Can You Bring Weed on a Cruise? (and how) 2024

Laws have relaxed over recent years around the possession and use of marijuana in the US, including being classed as a fully legal drug in some states.

It’s no wonder potential cruise passengers wonder if they are allowed to bring their weed on board the cruise ship.

Whether for recreational or medical uses or less potent forms such as Delta 8, we cover the cruise line rules for all.

As you may know, even though marijuana is legal in one state, it doesn’t mean you can take it in a non-legal state.

The question is can you take it onto a cruise ship, and does the state port matter?

We also cover ways people take onboard, whether they are allowed.

Can You Bring Weed On A Cruise 

You can’t bring weed on any cruise ship even if located in a port of a state or country where marijuana is legal.   Cruise ships follow federal law, which prohibits the possession and use of marijuana in all forms, including vape pens and edibles.

That’s not to say people don’t smoke or consume weed on cruise ships. They do.

Is Delta 8 Allowed on a Cruise?

Delta 8 THC is a less potent form and is legal by federal law if hemp-derived.  It’s no wonder many people wonder if they can bring delta 8 on a cruise vacation.  However, even though cruise lines follow federal law, Delta 8 is treated the same as any other marijuana product, and its use and possession are prohibited.

Can You Take Medical Marijuana On A Cruise?

All forms, including medical marijuana, are prohibited from being taken on board all cruise ships even if possession and use are legal in the state where your cruise ship is leaving or embarking.  You would have to find an alternative medication or remedy for the duration of your cruise.

However, this doesn’t stop some people from sneaking on board. We cover some of those methods and associated risks below.

Can You Smoke Weed On A Cruise?

You can legally smoke weed in ports of call where marijuana is legal to possess and use.  Cruise lines prohibit all forms of marijuana from being onboard in any form, therefore not allowing any to be smoked while onboard.

US locations with cruise ports with relaxed restrictions include:

• Alaska
• California
• Massachusetts
• New York 
• Washington

Canada also has relaxed restrictions as regards marijuana.

Remember to always double-check local state and foreign laws before taking any actions.

Any ports at which you stop and purchase marijuana should not be taken onboard as per the cruise line’s strict policies.

Cruise Line Marijuana Policies

All cruise lines prohibit the possession and use of marijuana once on all cruise ships. 

Carnival Cruise states in its Marijuana Smoking Policy (see in full here):

Carnival recognizes that some state and local governments in the U.S., and in the destinations we visit, might allow marijuana use. However, Carnival Cruise Line follows U.S. federal law, which strictly prohibits possession and use of recreational/medicinal marijuana and other illegal controlled substances.

Carnival Cruise

Disney Cruises state cover marijuana in their “Prohibited Items list”

Illegal narcotics/drugs, including synthetic, designer drugs and medically prescribed marijuana, as well as all drug paraphernalia, including items used for marijuana, cannabis and hemp

Disney Cruises

Princess Cruises state it as a prohibited item

All illegal drugs, including medications without proper prescriptions. This includes legal intoxicant synthetic or “designer” drugs also known as “Legal Highs” such as Lysergamides, Opioids, Methoxetamine, Synthetic Cannabis, Betel Nuts or Kava (Cava). Medical Marijuana

Princess Cruises

Celebrity Cruises Conduct Policy states:

They have a wide-ranging policy that states they prohibit at ports of call.

Marijuana, even in its medicinal form or for medicinal purposes, is prohibited.

Illegal drugs and other illegal substances are neither allowed onboard nor permitted to be used during a Celebrity Cruises vacation, including during transfers to and from ships, inside terminals, while onboard, at ports of call, during shore excursions, and at our private destinations. Illegal drugs and substances will be confiscated, and Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to, at its discretion, report violations of this nature to the appropriate authorities.

Celebrity Cruises

We have covered Royal Caribbean and the Norwegian cruise Line in our Delta 8 cruise post, but they say much the same thing.

How To Sneak / Or Get Weed On A Cruise

Forbidden or not on a cruise line, it doesn’t stop people from taking it on board, as you may already know yourself, having smelt it yourself on your past cruises.

There are many ways in which people have sneaked some weed on board.  We have picked up some tips from fellow cruisers and added research which we also share below. 

Sneak Edibles on a Cruise

As long as the cruise line brings food on the cruise smuggling, taking some edibles is a popular method.  This is because they don’t emit any telling smells and can be mixed with similar foods.

If they are gummies or mints, people mix them with well-known generic brands of the same type.  Ideally, choose THC gummies or mints with no branding on them so they don’t stand out.

THC pills are another option that can be mixed with medication pill cases or just standard vitamin and mineral tablets.  Even some edible candy types could be hidden in old medicine containers which are still labeled.

Even if your bag is manually checked, security staff are more focused on looking for weapons and alcohol.

There seems to be more emphasis on thorough checking of luggage upon returning from a cruise than departing, so worth bearing in mind. 

Sneak CBD Oil Pens and Cartridges on a Cruise 

As you may know, you can bring vapes on a cruise although there are restrictions on where you can use them.

This leaves open the option of taking THC oil pens and cartridges on a cruise because they don’t smell.

You can simply mix your weed cartridge with standard vape pens and cartridges, and no one would be any the wiser.

You would have to be careful about where and when you use it onboard, so you don’t get caught.  Only use in designated smoking areas when its quiet and discreet.

How to Get Away With Smoking Weed on a Cruise

There is no foolproof way of getting away with smoking weed on a cruise.  If you want to risk smoking, ensure you are fully aware of the consequences of being caught.

Firstly, you need to get the weed onboard undetected.  There are various ways you can do this, from as simple as having it in your pockets to hidden within clothing to hidden within body cavities.

However, when you come to smoke, you need to be extra careful because of the smell, which will carry on a breezy cruise ship it only takes one person to report you or a staff member to pass by, and you could be in trouble.

You can’t smoke in your cabin as you risk setting off sensors and getting fined, and that is just the minimum punishment if it was only tobacco.

Bearing in mind there are only limited places you can smoke on a cruise ship, and if you try and find other more discreet places, such as high up on top deck when it’s quiet, you risk being seen by passengers, staff, or even on CCTV and getting into trouble just for smoking.

A one-hitter is an option, and perhaps you could get away with it on your balcony if you have one.  However, if other passengers get a whiff, you can expect to be reported.

Bathroom

The cabin bathroom is probably the safest option.  Consider removing any clothing you don’t want to absorb the smell and make sure its outside the bathroom.  

Use a wet-ringed-out towel to block any gaps under the door so smoke can’t get through to the cabin.

Turn on the shower, so hot water is flowing and creating steam in the bathroom.  This will disguise the smell as the smoke mixes with the steam.

Make sure the extractor vent is working.  When you start smoking, make sure you don’t drop any ashes, have them fall in the sink with running water to wash them away immediately.

When you have finished, spray plenty of air freshener or fragrance to disguise any remnants of the smell.

Balcony

Smoking on your balcony is risky because your neighbors might smell or see you smoking it.

If you risk it, make sure your balcony is not visible to anyone, directly or via reflections.

Only consider smoking when it’s breezy, so any smoke dissipates almost instantly.

Have your weed wrapped and a container ready to tap your ash, don’t risk dropping any and leaving even a trace of it.

What Happens If You Get Caught With Weed On Cruise?

Cruise lines have strict rules against bringing weed on a cruise.  If you are caught sneaking some onboard, you can expect to have it confiscated at the very least.

If you are caught smoking weed, you may be subject to harsher punishments, including fines and disembarkation, possibly for everyone in the stateroom.

Consequences include:

• Confiscation
• Fines
• Denial of boarding
• Disembarkation – possible for all guests in staterooms
• Cost of returning home
• Prohibited from sailing with the cruise line in future
• Arrest and prosecution

Although the punishments are harsh you are unlikely to end up in the brig or cruise jail as  its otherwise known.

Below are examples of possible cruise line punishments they state you might be hot with if ou are caught:

Carnival Cruise state in their Tobacco and Marijuana policy:

Any violation of this policy will result in a $500 charge, per violation, posted on the guest’s Sail & Sign® account and may also result in the disembarkation of all guests in the stateroom.

Guests who are disembarked for violating our policy will be responsible for all financial charges and expenses to return home, and no refund of their unused cruise fare will be provided. Additionally, they may be prohibited from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line in the future.

Carnival Cruise

Celebrity Cruise very strongly state:

Guests found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution in the relevant jurisdiction, including United States or other relevant authorities, and may be prevented from boarding or re-boarding the ship.

Celebrity Cruise

You can see similar terms and consequences by Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line on our Delta 8 page.

Are There Weed Cruises?

A Weed Cruise is typically more likely to be a Cannabis tour on land or stop-off at points where you can enjoy the herb, rather than a cruise you can smoke weed.

With weed being legal in Alaska, there are ports advertised to cannabis smokers as stop off points with dispensaries to enjoy the culture and smoke.

Disembarking

If anything, security is stronger when you are returning from a cruise, especially if you have been to a location that is known for its weed.  

You don’t want to be caught returning with drugs from a foreign location so make sure you have used or safely disposed of any you have left before disembarking. The risk is too high even for people who regularly smuggle weed onboard they don’t return with any.

What is a 420-Friendly Cruise?

Have you ever seen mention of a 4/20 cruise and wondered what it meant?  Well, 4/20 is a secret code word between cannabis smokers that it’s time to smoke marijuana.

It is also no coincidence that 4/20 – 20th April is “International Pot Smoking Day”.

Therefore a 420 cruise, or 420-friendly cruise as sometimes referred, is another way of saying weed cruise or cannabis cruise.

As far as we know, there are no known regular weed cruises.  

None of the leading cruise lines even allow weed onboard.  

However, small boat cruises may be marketed as 420 cruises or Cannabis Cruises. 

In these cases, from what we have been told is that it doesn’t mean marijuana is allowed on board.  Instead, the itinerary is geared towards ports of call and that are focused on cannabis culture, for example, a river cruise in Amsterdam.

Weed-Friendly Cruise Ports

Some particularly popular ports for passengers who enjoy weed include:

Alaska – for those over 21’s has lots of small ports to stop off to enjoy small amounts of marijuana which you can use as not as long as you don’t do so in public.  Find somewhere in private that looks out on the fantastic natural scenery.

Seattle – for adults over 21 has approved retail stores where up to 1 ounce can be purchased and smoked in specific locations but not publicly.

Amsterdam – if you are in Europe, this is the must-stop city for smoke or edibles, both of which you can buy in the designated coffee shops amongst enjoying this famous city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do They Have Dogs at Cruise Ports?

Larger cruise ports will often have some drug dogs on site.  As much as anything, just being present acts as a deterrent for many.   Although they can sniff out marijuana, it is more likely they will be trained and focused on tracking harder substances.

In some cases, the dogs might not be drug dogs at all, instead being bomb dogs trained to sniff out explosives.

There are lots of reports of people with drugs in their pockets walking past dogs in security and not being pulled over.

Bear in mind that security is tighter when you return from a trip than when you leave.  In part, it might depend on where you are returning from. If you are returning from islands known for “good weed” they are more likely to be on the lookout.

Does Carnival Cruise Use Drug Dogs?

There may be drug dogs in the cruise terminal, but there are no drug dogs on Carnival cruise ships.

Can I Smoke Weed on a Cruise for Medical Purposes?

Even if you have a medical card or prescription for medical purposes, you are still not allowed to take marijuana substances on a cruise ship.  There are no exceptions for medicinal purposes, and this is usually clearly stated in each cruise line’s policies.

Can I Smoke Weed in Ports of Call?

If it is legal to smoke weed in your port of call, then you can smoke it or consume it in any form.  Once you are off the ship, you just have to adhere to the local laws, be they state or national.

Can I Get on a Cruise if High After Smoking Weed?

If you have smoked weed before embarking or are returning from a port of call after having smoked, you will still be allowed onboard as there are no checks for drug or alcohol consumption.  However, if it affects your behavior in a negative way, that is a separate matter.

Every time you return to the ship, you will have to go through security metal detectors and bags through cruise scanners, so bear that in mind if you think of taking any back onboard with you.

Can You Buy Marijuana In Alaska Where The Cruise Ships Dock?

You would be legally allowed to purchase weed when you leave your cruise ship in Alaska.  In fact there are ports of call designed to appeal to weed smokers.

You wouldn’t be allowed to take any marijuana back onto the cruise ship.

Can CBD Oils and Lotions be Taken on a Cruise?

All forms of CBD is prohibited by the leading cruise lines, and this includes all forms, whether oils, lotions, or vape pens, and cartridges.

Do They Search Your Bags on a Cruise?

If security spot anything suspicious on your checked luggage or carry-on bags they can manually check them.  

If the bag is a locked checked bag, they may call you down to open it and then inspect it, or some cruise lines will break the lock and open it.

Usually, they are looking for alcohol or weapons, not specifically weed.

Conclusion

While weed is banned on cruise ships, people still find many ways to get it onboard, even though there are risks of severe consequences if caught.

Have you had any experiences with weed onboard a cruise?

Let us know in the comments if you have taken weed on board and how did it go? 

Have you been caught, and what happened?