MSC Cruises has quietly updated its onboard policies to restrict the use of smart glasses in public areas across its fleet, joining a growing list of companies grappling with privacy concerns tied to wearable technology.
If you’ve never traveled with smart glasses, this change may not affect you at all. But for guests who use devices like Meta Ray-Ban glasses or Xreal models, it’s an important update to understand before sailing.
Here’s what’s changing, why MSC made the move, and what it means for your cruise.
What’s Changed?
MSC now prohibits smart glasses in public areas onboard its ships. This includes spaces such as:
- Lounges and bars
- Restaurants and dining rooms
- Theaters and entertainment venues
- Pool decks and common outdoor areas
Guests may still bring smart glasses onboard, but their use is limited to private spaces, such as inside your stateroom.
In other words, this is a usage restriction, not a confiscation or outright ban from the ship.
Why MSC Is Restricting Smart Glasses
The core issue is privacy.
Smart glasses often include discreet cameras and audio recording capabilities, making it difficult for others nearby to know when they’re being recorded. On a cruise ship – where guests are relaxing, swimming, dining, and attending shows – that creates understandable concerns.
MSC hasn’t pointed to any specific incident, but this policy aligns with broader industry trends around privacy and consent in shared spaces. It also mirrors how cruise lines already restrict other types of recording equipment in certain venues.
What Devices Are Affected?
MSC hasn’t published a brand-specific list, but the policy applies to any wearable glasses capable of recording video or audio.
Examples include:
- Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses
- Xreal smart glasses
- Similar AR or camera-enabled eyewear
Traditional sunglasses, prescription glasses, and non-recording eyewear are not impacted.
If a device has the ability to record without being obvious to others, it likely falls under the restriction.
Can You Still Bring Smart Glasses on an MSC Cruise?
Yes.
You can still pack smart glasses and bring them onboard. The key limitation is where you use them.
Allowed:
- Inside your stateroom
- Private, non-public areas
Not allowed:
- Public indoor or outdoor spaces
- Anywhere other guests or crew could reasonably expect privacy
If you’re unsure whether a space qualifies as public, it’s safest to assume it does.
How Strict Will This Be Enforced?
MSC hasn’t outlined enforcement details, but historically these policies are handled similarly to other onboard rules:
- Crew may ask guests to remove or stop using restricted devices
- Repeated issues could escalate to guest services involvement
For most guests, this is likely to be a non-issue, especially since smart glasses are still relatively niche compared to phones or action cameras.
Is MSC the Only Cruise Line Doing This?
No – and this is an important point.
MSC is among the first major cruise lines to explicitly address smart glasses in its policies, but industry watchers expect other lines to follow as wearable recording technology becomes more common.
Cruise ships are uniquely sensitive environments when it comes to privacy, combining public spaces with vacation-level expectations of comfort and anonymity.
What This Means for Cruisers
For the vast majority of guests, this change won’t affect your cruise experience at all.
For those who use smart glasses, the takeaway is simple:
- Pack them if you want
- Use them in private spaces only
- Expect public areas to be off-limits
From a broader perspective, this move signals how cruise lines are adapting policies as technology evolves – trying to balance innovation with guest comfort.
Bottom Line
MSC’s smart glasses restriction is a targeted, privacy-focused update, not a sweeping ban or a sign of heavy-handed enforcement.
If you’re cruising with MSC soon, it’s worth being aware of the rule – but it’s unlikely to change how most guests experience their vacation.
As wearable tech continues to evolve, we’ll likely see more clarity and consistency across the industry. For now, this is MSC setting an early boundary.