What you can take from planes, hotels and cruise ships – and what you definitely can't

Travel etiquette explained

A pair of guests were recently caught on CCTV stealing a whole horde of amenities from a hotel in Wales – from towels and a kettle to an electric fan. While most people don't tend to commit such grand heists when travelling, even those smaller pilferages (from bath towels to pens and paper) aren't the perfect crime: hotels can and will deduct what you’ve taken from your credit card, while airlines may fine you if you’ve walked off with something you weren’t supposed to.

Here we investigate the murky grey area of what you can and can't take from aeroplanes, hotels or cruise ships. Read on to find out more...

Can take: the plane amenities kit

Some of the items in a plane's free comfort kit are fair game. Complimentary socks on a plane are arguably better than any free snack box, and you can safely take them home knowing no one else’s smelly feet have been inside them. Our favourite? The free eye mask. It's often a little flimsy, but it does the job.

Can’t take: the blanket

Who knows why you’d want to take a blanket that has been drooled on by countless other travellers, but a fair number of people do. In business class, some have even been known to take the duvet and/or the pillow.

Several airlines have now added announcements or leaflets, telling customers to leave theirs in the seat upon leaving the aircraft, while others collect the items from passengers before landing.

Can take: all the snacks

Unlike the minibar in hotels, the snack box on a plane is a glorious free-for-all. Maybe don’t tip the entire thing into your bag, but definitely hoard some of the crisps and chocolate bars for later.

Can’t take: headphones

Firstly, why would you want to steal economy headphones? Secondly, in premium economy and above, you aren’t allowed to take them with you, sadly. For instance, Bang & Olufsen headphones are handed out in American Airlines business class – the flight attendants keep track and know exactly who’s used a pair, so you won't get away with it even if you did try to nab them.

Can take: plastic cutlery

These come in handy later on for takeaway meals or eating on the go while away on holiday. Also, if the cutlery doesn't come in a sealed bag, any airline will assume that you’ve used them and likely bin them, even if you haven't.

They're definitely there for the taking.

Can’t take: proper cutlery

Taking cutlery or condiment holders such as salt and pepper shakers is a no-no (and this also applies on cruise ships). In the end, the customer is the loser because any losses incurred by the company tend to manifest in penny-pinching elsewhere.

Can take: wine and miniatures

Some airlines give you wine and spirits in bottles rather than pouring them straight into your glass. Many travellers will save a bottle or two for later, and that's perfectly fine – just ask the flight attendant, rather than trying to grab anything from the trolley.

Can’t take: wine that isn’t given to you

This includes taking anything from the galley without permission. It also includes decanting the sparkling wine from premium economy galleys into a separate bottle, which is frankly just crass.

Can take: plastic tumblers

We're not sure why you’d want to, but if plastic tumblers are your thing, then filch away. Or, better yet, reuse them when the drinks trolley comes around again and reduce the amount of plastic that's wasted on planes.

Can’t take: glassware and mugs

As much as you may get attached to the Champagne flutes, mugs or nice wine glasses in your hotel room (or on the plane), you can’t pop them in your bag to take home. These are things that you will definitely get fined or charged for.

Can take: hotel miniature bath products

When it comes to hotel rooms, miniature bath products are yours to keep. In fact, this goes for pretty much any portable item you can use for showering, moisturising or cleansing. However – it's possible to go overboard.

A pair of hotel guests were recently shamed on social media after their enormous stash of mini toiletries, tea, coffee and food was discovered by housekeeping staff.

Can’t take: products from the cleaning cart

It’s not strictly outlawed, but unless you are asking for extra teabags or sugar, it’s frowned upon to raid the housekeeping cart. The miniatures are designed for use within your room on a daily basis, so no tipping an entire tray of shampoo into your bag on the way out.

Can’t take: bathrobes

You can wear them, snuggle in them and go to sleep in them as long as they don’t leave the confines of your room. Some hotels have taken to writing notes on the hanger allowing you to purchase them, but be warned, they will charge your credit card if you take your bathrobe without paying up first.

Can’t take: bed linen

Some travellers aren’t put off by the fact that thousands of people have slept on the same sheets and happily stash them inside their suitcases. Don't do it – you'll pay the price (which is usually outrageous).

Can take: pillow mints

This is pretty much the only thing on your bed that you are allowed to consume or take home. The same applies to the complimentary biscuits by the tea and coffee making facilities, if there are any.

Can’t take: the mattress

You might think it goes without saying that you can't steal the actual bed, back in 2014, one lady was caught on CCTV trying to wedge a double mattress from a Premier Inn in the UK into the elevator. Needless to say, she was not successful.

Can take: toilet paper/tissues

Super handy when you're on the go on holiday, toilet paper is usually fine to take, as long as you don't go overboard. This goes for tissues from the dispenser too.

Can take: tea bags/coffee/milk

Unless it’s expressly part of the minibar, tea bags and coffee provided are generally free to take. Be wary when it comes to pricier items such as Nespresso and other coffee pods, though, as these may not be included.

Can’t take: electrical items

It doesn’t matter how small the kettle is, you can’t pack it away to take home with you. Hairdryers usually aren’t a risk because they're often nailed to the wall, but a surprising number of people will also attempt to steal lamps and other gadgets.

In fact, a couple were recently caught on CCTV at a hotel in Pembroke Dock, West Wales pilfering everything from a lamp to an electric fan and TV remote. You're unlikely to get away with it and, bottom line, it's illegal.

Can take: magazines

This is a topic of contention but taking a magazine with you is generally OK, because it's left for your consumption – and it will likely soon be replaced with a new edition anyway. Maybe avoid taking the whole pile, though.

Can take: postcards

If they are clearly there for you to write a message to loved ones back home, by all means, take them. You can also pin them on your fridge as a reminder of your trip.

Can’t take: curtains

People have actually been known to unhook curtains from the room and stuff them into their suitcase – some years ago, a woman was caught on surveillance video as she was making several trips up and down the hallway, removing curtains, an iron with an ironing board, rugs and even a television from the room. Don't even think about it.

Can’t take: artwork

Some travellers might think it’s okay to nab the artwork or steal photo frames from a hotel room or cruise-ship cabin. But, as artwork – like the curtains – are part of the interior decor of the room, it’s not allowed at all.

It's pretty much certain that your credit card will be charged for the missing items.

Can take: welcome flowers

Some hotels may leave you with a couple of fresh flowers to welcome you into the room. You’re welcome to take these with you, although we’d rather not imagine what they’ll look like after being stuffed into a carry on.

Can’t take: plant pots

If you've got grand plans to smuggle that decorative plant pot from your hotel room or corridor, we'd suggest you think again. There's no question about it: that's stealing.

Can’t take: full-sized products

Most hotels or cruise ships have notices saying you will be charged for taking full-sized products, so just stick to using them in your room. And it’s definitely frowned upon to take the hand wash on a plane.

Can take: slippers

Cruise ship or hotel slippers are the only piece of clothing you can usually take, and if you’re lucky to stay in a room with waffle-fabric slippers and cushioning, you’ve hit the jackpot. However, be warned that some hotels have started charging for their slippers, so make sure there are no notices inside the room, in the wardrobe or in the info leaflet.

Can’t take: towels

The most stolen item from hotels and cruise ships isn’t bathrobes, but towels. It’s so rife that, in 2019, Nimble Technologies created fabric tags with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking chips that can be sewn or put into bed linen and towels, remote controls and even lamps.

Recently a TikToker named Téja Renée also sparked an online debate when she reprimanded her friend for taking hotel towels – most of her followers agreed that this was crossing a line. Make sure you leave yours in your room.

Can take: stationery

Hotel and cruise ship stationery is perfectly fine to pilfer, but make sure you aren’t taking any of the leather binders the sheets may be tucked into. Similarly, pens are a grey area – many people take them, so hotels that don’t want to lose money in this area tend to provide pencils.

Can't take: the Bible

The Bible you find in your bedside dresser has most likely been provided by The Gideons International, a Christian organisation that expects its donation to have a six-year life span. In fact, the organisation estimates that a quarter of travellers thumb through the Bible in their hotel room, so leave yours behind for the next guest.

Now discover the coolest features on board cruise ships