Some people think that being banned from a cruise ship is a relatively rare thing. In reality, it is not.
It’s something that’s been happening quite often lately, not because cruise lines enjoy banning passengers, but because in recent years, people have been doing all sorts of crazy things.
Recently, there have been a few incidents that resulted in lifetime bans, and you can imagine how devastating that is for those who love cruising.
Let’s take a look at what these passengers did (in particular a woman) so you can avoid making the same mistake.
Woman Banned After a Dispute Over Her Cabin
A story I recently read on Consumer Rescue involves a woman who was banned for life by Norwegian Cruise Line after a dispute over her cabin.
According to the report, the woman had either booked or expected (this part isn’t entirely clear) two connecting cabins, but once on board, she received two cabins without a connecting door.
After several complaints, the cruise line offered her $3,000 in goodwill vouchers, but she insisted on a discount on the price she had paid for the cruise.
That didn’t happen and when she returned from her trip, she contacted American Express to request a $3,000 chargeback, officially disputing the charges from the cruise line.
It might seem like a clever move at first, but this is definitely something you should avoid doing.
While you might get your money back, as happened in this case, the cruise line will add you to their banned list.
In these types of situations, it’s best to reach a peaceful agreement with the cruise line that works for both sides (at least if you ever want to cruise again!).
The Most Common Reason for Cruise Ship Bans
Aside from the case we just discussed, one of the most common reasons passengers get banned from cruise ships is their behavior.
Specifically, keep in mind that any violent or disruptive actions that disturb the peace are taken very seriously and can easily lead to sanctions.
For example, it’s not uncommon for some passengers to drink too much and end up starting fights or harassing others.
If someone provokes or bothers you, never take matters into your own hands. Simply alert the ship’s security or a crew member. Some people have been banned even when they were technically in the right.
In addition, check all the 7 common reasons why you can get banned from a cruise.
Be Careful With What You Bring on a Cruise
Another thing that can get you banned is trying to sneak prohibited items on board.
Obviously, some items can result in a ban (like illegal substances or weapons), while others might just lead to a warning or a formal notice.
Before you cruise, I highly recommend checking the list of prohibited items on cruise ships. Also, keep in mind that there are some things that are allowed on airplanes but are actually banned on cruise ships, a surprising fact, don’t you think?
Don’t do Anything Risky
Obviously, another thing to avoid is doing anything dangerous, not only can it get you banned, but it also puts your life at risk.
For example, above you can see a photo (taken a few years ago) of a passenger who climbed over the railing just to take a selfie.
In that case, Royal Caribbean took immediate action and stated:
“Earlier this week on the Allure of the Seas, a guest was observed recklessly and dangerously posing for a photo by standing on her stateroom balcony railing with the help of her companion.”
“Security was notified and the guests were later disembarked in Falmouth, Jamaica as a result of their actions and are now banned for life from sailing with Royal Caribbean.”
In this respect, have a look at the 10 things you must never do in a cruise cabin.
I have tried several of them but these are the most durable and sturdy.
