*Notice: Edited and reposted because moderators don't appreciate it when you talk about other drugs Hello Everyone, So as almost all of you probably do not know I made a post a while ago about how I planned to sneak various items onto a cruise ship (weed/booze); well I finally went on said cruise. In my prior research I was unable to find an exact answer on what exactly security looks like going on to a cruise ship so I figured I would finally answer that question in this post for whomever is curious. Please note that this cruise occurred on a Carnival cruise ship so boarding security on other ships may vary. Please also note that this cruise embarked and disembarked in California, so marijuana is legal on state-level (although still technically illegal on the federal level) (also for those reading this for years to come, this post was written in 2017). The cruise visited Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. Prior to the cruise I researched what security may look like, I got a lot of conflicting information and was unable to get a straight answer. I figured that if I was going to bring anything marijuana-related onboard edibles would be the way to go. I was going on the cruise with several extended family members so if I did get caught trying to sneak anything on board it would be especially bad. Although marijuana is legal on the state level in California, I assumed that we would be going past US Customs & Border Patrol (a federal agency) so if I got caught doing anything I would be prosecuted on a federal level (marijuana is still illegal on a federal level). After scaring myself with the thought of x-rays, drug dogs, and pat downs, I finally decided that all the anxiety was not worth getting high once, so I decided I would just sneak alcohol on-board as if you get caught with that they just confiscate it. So what does security actually look like? You walk through a metal detector and your luggage goes through an x-ray… that's it. No body x-rays as seen at airports. During both embarkment, getting on and off the ship at ports, and disembarkment I saw no signs of drug dogs whatsoever. I walked through the metal detector with my belt on, shoes on, and wallet in my pocket and it did not set off the detector. I easily could have snuck weed and a glass pipe in by taping it somewhere to my body, putting it in my underwear, or just straight-up putting it in my pocket. Please note that if you go this route that you make sure ALL metal goes through the x-ray as my grandpa set off the detector and they performed a pat-down on him. When we got to the port the line to check a bag was extremely long so I decide just to carry it on-board with me. I had an elaborate plan to sneak on vodka in a mouthwash bottle by careful removing the safety-seal, using food coloring, and putting the seal back on. This was all unnecessary as my bag just went through the x-ray with zero concern. I also had a plan to sneak cans of beer in by taking apart a soda 12-pack and replacing all the cans except the two where the handle is with beer then gluing the 12-pack back together. Well this was successful but I would not recommend it as I got extremely lucky. After you send the pack through the x-ray a security officer opens up the end to make sure it was sealed. The cans I used were green and the usual color of of soda I brought are yellow. He just tore a slight amount of the end off of my soda pack and a obvious green can was there, but he did not notice and gave it back to me. The person behind me also had a 12-pack and the security guard ripped the entire end off of his and cans came pouring out (of soda though so obviously he wasn’t trying to sneak anything on). I also found an answer to the question of what would happen if you did get caught attempting to smuggle weed on. My uncle said that he was sitting in his cabin unpacking when he heard “What?!? They took my weed!” in the cabin next to him. So obviously it appears that if they do find weed in your suitcase they will just confiscate it (it sounds like this was the case with a checked bag, but I doubt the reaction would be any different with a carry-on, just a bit more embarrassing). As far as weed on the ship actually goes I wouldn’t say it is common but it definitely is there. Someone was smoking on their balcony every now-and-then over the course of the entire cruise and our entire area of the ship could smell it (from our balconies). No one really seemed to care. I even yelled out “sharing is caring” once and a lady on her balcony below us laughed (I do not believe she was the culprit). We talked to a group in their teens playing basketball on the first night and they said that they snuck on weed but only a small amount they had already smoked because they were afraid they may need to ditch it when going through security. Another guy I talked to snuck on a dab pen and a quarter of dabs (his cousin had it at the time so he was unable to share). My brother actually ended up playing basketball one night with a staff member who brought on herb and a portable vaporizer. He give us both a hit on the last night of the cruise while we were on the deck. The only thing sadder than the security getting on the ship is US Customs and Border Patrol during disembarkment. All they do is ask for your drivers license/birth certificate/passport and then ask what you bought in Mexico (you have a limit on how much you can bring back and they want to make sure you are not trying to dodge taxes). After that you just walk out of the terminal with no additional security. And that is all I really have to say. I had a lot of anxiety about bringing weed on a ship and what security would look like so I hope this post can reduce anxiety for others. Also, please remember that these are the particular circumstances of my experience so other cruise lines/locations may vary. Hopefully they don’t see this post and revamp their security, haha.
You don't know how much I appreciate your post! I'm heading out on a carnival ship on the 20th of this month and have been back and forth about trying to bring 2 dab pens on with me thrown in my makeup bag. This has given me much relief and is exactly what I have been searching for for MONTHS. Thank you thank you thank you and glad you enjoyed your vacation!
Okay, I keep trying to talk myself down and this post helps. Taking a cruise next month and preparing..I get so paranoid about this. I took weed on one of 3 cruises and was dreading it, dreaming up all kinds of horrific scenarios. I think I rolled up a couple of joints and stuck them in the front of my bra, just inside the band. It was no problem, they barely paid attention when boarding and I smoked in the cabin bathroom with air freshener of course. But...that was years ago, pre 9/11 - by 2 days actually (smoking was permitted in the cabins on Carnival then) and now I'm getting paranoid again. Here's the plan: Taking the vape pen and 1 vial of liquid. Screw the weed and the smoke, etc etc. However, I am trying to decide between: For initial boarding - A. Keeping the pen in my purse, either with no liquid, or borrow an e-cig liquid from my travel companion as a decoy, and put the liquid in my makeup case in checked baggage. (lots of tubes and stuff in there) B. Keeping the pen and the liquid inside makeup case in checked baggage. C. Keeping pen and liquid inside makeup case in carry on baggage. Taking the carry on is in last place for a reason... (See how paranoid I get??) What would you do? p.s. This will be strictly for onboard use - way too chicken to try to take it off and on the ship at ports. Nuh-uh. TIA
Though i havent gone on a ship, i will say that wax and pens are the safest way to fly. I alway clean my pen up spic and span and put a new unused coil in it before i go to the airport. I also do put wax in the bottom cap too, so i can medicate before i fly. Ive thought little screw top container's of lip balm, (after being cleaned out) would be ideal to transport wax. Havent tried yet though.
I would suggest option A but just put the liquid in your bra/pocket and walk through the metal detector (make sure the packaging has no foil/metal. Sorry about how long it took to respond, I usually only log in when I have something new to post something.
Do not bring it back off the ship anywhere, throw away or leave for room attendant when cruise is over Dogs going on are for bombs, dogs coming off are for drugs
Of course I was worried about nothing...for boarding, I carried the battery end in my purse and packed the liquid vial (metal!!) in my checked baggage inside my makeup case. Zero issues. I was too nervous to try taking it off the ship at ANY port, and at the end of the cruise, I ditched the remainder of the liquid in a public bathroom trashcan. I left almost half a vial behind, but was prepared to do so before leaving home. Disembarkation was one of those "Murphy's Law" things. After ditching the liquid, no one looked at me twice and there was no metal detector or scanning of anything. Although there was a notice posted that they could search anyone at any time, and there were metal detectors and luggage scanners visible. So, of course if I had tried to bring home the remainder of the liquid, I would have been searched for sure! Ha! Furthermore, I only smoked in the cabin and had air freshener on hand also. My travel companion brought her e-cig and smoked in the non-smoking cabin also. We had no issues. Whew! p.s. If I do this again, I doubt I would vary from this scenario - why take a chance?
Why would you smuggle alcohol onto a cruise ship? Cruises are all about drinking and I'm pretty sure they bring their own.
Does anybody have and info about getting on and off for excursions? Two part question, I’m taking some oil in a ejuice bottle should I take in my carry on or checked luggage? Once onboard when the day comes to get off at Cozumel would bringing my pen setup with me be a good idea? I’d like a little pick me up doing the river safari lol also my pen is a juul look a like if that counts for anything. Getting off the ship do you go through pat downs, metal detectors or dogs? I see everyone saying to ditch it before getting off boat for last time to go home wich I plan. I would like to take my pen and oil with me durning days getting off the ship for excursions and leaving from that destination at 3 or 4pm. Please any info about those checks would be great.
Put it in your check bag it will be fine on the ship never take or bring drugs on or off the ship in a foreign country, when you get off the ship just buy some, and throw or give it away before you get back on the ship, you on vacation not worth the risk, never that drugs off the ship when you get back in the states. The dogs when you leave the states are bomb sniffers, the ones when you get back are drug sniffers. Done it this way half dozen times no problems.
Well I took about 5Ml of oil with me in a bottle with a e cig label. Filled my juul look alike and was able to smoke it all over the ship plus inside the casino. Also took my filled cartridges with me on and off all ports Honduras, Belize and Cozumel. No issues and had a great time.