Surge protectors are banned on cruise ships, and so are confiscated during boarding. Extension cords and cube taps etc. are discouraged, but not banned.

I'm asking specifically about surge protector incompatibility, and would like an answer that includes the technical details of the ship's cabin power supply.

I've asked in various places (not StackExchange) and have never been able to get a technical answer as to how a surge protector can cause damage.

Most responses are along the lines of "they cause fires", "fire is really bad on a ship", and "they ban all extension cords", so please don't give a similar answer.

To discourage "they ban all devices" responses, please look at this ad from Amazon and note the "Non Surge Protection & Ship Approved":