Question about going on a cruise.

[NorCal*Shooter]

Okay, so I have never been on a cruise before and I'm going on a Hawaiian cruise in the next couple of months. I usually carry my off-duty firearm everywhere I go. Have any of my fellow COPS been on a cruise before and know the rules regarding bringing a firearm on board. I'm not particularly worried about having it on board, but when we dock in Hawaii, I'd like to be able to carry it on the islands. Thanks for any info you guys and gals can provide!

[mej16489]

My gut says you would have to ship it to yourself in Hawaii.

[Ron-Solo]

Most cruises are a definite no. You go thru metal detectors every time you board the ship and all bags are xrayed.

As for carrying in Hawaii, I've been there many times, and never felt the need to carry.

Like any tourist destination, pick pockets are the biggest problem, and never leave anything in your rental car. Car burglaries occur at the parking spaces for the popular sights.

Maintain situational awareness and have a good time.

Aloha!

[NorCal*Shooter]

Good to know. I appreciate the responses. Situational awareness is what it always comes down too. I'll just have to utilize it w/out my CCW. Ill break out a good pack to keep the essentials in and leave my rental car empty. In lieu of firearm, I'll have to get a jar of hot lava to throw at would-be attackers. LOL!

[noob_tube]

I'm not a LEO, but I used to run security operations at the cruise ship terminal here in SD. This situation came up many times. Some cruise lines (Celebrity and Holland America come to mind) will allow active-duty LEOs to carry IF the officer makes the request ahead of time. I assume they request some sort of proof. Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean did not allow them. Princess was hit or miss.

[9mmdude]

I had this problem when I arrived at port. My plan was to leave it in a small safe in my car at the hotel. That plan fell apart when the parolee, who was the hotel valet, came to park my car.

I called the cruise lines and the gun was a no go with no where to lock it up. L.A. Harbor Police took care of me and my vehicle was secure for a two weeks.

Doing it again I will leave it at home.

[NorCal*Shooter]

Noob_tube-
Thanks for that bit of info. I will likely be going on Carnival, so I'll have to leave it.

9mmdude- that sucks! Big ups to LAHP for taking care of you though.

[BigDogatPlay]

Every cruise line I've checked on recently is a 100% negative on bringing your off duty carry, or firearms of any kind. That includes Carnival. As Ron-Solo noted above, full metal detector screening and x-ray of all baggage is the norm. My wife and I last travelled on Royal Norwegian earlier this year and at each port call they were x-raying all the shopping bags coming on board.

Part of the reason is on ship security, the other part is that the ships travel in international waters and are not US flagged so your peace officer status and LEOSA mean nothing to them, unfortunately.

[Notorious]

That's why I don't go on cruises. I don't want any Speed 2 action going on while I am supposed to be relaxing. It's also not relaxing to feel helpless since you are disarmed. Which means definitely no creds. No gun = no creds.

No gun = no cruise for this land lubber

Hawaii is cool though. Ben there a few times before leosa. Stayed aware and did not lose situational awareness. All was good. I recommend the big island for more restful authentic hawaii. Oahu and waikiki are for tourists.

[Databyter]

Hawaii has very restrictive gun laws that extend even to LE from different States even on active duty.

To be legal you have to get permission there.

No person shall carry concealed or unconcealed on the person a pistol or revolver without being licensed to do so under this section or compliance with section 134-5(c) or 134-6.

Note: There is no compact agreement between Hawaii and other states that would permit police officers on official assignment in Hawaii to be armed and exempt from the provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes relating to firearms.

Hawaii is one of those States that does not recognize permits or exemptions that other States do.

As far as the boat goes. They should have a published policy.

Usually Active LE are exempt but I'd expect you would still need to declare.

[Ron-Solo]

Hawaii has very restrictive gun laws that extend even to LE from different States even on active duty.

To be legal you have to get permission there.

Hawaii is one of those States that does not recognize permits or exemptions that other States do.

As far as the boat goes. They should have a published policy.

Usually Active LE are exempt but I'd expect you would still need to declare.

I guess you've never heard of LEOSA. Qualified active duty and retired LE can carry in Hawaii. It applies to all 50 states. You don't have to "declare" squat.

The ship is a different story, since it is not a government agency, and sails in international waters.

Maybe you should know what you are talking about before coming into the LE forum and spouting misinformation.

What is your LE experience?

[NorCal*Shooter]

Thanks for all the input guys!

Notorious- I bet your right. The more I read about Wakiki, the more I get the feeling I'm too old for that ****. Maybe I'll go there for the day but I think the big island and Maui will be where I spend most my time. Unless I get overruled by the dictatorship (wife)!

[psssniper]

Also if you're a knife carrying kind of guy, ship "security" will try and confiscate it when re-boarding. When we go on a cruise I like to play "sneak the knife on the ship" at every port. Never have been caught.

[5shot]

Also if you're a knife carrying kind of guy, ship "security" will try and confiscate it when re-boarding. When we go on a cruise I like to play "sneak the knife on the ship" at every port. Never have been caught.

That's true too. Went on a Alaskan cruise, and security was stricter then the airport. If you buy a knife at a Alaskan port, they actually mail it to your house because the cruise lines don't allow you to bring it aboard. Even the knives you can buy at the ships gift shops are held until you disembark.

[Databyter]

I guess you've never heard of LEOSA. Qualified active duty and retired LE can carry in Hawaii. It applies to all 50 states. You don't have to "declare" squat.

The ship is a different story, since it is not a government agency, and sails in international waters.

Maybe you should know what you are talking about before coming into the LE forum and spouting misinformation.

What is your LE experience?

You're right I never did hear of that. Thank you for correcting me.

I had occasion to read about the Hawaiian restrictive gun laws and remembered the quoted section so I thought it was relevant. But clearly LEOSA trumps State law except on private and some State properties where firearms are specifically banned.

I am not an expert and have come here to learn. Most of my time is spent reading and I only post where I think I can contribute.

Obviously I was incorrect in this instance.

As a side-note. What a great Law!

I'm glad this exists so that LE can protect themselves wherever they go regardless of the politics!

Towards the OP. Enjoy Hawaii. It is beautiful.