Comments on: Do they search your suitcases when they load them on the cruise ship?

By: Mary L

Mary L — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:21:47 +0000

Some suitcases are indeed searched at the beginning of a cruise, and you do NOT handle all your own bags — just your carry-on. Large bags are handled by the departure port porters and then the ship’s personnel. And you carry-on is subject to search as you go through the cruise terminal security before you board the ship. ALL bags are sniffed by dogs on return, and the dogs used in US ports on arrival are quite good at sniffing all sorts of drugs. Any bag that a dog indicates might have something interesting is set aside, and when you claim your bag at the terminal the bag will be manually searched while you stand there. (Airport security dogs are trained primarily for explosive sorts of things and ingredients, but port authority dogs are working for US Customs and are looking for all sorts of drugs.) By the way, the dogs even pick up scents where drugs have been, so if anything was in a pocket the dog will find that, too.

As to being on board ship, if a passenger reports smelling any sort of drugs, the ship will check it out and may do a complete search. Ship personnel are required to report anything they become aware of, and will be fired if they do not. The ship’s captain has the right to remove passengers, and can leave the passengers and their luggage on shore whereever the next stop might be, without refund, without apology, and without recourse. Such a passenger has to find his own way back to the US, and may have to deal with the local authorities concerning any legal issues. (Your US citizenship won’t shield you, by the way.)

The only drugs tolerated on board ships are those which are prescribed by a licensed physician and in their original containers with full labeling by the pharmacy and which are legal within the jurisdiction. Yes, there are people who get away with other stuff, but the risks are huge.

By: Penny B

Penny B — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:14:57 +0000

first off, if it is in a suitcase, the dogs will have it before you get on the ship. If I were going to smuggle weed, i would tape it to my skin and smuggle it in that way.. Otherwise, the machines will pick it up.

By: crazyinsocali

crazyinsocali — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:40:06 +0000

I have brought it on 3 Mexican Riviera cruises. I never put it in my suit case. I usually carry it on me. My last 7 day cruise I rolled 20 J’s and put it in a cigarette pack in my pocket. The dogs at security are not for pot thay are sniffing for bombs. I have never been searched going on or off a ship and I have always brought it on with me cruising over 20 times. Just be careful where you smoke it on the ship remembering it is not leagal in international waters. I usually smoke on my balcony without a problem. The only time you have to worry is if you are flying and going through the airport. The dogs at the airport are drug sniffing as well as bomb sniffing. Good Luck

By: Barkley Hound

Barkley Hound — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:13:02 +0000

When you depart your bags go through an x-ray machine. When you return they use narcotic dogs to sniff all the suitcases.

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By: JDW

JDW — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:57:19 +0000

Leave it in your bag, see what happens. You let us know, bloody chronic

By: luludoodie

luludoodie — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:37:36 +0000

Your bags will go through an “airport” scanner. Whilst they are not as stringent as airports cruise lines have to be careful.

Is this a chance to force a “cold turkey” session? Hard now but might save his life etc. in the longer term?

By: jewbagle123

jewbagle123 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:19:52 +0000

uh, DO NOT put it in your suitcase. they have dogs check it at the port. put it on your self. like in the shoes you are wearing. or in your pocket. but you will have to remove your jacket and hat and anything you would have to take off at an airport. try to keep the scent of it concealed. if you cant, say your cat pissed on you. if that doesnt work, either run or offer security some as a bribe. just kidding. but dont get caught on the ship with it. cause the ship is probably under the laws and regulations of the country the ship comes from. such as france, usa, ect. but once you are in mexico, you are a free person. smoke on your balcony. he**, make brownies. but DO NOT get caught.