State Department warns cruise travelers against taking cannabis abroad
Federal guidance says marijuana, CBD and related products can trigger criminal penalties at international borders, while Royal Caribbean prohibits marijuana for any purpose.
The U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs office has advised travelers not to carry cannabis or cannabis-derived products internationally. The warning covers marijuana, THC, CBD, edibles, vape cartridges, oils and concentrates, including prescribed medical marijuana.
According to the department, a product’s legality in a traveler’s home state or destination does not permit it to cross an international border. Carrying such products abroad can result in arrest or other criminal penalties, even where cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized.
Royal Caribbean’s Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy prohibits marijuana, including when intended for medical use. The cruise line says illegal drugs or substances may be confiscated and that it may report violations to the appropriate authorities.
TikTok user @infamousxdrew said ship security required him to leave Mariner of the Seas in September 2023 after personnel saw his medical marijuana. Separately, a report said Christopher James Sarette was arrested aboard Adventure of the Seas in Barbados in 2015 and later fined for possession and importation and sentenced to one month in jail.
To reduce the risk of unintentionally carrying cannabis products, the State Department recommends packing from a completely empty bag and carefully checking every compartment and pocket before traveling.
