Let’s be honest, with weed now legal in many parts of the world, especially across North America, a lot of people are wondering: Can I bring weed on a cruise?
Whether you’re sailing from California, Florida, or even Canada, the rules around cannabis on cruise ships are surprisingly strict – and not knowing them could ruin your holiday before it even starts.
Here’s everything you need to know.
🚫 What If Week is Legal in My State (or Country)?
You might live in a place where cannabis is completely legal – like California, Colorado, or even all of Canada. But cruise ships operate under federal law and maritime regulations, which means local weed laws don’t apply at sea.
For example:
- In the U.S., marijuana is still illegal at the federal level – and cruise ships follow federal, not state, law.
- Even if you’re sailing from a legal state, cruise terminals are often federally managed.
- Most major cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, etc.) are registered in countries with strict drug laws, even if they’re sailing from more liberal places.
So even if it’s legal where you board, that doesn’t make it legal once you’re on the ship.
💊 What About Medical Marijuana?
This might feel like a grey area, but unfortunately, it’s still a no.
Even with a valid medical prescription or marijuana card, cruise lines do not allow cannabis on board. This includes:
- Flower or edibles
- Vapes or cartridges
- Even CBD with trace THC (often banned too)
Why? Because:
- The ship visits multiple countries, each with different laws.
- You could face serious penalties in port – including arrest, even if you’re just carrying cannabis for medical use.
- Cruise lines don’t want the risk, so they enforce a blanket ban.
If you rely on cannabis for anxiety, pain, or sleep, it’s worth looking into legal alternatives like over-the-counter sleep aids or herbal supplements before your cruise.
🛑 What Happens If You Get Caught?
Short answer: it’s not worth it.
Here’s what could happen if you try to bring weed onboard or get caught using it during your cruise:
- You could be denied boarding (yes, even before your trip begins).
- You could be kicked off the ship at the next port, no refund.
- You could be arrested, especially in countries with zero-tolerance drug laws.
- You could be banned for life from the cruise line.
And even if you’re not caught in a legal sense, you could still be reported by other passengers or staff. The smell of cannabis alone can lead to a cabin search or warning.
👀 Can I Just Sneak It On?
Plenty of people try, and some even succeed – but it’s always a risk.
Cruise terminals use:
- Bag scanners
- Drug-sniffing dogs
- Random inspections
Even if you manage to sneak it on, using it discreetly is hard. Smoking on balconies is banned, and cabin ventilation isn’t exactly subtle.
And if another guest smells it and reports you? You’re facing the same consequences as someone caught at security.
🌍 What If I’m Cruising from Canada or Europe?
Canada might have fully legalised cannabis, but cruise lines still enforce their own rules. Most ban weed onboard regardless of your embarkation point.
In Europe, it’s even trickier. While countries like the Netherlands or Portugal have relaxed cannabis laws, others – like Italy, France, or Greece – do not. Even having it in your possession while stepping off the ship could lead to fines or worse.
So, Can You Cruise with Weed?
Weed might be legal where you live, and you might even rely on it – but cruise ships are not the place for it.
The cruise industry plays it safe to avoid legal trouble across multiple jurisdictions. That means:
- No recreational cannabis
- No medical cannabis
- No “just a little vape pen”
It’s better to avoid the stress and stick to what’s allowed. If you’re concerned about sleep, pain, or anxiety, speak to your GP or pharmacist about legal, travel-safe alternatives before you sail.
TL;DR
- Weed is not allowed on cruises, even if it’s legal where you live or sail from.
- Medical marijuana is banned too.
- Getting caught could mean missing your cruise, getting kicked off, or even arrest abroad.
- Don’t risk it – there are safer, legal ways to relax on holiday.
