Knives and Cruise Ships

M

Moving Target

Joined
Feb 8, 2000
Messages
617
Quick question: what sort of security features are in place when you board a commercial cruise ship? Do I need to worry about carrying my knife when I board because of metal detectors, etc? In other words, can you walk right on or is it wiser to leave it in your luggage until afterwards?

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It is Us against Them. Whoever they are.
 
Here is the official word from Renaissance Cruises (per cruise contract):

"Dangerous Items:

Only such personal wearing apparel, effects and gifts as are necessary and appropriate for the voyage may be brought on board by you. ... You may not posses firearms, explosive, flammable materials, or other hazardous goods. Such goods must be surrendered to the Master at embarkation, and in our discretion may be confiscated, destroyed, or surrendered to the authorities. You shall have no claim for loss or inconvinience thereby incurred."

Obviously, they reserve the decision for themselves. I usually do not take a knife (ok I carry a small SAK), and I expect that for amount I am paying - if I need something cut then someone better pop-up quickly and cut it.

Have a fun cruise.
 
I've been on several Carnival Cruises and one Princess ship. In all cases, no one batted an eye at my Spyderco Delica. My wife also had no problem with the small SAK she carries in her purse. It seems that, if you can carry it on a plane, you can usually carry it on a ship

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"I can't believe you stabbed me with this cheap piece of mail-order sh*t"
James Caan in 'Eraser'
 
Just curious here: do they search you when you get on a cruise ship? With metal detectors & X-ray your bags like an airport, or do those rules just apply to whatever they happen to see?

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra
 
I have been on 3 cruises and never had to pass thru any type of security check. I don't think anybody will hassle you for carrying any reasonable folder. Might want to leave the Sifu home
smile.gif
Cruises usually mean stops in various ports of call. If you are going outside the US, you might want to check out the local laws on the internet. You will not likely be searched, but if you get in some sort of mis-understanding,it could add to your woes to be carrying a disallowed knife. You will not be bothered on the ship unless you make an a** of yourself. If you went with something like a plain edged Delica or a Benchmade 330 mini-Mel, you shoudn't have any problem. Have a blast and expect to gain 5-10 lbs.

David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
Just got back from a cruise about two weeks ago - took small sak and Gerber L.S.T. along with. YES - there's a metal detector - my money clip set it off - but no "flack" about the sak or the L.S.T. - Having the knife along didn't make me feel much better in Nassau when I began to notice the Bahamian Militia complete with light submachine guns about two to three blocks back from the main tourist streets.
Figure like you are going on a plane is probably a safe bet. - have fun - we had 4-7 ft. seas and a 40 to 50 knot wind for the whole trip.. many visited the rail! Enjoy it.
this was the Royal Carbbian's Soverign of the Seas vessel.
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Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy

[This message has been edited by Revvie (edited 11-11-2000).]
 
I have been on 3 cruises and I am getting ready for my 4th.I always had to walk through a metal detector.I put my small sebenza in my overnight bag with my SAK and I put my socom in my checked luggage. I never had any problems.
 
There have been several threads along this line in the past. You might try searching.

My experience is that the cruise lines are very permissive. They don't want to cause any sort of negative feelings. So, a reasonable pocket knife tactfully carried is no problem.

I suggest a multitool such as a Leatherman PST anytime you travel. A few basic tools can quickly solve such minor problems as a stuck zipper or broken luggage strap.

Keep in mind that you may have to fly to your departure port. So, the usual issues with knives on airplanes would then come up.

Also, when I took my cruise on P&O Line to Alaska a few years ago, we were met at the airport gate and gave our luggage claim checks to a porter while we went to a special lounge to await a bus to the dock. We didn't see our luggage again until we reached our stateroom and there it was. It had not been opened. This is no surprise since I caught a glimps of the truckloads of luggage that were going aboard. They have four hours to board everyone and all their luggage. So, I doubt there's much searching. Once we'd unpacked, they took our empty suitcases and stored them to get them out of our way. They reappeared the last night. We packed and set them outside. We did not see them again until they appeared in our hotel rooms in Anchorage. We stayed only one night in Anchorage, so did not unpack. Again, they took the suitcases and we did not see them again until they appeared in our hotel rooms in Fairbanks. Overnight in Fairbanks and again the suitcases disappeared only to reappear again aboard the train. After unpacking, they vanished again only to reappear the last night on the train. We packed up and they vanished again only to reappear again at the airport for the flight home where a porter carried them to the airport desk for you. My point: don't bother trying to pack lite. If you need three or four steamer trunks, fine.

Enjoy your cruise.

And, in the mean time, Think W!


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Thanks to everyone who replied. Looks like I will leave my utility blade in my pocket and stash the heavy duty stuff in the luggage until later. Thanks again for all of the insight!

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It is Us against Them. Whoever they are.
 
I definitely recommend that you stash all blades in your luggage until you're fully checked in and don't mention them. I've only been on one cruise and that was just after my senior year of high school (one of those post-grad "booze cruises" to the Bahamas). When I was boarding the ship and going through security, the boat goons took my SAK Tinker. We were just going through a metal detector and I took the knife, my keys, change, etc. out of my pockets voluntarily, never thinking that it would be a problem. I was stunned and PISSED but there was nothing I could do about it. The guy literally told me I had just one choice, take the knife and leave the ship, or board and lose it. Well, with approx. 100 people in line behind me waiting to hit the bar and casinos, what was I going to do? Once the trip is underway, I don't think inconspicuous carry will be a problem. But during initial boarding, don't show, don't tell.
 
When you folks mention carrying a "small SAK," to which model(s) are you referring? AS a Swiss Army knife admirer, my curiosity has been stirred.
 
Cardimon
the SAK I'd be refering to is the "classic"
but I also like the "executive" for a small inconspicious pocket knife. Don't leave home without it!

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Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy
 
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