Can You Cruise with a Criminal Record, DUI, or a Warrant?

By Melissa Newman

Published January 2025 | Updated June 2026

I’m shocked by the frequency with which I see a disturbing (and completely avoidable) event happen at debarkation. That is the situation where cruisers get ready to get off the ship after a wonderful cruise, only to find authorities waiting for them at the port and find themselves in handcuffs. Many cruisers don’t realize that cruise lines run passenger manifests by US Customs and Border Protection, and those with outstanding warrants may be nabbed at disembarkation, depending upon their charges. So if you have a warrant for your arrest, do not take a cruise.

Another related question is this: can you cruise with a felony conviction or criminal record? Let’s take a look at the specifics of cruising when you have a felony on your record.

Cruise Line Policies

The policies of various cruise lines may prohibit sailing if you have a record, especially a felony conviction. Each company has its own rules and regulations regarding passengers with criminal records. While some may have strict policies, others, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, adopt a more lenient approach.

But even those that are more lenient may prohibit cruisers with a record depending upon the crimes. Carnival, for instance, says that it “reserves the right to deny boarding to any persons convicted of certain crimes which may include but are not limited to; aggravated physical assault, sexual assault, and other sexual offenses, armed robbery and related offenses, and other violent or immoral crimes.”

An important distinction: cruise lines do not typically run background checks on every passenger for past convictions. The US Customs and Border Protection check (via the Advance Passenger Information System, or APIS) is focused primarily on outstanding warrants and watchlists, not on convictions that have been served. Criminal conviction policies are separate, line-specific rules applied during booking or boarding. This means the practical risk for a cruiser with an old conviction who is otherwise in good standing is often lower than people assume, though it still depends heavily on the crime type and the specific cruise line.

To best address this issue, research the specific guidelines of the cruise line you’re considering. Even if it feels embarrassing, I highly recommend just picking up the phone and calling the cruise line directly to inquire about their policies. When you call, have the specifics ready: the nature of the offense, the jurisdiction, and how long ago it occurred. Being transparent during the booking process is far better than discovering a problem at the terminal. Some cruise lines will give you a written confirmation of eligibility in advance, which is worth requesting.

Country Entry Requirements

Beyond cruise line policies, it’s important to consider the legal implications of traveling with a felony conviction. While you may be permitted to board a cruise ship based on the company’s policies, you may still encounter restrictions when it comes to entering certain countries.

Some countries, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, have strict entry requirements for individuals with criminal records, including felonies. Australia requires visa applicants to disclose criminal convictions and assesses a “character test” that can result in denial. The UK similarly requires disclosure of criminal history on visa applications for certain nationalities and can refuse entry based on convictions. If your itinerary includes either of these countries, verify entry requirements for your specific record well in advance, as the rules are detailed and depend on the sentence received.

Canada is another country that is especially strict about the entry requirements of individuals with criminal records, and one that may come as an unwelcome surprise to cruisers. Because of an old maritime law, the 1886 Act, Alaskan cruises include a mandatory stop in Canada (which explains those seemingly random late-night calls in Victoria).

I’ve heard many stories of cruisers with even really old charges, and including comparatively lesser crimes like DUI, being prohibited from entering Canada, making it not possible for those individuals to take an Alaskan cruise.

On the other end of the spectrum, Mexico and most Caribbean countries, including the Bahamas, generally do not proactively check US criminal records for cruise passengers at the port. These destinations are typically the most accessible options for travelers with criminal backgrounds. That said, “generally lenient” is not the same as “no rules”, and serious violent crimes can still create complications even in lenient countries. Always verify per destination.

Also, generally speaking, closed-loop itineraries are more lenient for cruisers with criminal records than open-loop ones. A closed-loop itinerary starts and ends at the same US departure port. Before booking any sailing, consult with the cruise line on requirements and any potential documentation that may be needed.

What About a DUI?

A DUI is one of the most common charges that comes up in the context of cruise travel because it’s so prevalent and because most people don’t think of it as the type of offense that would affect a vacation. The good news for most Caribbean and Bahamas sailings: it generally won’t. US mainstream cruise lines do not typically prohibit boarding for passengers with DUI convictions, and Mexico and Caribbean countries are not in the habit of checking for them.

The bad news, as covered above, is Canada. Canada classifies DUI as a serious criminal offense under its immigration law, regardless of how old the conviction is or whether it was a misdemeanor or felony in the US. Even a single DUI from many years ago can make you inadmissible to enter Canada, which means Alaska cruises are effectively off the table unless you take steps to address it.

There are two official Canadian pathways for those with past DUIs who want to visit: a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which is a short-term authorization to enter for a specific purpose, and Criminal Rehabilitation, which is a permanent resolution if enough time has passed since the completion of your sentence. Both involve applications, fees, and processing time, and neither is guaranteed. If an Alaskan cruise is a dream trip for you and you have a DUI conviction, start the process well in advance and work with a Canadian immigration attorney rather than guessing.

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Cruising with a Warrant or Record

The warrant situation deserves its own expanded treatment because the dynamic catches so many people off guard. Here is how it works: before a cruise ship departs a US port, the cruise line is required to submit passenger manifests to US Customs and Border Protection under the APIS (Advance Passenger Information System). CBP cross-references those manifests against law enforcement databases. If you have an outstanding warrant, that information is flagged.

What makes this particularly tricky is that the arrest does not always happen at embarkation. In many documented cases, passengers successfully board the ship, complete their cruise, and are then met by law enforcement at disembarkation in the US. The ship is not a place you can be arrested by US authorities (it’s outside their jurisdiction once at sea), but you have to come back to port eventually. That is when CBP acts. The cruise, which you paid for and enjoyed, ends with handcuffs at the terminal.

A detail that surprises many people: some warrants are old or were issued without the person’s knowledge, such as a bench warrant for a missed court date years ago that the person thought was resolved. Before booking any cruise, it is worth confirming with a legal professional or through official channels that you do not have any active warrants in any jurisdiction.

For criminal records without active warrants, the situation is more nuanced, as covered above. With careful planning and research, many cruisers with past convictions are able to travel successfully. The key variables are the cruise line’s specific policies, the nature of the offense, and the entry requirements of every port of call on the itinerary.

Related Video:

Traveling with specific documentation questions? Read my guide on passport and cruise travel document requirements.

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Criminal Record and Cruising FAQ

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.