Is CBD allowed on Carnival cruise ships?

Prohibited Items Any illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic, designer drugs, Cannabidiol (CBD) and medical marijuana. 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.



As of March 2026, CBD is strictly prohibited on all Carnival Cruise Line ships, regardless of its legal status in the passenger's home country or the ports of call. Carnival maintains a "Zero Tolerance" policy toward all federally controlled substances and their derivatives, including CBD oils, gummies, and topical creams. This is because cruise ships operate under international maritime law and must comply with the laws of every country they visit; many Caribbean and international jurisdictions still treat CBD as a controlled substance. In 2026, Carnival has significantly increased its security measures, utilizing narcotics-detection canines at embarkation terminals to sniff out prohibited items. If you are caught with CBD during the boarding process, the item will be confiscated, and you could face fines, denied boarding without a refund, or even legal action by local port authorities. For 2026 travelers, the rule is simple: if it contains any form of hemp or cannabis derivative, leave it at home to avoid a potentially holiday-ending security confrontation.

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Guests are not allowed to bring hard liquor, beer or plastic/glass bottled beverages, (e.g., water, sodas and other non-alcoholic drinks) on board. Please review our Beverage Policy for more information. Large speakers/radios are also prohibited and will be confiscated and discarded.

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No, unfortunately you cannot carry edibles to a cruise. Cruise lines have strict policies against bringing food onboard and they are very serious about enforcing them. If you're caught with any type of edible item, it will be confiscated and disposed of immediately.

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This keeps both the cruise line and the individual passengers in the clear. That's why you can't bring CBD on a cruise. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines specifically mentions CBD on their prohibited items list: “Any illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic, designer drugs, Cannabidiol (CBD) and medical marijuana.

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When you go through security you will set your carry-on bags on the x-ray machine like you'd find at an airport. Checked luggage is also X-rayed behind the scenes. Usually further inspection isn't required unless the security staff finds something dangerous or prohibited.

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What about packing edibles in your checked bag? Packing edibles in your checked bag has the same result as walking through security with them. If they are discovered during a search of your bag by TSA, they will hand them over to local law enforcement who will take it from there.

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Drug dogs are used at some cruise ports, but not all. They are most commonly seen at ports in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia, but in Europe and Asia, they don't tend to be used very often.

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Vaping on Carnival cruises is permitted in assigned outdoor smoking areas. Guests can also vape in the casino if they're seated and playing. While some cruise ships will allow vaping on your balcony, most don't, so make sure you're aware of the rules before you use your vape pen.

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Life on board is dominated by a casual atmosphere. We recommend long skirts and trousers, dresses and tops for the ladies and shorts, polo shirts and t-shirts for the gentlemen. Furthermore we suggest wearing flat shoes with rubber soles and low heals.

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If you're trying to fly with edibles, stash them in a resealable fruit snack or gummy bear pouch — something that's also not a permeable plastic ziplock bag. If you use a ziplock bag, your edibles will scan as orange, which alerts TSA of “biological material.” Fortunately, most vape pens can pass as eCigarrettes.

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According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the only cannabis-related products that are legal to bring onto a plane (in either carry-ons or checked baggage) are those that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC or medication that has been approved by the FDA.

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Carnival conducts security scanning of all luggage and reserves the right to confiscate any item, which in Carnival's sole discretion, is deemed dangerous or can pose a risk to the vessel or its guests.

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Bottom line Cruise documents provide the verification you'll need to board your vessel on embarkation day. They include identification, boarding passes, health forms and any required visas, which you should always keep handy in your carry-on bag or personal item.

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