Felons on a cruise

Is anyone aware as to whether someone with a felony record is allow to go on a cruise? Would the cruise line deny someone? My partner committed a crime years ago, before sobriety entered his life, He is not on probation but a felony charge would show up on a background check.

I was going to just call Carnival and ask but unfortunately, I am not sure I trust a customer service representative with such an important question that if answered incorrectly, could cause us to be declined entry on to the ship.

Thank you to anyone who has some insight, it is greatly appreciated.

As long as there are no active warrants out for his arrest, you should be fine. They don't deny boarding to someone who has past a criminal record.

I think he should be totally fine. I'm sure he already paid his time for his crime! Glad to hear he turned his life around. [emoji847]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Not sure about the Caribbean, but any cruise with a Canadian port is probably out. Canada is very strict on who is allowed to enter, and any one with a criminal history is inadmissible. You would probably be best researching the entry requirements of the specific countries you want to visit.

Never known of any cruise line to do a background check for its passengers. Just Canada as someone else mentioned.

I do believe that a Canadian with a "record" also has problems entering the United States. I think every country protects its borders.

Should not be a problem as long as there are no outstanding warrants. However it may be wise to check online for any countries that you are stopping at to see if there are any local requirements.

It certainly would not be a hinderance if your partner was looking to get on the Carnival board of directors. :)

You need to check every country that you are going to and make sure that they can enter in with a felony record.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Better check with Consulates of countries to be visited just to be sure as the type of crime committed may be a factor.

Looks like many if not all are guessing.

Sorry, I cannot help you.

Carnival nor CBP don't check criminal history. CBP will normally scan for active arrest warrants or other detainable info listed on NCIC.

Is anyone aware as to whether someone with a felony record is allow to go on a cruise? Would the cruise line deny someone? My partner committed a crime years ago, before sobriety entered his life, He is not on probation but a felony charge would show up on a background check.

 

I was going to just call Carnival and ask but unfortunately, I am not sure I trust a customer service representative with such an important question that if answered incorrectly, could cause us to be declined entry on to the ship.

 

Thank you to anyone who has some insight, it is greatly appreciated.

Perhaps consulting an attorney would be best.

Is anyone aware as to whether someone with a felony record is allow to go on a cruise? Would the cruise line deny someone? My partner committed a crime years ago, before sobriety entered his life, He is not on probation but a felony charge would show up on a background check.

 

I was going to just call Carnival and ask but unfortunately, I am not sure I trust a customer service representative with such an important question that if answered incorrectly, could cause us to be declined entry on to the ship.

 

Thank you to anyone who has some insight, it is greatly appreciated.

While technically a felon is one who commits a felony, referring to someone as a felon denotes (at least to me) a serious crime like armed robbery, rape, murder, etc. That being said, if this a closed loop cruise and the cruise departs and return to the same US port and the individual has a valid birth certificate and drivers license they should be fine.

So, the question is would the USA allow you on the ship? Every country has a set of laws and many countries will not allow those committing certain crimes into their country. (Turn on CNN for a current example of how countries can make the rules).

The answer to your question is to check with the countries the cruise line is sailing to. Most likely it will be OK, but please don't take advice from a bunch of strangers with no legal knowledge of the countries being visited.

Carnival nor CBP don't check criminal history. CBP will normally scan for active arrest warrants or other detainable info listed on NCIC.

It may be a fine point but when CBP checks for arrest warrants they are doing a criminal history check (via name check, of course).

OP, the checks are done by CBP while the cruise is ongoing and from what I've read from other's experience if something came up that would prevent someone from entering a country (such as Canada) then the passenger would not be allowed to disembark in that port.

While technically a felon is one who commits a felony, referring to someone as a felon denotes (at least to me) a serious crime like armed robbery, rape, murder, etc. That being said, if this a closed loop cruise and the cruise departs and return to the same US port and the individual has a valid birth certificate and drivers license they should be fine.

A "felon" is any person who has been convicted of a felony - be it drug possession, theft, credit card fraud, etc - even non-violent crimes. Once someone is convicted of a felony (regardless of the charge) they lose many of their Constitutional rights like sitting on a jury, carrying a firearm or voting. What is a crime in one state, be it felony or misdemeanor, may either not be a crime in another or may be deemed a more serious crime, say making a misdemeanor in one state a felony in another for certain purposes. This confusion is even more true when you cross international boundaries.

OP- please disregard all those that speculate on their personal opinion and contact each country that you plan to visit to determine if it will be an issue. Do not rely on other's experiences or thoughts as things can change, even if they were on the same trip you are considering. A search of Carnival's website shows that there is no prohibition on a felon traveling with them. So really, you issue is only the countries you will be visiting.

Hi,

People are telling you all kinds of things here!

The cruise line will NOT stop your partner from boarding the ship. IF the cruise is a closed port cruise(from one USA port and then back to that port) then they don't even require passports and the local authorities are not involved EXCEPT Canada which has very stringent rules about entering its borders.

Here is info about that from the Carnival web site:

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1403/~/entry-into-canada---guests-with-criminal-records

They do not mention any other country.

I know they do check for active warrants. We had a guy on a cruise with us once. Apparently he was on probation and as we returned to port my husband and I heard them calling his name on the loud speaker then we saw him being escorted away from the port. I know it doesnt answer the current question but just an interesting story.

A "felon" is any person who has been convicted of a felony - be it drug possession, theft, credit card fraud, etc - even non-violent crimes.

Pretty sure I made that clear.

It may be a fine point but when CBP checks for arrest warrants they are doing a criminal history check (via name check, of course).

 

Not really....they are checking the NCIC wanted file for a match using the name and DOB. The criminal history file is totally different and is outputted in the form of a RAP sheet. Two separate things.

Not really....they are checking the NCIC wanted file for a match using the name and DOB. The criminal history file is totally different and is outputted in the form of a RAP sheet. Two separate things.

Then how do the Canadian authorities find out that there is someone onboard that has a DUI record? As I understand it the information pulled by CBP is shared with them (and I have read many cases of passengers being kept on the ship because of this).

We took a cruise last month and one person that went with was a convicted felon. No problem getting on the ship but he was flagged getting off the ship. Being his conviction was drugs, they pulled him and his family to secondary and searched them for drugs. I hated it for him and his family. They told him it was because of his drug conviction and were really nice to him. He understood they were just doing their job.

Then how do the Canadian authorities find out that there is someone onboard that has a DUI record? As I understand it the information pulled by CBP is shared with them (and I have read many cases of passengers being kept on the ship because of this).

The RCMP have access to NCIC and physically pull criminal histories of Americans entering the country. The refuse entry if there is any history of what would be an indictable offense in Canada, not just DUI.

Other countries also have similar access and may to their own investigation as to who they allow into their country.

The RCMP have access to NCIC and physically pull criminal histories of Americans entering the country. The refuse entry if there is any history of what would be an indictable offense in Canada, not just DUI.

 

Other countries also have similar access and may to their own investigation as to who they allow into their country.

Good to know, thanks!

My dad is a felon, been on tons of Caribbean cruises never any issue.