Cruise Industry Clarifies Stance on Cannabis
They are known by different nicknames.
The Heat. The Po-Po. Five-O.
Cruise aficionados simply call them the cruise police.
Now, major lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and even Disney Cruise Line have clarified their stance on cannabis and CBD.
Simply put, if you sail from a United States port you must follow U.S. federal law. And right now, while there are many states that allow the possession of certain amounts of marijuana, there is no such federal law. And to help curb violence, many cruise lines are cracking down on a variety of things.
Carnival Cruise Line, like many cruise lines, has a written policy.
“While certain CBD products used for medicinal purposes may be legal in the US, they are not legal in all the ports we visit and therefore are also considered prohibited items. Guests will need to consult with their physician for other suitable alternatives.”
Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line lists marijuana as a prohibited item.
“All illegal narcotics/drugs, including marijuana prescribed for medical purposes and other items used as drug paraphernalia. This includes all products containing CBD, oils, candies, and gummies or any product containing THC.”
Disney Cruise Line takes a similar approach.
“In accordance with United States federal regulations and local laws in the destinations we visit, illegal narcotics—including synthetic designer drugs—and marijuana (even if legal where you reside or medically prescribed)—are prohibited on board the ships and on Disney Castaway Cay.”
Still, it can be confusing.
For instance, many people think you can consume alcohol in some countries if the drinking age is below 21. Not true. If you leave from a United States port like Port Canaveral or Miami, you still must abide by federal law and the drinking age in the United States is 21.
Ironically, however, you can gamble aboard a cruise ship at the age of 18.
A simple rule to follow, of course, is not to bring any. While it may be legal in some states, like Colorado, you run the risk of being afoul of the law on a cruise ship.