Doing This Popular Leisure Activity On A Cruise Ship Can Get You Banned For Life

While it might seem reasonable for a cruise to ban a passenger who was disorderly, tried to smuggle an illegal substance, or spent time in the ship's "brig," one seemingly harmless activity will promptly place you on all major cruise lines' naughty list. Cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney prohibit passengers from doing what they deem to be broadly unsafe behavior on board, and they have the power to remove passengers at their discretion for violating their policies or murky international laws. While fishing may seem like the perfect activity to unwind, and is even advertised as an activity at many ports on major cruise lines, throwing out a line from the ship on a sunny day is bound to get you in deep water with the crew. Some cruise lines, such as Disney and Royal Caribbean, go as far as prohibiting fishing gear entirely, while Carnival will let you bring a few lures and a rod for on-shore excursions. However, they must be left with the ship's security team.

Even if you don't get caught in the act, you can still ruin your chances of going on future trips by posting your angling session on social media. In 2023, a TikTok video went viral, showing cruisers fishing from their Carnival Cruise balcony in Nassau. Even though the cruise line learned after the fact, and they were not penalized for breaking Bahamian law for fishing without a license, Carnival banned the travelers from future travel on Carnival and its affiliated lines.

When you're packing for your cruise, the last thing you'll want to do is bring something that could get you into trouble. You might be tempted to add in a few bottles of liquor to enjoy a drink in your cabin before heading out to catch some sun or a show. However, most major cruise lines have a strict policy for guests bringing their own alcohol on board, normally limiting it to a bottle of wine or champagne. Carnival's Brand Ambassador John Heald stated on Facebook that the cruise line monitors social media for cruisers who violate the rules and states that passengers' tricks to get around the ban, such as carrying powdered alcohol or filling a mouthwash bottle with liquor, also won't hold water. Heald warned that cruisers who are caught will also find themselves on the no-sail list for life.

Along similar lines, in 2023, a Carnival cruiser was banned for life after being caught with CBD gummies in her suitcase. Despite different state laws, cruise lines from the U.S. abide by U.S. federal law and the laws of international ports when it comes to bringing substances for recreational or medical purposes. If you're visiting a port where a product is legal, the cruise can't prohibit you from partaking on land. However, you could find yourself being denied boarding and in legal trouble if you try to bring anything back to the ship, and you'll likely be banned for life.

Cruise lines want their guests to fully enjoy themselves on the high seas, but in a safe manner. All major cruise lines in North America are part of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and treat passengers' safety as a top priority. Typically, public areas on cruises are covered in CCTV cameras, and if someone from the ship's security team catches you on camera walking around with a fishing pole, fighting, or acting recklessly, they'll quickly be on your tail.

Depending on the infraction, you may find a hand-signed letter from the captain under your door stating that your trip is over at the next port of call, and you'll have to find your own way home — at your own expense, with no refund. If you were wrongfully accused and banned, you could take the company to court; however, like airlines, many cruise lines' contracts of carriage are strongly worded in the cruise line's favor. According to the terms and conditions, Norwegian can come after passengers to recoup costs for bad behavior, for instance.

If you're looking to get the maximum sun and fun from your voyage, remember to be responsible while letting your hair down. Everyone's in the same boat, pun intended, and no one wants to deal with a rain cloud over a sunny pool deck. If you do encounter someone who is souring the mood or exhibiting these foul cruising habits, let a staff member take the lead rather than trying to fix it yourself, and possibly ruining your vacation.