Can I take a drone on a cruise? Updated January 2019
Thinking of taking your drone on your cruise? It may be a good idea to ask the cruise line “Can I bring a drone on a cruise” as from the digging we have done there is no clear and consistent answer.
Drones have increased in popularity and you can get some stunning video footage from them, but taking a drone on a cruise is not always possible.
You will need to delve in to the cruise lines Terms & Conditions regarding this – you may find you will only be able to use your drone off the ship or they refuse to carry the drone and it may be confiscated until the end of your cruise.
It’s also worth looking up the local laws in the country your are visiting to ensure there is no laws in place regarding their use. Knowing the no fly zones and other restrictions is important.
Here are some useful links that I found when researching this post:
Useful websites
US drone Laws : https://mydroneauthority.com/industry/drone-laws-regulations-guide/
Laws by country: https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws
Carnival
Permitted to be carried on to the ship but not used on the ship.
Cunard
Cunard do not allow you to bring a drone onboard.
https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/before-you-sail/drone_on_board
Norwegian Cruise Line
Guests are not permitted to bring drones onboard.
https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/prohibited-items
P&O
Drones are listed on their Prohibited Items list.
https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/before-you-sail/not_allowed
Princess
Drones are lists on their Prohibited items list.
https://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/bring.jsp
Royal Caribbean
As of early 2018, Royal Caribbean changed their policy (thanks to a reader for letting us know).
“Guests are welcome to bring drones on their cruise for use on land only and outside of the port area. However, drones are not to be operated onboard the ship at any time, nor on Royal Caribbean’s private destinations: CocoCay, Bahamas or Labadee, Haiti.”
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-guests-bring-drones-onboard
Viking Cruises
Guests can bring drones on their cruise for use on land only