Lifetime Ban for Texas Woman on Carnival Cruises Over CBD Gummies Incident

In a surprising turn of events, a Texas woman has been permanently barred from all Carnival Cruise Line ships after she was found carrying CBD gummies in her luggage. The incident, which occurred in August 2023 during a Miami-departing cruise, has sparked discussions about the enforcement of cruise line policies and the legal complexities surrounding CBD products.

While CBD gummies are conditionally legal in Florida, Carnival Cruise Line, like many major cruise operators, maintains a strict no-tolerance policy regarding such items. This policy is explicitly stated in Carnival’s list of prohibited items, which includes “any illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic, designer drugs, Cannabidiol (CBD), and medical marijuana.” The cruise line emphasizes that, despite certain CBD products being legal in the U.S., they are not legal in all ports visited by their ships, thus categorizing them as prohibited.

Melinda Van Veldhuizen, the passenger involved and a member of Carnival’s Very Important Fun Person program, was caught by cruise security with the gummies in her backpack. The incident led to her being taken to a secure area at Port Miami for further questioning. Van Veldhuizen, who claimed to use the gummies as a sleep aid, stated that they were legally purchased online. However, Carnival’s policy applies universally, regardless of where the products were bought or the legality in the home state.

Following the incident, Van Veldhuizen received a letter from Carnival Cruise Line informing her of the lifetime ban. It remains unclear whether this ban extends to other cruise lines within the Carnival Corporation family, such as Princess Cruises or Holland America Line.

This case highlights the stringent rules that cruise lines enforce regarding prohibited items and the importance for passengers to familiarize themselves with these regulations to avoid severe consequences, such as lifetime bans. For Carnival Cruise Line, the decision to enforce this ban reflects their commitment to adhering to the laws and regulations of all ports they visit, ensuring the safety and legality of their operations.