Monday, April 1, 2024

Can Felons Go on a Cruise? A Perfect Guide to Criminal Records & Cruising

can felons go on a cruise

Overall, felons can safely assume they can take a Carnival cruise, keeping in mind visa rules if traveling internationally. Carnival does not do background checks, so you most likely do not have to provide additional information even if you have a felony. Even if you choose not to disembark at any of the ports of call, you are still required to carry a valid passport when cruising internationally. For felonies older than 10 years, additional paperwork is not required, but you still must list the conviction. Passport approval largely depends on your crime’s severity and overall post-conviction conduct.

Legal

No, misdemeanors like petty theft, minor traffic violations, disorderly conduct etc. typically do not restrict cruise travel. The passport card application process is faster and simpler compared to the passport book. It can take several months for a felon to complete the passport process, so be sure to apply early before your cruise departure date.

Can a Felon Go on a Carnival Cruise?

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the most popular cruise lines for American travelers. Their official policy says they do accept passengers with past criminal convictions as long as any probation periods have been completed. Another passport option for felons considering a cruise is the passport card. This is a wallet-sized card that can only be used for land and sea international travel, including cruises to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean and more. For example, a 28 year-old man (photo right) was arrested while disembarking the Carnival Inspiration at the Port of Tampa a few years ago.

Encouraging Felons to Go on Cruises

Any violent felony conviction, sex crime, major drug trafficking offense, or terroristic threat conviction can result in cruise boarding denial. Overall, taking a Disney cruise as a felon is less guaranteed compared to other major cruise lines. You’d likely need to speak with Disney representatives to fully determine if you will be approved based on your specific criminal history. Families with felonies may have better luck with Carnival or Royal instead. Royal Caribbean is another major cruise line welcoming millions of guests every year. Similar to Carnival, Royal Caribbean accepts felons to book cruises as long as parole/probation requirements are satisfied.

Ensure you understand the extent to which these restrictions may impact your ability to travel freely before purchasing cruise tickets. By taking these steps, you can prepare for potential entry challenges and enjoy your cruise getaway without any unexpected surprises. While some countries might not require a visa, others may either provide visa-on-arrival or require a pre-approved visa. However, certain restrictions may apply if your felony was related to drug trafficking or is deemed a threat to national security. Ensure that your passport is up-to-date and has at least six months of validity after your scheduled return date.

It’s Time To Get To Work.

An open-loop cruise is when a cruise ship leaves from one port, such as Miami, and stops at ports in other countries. In this case, travelers need to have a passport because they will be entering a foreign country. But they might need credentials like visas, passports, passport cards, national IDs or birth certificates.

Do cruises reject passengers with misdemeanors?

can felons go on a cruise

So kudos to Carnival and Royal Caribbean for keeping known sexual offenders off their ships and trying to keep their guests safe. Shame on the other cruise lines who don’t perform such background checks. Traveling outside of the United States with a felony conviction can be a complicated matter, and it ultimately depends on your country of citizenship. If you’re a United States citizen, the answer is generally yes, you can travel to most countries worldwide.

Can Felons Go On Cruises? (& More FAQs!)

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If your situation passes their regulations, they will then need to do a background check. Even if you truly have no intention of leaving the ship at a foreign port, the cruise line will stick to its policies. But they must provide the documentation required to cruise as an outlaw.

Can you go on a cruise to the Bahamas with a felony?

To apply for an ETA, each traveler must meet the country's character requirements. If you've committed only minor offenses, you likely won't have a problem, but be honest about anything on your criminal record. You might also be asked to submit documentation to explain your convictions. Visitors to Australia, including American citizens, must obtain an Electronic Travel Authority to enter the country.

For example, receiving a passport may be affected if you have a criminal record involving drugs. Certain nations, like Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand, could have rigorous regulations prohibiting entry for anyone having a criminal record. Additionally, confirm the countries to which the cruise is traveling’s entrance requirements.

Ensure you have a valid ID, such as a driver’s license and an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. If you don’t have a passport and your cruise is open-loop (meaning it visits ports in different countries), apply for one. Be aware that you may be denied a passport if you owe child support above a certain amount or are on probation or parole. Disney Cruise Line, popular among families and children, does not bar anyone based on their criminal background. Of course, this comes with the caveat that the individual must possess all the required documents and visas to visit any ports on the itinerary. Again, no matter the offense, a felon is welcome on board a Royal Caribbean cruise.

It’s best to confirm with the cruise line you’re planning to travel with to avoid any unexpected issues. Although major companies like Royal Caribbean do not explicitly state restrictions for passengers with a criminal history, they maintain the right to refuse service to anyone at their discretion. If you are unable to obtain a passport due to your felony status, this could be an obstacle to booking your dream vacation. So, while there isn’t a general policy against felons on Royal Caribbean cruises, it’s still a possibility that you could run into difficulties if your past comes to light. While most companies don’t explicitly state any restrictions for felons, they do reserve the right to refuse service for any reason. Some major cruise destinations with such limitations are Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.

While Royal Caribbean welcomes guests with criminal records, there are certain restrictions to ensure the safety and security of all passengers. The cruise line may deny boarding to individuals who’ve been convicted of certain types of crimes, such as violent offenses or those involving minors. They also reserve the right to deny boarding if the individual poses a risk to the overall safety, health, or well-being of other guests or crew members. In addition, cruise ships will also state in their policies that they have the right to access public records pertaining to felony convictions.

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