Why are Drones not allowed?

[thunter1224]

Why are Drones not allowed to be brought onboard ? I understand not using them on the ship, But why can't I use it while in ports?

[RobInMN]

Depends on the cruise line. And even on those that allow them to be brought on, you may be limited on their use, and then it's up to you to be aware of the rules in any country you visit.

 

From the Royal Caribbean FAQ:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-guests-bring-drones-onboard

[peety3]

In the grand scheme of things, past cruisers probably ruined it for present cruises, but two main reasons come to mind:

 

1) Privacy: people think they can walk around their cabin nekkid with the blinds open not expecting a drone peeking in. (or they think they'll be able to enjoy their balcony without the buzzing of a drone overhead).

 

2) "Return to launch site" doesn't work well from a moving vessel.

[MacMadame]

Drones can be annoying and run into people and stuff causing damage too.

 

I have a drone and I would never think of bringing it on a ship. For one thing, I'd be afraid I'd lose control of it and it would end up in the ocean!

[pierces]

I would almost guarantee that someone has:

 

• Lost an expensive drone flying it while at sea and complained.

• Crashed one in a pool area and others complained.

• As peety3 said, flew one past an un-curtained cabin window, triggering a complaint.

• Had their drone confiscated for flying a drone in a no-fly zone in a port.

• Was arrested for same. 

 

Easier to just say no. 

 

Dave

[Heidi13]

On 9/12/2024 at 7:29 AM, thunter1224 said:

Why are Drones not allowed to be brought onboard ? I understand not using them on the ship, But why can't I use it while in ports?

 

To be used onboard, drones would need to comply with International Maritime Radio Regulations and the Flag State's Regulations, for both the drone and operator certification, as applicable. Since some cruise lines have more than 1 Flag State, different ships in the same fleet could have different requirements.

 

To use them in other countries, you would need to research the applicable regulations and whether any certification is required. When certification is required, other countries most likely will not accept US certification.

[rjp50]

I don’t think anyone actually answered the original question which was why are drones not allowed onboard as long as you don’t fly them while on the ship.  If they are afraid of scofflaws breaking this rule they can make the penalties as draconian as necessary to prevent it.  
 

Yes, flying them in other countries requires additional registration efforts but most drone owners understand this.  It doesn’t seem like it is the cruise lines’s responsibility to enforce different country’s regulations any more that it is an airline’s responsibility.

Edited Friday at 09:47 PM by rjp50

[Heidi13]

5 hours ago, rjp50 said:

I don’t think anyone actually answered the original question which was why are drones not allowed onboard as long as you don’t fly them while on the ship.  If they are afraid of scofflaws breaking this rule they can make the penalties as draconian as necessary to prevent it.  
 

Yes, flying them in other countries requires additional registration efforts but most drone owners understand this.  It doesn’t seem like it is the cruise lines’s responsibility to enforce different country’s regulations any more that it is an airline’s responsibility.

 

The original question was, "Why are drones not allowed to be brought aboard?" The answer is that they do not comply with Marine Radio Regulations. The OP then accepted that they can't be used onboard, but questioned why they can't be brought onboard to be used ashore.

 

It is the same requirements for Ham Radios, which also can't be brought aboard to be used off the ship. If they don't comply with Marine Radio Reg, they can't be brought aboard, regardless if they are on or off.

[RobInMN]

13 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

The original question was, "Why are drones not allowed to be brought aboard?" The answer is that they do not comply with Marine Radio Regulations. The OP then accepted that they can't be used onboard, but questioned why they can't be brought onboard to be used ashore.

 

It is the same requirements for Ham Radios, which also can't be brought aboard to be used off the ship. If they don't comply with Marine Radio Reg, they can't be brought aboard, regardless if they are on or off.

Except that this is not a statement that is true across the board.

If you look at my response in post #2. Royal Caribbean allows you to bring drones onboard the ship for use in ports, with this note:

"Guests assume full responsibility for understanding all local authority rules related to drone usage and for obtaining any required permissions for drone operations. Different countries may have different rules. Any liability, including environmental damage from drone usage, is the guest’s responsibility. Royal Caribbean assumes no liability for guest drones that may be confiscated by local authorities for violating local laws or for any accident or injury resulting from a guest drone flight."

 

Also, per Royal Caribbean, you can not use them on board the ship, nor can you use them on their private ports.

 

The Royal Caribbean Group has essentially the same policy for Celebrity as well.

[Heidi13]

5 hours ago, RobInMN said:

Except that this is not a statement that is true across the board.

If you look at my response in post #2. Royal Caribbean allows you to bring drones onboard the ship for use in ports, with this note:

"Guests assume full responsibility for understanding all local authority rules related to drone usage and for obtaining any required permissions for drone operations. Different countries may have different rules. Any liability, including environmental damage from drone usage, is the guest’s responsibility. Royal Caribbean assumes no liability for guest drones that may be confiscated by local authorities for violating local laws or for any accident or injury resulting from a guest drone flight."

 

Also, per Royal Caribbean, you can not use them on board the ship, nor can you use them on their private ports.

 

The Royal Caribbean Group has essentially the same policy for Celebrity as well.

 

In addition to regulatory compliance, you also have potential issues with Flag/Class approvals and risk tolerance. RCCL clearly has a higher risk tolerance for meeting pax expectations.

 

However, in the event of an incident, either aboard or ashore, their text would be as useful as their Pax Contract, in defending them against lawsuits. Having most other cruise lines banning them outright would also not aid their defence.

 

When I dealt with similar issues, the company's risk surveyor often had considerable say in what was permitted. Premiums were well above my pay grade, but I have no doubt they would increase based on the higher risk of accepting drones onboard.