There’s no question that marijuana is quickly becoming more mainstream. Today more than dozens of states offer some form of legal weed (meaning medical and/or recreational), while roughly 20 states offer full-blown legalization of the drug.
However, there are still plenty of restrictions on marijuana possession and usage. While it is legal in some states, it’s against the law to carry it over state lines from a legal state to a non-legal state. And even places where it is fully legal have rules on how much you can carry and consuming weed in public.
Most importantly for our purposes, can you bring marijuana on a cruise ship?
Rules Around Marijuana on a Cruise Ship
If you’re wondering if you can bring weed with you on a cruise, the answer is no. Even if you are sailing from a state — or country — where marijuana is fully legalized, you can’t bring it on a cruise ship.
All cruise lines prohibit passengers from bringing weed on a cruise with them. That’s because cruise lines departing the United States follow U.S. federal law regarding marijuana. On the federal level, pot is still illegal to possess.
In addition, cruise ships travel from port to port, often visiting different countries at each stop. In these cases, it would be impossible to comply with each country’s laws if the cruise line allowed passengers to bring weed on their trip.
As well, there are laws about bringing marijuana into a country, even if it is legal in that nation (e.g. Canada).
In other words, to be on the safe side, cruise lines simply prohibit marijuana altogether.
How to Smoke Marijuana Legally on a Cruise
So if it’s prohibited to bring marijuana on a cruise ship, how can you legally smoke it on a cruise?
The only way is by sailing to ports where marijuana is legal and then buying and consuming it while in port.
Many places that are visited by cruise ships are relaxing restrictions on the drug. For example, it is legal in California, Washington, Alaska, New York, Massachusetts and other coastal states. Canada on a whole also has legal marijuana.
Jamaica, a place long known for the ganja culture, has loosened restrictions to where those with a declared medical need for “therapeutic” marijuana can purchase and consume. Even if you don’t have an official declaration, the fine for possession of small amounts is relatively low. Mexico is also seemingly in the works toward legal marijuana.
However, all other ports accessible from cruises from North America still have laws against the drug.
(Keep in mind that most places have laws against public consumption of marijuana, even if it’s legal to buy. It’s up to you to be knowledgeable of all local laws before partaking.)
In other words, if you want to smoke legally, then you’ll need to visit one of this handful of countries or states on your cruise. From there, you’ll need to purchase and consume the product off of the ship, and don’t try to bring anything back with you.
Legal Dispensaries in Cruise Ports
While you might be disappointed that you can’t legally smoke while on a cruise ship, there is some good news.
Many ports where weed is legal are setup to cater to cruise ship guests. For example, Skagway, Alaska, is a popular port for cruises from the West Coast to Alaska. While the town is small (just about 1,000 people), it has a dispensary called the Remedy Shoppe just a few blocks from the cruise port.
Other ports where pot is legal, including Seattle and Juneau, also offer dispensaries near the cruise port should you want to partake. That means if you want to purchase marijuana (legally!) on your cruise, then you should have ample opportunity to do so.
All you need to do is search for a dispensary on Google before arriving to direct you where to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Smoke Legally on the Ship If I Have a Medical License?
As we covered above and in this article, no marijuana is allowed on cruise ships — even if it is for medicinal purposes or legally obtained on shore. That means even if you are docked in a port like Seattle where the drug is legal and you have a license, you aren’t allowed to have or consume it while on the ship.
What happens if I’m caught with weed on a cruise?
To be honest, it’s not entirely clear. If in port, you should be subject to local laws. There are stories of local authorities finding drugs on cruise ships and arresting passengers. If in international waters, it will be up to the cruise line on how they choose to pursue the offense. At the very least, you should expect it to be confiscated and reported to the proper authorities to handle.
What if I come back from port while high?
If you get high while in port (legally) and then come back to the ship, then nothing is likely to happen to you unless you are making a disorderly scene. There are no checks to see if passengers are under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
One thing to keep in mind is that passengers undergo security screening (x-ray of personal items and walking through a metal detector) when coming back to the ship. So if you are thinking about bringing it back on with you, think twice.
Exclude people that’s nice. Everyone can get loaded around me and smoke their nasty cigarettes EVEN INDOORS AT CASINO. but I’m not allowed to have a puff a thing that cures cancer. WOW
Do they sell single edibles in port? Otherwise wouldn’t you have to dispose of it since you cannot take it back on the ship?
Right. Not sure about selling singles. Maybe someone with more experience can answer?
I’m with Gordon
I was planning a trip with my brother but when I found this info I backed out in protest. Until these companies take a stand and the people of this country stand up against our govt.’s stance, nothing will change. I understand this is international but if the govt. changed their stance then all could be cool. The problem is the govt’s stance is purely political. They know that legalizing it will rock the pharmaceutical industry. Several of them are lobbyists for those same companies. “It dulls the brain” is their okie-doke reason they give while turning the blind eye to The heroin-addicted, LEGAL, head-bobbing oxycodone users and alcohol users. Sorry about the political rant but stop me when I’m lying! I’m not anti-govt., just anti-b.s.!
Where was it found? Did they search you? Random check?
I actually did get caught with marijuana concentrates in my cabin on the carnival Vista. We left out of Galveston TX and my marijuana was found while docked in cozumel Mexico. My marijuana was confiscated and I was taken down to the security office and forced to give a statement stating that it was mine and brought it from home and was told if I didn’t write this statement I would be disembarked in Mexico. I was informed that my marijuana would be turned over to local authorities when we returned to Galveston. When we got back to Galveston and I tried to get off the ship I was flagged and forced to wait to speak with authorities. Apparently the Galveston police decided to not pursue charges however I was told I needed to speak with the port authority and led down to customs where they had my marijuana and paraphernalia in evidence bags. I was asked about where I got it and so forth which I admitted I brought from home and was essentially given a stern warning and told to never do that again. He asked what I did for a living etc. I’m a clean cut middle aged guy and was dressed in business attire so I think I may have been given a break. Very scary experience that really ruined my trip so be careful! Not sure if they are quite so lenient with everyone.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Seems something is missing here. You were docked in Mexico and they found it in your cabin? Why would they be searching your cabin?
Room service probably found it while cleaning or fixing up the rooms.
Why would they go through your personal items. Their job is to clean around without touching personal items. Or did you have it just sitting out for them to see
Not entirely accurate, but essentially on target. There are also pot shops near downtown Fairbanks and Anchorage. As to consuming onboard, most cruise lines don’t prohibit vaping in smoking areas and some lines even allow it in your cabin. Since no one can tell what’s in a vape cartridge it’s an easy way to consume your cannabis on board.
We wouldn’t risk it. It’s against the rules of the ship and there are laws against taking marijuana in and out of a country.
Some of us have been ‘risking it’s for years out of medical necessity. I’d rather risk a fine than a seizure or other serious medical episode without it. Edibles and Vapes travel remarkably incognito. Not everyone is priveleged enough to live somewhere legal.
In some ports they bring dogs on board to sniff.