Whether it's legal where you live or you have a medical license for it, you might be wondering if you can bring marijuana on your next cruise?
You might be surprised to learn that you cannot bring marijuana on a cruise ship, and it's not because the company has an anti-drug view.
Cruise ships operate between many different countries, and the laws of those countries apply to cruise ships that visit them.
So before you pack pot for your cruise, let's review the rules that are in place so you can avoid any problems later.
Can I bring marijuana on a cruise ship?
Regardless of what the law is where you live, the cruise line's policy supersedes it.
You are not allowed to bring marijuana (even for medicinal purposes) on a cruise ship. In fact, no illegal drugs or illegal substances are allowed onboard.
They're also not allowed to be used on its private islands, inside cruise terminals, at ports of call, or during shore excursions.
This policy even applies if the port of call your ship leaves from has weed as a legal substance in that state.
The rule prohibiting marijuana in any kind is part of the cruise contract that you agree to when you booked the cruise.
Read more: Things that can get you kicked off a cruise ship in an instant
"I didn't see any cruise contract!"
It was there when you booked, but it's your responsibility to actually read it. The contract is a check box you must select when booking a cruise on the website. Likewise, a travel agent should convey the terms and conditions of going on a cruise when you book it.
Can I bring CBD on a cruise ship?
Royal Caribbean bans any form of marijuana, including its various forms.
The exact wording of the policy states, "marijuana, even in its medicinal form or for medicinal purposes, shall be prohibited."
Even if you possess a medical marijuana card, bringing cannabis or edibles, including those containing CBD, aboard a cruise ship is strictly prohibited.
Why does Royal Caribbean ban marijuana?
The rationale for banning pot is less about the company's views, and simply because of the local laws for the countries they visit.
Depending on which country your ship visits, those nations may have laws in place that address and severely punish drug possession. As a cruise ship passenger, you are a visitor in that country and subject to their laws.
What happens if I'm caught with marijuana on a cruise?
Royal Caribbean's security along with law enforcement do regular screening of baggage during the embarkation process, and throughout the cruise there are security officers that roam the ship. Looking for illegal drug use is one of their duties.
There are all sorts of possibilities if you were caught with marijuana during your cruise.
According to Royal Caribbean's guest conduct policy, it's no slap on the wrist, "Guests found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution in the relevant jurisdiction (and perhaps United States or other authorities as well) and may be prevented from boarding or re-boarding the ship."
Based on past incidents, passengers that were caught with the drugs onboard have been arrested. There's plenty of examples of this, such as on Anthem of the Seas while in Bermuda.
A woman was found to have two bags of pot and was arrested by Bermudian authorities and then charged $4,000 in fines before she could fly home.
Carnival Cruise Line just banned a woman for life for bringing CBD gummies in her luggage.
The bottom line is the risk is greater than the benefits of trying to sneak it onboard the ship. Given the hefty penalties you could face if caught, it seems like it's simply not worth it.
My advice is not to bring any. You might think the chances of you getting caught are low, but why put your entire vacation and family at risk for it?
Can I smoke weed while in port where it's legal?
Let's assume your cruise is taking you to a place where marijuana is legal, is that okay?
Royal Caribbean stipulates on its shore excursions, it's still not allowed at all.
Of course, if you were to go off on your own and do a shore excursion through a third-party or simply walk around, the responsibility falls to you.
First and foremost, you'll have to research what the local laws are for possession and/or smoking it in public. Be sure to look into if there's a venue that offers it, are you allowed to take it outside.
You might find a tour on your own that includes a cannabis visit. For example, there are shore excursions listed on Viator that offer a visit to a weed farm.
Regardless, don't plan to bring any back to the ship at the end of the day.
