Picture this: you’re standing on the deck of your cruise ship, imagining epic aerial shots of the vessel cutting through crystal blue waters. You see the ocean for all its vastness and you remember the iconic line from James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” which says, “The way of water has no beginning and no end.” Sorry to burst your bubble, but the “way of water” is going to come to an end if your cruise ship doesn’t allow drones to capture those sick aerial shots!
Before you pack your drone, you need to know the rules. Can you bring a drone on a cruise ship? Well, it depends on which cruise line you’re sailing with, and even then, you’re probably not getting the footage you’re dreaming of.
A Few Cruise Ships Actually Allow Drones
Only three major cruise lines currently let passengers bring drones onboard: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises. But here’s the catch: you can only use them on land, away from the port area. YUP! All these cruises require you to either store your drone safely in your stateroom. Some might even take things a step further by having the Chief Security Officer hold onto it until you’re ready to go ashore.
If you’re caught flying your drone on the ship, expect major consequences that could ruin your entire trip. For one, your drone will get confiscated for the rest of the cruise, and you’ll receive a formal guest conduct warning. If things go awry, and someone’s in a mood to ruin your day, you could be kicked off the ship at your own expense.
Most Cruises Like Disney Don’t Allow Drones
Norwegian, Princess, Disney, Holland America, MSC, Cunard, and most other cruise lines ban drones entirely. Try to bring one, and security will confiscate it during the luggage screening. Some lines, like Cunard, even warn that confiscated drones may never be returned. Take a look at Dronedesk’s thorough, researched, and fact-checked page to see what policies these cruises have regarding drones.
Don’t Blame Cruises, Blame Local Laws
Even if your cruise line allows drones, that doesn’t mean you can actually fly them. Many popular cruise destinations have strict regulations. For example, The Bahamas requires permits for all drone operations, and places like CocoCay and Labadee (Royal Caribbean’s private islands) ban drones completely. Most cruise ports restrict drone use near terminals, often requiring you to travel well away from crowded areas before you can legally take off.
Unless you’re committed to researching local drone laws for every single port stop and willing to trek away from tourist areas to find legal flying spots, that drone is going to spend most of the cruise gathering dust in your cabin. You’re better off researching how to get an upgrade on a cruise ship or figuring out which restaurants you should be visiting.
