To say there’s been a revolution in public opinion around marijuana, hemp, and CBD would be putting it lightly.
Following the passage of a 2018 farm bill, the rules regarding CBD oils specifically have eased. In fact, you likely noticed a boom in shops selling products with CBD oils in them. You might have even noticed CBD in places you’d never expect like convenience stores and even national chains.
So why is CBD so popular? For many of the same reasons that taking a cruise is so popular. Many people report eased anxiety, better sleep, pain relief, and more. In a country where for years many people have turned to pharmaceuticals for health problems, some believe that CBD offers better benefits with fewer side effects and are a healthier option.
Of course, with the number of people using CBD, that also means there are more people who want to know if they can bring it on a cruise ship. That’s why we’ve looked into the rules to see if you can board your ship with CBD on your next vacation.
Relaxing Rules Mean More Acceptance. What About Cruises?
As rules surrounding marijuana, hemp, and CBD relax in the United States (and other parts of the world), it has put the cruise lines in confusing situation.
Take marijuana, for instance. If you are taking an Alaskan cruise, the ship would likely leave from Seattle, sail to Alaska, and have a call in Canada. In all three of these places recreational marijuana is legal. So you can bring it on a cruise, right?
Wrong. As we explained here, cruise lines follow federal laws, which still make marijuana illegal. It’s also illegal to take the substance into or out of Canada.
So what about CBD, which doesn’t contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana? Isn’t it legal in the U.S.? Doesn’t that mean you can take it?
The Definitive Word on CBD on a Cruise Ship
Truth is, the laws surrounding CBD are still fuzzy. For instance, PBS NewsHour put together an exhaustive article around the legality of CBD. They had this to say:
“Yes, purchasing CBD is federally legal as long as it doesn’t contain more than 0.3 percent THC, but some state laws have put restrictions on buyers.
“…These federal provisions, as written, also have a blindspot whereby a store can sell as much CBD as it wants, as long it doesn’t make any health claims about its products, put it in food nor add it to dietary supplements.”
But one thing to remember is that cruises may depart from the United States, but they travel to other countries. So cruise lines are dealing not only with U.S. law, but Mexican law, Canadian law, Bahamian law, Dutch law, and many more.
In other words, it’s far simpler and easier simply to not let passengers bring CBD on a cruise and stay clear of violations. This keeps both the cruise line and the individual passengers in the clear.
That’s why you can’t bring CBD on a cruise.
For example, Carnival Cruise Lines specifically mentions CBD on their prohibited items list:
“Any illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic, designer drugs, marijuana, cannabis and cannabis derivatives such as Cannabidiol (CBD) items which may be labeled as medical marijuana. While certain CBD products used for medicinal purposes may be legal in the U.S. based on state and local laws, they are not legal under U.S. federal law and in all the ports we visit and therefore are also considered prohibited items. “
Royal Caribbean lists only “illegal drugs and illegal substances” under prohibited items on its cruises. Previously it has a specific line for “CBD Oil / CBD Products” but that has since been removed.
Norwegian Cruise Lines‘ Prohibited Items List says you can’t bring on “All illegal narcotics/drugs. (Including Marijuana prescribed for medical purposes and other items used as drug paraphernalia. This includes all products containing CBD, oils, candies, and gummies or any product containing THC.”
Even Virgin Voyages, considered a line that’s more carefree than others, has strict rules. According to their website, the line’s “ships are flagged in the Bahamas, and as such we are bound by Bahamian law as applied to our ship operations. Per the Bahamian Maritime Authority, products of any type containing CBD or THC are illegal and are prohibited from being brought onboard or used on Bahamian ships.”
You’ll find that other cruise lines have similar policies.
Put simply, don’t bring your CBD-infused items on your cruise. They are against the rules for now.
What if I Bring CBD on a Cruise Anyway?
What happens if you decide to risk it and bring your CBD anyway? If found, expect it to be confiscated. And then you’ll be out whatever you paid for it.
Norwegian Cruise Line says in their policies that “ship management reserves the right to confiscate any item that may be perceived to be a threat to safety, security, environmental or overall operation of the ship.”
Carnival has a similar notice on its website. It says that “items will be removed and disposed of and no compensation will be provided.”
If in another country when found, you would be subject to the laws of that nation.
Related Reading:
- How to Smoke Marijuana (Legally!) While On a Cruise
- What Happens If I’m Caught Sneaking Alcohol on a Cruise?
You need to update this article. Especially concerning Royal Caribbean. Your article says “Then it has another specific line for “CBD Oil / CBD Products.”” It absolutely DOES NOT say this.
We have an 11 year old child with cerebral palsy, on Epidiolex for LGS seizures. While I’ve never been an advocate for CBD. The doctor prescribed this. Along with a seizure medication she was already on, she is finally doing great and no seizures since. Idk how we will ever be able to bring her on a cruise if there are no exceptions to the rules? I’d there any ship we can take her on?
You can contact the cruise line, but they are usually specific that CBD isn’t allowed.
Happy to hear that it’s helping with the seizures. That’s wonderful.