Liveaboard diving FAQ — Can I charge devices and use a hairdryer on a liveaboard?

Can I charge devices and use a hairdryer on a liveaboard?

Onboard Life

Cabins have 1–2 outlets at 110V or 220V for charging. High-draw appliances like hairdryers are usually banned because they overload the boat's inverter.

Power on a liveaboard comes from generators and an inverter bank, and that supply is designed for lights, air conditioning, navigation and modest charging — not for appliances that pull two kilowatts.

Charging is fine

Every cabin has one or two outlets, and there are more at the camera table and in the salon. Phones, dive computers, camera batteries, laptops, torches and strobe packs are all normal. Bring a multi-port strip and a universal adapter, because outlets are always fewer than the number of things you want to plug in.

Hairdryers, travel irons, kettles and hair straighteners are usually prohibited. It is not a comfort policy, it is an electrical one: those appliances can trip the inverter and take the air conditioning down with them. A few large vessels with generous generator capacity allow hairdryers in the salon only — check before you pack one.

Voltage varies by region and flag: 220V in Egypt, the Maldives, Indonesia and Europe; 110V on most US-flagged and Caribbean vessels; both on many premium boats. Modern chargers handle 110 to 240V automatically, but older equipment does not, so check the label rather than assuming.

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