Can you bring a drone on a cruise?
It depends on your cruise line. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity allow it with limits. Norwegian, Princess, Disney, MSC, Holland America and Virgin Voyages ban it.
Pick your cruise line
You must declare a drone when you board. Ship security holds it for the cruise. You can check it out only to fly at approved ports, not at Carnival's private destinations.
All 9 lines side by side
- Allowed with limits Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity
- Not allowed Norwegian, Princess, Disney, MSC, Holland America, Virgin Voyages
| Cruise line | Status | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Allowed with limits | You must declare a drone when you board. Ship security holds it for the cruise. You can check it out only to fly at approved ports, not at Carnival's private destinations. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean | Allowed with limits | You can bring a drone, but keep it in your cabin. Fly it only on land, outside the port area. It can't be flown at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee. Flying it on the ship gets it taken until the cruise ends. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Norwegian | Not allowed | Drones and any remote-controlled or self-flying devices or toys are banned. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Princess | Not allowed | Drones are banned, except at company-approved events. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Celebrity | Allowed with limits | You can bring a drone, but you can fly it only on land, outside the port area. Never fly it on the ship, and keep it stored in your cabin. Flying is not allowed at Royal Caribbean's private destinations, CocoCay or the Bahamas. You handle any local permits. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Disney | Not allowed | Drones are banned by name, along with other remote-controlled devices. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| MSC | Not allowed | The FAQ says drones are not allowed on board under any circumstances. Other MSC pages allow you to bring one if it stays stored in your cabin and you never fly it on the ship. Pages disagree: The Guest Conduct Policy (June 3, 2026) and the luggage page say you may bring a drone if it stays stored in your cabin, and fly it ashore where allowed but never at Ocean Cay. The FAQ's photography answer says drones are not permitted on board under any circumstances. We show the stricter rule. We show the stricter rule. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Holland America | Not allowed | Drones and other remote-controlled flying devices or toys are banned. The only exception is company events approved ahead of time by Fleet Security. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Not allowed | Drones are not allowed. Any drone found is taken before the voyage and returned when the ship is back at its home port. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
Rules checked on Nov 6, 2026. Independent guide. Not affiliated with any cruise line. Rules change, so confirm with your cruise line before you sail. Security staff have the final say at the terminal.
Three lines let you bring one
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity let you bring a drone if you keep it in your cabin and fly it only on land, outside the port area. Carnival lets you bring one, but you declare it at boarding and security holds it. You can check it out only to fly at approved ports.
Norwegian, Princess, Disney, MSC, Holland America and Virgin ban drones. Princess and Holland America make an exception only for company-approved events.
MSC's pages disagree
MSC's Guest Conduct Policy and luggage page say you may bring a drone if it stays stored in your cabin and you never fly it at Ocean Cay. Its FAQ says drones aren't permitted on board under any circumstances. We show the stricter rule, so plan on leaving it home or asking MSC first.
No flying at the private islands
Royal Caribbean bans flying at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee. Celebrity says you can't fly at Royal Caribbean's private destinations, CocoCay or the Bahamas. Carnival won't release a drone for its private destinations.
Away from the ship, local drone laws apply. Celebrity says you handle any local permits.
What happens if you break the rule
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity take a drone that's flown on the ship and keep it until the end of the cruise. Celebrity adds a conduct warning and possible removal from the ship at your cost.
On lines that ban drones, Virgin takes any drone it finds before the voyage and gives it back when the ship returns to its home port.
Questions people ask
Can I fly my drone from the ship?
No. No line we cover allows flying a drone on board. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity say a drone flown on the ship is taken until the end of the cruise.
What about private islands?
Royal Caribbean bans flying at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee. Carnival only lets you check out a drone for approved ports, not its private destinations.
What if my drone is found on a line that bans them?
Expect it to be held. Virgin keeps drones until the ship returns to its home port. Other lines can hold or remove banned items.
Do toy drones count?
Norwegian and Holland America ban remote-controlled flying toys too, and Disney bans remote-controlled devices. Treat a toy drone like a real one.