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Unauthorized drone use on cruises prohibited

Royal Caribbean issues new policy after Carnival incident

Carnival spokesperson says it is the guest's responsibility to ensure that the port allows drone cameras and to obtain the necessary permits.

In the wake of a recent incident involving a Carnival Cruise Line passenger who flew a drone from a ship's deck, Royal Caribbean has issued a new policy prohibiting the use of drones on its ships.

The policy, which was announced in a statement on the Royal Caribbean website, states that “drones are not permitted to be operated on any Royal Caribbean ship or from any Royal Caribbean property, including but not limited to, cruise terminals, ports of call, and private islands.” The policy also states that “guests who violate this policy may be subject to disembarkation and/or other penalties.”

The new policy is in line with the policies of other major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, which prohibits the use of drones on its ships “for safety and security reasons.” According to Carnival spokesperson Vance Gulliksen, it is the guest's responsibility to ensure that the port allows drone cameras and to obtain the necessary permits.

However, even in cases where drones are allowed, cruisers cannot fly them from the ship. They are for use in port only, and cruisers are responsible for following all local laws and regulations regarding drone use.