Can you bring scuba gear on a cruise?
It depends on your cruise line. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity and Holland America allow it with limits. Norwegian, Disney, MSC and Virgin Voyages ban it.
Pick your cruise line
Dive tanks and spear guns are banned. Security holds dive knives and gives them out only for approved dive tours.
All 9 lines side by side
- Allowed with limits Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America
- Not allowed Norwegian, Disney, MSC, Virgin Voyages
| Cruise line | Status | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Allowed with limits | Dive tanks and spear guns are banned. Security holds dive knives and gives them out only for approved dive tours. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean | Allowed with limits | Sporting gear is allowed if you keep it in your cabin and don't use it in public areas. Security holds dive knives and checks them out only for organized dive tours. Dive tanks and spear guns aren't named, so ask first. Not named on the page; this comes from a general rule. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Norwegian | Not allowed | You can't bring your own scuba gear, such as tanks, dive knives and spears. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Princess | Allowed with limits | Dive tanks are banned, empty or full, and so are spear guns. A dive knife is allowed only with other dive gear and a dive card, and security holds it. You can check it out for dive trips with 24 hours' notice. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Celebrity | Allowed with limits | Dive knives must be reported when you board, and security holds them when you're not using them ashore. Dive tanks and spear guns aren't named, so ask first. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Disney | Not allowed | Diving gear is banned, including air tanks, spears, spear guns, dive knives and underwater scooters. Dive, scuba and fishing Port Adventures provide the gear you need. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| MSC | Not allowed | You can't bring your own scuba gear, such as oxygen tanks, diving knives or spears. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Holland America | Allowed with limits | Dive tanks are banned, empty or full, and so are spear guns. A dive knife is allowed only with other dive gear and a dive card, and security holds it. You can check it out for dive trips with 24 hours' notice. | Official pageChecked Nov 6, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | Not allowed | Scuba tanks are banned by name, and so are knives with blades longer than 4 inches. | 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.
Scuba vs. snorkel gear
The bans are about scuba: air tanks, spear guns and dive knives. A mask, snorkel and fins are a separate question, so we cover them on the snorkel gear page.
If you want to dive, book a dive trip through the ship or a dive shop in port.
Questions people ask
Can I bring a dive knife?
On lines that allow one, security keeps it and hands it out only for dive trips. Check your line's rule above.
What about my mask and snorkel?
See our snorkel gear page. Several lines that ban scuba gear don't mention snorkel sets at all.