Can I bring a drone on my cruise ship? Can I pack a drone for use in the cruise's port of calls? Both of these are common questions and the answer varies by cruise line. Some cruise lines ban drones from being brought onboard, but others allow drones to come onboard for specific use in ports of call. If you are planning on bringing a drone you need to make sure to comply with your cruise line's policy (do not bring onboard if not allowed) and further follow the laws/rules of the port of call & areas you are visiting.
This post will share the basic policies of whether you can bring a drone on a Carnival Cruise ship, Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Princess cruise ship, Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Holland America cruise ship, and Celebrity Cruise ship.
This post will share the basic policies of whether you can bring a drone on a Carnival Cruise ship, Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Princess cruise ship, Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Holland America cruise ship, and Celebrity Cruise ship.
Important Note Regarding Cruise Line Policies Below: These are pulled from the USA cruise websites for each cruise line. Cruises departing from other countries and regions of the world may have different policies from the cruise line. Make sure you check on the policy that is applicable to the country your cruise is departing from.
Carnival Cruise Line Drone Policy
Carnival Cruise does allow drones to be brought onboard the cruise ship, but the drone can only be used in ports of call. Guests bringing a drone must check in & check out the drone with the Chief Security Officer onboard per Carnival's policy. Storing drones in a stateroom to bypass security as prohibited under this policy. Additionally, the drone must be used off the ship. This means you cannot check out the drone and then fly it from onboard the ship.
For Carnival's full drone policy on the prohibited item list please click here (link goes to Carnival's website)
Carnival Cruise does allow drones to be brought onboard the cruise ship, but the drone can only be used in ports of call. Guests bringing a drone must check in & check out the drone with the Chief Security Officer onboard per Carnival's policy. Storing drones in a stateroom to bypass security as prohibited under this policy. Additionally, the drone must be used off the ship. This means you cannot check out the drone and then fly it from onboard the ship.
For Carnival's full drone policy on the prohibited item list please click here (link goes to Carnival's website)
Royal Caribbean Drone Policy
Royal Caribbean does allow drones to be brought on the cruise ship, but has strict requirements for the drones. Per Royal Caribbean's policy drones are able to be brought by guests for use on land only & outside port areas. Drones must be stored in a guests stateroom while onboard the ship. However, Royal Caribbean notes that the drones are not allowed to be operated on the ship and further drones are not allowed at port of call private destinations that are Royal Caribbean's. The private destinations listed in Royal Caribbean's policy include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, or Labadee, Haiti. The full policy from Royal Caribbean notes the guest is responsible for following the rules/laws of the local authorities.
For Royal Caribbean's full drone policy please click here (link goes to Royal Caribbean's website).
Royal Caribbean does allow drones to be brought on the cruise ship, but has strict requirements for the drones. Per Royal Caribbean's policy drones are able to be brought by guests for use on land only & outside port areas. Drones must be stored in a guests stateroom while onboard the ship. However, Royal Caribbean notes that the drones are not allowed to be operated on the ship and further drones are not allowed at port of call private destinations that are Royal Caribbean's. The private destinations listed in Royal Caribbean's policy include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, or Labadee, Haiti. The full policy from Royal Caribbean notes the guest is responsible for following the rules/laws of the local authorities.
For Royal Caribbean's full drone policy please click here (link goes to Royal Caribbean's website).
Norwegian Cruise Line Drone Policy
Norwegian Cruise Line does not allow drones to be brought onboard their cruise ships. There are no exceptions to the policy posted online by Norwegian Cruise Line. The full list of prohibited items from Norwegian Cruise Line clarifies that remote controlled or autonomously flying devices, toys, or drones are prohibited.
Click Here For Norwegian Cruise Line's Policy
Norwegian Cruise Line does not allow drones to be brought onboard their cruise ships. There are no exceptions to the policy posted online by Norwegian Cruise Line. The full list of prohibited items from Norwegian Cruise Line clarifies that remote controlled or autonomously flying devices, toys, or drones are prohibited.
Click Here For Norwegian Cruise Line's Policy
Princess Cruises Drone Policy
Princess Cruise Line does not allow drones to be brought onboard the cruise ship per the prohibited items list. There are no exceptions to the policy shown online.
For Princess Cruises' prohibited items list on the FAQ please click here (link goes to Princess Cruise's website)
Princess Cruise Line does not allow drones to be brought onboard the cruise ship per the prohibited items list. There are no exceptions to the policy shown online.
For Princess Cruises' prohibited items list on the FAQ please click here (link goes to Princess Cruise's website)
Holland America Line Drone Policy
Holland America Line does not allow drones to be brought onboard the cruise ship per the prohibited items list. There are no exceptions to the policy shown online.
For Holland America's prohibited items list on the FAQ please click here (link goes to Holland America's website)
Holland America Line does not allow drones to be brought onboard the cruise ship per the prohibited items list. There are no exceptions to the policy shown online.
For Holland America's prohibited items list on the FAQ please click here (link goes to Holland America's website)
Celebrity Cruises Drone Policy
Celebrity Cruises does allow drones to be brought on the cruise ship, but has strict requirements for the drones. Per Celebrity Cruise's policy drones are able to be brought by guests for use on land only & outside port areas. Drones must be stored in guests staterooms while onboard the ship. The policy by Celebrity notes that guests must make sure to comply with all local authority rules for drone usage and obtain any required permissions for drone usage.
For Celebrity Cruises' prohibited items information which discuses the drones please click here (link goes to Celebrity's website)
Celebrity Cruises does allow drones to be brought on the cruise ship, but has strict requirements for the drones. Per Celebrity Cruise's policy drones are able to be brought by guests for use on land only & outside port areas. Drones must be stored in guests staterooms while onboard the ship. The policy by Celebrity notes that guests must make sure to comply with all local authority rules for drone usage and obtain any required permissions for drone usage.
For Celebrity Cruises' prohibited items information which discuses the drones please click here (link goes to Celebrity's website)
If A Drone Is Allowed On Your Cruise Ship - Consider These Things Before Use:
- Make sure you are aware of the local port of call rules & laws that may govern drone usage.
- Make sure you obtain permission to use the drone in areas where permission is required by the authorities.
- Do not attempt to break your cruise line's rules for drone usage. You could face consequences such as confiscation of the drone, a fine, or getting kicked off the cruise.
- You are liable for your drone use. Failure to comply with local regulations & laws could result in fines, imprisonment, or confiscation of property (or other punishments depending on the place & laws broke).
- Read the full policy by your cruise line and stay alert for changes. The information I have included above is a basic summary, but there is more information provided by each cruise ship. Keep in mind the polices are subject to change at any time.
The policies referenced on this page are subject to change at any time and may not be correct for all sailings/voyages. Make sure you independently check with your cruise line for the latest information. Make sure to follow all laws, rules, & regulations for any ports of call if you are allowed to bring a drone.