Cruises: Can you take candles on board on a cruise ship? Luggage rules explained

However, cruisers do need to worry too much as he adds “major incidents are extremely rare.”

Herring said: “Ships employ dedicated firemen, who, in the event of an onboard fire, don full protective clothing complete with masks and air tanks.”

Restrictions and precautions are also in place on board cruise ships, the former officer explained.

“Laundry areas were the only places where passenger clothing irons were permitted. With tile floors and metal walls, the laundry areas were less combustible than the cabins which had carpet, drapes, and bedding.”

Fortunately, the clothes iron ban doesn’t mean cruise passengers have to walk around looking crumpled. Many cruise lines offer laundry services to help their customers beat the creases.

All Fred Olson and PO Cruises, as well and some Thomson Cruises, offer self-service launderettes with ironing boards, according to Cruise Critic. Carnival also offers self-service laundrettes.

Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian do not offer these facilities, however. On these ships, passengers’ best bet is to use the ships’ pressing services – although these can be expensive.