Imagine staggering back to your room after a few too many drinks. You climb the deck railing for that perfect selfie, then toss some trash overboard. Sounds fun, right? Wrong. In one reckless night, you’ve broken enough rules to get kicked off the cruise ship faster than you can say bon voyage. No refund, no return trip—just you, your luggage, and a hard lesson learned.
Cruise ships are all about relaxation, having fun, and creating lasting memories. But when it comes to ship rules and safety protocols, it’s no joke. The crew takes ship rules seriously for everyone’s safety. Push the boundaries too far, and those friendly smiles turn into stern warnings. Worse, you could be walking the plank with an early exit.
Cruise lines don’t mess around when it comes to keeping things shipshape. Are you ready to discover how one mistake can ruin your dream vacation? Keep reading to learn how to avoid getting marooned in your next port of call.
Why Cruise Lines Kick Passengers Off the Ship
Strict rules on cruise ships prioritize passenger safety so everyone can enjoy themselves. Banned activities onboard relate to disruptive behavior, safety and security violations, dangerous stunts, and alcohol-related offenses. You may be surprised that you agreed to abide by all ship laws when you sign the cruise contract.
Many cruisers don’t know that the ship’s captain is the judge and jury regarding bad behavior onboard. And you don’t have any rights to complain, appeal, or sue the cruise line for getting booted off.
NBC 6 South Florida reported that one passenger was kicked off the ship after a heated argument with a crew member, even though the incident didn’t get physical. What about appealing the decision? Maritime lawyer Brett Rivkind says cruise companies draft contracts giving passengers few rights. The crew determines how to interpret and apply the rules.
How to Get Kicked Off a Cruise Ship in an Instant
Cruise lines have a zero-tolerance policy regarding disturbing behavior. Whether it’s picking a fight, breaking safety protocols, or sneaking into restricted areas, don’t go overboard with impulsive actions. Sanctions range from the cruise ship jail—yes, there is one—to an exit faster than a sinking ship in a storm.
Read on to learn what to avoid so your dream cruise vacation doesn’t get shipwrecked on the stormy seas of recklessness.
Violent, dangerous, or criminal behavior
The cruise industry takes safety seriously. So, it goes without saying that violence and disruptive behavior are not tolerated. Unfortunately, the phrase “but he started it” isn’t going to appease the crew if you get into an altercation. Therefore, it’s best to walk away at any sign of trouble and report the matter to security.
Other actions that can get you kicked off faster than lowering a lifeboat in an emergency include stealing, vandalism, and threatening a fellow passenger or crew member. This ship rule also applies to kids and teens—the family can get kicked off if kids start fighting.
One cruise passenger described how a man got into a heated argument with his wife. He threatened to jump overboard and disappeared from their cabin. She reported him missing, the ship stopped, and the man was found the following day hiding. They were booted off at the next port of call.
Harassment, stalking, or sexual misconduct
Cruise lines won’t allow any passenger to remain onboard who harasses, stalks, or makes inappropriate sexual advances. This could include trying to hit on a crew member, sexual shenanigans in public places, or repeatedly bothering someone. This behavior violates the safety and comfort of other cruise ship passengers.
A cruiser on TripAdvisor told how one couple was removed from the cruise ship for having loud sex with their balcony door open. When passengers complained, the couple started verbally abusing the crew members. So, it shows that cruise lines take severe action when passengers disrupt the peace on board.
Alcohol misuse or drunken behavior
Getting drunk in public is one thing, but alcohol-fueled, reckless behavior will quickly land you in trouble. Some cruise passengers want to get their money’s worth on their drink package. After losing their inhibitions, they become public nuisances, start fights, or threaten the safety of fellow passengers.
Buying alcoholic drinks for a minor is another reckless action that will see you back on terra firma faster than you can say “land ahoy.” Trying to sneak drinks to underage passengers is an illegal activity in international waters and on dry land.
But it’s not just minors with their parents that can get kicked off the ship for underage drinking. The legal drinking age on most U.S.-based cruises is 21. Even though a passenger can legally drink in their home country, they must follow ship rules regarding consuming alcoholic drinks.
On one cruise, I was waiting to see someone at the excursion desk. Two young guys were sitting next to me and had bags with them. It turns out they had too much to drink and had got into a heated argument with someone in the dining room. They were waiting until local authorities cleared their forced disembarkation from the ship.
Bringing prohibited items onboard
Weapons are on the list of banned items on a cruise ship, so don’t consider bringing any onboard. The dangerous item could be anything from a firearm to a large kitchen knife, BB gun, and a toy gun. Your vacation will end fast if you are caught brandishing martial arts or self-defense items.
When packing, remember luggage limits. Most cruise ships allow two suitcases per passenger, weighing no more than 50 lbs. (23 kg). So, avoid the tendency to overpack.
Endangering passenger safety
Tampering with safety equipment is another reason for making an early exit from the cruise ship. It should be common sense not to mess around with lifeboats, fire alarms, or life jackets. This is dangerous behavior as it puts passenger and crew safety at risk.
Cruise lines take safety violations seriously, and any attempt to interfere with ship equipment will see you escorted off the ship.
Violating security or restricted areas
Cruise lines have strict policies regarding onboard security. Therefore, you cannot prevent crew members from scanning your luggage or checking your onshore purchases. Also, certain areas of the cruise ship are off-limits to passengers. These include crew-only zones, the ship’s engine room, and unaccompanied visits to the galley.
Tampering with security systems is also a serious safety breach. Onboard CCTV is there to keep all passengers safe and identify disturbing behavior. Therefore, it’s prohibited to disconnect, alter, or damage any surveillance cameras. Even if you think a camera is pointed at your balcony, you cannot interfere with it if you want to stay on board.
Falsifying travel documents
Falsifying travel documents—health certificates, visas, or passports—is a serious offense. You’ll either be denied boarding or swiftly escorted from the ship if caught. Accurate documentation ensures the safety of everyone onboard and that the cruise line meets legal requirements.
Before traveling, ensuring your documents meet the entry requirements for each port of call is crucial. You may require a visa to enter some countries, depending on your citizenship.
I read about a couple arguing with security about their documents not matching up. You’ve guessed it—they were escorted off the ship at the next port. Remember that cruise lines don’t tolerate any dishonesty.
Failing to follow safety or ship rules
Cruise ships expect all passengers to follow strict safety protocols; otherwise, they face forced disembarkation. Although muster drills are simplified, you must check in at your muster station after watching a safety video. You must also follow rules about not bringing electrical appliances or flammable liquids on board.
Cruise lines take fire safety procedures and evacuation protocols seriously, and failure to comply can get you removed from the ship. You may have ignored the safety demonstration on the flight; don’t do the same onboard.
Tossing trash and fishing from your balcony? Big no-nos
Throwing anything overboard is a severe violation of ship rules. Tossing trash or other items from the deck or balcony isn’t only bad for the environment. It can harm fellow passengers below if it gets blown back. It doesn’t matter if it’s a food scrap or a plastic bottle; you cannot throw it overboard.
I read about one Finnish passenger who was filmed throwing ship furniture overboard in a drunken frenzy. He was escorted off the ship, fined $10,000, and a criminal investigation was started.
Don’t even think about fishing from your private balcony. One couple thought posting a video of themselves catching tropical fish from their balcony was fun. Although they weren’t caught onboard, Carnival Cruise Line banned them for life after viewing the illegal behavior.
Jumping overboard
Jumping ship is a reckless action that can get you kicked off a cruise ship. Not only is the risk of death high, but you can injure other passengers and cause a major security alert. You also put crew members at risk as they must launch emergency protocols that delay the voyage.
It was reported that a man jumped from the 9th deck of a Royal Caribbean ship that docked at Nassau, Bahamas. Although he survived, he could barely walk for three days. Needless to say, he and his friends were kicked off the ship and banned for life.
Unauthorized sale of goods or services
Trying to sell goods or services onboard without approval is a surefire way to get booted from the ship. Practices like selling souvenirs, promoting ‘discounted’ tours, or offering unofficial services are strictly prohibited. Cruise lines view unauthorized sales as disruptive and quickly remove offenders from the ship.
One passenger said that a guy on their ship was trying to sell discounted shore excursions to fellow passengers. However, security learned about it, and the man was never seen on the ship after leaving the next port.
Excessive noise or nuisance complaints
Your cruise may quickly end if you receive repeated warnings about noisy or nuisance behavior. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean prohibit loud noise and take complaints seriously. However, other companies don’t have specific noise policies, but they ban noisy equipment like boom boxes, loud radios, and music amplifiers.
Public indecency
Flouting ship rules on public nudity—including topless sunbathing—could put you on the fast track down the gangway for good. Cruise ships cater to families, couples, and travelers of all ages. Therefore, nudity or sexual activity in public areas or exposing yourself to other passengers is strictly against ship policies.
Other examples of indecent behavior include making offensive gestures, wearing skimpy clothing in dining venues, or wearing rude clothing.
If you want to cruise in your birthday suit, check out some of the best nude cruises available.
I read about one cruise where a drunk woman stripped naked in the pool area and started dancing. Security was quick to attend and escort the woman away. She was never seen again on the voyage. Therefore, the ship crew is quick to act to remove anyone deemed to be a nuisance.
Breaking curfew for minors
Most cruise contracts require guests 17 years old or younger to be in their cabins by 1 a.m. Many contributors in cruise forums mention ‘feral kids running riot in the early hours.’ Some cruise guest conduct policies stipulate that at least one parent must accompany minors at all times in public areas.
Although unsupervised kids running around the ship at midnight might not directly get a family kicked off a cruise, disruptive behavior can lead to serious consequences. For instance, I read about an experience where two children got into an altercation, and both were confined to their staterooms with a parent for the remainder of the trip. Another family was banned for life on Royal Caribbean due to ship damage caused by their unsupervised children.
Getting sick and breaking quarantine
While it’s not bad behavior, you must stay in your cabin if you’ve got a contagious disease. For example, if you show signs of norovirus or other transmissible diseases, you and your cabin guest must follow quarantine procedures. Breaking quarantine could mean you get kicked off the ship.
If you fall seriously ill on board and require hospital treatment, you will have a medical disembarkation to get proper medical care. Additionally, the crew can refuse boarding if you look visibly ill.
Using drugs or bringing them onboard
Bringing illegal drugs onboard is one of the best ways to get kicked off a ship. Even if certain substances are legal in your home country or state, cruise lines have a zero-tolerance policy. The consequences may be more severe than a ruined vacation. Cruise lines have a legal obligation to inform the appropriate authorities.
One cruise passenger thought he could smuggle two small bags of marijuana on board after a stopover in Jamaica. Despite begging for leniency, he was removed from the ship at the next port of call. Remember that medical marijuana products are also strictly forbidden onboard.
I read about one woman who was banned from Carnival Cruise Lines for sneaking CBD gummies onboard that she purchased from a pharmacy. She didn’t realize they were banned products, as she bought them legitimately.
Bringing unauthorized guests onboard
Sneaking unauthorized passengers on the ship strictly violates the cruise line’s guest policy. Only registered cruise passengers and crew members are allowed onboard. This policy ensures the health and safety of everyone on the ship. Whether you are trying to get a friend on board or someone you met in port, don’t risk your vacation for a reckless act.
Reckless posing for pictures
Looking to get a spectacular onboard selfie? If so, don’t climb on the balcony railing or hang from the ship unless you want an abrupt end to your cruise vacation. Cruise lines prioritize passenger safety and don’t tolerate reckless behavior. Your cruise contract states that “standing, sitting, climbing on exterior or interior railings is prohibited.”
CNN reported that one Instagram model was banned for life from Royal Caribbean for climbing onto a balcony railing to pose for a photo.
Smoking in non-designated areas
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas—anywhere else, including your cabin or balcony—is strictly forbidden. Your first smoking or vaping violation may result in a stern warning and a hefty fine. However, if you continue to light up where you shouldn’t, you’ll get kicked off the ship.
From what I read on cruise forums, the crew quickly responds to complaints about people smoking on balconies or cabins. Usually, the threat of disembarkation is enough for smokers to use the designated areas after a warning.
Related articles:
