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Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:15 am
by gunaddict312
Just out of curiosity im about to go on a cruise and i couldnt find anything on their website about firearms.

Any insite if you can or can't carry? Not a big deal but if i can i will, if not i would prefer to leave it at home in the safe instead of in my car.

Thanks

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:19 am
by longtooth
Someone will probably be along to cite the law but I will assure you cruise security will not let you aboard armed.

Dont even think of getting off at, say Cozumel, armed.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:24 am
by JCole
I'd be very surprised if any cruise lines allowed carry on board. I checked the websites of a couple, and both expressly prohibit firearms.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:28 am
by gunaddict312
thanks guys i was pretty sure that i couldn't but for some reason i couln't find it in writing.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:29 am
by A-R
Depending where ship us going, you likely have problems with international law too. I remember when reading about the piracy around Somalia that some international law prohibits possession of arms on non-military boats in international waters - thus the crews on those cargo ships being hijacked are basically defenseless.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:28 am
by Tallinthesaddle
We went on a cruise last month and I thought about my pistols at home several times. The ships have metal detectors when you come on the ship. I brought a tactical knife in my luggage to keep on board. I heard one story that an Alaskan cruise ship would not let you bring an "Ulu" knife on board, you had to ship it to the lower 48. They watch it pretty close.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:51 am
by couzin
Cannot carry onto the ship - true - but I still took a weapon as far as the cruise ship parking lot. I took a 'low cost' pistol and hid it once I was at the lot. The lots are pretty secure and if it was stolen - then at least I wouldn't be out a lot of cash. You can take a <4" knife in your luggage - but be careful in the ports you visit - carrying any kind of knife could get you some un-needed attention. Make sure you pack the extra, EXTRA, large size of "Listerine." :cheers2:

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:56 am
by duckhead
austinrealtor wrote:Depending where ship us going, you likely have problems with international law too. I remember when reading about the piracy around Somalia that some international law prohibits possession of arms on non-military boats in international waters - thus the crews on those cargo ships being hijacked are basically defenseless.
What law is that? Everyone I know who takes their own boat into international waters has at least one firearm aboard.

However, most cruise ship do prohibit weapons.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:01 am
by texjames
duckhead wrote:
austinrealtor wrote:Depending where ship us going, you likely have problems with international law too. I remember when reading about the piracy around Somalia that some international law prohibits possession of arms on non-military boats in international waters - thus the crews on those cargo ships being hijacked are basically defenseless.
What law is that? Everyone I know who takes their own boat into international waters has at least one firearm aboard.
Probably a differant deal when its your own vessel.
http://thecoastalpassage.com/guns_aboard.html
http://www.maritimesecurity.com/gunsonboard.htm

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:17 am
by duckhead
Yes. Mexican law applies in Mexican waters. However, he and I were talking about international waters. I don't know any laws that prohibits an American flagged vessel from having firearms aboard in international waters. If someone says laws exist, it's reasonable to request a reference to an official source.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:24 am
by texjames
duckhead wrote:Yes. Mexican law applies in Mexican waters. However, he and I were talking about international waters. I don't know any laws that prohibits an American flagged vessel from having firearms aboard in international waters. If someone says laws exist, it's reasonable to request a reference to an official source.
I guess if you don't ever inter a port then...leave USA come right back to USA.
If you enter a port...look at that first link above...down towards the bottom shows most countrys.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:40 am
by joe817
duckhead wrote:
austinrealtor wrote:Depending where ship us going, you likely have problems with international law too. I remember when reading about the piracy around Somalia that some international law prohibits possession of arms on non-military boats in international waters - thus the crews on those cargo ships being hijacked are basically defenseless.
What law is that? Everyone I know who takes their own boat into international waters has at least one firearm aboard.

However, most cruise ship do prohibit weapons.
It's the law of the IMO(International Maritime Organization). International maritime treaties entered into by the U.S. and most of the countries in the world.

The governing document is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS):

http://www.imo.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
What law is that? Everyone I know who takes their own boat into international waters has at least one firearm aboard.
IANAL, but I suggest they are violating international law when they do.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:50 am
by duckhead
joe817 wrote:http://www.imo.org/
What law is that? Everyone I know who takes their own boat into international waters has at least one firearm aboard.
IANAL, but I suggest they are violating international law when they do.
I ask again. What law?

:rules:

I clicked on your link and searched for firearms and found this.
Where a shot gun or hunting rifle is provided to protect survivors from wildlife, it should be stored in a secure location readily available in an emergency.
and
Where firearms are carried in accordance with paragraph 11.4.2, a minimum of two crew members should be cognizant of current firearm regulations and guidelines and be trained in the use of shotguns or hunting rifles.
It sounds like firearms are not only legal, but recommended in some situations.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:01 pm
by The Annoyed Man
NObody is going to hard time a captain at sea in international waters for having a marine shotgun or pistol on board. Where it becomes an issue is when you put into port. If you put into port in Texas, you're fine. Maybe not so much in New York harbor. And in some countries, firearms possession is flat out illegal under any circumstances. So, if you're circumnavigating the globe in your privately owned 35 ft sailboat, and you have a shotgun on board, do NOT put in at Southampton, England.

And then there is California, where your onboard firearm might have been legal when you left for Oregon, but might be illegal when you return to California 7 days later.
:mrgreen:

But in answer to the OP's question. No. Don't try to carry it onboard.

Re: Carrying on a cruise?

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:08 pm
by duckhead
The Annoyed Man wrote:And then there is California, where your onboard firearm might have been legal when you left for Oregon, but might be illegal when you return to California 7 days later.
:mrgreen:
:smilelol5:
The Annoyed Man wrote:But in answer to the OP's question. No. Don't try to carry it onboard.
I agree. Don't smuggle weapons onboard a cruise ship. If you don't feel safe, do something else on vacation.