Don't do it

10 things that will get you banned from a cruise line

From viral TikTok ‘hacks’ to dangerous stunts, these are the surprisingly common ways passengers end up on a cruise line’s no-sail list.

Words by Samantha Priestley

Because your cruise is meant to be a relaxing and fun time for everyone onboard, and there can be a lot of people on a cruise, there are certain rules we must all follow.

Cruise lines don’t ban people lightly, it is quite rare, but sometimes guests display behaviour that can affect everyone else’s enjoyment of the cruise, or can even be dangerous. And in that case, they have to go.

We’ve rounded up 10 things you should definitely never do on a ship from theft to nudity.

Crystal shot glasses of vodka standing in a row. Pouring vodka from a bottle to the shot glass

No go

1. Smuggling alcohol onboard

This might seem like a small misdemeanour, but smuggling your own alcohol onboard to avoid paying for alcohol at the bar can get you banned from the cruise. It might just be a warning from some cruise lines, but in the case of Maddie West, who was on her bachelorette party aboard a Carnival cruise, this bad behaviour resulted in a lifetime ban.

Maddie made the mistake of posting her ‘hack’ on TikTok while still on the cruise. Her alcohol was confiscated and her days of cruising with Carnival are over.

@radmadliftsHow I got banned from carnival cruises♬ original sound – radmadlifts

2. Fishing from your balcony

Yes, people really try to do this. It might seem obvious to most of us, but you can’t cast off from your balcony on a cruise ship, or, in fact, anywhere on the ship. Doing so could cause harm to marine life, and to other guests.

Confusion could arise from the fact that guests are allowed to bring fishing equipment onboard, but this is only for use in port. One passenger, Jessica Locklear, posted a TikTok of an unidentified man catching a fish from his balcony. It’s since been deleted, probably because they realise it could result in a ban.

– READ MORE: Why should you book a balcony cabin? –

3. Flying a drone from the ship

There’s no doubt aerial footage of your cruise ship would look amazing, but most cruise lines do not allow drones onboard at all. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity, do allow you to bring your drone onboard, but only for use once in port.

Drones can pose a risk to passengers and property, and as they include cameras can invade other guests’ privacy. But the main reason drones aren’t allowed is they can interfere with the ship’s communication and navigational systems.

4. Walking around naked

If you want to get naked on a cruise, there are cruises specifically for you. Nude cruises allow guests to walk around as naked as the day they were born, and you’ll feel right at home as everyone will be doing it. But if you’re on a regular cruise, don’t be tempted to bare all. Be respectful to other passengers and keep your vitals covered.

– READ MORE: Would you go naked on a cruise? –

5. Jumping overboard

Although this is quite rare, around 25 people do jump from cruise ships each year. There’s a variety of reasons for this – as a prank, because they’re drunk, to swim, or, sadly, for more tragic reasons.

But whatever the explanation, jumping from a cruise ship is a serious matter and it will cause the ship to stop immediately to retrieve the person and it will result in a ban from that cruise line.

6. Fighting with crew or other guests

This is one of the most immediate ways to get a cruising ban. Any kind of violence, either to crew or passengers, is not tolerated at all and if anyone starts fighting onboard a ship, they will get banned, and most likely arrested.

A ban can even apply if guests are caught fighting in port, especially if that violence leads to an arrest on land. Twenty passengers were banned after a brawl broke out in the baggage area following the end of a cruise, proving you don’t have to be onboard to get banned.

– READ MORE: What happens when people go missing from ships –

Anger, conflict or fighting with men in city for aggressive disagreement, physical harm and violence. Bullying, fear and threat with enemy people outdoor in urban town for frustration or harassment

7. Stealing

While taking a branded pen home with you, or mini toiletries from the cabin bathroom, is absolutely fine, helping yourself to other items is stealing and can get you a lifetime ban.

Passengers often think taking a towel or a bathrobe is no big deal, and while you’ll most likely only be charged for the item, swiping plates and silverwear, and even artwork from the cabin, is theft and will get you a ban.

8. Abusive behaviour towards crew

We all understand that problems with your cabin, dietary requirements not being met, and not getting what you want from your cruise, can be frustrating, but taking your anger out on crew members can get you banned.

Verbal abuse and, of course, physical abuse can see passengers removed from the ship at the next port and placed on a black list. Harassment and threats could be taken even further and result in criminal proceedings.

– READ MORE: How safe are cruise ships? –

white trace of a ferry on the blue water of the sea

young upset and aggressive drunk man in pub at night holding beer bottle threatening ready to fight as the violent thug troublemaker in every bar and alcohol addict furious guy

9. Being drunk and disorderly

Having a few drinks in the bar is part of enjoying your cruise and while most of us do this within our limits, some passengers take things too far. We all want to have fun, but none of us should put up with drunk passengers being loud and aggressive.

Depending on the level of the drunken behaviour, guests might have their drinks packages stopped, be confined to their cabin to cool off, and if the behaviour continues, banned from the cruise line.

10. Throwing things into the sea

Believe it or not, back in the days of lax security and few rules on cruise ships, passengers threw things overboard all the time. Now, of course, we all realise this isn’t acceptable and most of us wouldn’t do it. But some people do still throw small things from their balcony, like food waste, plastic cups and even glass.

Polluting the ocean in this way isn’t a good look and if anyone is caught doing this it can lead to a cruising ban. One passenger was even caught on camera throwing furniture overboard.

– READ MORE: What happens if you get ill on a cruise? –

FAQs

Can you really get banned from a cruise line for life?
Yes. While most rule-breaking results in warnings or removal from a single sailing, serious or repeated offences – such as violence, theft or dangerous behaviour – can lead to a lifetime ban from that cruise line.

What happens if you break cruise rules onboard?
It depends on the severity. Minor issues may result in a warning or confiscation of prohibited items, while more serious behaviour can lead to being confined to your cabin, removed at the next port or banned from future sailings.

Can you be banned for something that happens in port?
Yes. Cruise lines can still take action if guests are arrested, violent or disruptive while ashore, especially if the incident affects the ship’s departure or involves local authorities.

Are cruise line bans shared between different cruise companies?
No, bans are generally enforced by individual cruise lines rather than across the industry, although behaviour that leads to criminal charges can affect your ability to cruise more widely in the future.

Are there prisons or jails on cruise ships?
Yes. Most large cruise ships have a small secure holding room, often called a brig, where passengers can be temporarily detained until the ship reaches port and local authorities take over.

Author

Samantha Priestley

Samantha is a travel and food & drink writer with 10 years’ experience. She can often be found walking in Scotland, checking off as many Greek beaches as possible, or heading for the nearest spa. She lives in Yorkshire with her artist partner, where she writes for various media outlets. Her current cruise goals include Japan and a Portuguese river cruise.

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