How to get kicked off a cruise ship

Cruising affords a unique experience for all passengers. No other sector offers such an intricate blend of luxury, adventure, and relaxation all at once. However, there are rules.

Each cruise line has their own strict ‘laws’ which must be obeyed by all inhabitants; failure to do so may find you off the ship with luggage alongside, watching your cruise ship disappear over the horizon – without you.

While the vast majority of guests get through without incident, certain behaviour can result in an abrupt and embarrassing end to your cruise. To most of us, this is common sense, but not everyone is so experienced with cruise line etiquette.

So, during a time when it's particularly easy to cross that line as people become hooked on cruises and ships become bigger than ever, with new routes being opened in exotic locations, perhaps it’s time for an updated elocution lesson – especially when wishing to avoid the blacklist.

Being a pier runner is one thing but ruining everyone’s cruise when trying to act the fool in such fine establishments is another. Let’s help you avoid that. 

Alcohol and drug policies

Cruise ships have regulations on alcoholic drinks, illegal substances and ill-purchased drugs that are strictly enforced.

Violating these rules will lead to immediate ejection from the vessel, for everyone’s sake. While a limited amount of alcohol is allowed in luggage by many lines at their own discretion, excessive drinking can provide subsequent problems for the cruise crew and other passengers.

Want to protest? You will swiftly be offloaded. It is also absolutely forbidden to try and smuggle alcohol or drugs on board. Don’t even think about chancing it. Security is tight for a reason, and that’s to make sure all passengers and crew are protected.

It's no hollow threat, either. Somebody was removed from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2018 after attempting to take alcohol on board disguised as something else. Likewise, in 2019, someone was arrested and taken off a Norwegian Cruise Line ship when they were found with illegal substances in their cabin.

Cruise lines work closely with port authorities, and any drug-related infractions will be dealt with very harshly indeed – often by law enforcement. It’s not worth it. Get hooked on Victoria Sponge instead.

Disruptive behaviour and fighting 

Getting physical or acting aggressively is one of the most certain ways to be escorted ashore by a cruise line. Cruise companies take the safety and comfort of their passengers very seriously. No one who acts in any way that endangers others will be permitted to stay as an occupant on any ship.

There have been many well-documented cases where passengers were removed most forcefully because of violent outbreaks. As with any outrigger of society, any form of violence will absolutely not be tolerated.

A well-known example occurred in 2019 aboard P&O’s Britannia, when a mass brawl broke out in a dining area, reportedly over a costume-related disagreement.

The ship had to dock early, and multiple passengers were escorted off by authorities. Similarly, on a Carnival Cruise in 2022, a large-scale fight involving dozens of guests resulted in several individuals being taken off the ship mid-voyage. And, once that happens, you are on your own for getting back home again. 

Put bluntly, you should respect others in the same way so that everyone can have a good time. If things get worse and seem menacing, inform the ship's crew; do not forcibly take on this responsibility yourself. It may work for Clint Eastwood in his films, but you are firmly in reality here.

It’s also worth pointing out that cruise ships feature an onboard ‘jail’. So even when going transatlantic with the likes of Cunard, should you engage in fisticuffs or worse, then you can look forward to solitary time in the brig before being decanted at the first port.

Violating safety regulations 

Safety requires every individual aboard a cruise to adhere properly to regulations. People who do not uphold these important rules could potentially be removed from the cruise ship with gusto. This includes not participating in the muster drill, tampering with safety equipment, or refusing to follow emergency procedures.

Cunard, a line that has always emphasised tradition and quiet elegance in its cruises, takes the most stringent view of safety violations. This line is not afraid to disembark passengers who flout its suite of carefully established protocols.

Having full-time safety equipment is one of the ship's most useful features. Especially should something go wrong. But how quickly can a holiday go awry? For example, strolling beyond the barrier, or sitting on a balcony without a railing, trying for that extra special picture to appear on social media – actions like these are all prohibited and mean that you could face repercussions, certainly if you insist on being a repeat offender.

In 2019, a Royal Caribbean cruise passenger who climbed onto her balcony railing for Instagram was banned for life. The lady’s actions were caught on the ship's video cameras and she was then removed at the first port of call. Worth it for the Instagram post? We doubt it.
 
Guests should always respect the ship's safety rules, use designated areas for photographs, and refuse any behaviour that endangers their health. But you knew that already. 

Prohibited items

Common sense dictates what can and cannot be brought aboard a cruise ship. Things like guns, drones and other electrical appliances are obviously forbidden.

As an example, a couple was removed from a Norwegian Cruise Line ship in 2020 when security discovered a hidden knife in their baggage. Likewise, another passenger on a Disney Cruise was shown the door and disembarked after using a concealed drone to video-record the ship.

Cruise companies consider security a top priority and people who try to escape those laws could face serious consequences. You aren’t safe when back home, either – for that’s when (if you’ve seriously broken the rules) the lawyers or police can come knocking.

With a view to preventing such problems, when passengers board at the embarkation point, it is always advisable to check out the prohibited items list of their chosen cruise line and pass inspection.

Respect for crew members 

Ship personnel work exceedingly hard to provide their guests with excellent service, and physical or verbal attacks on anyone employed by the ship — such as verbal abuse of people from a different cultural background or who speak a non-native language – remains an absolute no-no. If you play the racist, sexist or xenophobic card, you can expect a rightful eviction.

Cruise lines operate a zero-tolerance attitude toward any form of abusive behaviour, ensuring that dedicated crew never encounter problematic guests or physical harm. Passengers who verbally or physically assault crew members are removed from the ship immediately. You have been warned.

To maintain a healthy atmosphere on board, guests should show basic manners toward staff members, who have an incredible amount of responsibility to be undertaken. Respect the crew, and they will respect you back.

Fraudulent activity or theft

Any form of theft or fraud aboard a cruise ship will result in immediate expulsion. This includes attempts to use stolen credit cards, failing payment for onboard expenses or activities via currency exchanged with onboard shops, and deception such as filing false claims of illness.

In 2018, a passenger with Celebrity Cruises used a stolen credit card to buy items aboard the ship. That person was held until the ship arrived at its next port before they were then handed over to the authorities.

Boasters who attempt to use exploitation for personal gain, such as wrongfully accusing cruise lines of injury claims or otherwise inappropriately taking advantage of other people's troubles, may find themselves forbidden from ever stepping foot on another ship from the line’s fleet.

Passengers must act with good character, pay their bills promptly, and refrain from conduct that might lead their cruise into peril.

Inappropriate or indecent behaviour

Cruise ships are communities, and not just playgrounds, so if you make a scene that crosses the line into indecency — whether because of public drunkenness or lewd acts in public areas where people can see — you may be removed.

A couple was removed from a Holland America cruise in 2020 for something, ahem, inappropriate that they performed in a hot tub; in full view of all the other passengers – including youngsters.

Unruly drunkenness and causing disturbances are often grounds for immediate removal, too. While passengers are always encouraged to enjoy the onboard facilities, they should always remember the need for proper behaviour and the feelings of other guests.

Ask yourself – would you put up with such lewd behaviour? 

Conduct yourself properly on a cruise

Sophistication, elegance and tradition are synonymous with the cruise industry. To ensure a seamless and satisfying experience aboard, you should always adhere to the following etiquette guidelines:

• Dress respectably: Maintain a formal dress code for evening functions and don’t wear jeans to smart occasions.
• Respect personal space: Be polite and mindful of the noise level.
• Observe ship policies: As long as every policy on a ship is adhered to – from safety drills to dining expectations – this guarantees a smooth and enjoyable ride for all concerned.
• Be courteous to the crew: Recognising the hard work of crew members with politeness and kindness will only add to a pleasant atmosphere onboard.

Cruise ships offer a novel way of moving around, albeit with rules that must not be infringed upon.

Actions like unruly conduct, violating safety regulations or treating crew members disrespectfully can quickly lead to removal from the vessel.

By acting responsibly, showing consideration for one's fellow passengers and staff and behaving in accordance with cruise company regulations, guests can ensure that their experience on the high seas will be both unforgettable and trouble-free.

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