near supervised children
- Only record or take photos in areas where cameras are clearly allowed
- If anyone looks uncomfortable, remove them
- Use them respectfully during entertainment events and avoid blocking views
- When in doubt, slip them off, clip them to your shirt, or tuck them in your pocket
My Personal Experience On MSC
Here is where things get even more interesting. I have worn my Ray-Ban Meta glasses on every cruise I have taken recently, including MSC sailings. No one has ever questioned them. No one has asked me to remove them. No one has mentioned any restriction at all.
On MSC World America back in April, I even recorded short video clips, including the video below at dinner in Butcher’s Cut. Crew members saw them. No one said anything.
@scottsanfilippo No better place to celebrate getting one year closer to collecting Social Security than Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse on @MSC Cruises Official MSCSeashore! Check out what I had for dinner as well as some notes about the menu. #cruise #msccruises #food #steakhouse #dinner #travel #steakhouse
So Are Smart Glasses Allowed On MSC Or Not?
Based on MSC’s own published wording, here is a very clear interpretation, and one that should guide how and where you wear your smart glasses:
- You can bring smart glasses onboard
- You cannot use them in public spaces
- They are not listed as items that will be confiscated
Meanwhile, every other major cruise line either allows them or says nothing at all, which means they are fine to bring and wear.
Wearable technology is not going away. More companies are developing smart glasses. Travelers are adopting them not only for fun recordings, but for navigation, translation, safety, and accessibility. Restricting use in certain areas is understandable.
If you have been on MSC or any other cruise line and have had issues with smart glasses being taken away from you either at embarkation or while onboard, please share your information in the comments or go to my contact form and let me know more.