Can a Felon Go on a Cruise?
Posted on Monday, July 14th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Millions of people go on cruises every year to have fun and relax. Most people are allowed to go, but some rules prevent some people from getting on the ship, and this includes people who have broken certain laws in the past.
Keep reading to learn which rules might stop someone from going on a cruise or visiting certain destination countries. You’ll also find out how a cruise injury lawyer can help protect your rights if something goes wrong on the ship.
Key Takeaways
- Many cruise lines reserve the right to deny felons with violent crime convictions boarding access to cruise ships.
- Certain cruise destinations have specific entry requirements that can restrict travel for individuals with criminal convictions.
- If you’re concerned about your rights or welfare aboard a cruise, an experienced cruise injury lawyer can answer your questions and provide legal support.
Can a Felon Go on a Cruise?
There is no federal law that prohibits felons from going on cruises. However, major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have certain guest policies that restrict access. As a result, they can deny boarding to American citizens who have been convicted of violent crimes. This is done in an effort to protect their guests and crew members.
This means that sex offenders and individuals with other felony convictions, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, armed robbery, human trafficking, reckless driving, and other violent crimes, may be denied entry on cruise ships.
Cruise Line Background Checks
As mentioned earlier, many cruise lines carry out background checks on their guests to get a look at their criminal past. These measures are taken to protect everyone onboard, including guests and crew members. They help prevent violent crimes such as physical assault and sexual assault.
The background checks are typically conducted through third-party consumer agencies and involve cooperation with the U.S. Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This cooperation with other departments may lead to the arrest of individuals with outstanding warrants.
Cruise Destination Travel Restrictions
Many countries impose travel restrictions on individuals with criminal records, regardless of the nature of the conviction. If any of the countries a cruise ship visits denies entry to felons, it can prevent them from boarding the ship entirely. This makes the trip a no-go because you must be able to enter every foreign port on the itinerary.
Unlike some Caribbean cruises that are more welcoming to visitors, foreign countries like Canada have strict requirements for felons. The Canadian government may grant a temporary resident permit to allow felons, depending on their conviction. Thus, felons with this permit can enter the Canadian port if it is a destination country on their itinerary.
Protect Your Rights on a Cruise with Support from Louis A. Vucci P.A.
Cruise travel may be restricted for felons due to specific cruise line policies and country-specific restrictions. However, accidents and assaults can still happen on board cruises.
If you have suffered any injury from a guest or crew member while aboard, an experienced cruise injury lawyer can help defend your rights. Contact the office of Louis A. Vucci P.A. to get the legal support you need while on your cruise.
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