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What will get you kicked off a cruise?

Whether fighting with other cruisers, deliberately entering restricted areas on cruise ships, or damaging cruise ship property and violating serious safety rules, you can get kicked off the ship. Royal Caribbean's policy covers pretty much anything that a guest does that is perceived to be dangerous.



In 2026, cruise lines have become increasingly strict about passenger conduct to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone on board. The fastest ways to get kicked off a cruise include smuggling or using illegal drugs, including marijuana (even if legal in your home state), and abusive behavior toward crew members. Violence or fighting with other guests will result in an immediate "forced disembarkation" at the next port, often followed by a lifetime ban. Safety violations are also major triggers; throwing anything overboard (including cigarette butts), jumping between balconies, or sitting on exterior railings for photos are all grounds for removal. Other common reasons include failing to attend the mandatory muster drill, providing alcohol to minors, or extreme public intoxication that leads to "drunk and disorderly" conduct. If you are kicked off, the cruise line is not obligated to refund your fare or help you get home; you will be left at the dock to arrange your own (often very expensive) travel back, as maritime law grants the Captain broad authority to remove disruptive individuals.

People Also Ask

While very obvious offenses like drug smuggling, violence, or otherwise breaking the law are no-brainer ways to get kicked off a cruise, they aren't the only reasons a cruise line might send you packing -- at any point during your cruise.

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Here are eight acts of pure demagoguery that are very likely to get you booted from your adventure at sea:
  • Bringing drugs on board. ...
  • Being excessively vocal whilst in the throes of carnal love. ...
  • Throwing an object (or yourself) overboard. ...
  • Buying a minor a drink on board. ...
  • Refusing to attend the muster drill.


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If cruise ship crew suspect you are sneaking alcohol on board they will inspect your luggage in detail. They may check your wine bottles to see if it really is sealed as new and contains wine. They will confiscate it if found to contain spirits, and may even refuse you boarding.

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As soon as an incident happens, cruise ship crew will activate a button that pinpoints the place where the person went into the water. The ship will then stop and turn back to that area. The ship and its crew will perform a lengthy search and rescue operation, lasting several hours.

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Fifty years ago, journalist Paulette Cooper had the wild idea to sneak onto a cruise ship. Then a travel writer in New York, Cooper was looking for a new adventure. So she got the blueprint for the Leonardo Da Vinci cruise in New York, hid her luggage inside a piano and became a Stowaway. And she got away with.

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Here are our favorite tips for making your cruise extra-special.
  1. Tip 1: Enjoy a Pre-Cruise Splurge. ...
  2. Tip 2: Upgrade Your Cabin. ...
  3. Tip 3: Arrange an In-Cabin Surprise. ...
  4. Tip 5: Turn Dinner Into an Event to Remember. ...
  5. Tip 6: Dress Up on Formal Night. ...
  6. Tip 7: Treat Yourself (or Someone Else) to a Splurge.


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If you or a loved one were harassed, sexually assaulted or raped by any crew member, then the cruise ship would most likely be strictly liable and responsible for those actions. Another form of criminal assault or rape that could give rise to strict liability is statutory rape.

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Consistent with our commitment to safety, disruptive behavior is not tolerated and any guest whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.

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Disembarkation: This is when you leave the ship at the end of your trip. Embarkation: It's when you board your cruise ship at the beginning of your trip. Port of call: A port of call is a destination on your cruise and where you'll likely be able to enjoy shore excursions.

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79% of all crimes reported onboard cruise ships are sexual assaults, as per the US Department of Transportation. This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of sexual assaults on cruise ships, and serves as a powerful reminder of the need for increased safety measures to protect passengers.

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If you wonder whether cruise ships have jails, the answer is yes. Jails are called brigs on a cruise ship and tend only to be used in serious circumstances when no other options are available. Cabin arrest is typically used before the brig is needed.

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No sneaking drugs or alcohol on board Contraband booze will be confiscated if discovered, and you might not get it back. Bring illegal drugs on board and you risk fines, disembarkation and jail time. You're not allowed to bring marijuana on a cruise, even if it's legal in your departure port or port of call.

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In September 2022, Carnival announced that it would implementing a new official youth curfew for all guests 17 years and younger who are not accompanied by an adult (age 21 and older) in their party by 1 a.m. Exceptions are for minors who are involved in a youth activity at a Club O2 or Circle C.

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If guests are found violating the policy on a Carnival Cruise, they could face up to a $500 fine.

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Amsterdam's council has banned cruise ships from the city centre as the Dutch capital tries to limit visitor numbers and curb pollution.

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Most cruise lines don't allow guests to bring spirits on board. If you want to bring whiskey on board then you'll need to disguise it. Many people use a rum runner, a rinsed-out tinted bottle of mouthwash, or just decant whiskey into a wine bottle, where wine is permitted.

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Final word. On most cruises, you're welcome to wander the ship with a drink in your hand, at least in most areas. It's just like one large resort, so grab your favourite tipple and then find your perfect spot to enjoy it. Just make sure you ask for plastic glasses if you want to head over to a pool or hot tub.

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