Can You Bring A Drone On A Cruise?

[@pquirk777]

I took my Spark on the Carnival Splendor last November and other than my family letting me down on our excursions, I had no problems at all. The only place I got to fly it was Roatan. I had a whole plan for Grand Cayman for traveling to the far northwest corner of the island, which was beyond the airport no fly zone. I found a restaurant on the water that had a lagoon where I could snorkel. I had planned my epic drone shots of the coast and ocean. And my family wussed out and we never left the tourist area. Belize City was too crowded and our day in Cozumel was too windy. In Roatan, I got one decent flight before torrential rain set in. I talked to the security guards on the beach and the only thing they said was stay away from the cruise ships. As the rain drops started pelting my iPad, I brought the Spark back in and people in the water were yelling at me to fly over them and take their picture. I really don't think it is safe to fly on or around the ship, not just for passengers but also for all the electronics and navigation gear on the ship. But they are great for beaches and excursions. Before the cruise, I researched the drone laws of every country we were going to and I printed out the rules and maps for each one, and stuck them in my backpack. I didn't want someone who did not know the laws of their own country trying to tell me I couldn't fly. If your interested, here's my video from Roatan. It's not great but I was still new then. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYuomYaljK98aZo

[@GriffandAlyssa]

Jealoussssss I tried to fly in Cozumel, but it was too windy for me too, but I did get to fly in Playa Del Carmen. Lots of overcast but it was still fun! I watched your video, great shots of the ship!!!! Fingers crossed we'll be able to fly in August.

[@Jaysaflame]

I was on that ship in November 2017 and my family wouldn't go snorkeling with me in Belize so i had to go by myself and get harassed by drunk people asking me why u wasn't talking to them.

[@brandonmuffoletto3032]

Crispy edit, bro!

[@GriffandAlyssa]

Do you have a drone? If so do you wish more cruise lines would let you fly it?

[@freeman-1776]

I have never been on a cruise Ship. However I have flown around, and over them. It makes for some great footage. Most of the people who have seen my drone just wave. It's really quite simple. I fly in, get my shots and fly away. I'm not looking in windows or spying on people. You do have to be careful though. There is almost always a lightbulb string or low frequency antenna that runs from the engine stack to the front mast. It is very hard to see and I wouldn't recommend anyone fly lower than the highest point of the ship. Also you can look up information about the ship by finding the ship number which is displayed facing the air. You can also just look up the ships name. People with money go on cruises, and they also buy expensive drones. They need to be able to use them to maximize their memories of their trips. I would never use a toy drone. They sometimes fly away and there is no return to home function. Use pro drones like DJI or Autel drones. Become proficient with your drone. I wouldn't buy a drone and fly over a cruise ship the first day, week or even month. I would fly for about a year or more to master your hobby safely. I would also take an FAA Part 107 drone certification course. This actually is a type of pilots license. There are a lot of things you need to learn about flying before you drop a one-thousand dollar drone on someones head or potentially damage an expensive cruise ship. It never hurts to just ask permission. If I was a ship captain I would only allow licensed pilots to fly drones on my ship; However, I would have no authority to stop an incoming mystery drone. Drones can swoop in from 3 or 4 miles away. So it would be really hard to locate the pilot unless he crashed. That's when the trouble would begin. Drones have serial numbers and registration numbers. The pilot could be fined or even held accountable if he is tracked. If you bring a drone on a cruise you could alway tell the captain you will only fly it when you go touring off the boat. At that point, it's just luggage, no different than a camera bag.

[@GriffandAlyssa]

Great tips!

[@Sky1]

I definitely do not want to worry about a drone hitting me on a cruise ship and I definitely do not want to hear one buzzing around my head while on the beach. With that said, I think you should be allowed to bring it and use it at port if that country allows it. I think if you are going to film the beach etc, might want to launch away from people and stay high enough where you are not a nuisance.

[@Sky1]

BTW That also goes for footballs and Frisbees

[@Rc2Go]

Then don’t leave your house😂

[@thedisneyfamily9838]

Worth noting that on carnival you can only fly your drone off the ship whilst in port: Items for Port Use Only The following items may be brought on board, but can be used off the ship, while in port only. All items must be stored in the guest’s stateroom. - Drone

[@GriffandAlyssa]

Correct. We never fly the drone off of a ship regardless of whether it is in port or not.

[@TriniWeekes]

very informative

[@LaLidoLoca]

Griff, good video sir! I do wish you could transport them on the ship and use them where allowed. I was bummed after getting a drone and finding out I couldn't take it with me. Privacy is hard in all of this. I do my best not to film folks except in obviously public places. It's hard to avoid. I don't think drone pilots should purposefully seek out folks in private places but public spots are fair game in my opinion. Take care. - Tony

[@GriffandAlyssa]

whatttt which drone do you have? I have the Mavic Pro! I'm really pumped to bring mine on Royal Caribbean in August on Freedom of the Seas. I love drones, but obviously in the wrong hands I could see why people hate em though. I usually just walk away from everyone and just take off so I'm not bothering any body. However, I compare drones to having boom boxes on the beach. Some people love music on the beach ...others like it peace and quiet on their vacation. Different strokes for different folks!

[@vanessaingraham1055]

I don't think drones are an invasion of privacy...if the shots are of scenery or high overview of a group. I wouldn't like to have one hoover over my backyard to see in my home. Overall...love seeing cool drone shots and props to the pilots who capture the magic!

[@GriffandAlyssa]

Our thoughts exactly! :)

[@joshuascholl5280]

I contacted royal Caribbean because I wanted to take video at Coco Cay but they said I can’t. I see videos everywhere. I’m weary about trying it. I am just getting a drone so don’t want it to be confiscated.

[@RichenYouTube]

Best way to fly the drone is to fly from the side line. Not on the ship. you get in trouble. From the side line they can,t do much against it. be quikly and don.t be irrittant.

[@MidnightMan]

What are the chances that a “small” drone like the spark or mavic air will go undetected when getting screened? Especially doing tactics such as splitting the drone and controller in separate bags.

[@GriffandAlyssa]

We just got back from on the Freedom of the Seas and my drone wasn't confiscated at all. They went through my bag with all my camera gear and welcomed me on the ship! The spark is smaller than my Mavic Pro, so you might be fine. You can always reach out to them and ask though. I was upfront with them letting them check my entire bag, controller, propellers, filters, drone, remote all in one spot. What ship are you going on?

[@MidnightMan]

Griff & Alyssa I’ll be going on princess emerald. Seems that there is a no drone policy for princess. I wonder if they would still detect a small drone.

[@GriffandAlyssa]

Carnival owns Princess so you should be fine. They will let you fly it in Port, but definitely NOT off the ship. Here's Carnival's rules about drones - help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4090/kw/drones/session/L3RpbWUvMTUzNTc2OTUyNi9zaWQvZlVNSVozMlRfVHFaS0tOTW42YW4yZVNLeThMWWw5TUlqZVNEUU5ZQzVXTFVFTDZHWlJ1Vmx6WGkwZ3NyOTRmeTVDV2lXaGxIQzZIZmppNzA2Tl9fVUpWeFM0akhaWjdwREtpbmNHcXZqMG4zaUZrNFRkTGdiel93JTIxJTIx I flew my Mavic Pro with Carnival earlier this year , Royal Caribbean last week and Norwegian last year so I think you're safe especially since the spark is smaller than the Mavic. You should be good to go!

[@JaffreyH]

alled carnival and they said that i cant have a drone that has a detached camera. They said is because of US customs. Why?? Any tips? How to get around this? I have a 3dr solo and dont want it confiscated. Im going on a 4 day cruise from long beach on carnival inspiration.

[@JaffreyH]

*I called*

[@howiefeltersnatch831]

Wow after watching this I’m wondering if the video I watched before this copied you or you copied him! 😂😂 either thanks for the info. Lol