Legal implications of carrying on a cruise ship

[seven]

(Not sure if this is in the right place)
i'm heading on a cruise and i know that the cruise ship prohibits firearms, but with the turmoil in mexico and the increase in pirate/drug trafficking activity, i feel it prudent to be armed as an individual for my families safety. Not saying that i will do this, but i can find no resources that tell me that this will be a Very Bad Idea (tm)

That aside, my question is this: what are the possible problems i could encounter if i did, in fact, carry a firearm on board with me and (should i be caught with it,) what would my rights be at that point?

[Jicko]

How about, carrying a gun onto an airplane, in light of those 9/11 events? duh!!!




"i feel it prudent to be armed as an individual for my families safety" <- just stay home....

[ohsmily]

(Not sure if this is in the right place)
i'm heading on a cruise and i know that the cruise ship prohibits firearms, but with the turmoil in mexico and the increase in pirate/drug trafficking activity, i feel it prudent to be armed as an individual for my families safety. Not saying that i will do this, but i can find no resources that tell me that this will be a Very Bad Idea (tm)

That aside, my question is this: what are the possible problems i could encounter if i did, in fact, carry a firearm on board with me and (should i be caught with it,) what would my rights be at that point?

If you were able to smuggle a gun onto the cruise ship, you wouldn't be able to easily take it off and on, (i.e. when you get off and go into Mexico) because they put you through a metal detector and your bags are scanned when you get back on the ship.

[BKinzey]

Depends on where the ship is when you are caught. If caught in US waters it will have been a Very Bad Idea. If caught in Mexico waters, or on Mexican soil, it will have been an extremely bad and stupid idea.

If you are that concerned then don't go.

[B Strong]

(Not sure if this is in the right place)
i'm heading on a cruise and i know that the cruise ship prohibits firearms, but with the turmoil in mexico and the increase in pirate/drug trafficking activity, i feel it prudent to be armed as an individual for my families safety. Not saying that i will do this, but i can find no resources that tell me that this will be a Very Bad Idea (tm)

That aside, my question is this: what are the possible problems i could encounter if i did, in fact, carry a firearm on board with me and (should i be caught with it,) what would my rights be at that point?

Cruise ship security is better than airport security, so the chances of getting caught are about 100%

Exactly what actual criminal charges you might face I can't say, but I've gone on many cruises and never felt at risk, and I carry every day of the week at home.

Leave your piece at home, stay on the ship if you're worried about conditions on the ground in Mexico (prudent idea imo) and have a good trip.

[Untamed1972]

Haven't all of the pirate issue been over around africa? Don't remember hearing any issues with mexican cruises. I would be more worried about my safety while on shore during any of the mexican ports of call.

[sorensen440]

They might make you walk the plank if in international waters

[demnogis]

I thought for airlines you could transport a firearm so long as you notify them and it is NOT in your carry-on baggage.

Is it possible you could keep your firearms in a locked container in your luggage? I suppose if your ship were being approached by pirates and you were on a large private yacht or a cruise-liner, you would be able to get back to your room and grab your firearms, should you need it.

But I'm uncertain of the screening process of luggage getting onto the cruise liner.

[Untamed1972]

I thought for airlines you could transport a firearm so long as you notify them and it is NOT in your carry-on baggage.

Is it possible you could keep your firearms in a locked container in your luggage? I suppose if your ship were being approached by pirates and you were on a large private yacht or a cruise-liner, you would be able to get back to your room and grab your firearms, should you need it.

But I'm uncertain of the screening process of luggage getting onto the cruise liner.

The difference with checked baggage on an airplane is that you as the passenger have no access to your checked bags while the plane is in transit. That would not be the case on a cruise ship.

You would hafta look at it from the POV of the ships crew. You say it is to protect yourself from pirates. But what if YOU ARE the pirate? If they let everyone on with a gun, then ships would be getting pirated and robbed constantly.

[bden]

I can't speak to any of the legal issues or policies, but having been on a few cruises before I can tell you they do x-ray baggage and have you walk through a metal detector before embarking on the cruise and at some ports when getting back on the boat. One thing they're looking for is booze just to be sure you don't sneak any past their check-in for safe keeping point (and costing them in the way of lost on-board sales). Don't know what else, but surely a firearm would show. They're sometimes a bit lax on the booze thing too, but it's a crap shoot really.

[9mmlaw]

No go, as has been pointed everything is x-rayed before going on the ship. That includes passengers and luggage (checked or otherwise).

Just have fun!!!!!

[Nessal]

The difference with checked baggage on an airplane is that you as the passenger have no access to your checked bags while the plane is in transit. That would not be the case on a cruise ship.

You would hafta look at it from the POV of the ships crew. You say it is to protect yourself from pirates. But what if YOU ARE the pirate? If they let everyone on with a gun, then ships would be getting pirated and robbed constantly.

That's like saying of everyone in the USA is armed there will be a shoot out every hour of the day.

If everyone is armes, they will all be safer from pirates and also from burglers. If someone on a boat is hell bent on robbing someone, they will do it, gun or not.

[DDT]

Many cruise ships now have some form of armory on board, or so I was told on our last cruise (in March.) You will be going through a metal detector and your bags through an x-ray at every port. Many of the Mexican ports also have a local clearance to get back on the cruise ship dock. If you don't feel safe on the ground in Mexico don't leave the ship. Personally I think you lose a lot by doing this but it's better than feeling unsafe. As far as the consequences of carrying on the ship; if you are careful there is little need to worry about on board but when getting back on board from a stop you will be screened and under the local laws. If you are caught bringing a gun back on board (or disembarking with a firearm) you will most likely be turned over to Mexican authorities.

[KCM222]

There is a reason why the pirates are attacking ships off the coast of Africa; the ships do not have any firearms and the management chooses for it to remain that way.

They don't have any firearms because when the ship docks it is subject to the laws and jurisdiction of that country. IE all of Mexico's gun laws will apply to you once you are in port.

So if you're caught you could very well find yourself on the wrong side of a Mexican jail cell.

Sorry, I don't have a reference for you. This was explained to me by someone who manages part of the shipping docks in LA in response to me asking him why the ship's crews sailiing through pirate waters don't arm themselves.

[rob]

I don't doubt that it is possible to smuggle aboard a firearm on a cruise ship, but I suspect if caught you will be treated as if you were smuggling it on an airplane. I wouldn't recommend it at all...especially if it is because you are going to Ensenada. Ensenada just isn't worth it!

I've been doing some research lately for a cruise and it seems Cabo San Lucas is still relatively unaffected by the current wave of drug related violence.