Don't Take Dive Knife on Cruise

[SMKChef]

My wife, who is on an NCL cruise from San Juan to the Southern Caribbean was just relieved of my Ocean Master Dive Knife by the Purser's Desk of the Norweigen Sky. :(

They had noticed the knife during x-raying of her checked luggage. She had no problems at the airport because the knife was in the same checked bag. But once she got on the boat, the Purser confiscated her knife. He told her he would keep it in the safe until the end of the cruise, but she isn't sure that will actually happen.

I will let you know at the end of the week.

[DennisW]

I went on a cruise and they also took my knife. It was waiting for me when I returned, but I had to talk to several people before they found where they had stored it. It took nearly an hour to get it back. To this day, I'm not sure it was worth the hassle.

[leadweight]

Last cruise that I took which was just post 9/11 divers were relieved of their knives upon returning from shore to the ship. PITA. Get some sea snips, they did not even look at those (but things may be different today).

[Genesis]

That's actually been the policy for a LONG time - it predates 9/11 by many years.

No weapons of any kind, including dive knives. Its explicitly in some of the cruise line's policies as a warning to those bringing scuba gear.

I'd bring snips instead (they don't even have a point, being "EMT" style shears)

[CuriousMe]

They even take the crew's knives. I also use sea snips, Security never even blinks at it.

Peace,
Cathie

[Mo2vation]

We're talking tiny Wenkona blunt tip BC knife. Still considered a weapon?

Curious.

k

[Genesis]

Don't do it. They will confiscate it if they find it, and they're pretty thorough about their security screening.

Not even a penknife is allowed on board most cruise ships. They are absolutely ANAL about weapons. A pair of nail clippers is about their limit.

[Mo2vation]

I'll stow the knife and just bring the line cutter and snips.

Thanks.

What do they do at dinner? Are cruises now plastic utinsils like the airlines?

K

[Dectek]

I find it a little odd that they take all privately owned knives but will give you a steak knife for your meat in the restaurant.

[DiverBuoy]

oh, yeah there is that little detail. They're not just metal detectors - I asked. They track all the "silver"-goods you couldn't walk out of the dining hall with anything useful.

[ElectricZombie]

That is a crazy policy. Knives are not weapons, they are tools. I would not have given up my knives.

[Zept]

ElectricZombie said...
Knives are not weapons, they are tools.

I've got to disagree. A dive knife is a [potential] weapon. If I had one, I would respect its potential. For example:

-- I wouldn't leave it anywhere where kids might get hold of it
-- I wouldn't pack it in my hand luggage (duh!)
-- I wouldn't take it when travelling by public transport (which I do a lot, complete with dive gear, so I have a line cutter instead)
-- I would be sorely tempted to stick it into the next Titan triggerfish that harrasses me or my buddy (another reason for not having a knife!)

Knives should be treated with respect, IMO.


Zept

[Wreck Ranger]

I think this is a semi-related question... Can you pack your dive knife in your luggage under the plane?

[Genesis]

In fact, you can transport a firearm on an airplane, PROVIDED it is unloaded, in your checked luggage, AND you declare it at the checkin counter.

You (generally) can also transport SMALL amounts of ammunition in its original box as well, but this is subject to different rules depending on the airline.

Knives in checked luggage are fine, provided there is no issue with them at the origin or destination on the ground (and in some nations there is; likewise, some knives are illegal in certain US jurisdictions as well.)

This is all US-Centric - I assume that international airlines will probably have a kitten with the firearms, and might with the knives.

[MikeFerrara]

I guess their worried you'll hijack the ship and crash it into a building. Do they give you aknife when you eat? I have carried a little pocket knife since I was very very yong and don't care to give it up now. I'll bet if I wanted a weapon I could break the leg off a table and use it for a club. Do they have tables? or perhaps the tables just don't have legs. I'll bet you wouldn't have trouble finding a cutting wepon either. I don't think I would enjoy a cruise.

How does the saying go? "A coward dies a thousand deaths the brave man only once"

[Genesis]

and have a LOT of pax on them.

They are anal about security due to the risk of rival gang members and such possibly getting out of joint.

Its been a part of going on a cruise as long as I remember; all the lines have had pretty serious security policies in terms of what you can and can't bring aboard.

If you want to go diving, a cruise isn't the right venue for it anyway. The ship is going to leave whether or not you're on it - think about that before booking a dive trip while the ship is in some port, and the timing problems get too severe.

If you want to dive, do a liveaboard or stay on shore somewhere and dive. Cruises are for those who want to spend time on a boat, or those who want to island-hop.

[SMKChef]

Wreck Ranger once bubbled...
I think this is a semi-related question... Can you pack your dive knife in your luggage under the plane?

Yes, that is where you should pack an possible "weapons." My wife had the knife packed in her luggage and it went through the airport fine. When she got on the ship is when she had a problem.

[SMKChef]

Genesis once bubbled...
Cruises are for those who want to spend time on a boat, or those who want to island-hop.

Oh, damn, I thought they were for drinking and eating!!

[SMKChef]

DiverBuoy once bubbled...
oh, yeah there is that little detail. They're not just metal detectors - I asked. They track all the "silver"-goods you couldn't walk out of the dining hall with anything useful.

What ship were you on? I don't remember metal detectors on any cruise I've been on... then again I've never cruised Carnival line. Then again, that's not a cruise, that's a party boat.

[Genesis]

between the time you "check" your bags at check-in and when they are delivered to your cabin, in many cases.

[Norda]

We've been on two cruises in the past 4 months, NCL and Carnival and neither seemed to care about the Trigger knives we have attached to our BCs. Maybe because they are small?

Three of us exited and entered the boat everyday with our BCs. I had one guy at the xray ask if there was a knife in my bag. I told him yes, dive knife and he let us pass.

Just lucky I guess.

[Genesis]

or the policies I've seen and heard about.

I wouldn't bring one anyway. Bring snips; they're just as good for what you'd need 'em for in this case, and might save you from some hassle.

[JamesK]

Genesis once bubbled...

They are anal about security due to the risk of rival gang members and such possibly getting out of joint.


Yeah, I know what you mean. last time I was on a cruise, the Carnival Cruise Line Crips almost had it out with the Bloods down on B-Deck. Luckily for us they could not get a hold of a knife! :eek: :rolleyes:

Where the problem really lies is that people have become so illogical in their thought process, that clear and logical thinking is no longer an option. Zero tolerance policies are slowly eroding away at the fundemental core of freedom.

As for dive knife, they can confiscate all the dive knives they wish from me. I will simply make another one at the cost of $1.19 plus tax. :D

[Genesis]

I'm not saying I agree with the policies necessarily.... just noting what I've seen and been told by the cruise lines.

I'd hate to lose an $80 titanium dive knife that way!

[JamesK]

I agree. That is why I shop for all of my dive knives at the local Target or Publix. I just made 4 of them this past week. Total cost was $4.05 plus tax. :)

[Genesis]

Oh man, the images this conjures... :)

[JamesK]

OK, now what image could you possibly get from that? I am almost scared to ask!!!! :D

[Genesis]

of the Publix aisle, looking both ways before acquiring the eeeevvvviiiillll knife, slipping it carefully into the basket... :)

[JamesK]

You certainly are a twisted individual! :D


I went to one store and asked for their cheapest SS steak knife. They look at you funny when you decline paying for the better set because you are just going to cut the thing in half anyway. :D

[sheck33]

MikeFerrara once bubbled...
I guess their worried you'll hijack the ship and crash it into a building. Do they give you aknife when you eat? I have carried a little pocket knife since I was very very yong and don't care to give it up now. I'll bet if I wanted a weapon I could break the leg off a table and use it for a club. Do they have tables? or perhaps the tables just don't have legs. I'll bet you wouldn't have trouble finding a cutting wepon either. I don't think I would enjoy a cruise.

How does the saying go? "A coward dies a thousand deaths the brave man only once"

That is exactly the thing i was going to write. About ANYTHING is very useful as a weapon. Give me a standard size pencil, you'll be amazed at what you can do. What about a good martial artist?? Are they going to cut off his/her arms & legs??
I am not going to let them take away an important diving safety tool. They can be concerned with safety or they can be paranoid, sometimes it seems the latter is the case. :mean:

[Genesis]

that is definitely true.

All this hullaballoo about security post 9/11 belies the fact that not one gun and not one "illegal" knife was brought on those planes.

What was brought on board were legitimate tools that passed security and were legitimate to carry on board prior to that date.

There was no breach of security on 9/11!

What there was, and what was exploited, was a belief that a person who hijacked an airplane wanted to use it as a negotiating tool and a means of transportation.

Once it became evident that people would use them as missles, the utility disappeared. Witness the last of the planes that the passengers brought down in an unsuccessful attempt to retake control - while they died, they DID prevent the intended use of the aircraft as a weapon.

The idiocy of the focus on "security" post 9/11 is pablum that is being spoon-fed to the public who, unfortunately, refuse to rub two neurons together and use what God gave 'em to consider whether the changes are either necessary OR appropriate.

Unfortunate, but not uncommon.

[SMKChef]

Genesis once bubbled...
I'm not saying I agree with the policies necessarily.... just noting what I've seen and been told by the cruise lines.

I'd hate to lose an $80 titanium dive knife that way!

Thank Heaven, I got it on line and it wasn't $80!!!

:D

[fenderbender29]

im going on a liveaboard in about 2 days, wil they take my knife, just a little 3" Aeris, thanks

[yogi_tala]

oh, yeah there is that little detail. They're not just metal detectors - I asked. They track all the "silver"-goods you couldn't walk out of the dining hall with anything useful.

Hmnnn... There wasn't any 'noticeable' detectors on the NCL Sea when I went in January, other previous ships. If there were, they certainly didn't work :-/ BTW, the steak knives on NCL are very sharp and break easily enough if you can find a slot that fits the knife somewhere on the ship. They fit nicely in a DIY DIR Knife holster.

When the brainless NAZI's, I mean, the exemplary security staff confiscated my Ramora (3" blade) after our first dive, I made them break it down, wash it and wrap it several times for both safety and rust prevention. Of course, this occupied 2 simps for the better part of 15 minutes (yeah, they were that swift), driving the lead dweeb almost apoplectic. I loved it :-) Mostly they were happy to throw the other divers knives unwrapped and unwashed into the drawer. =-[ The only part that made me angry was their attitude, basically screw the customer - Security <s******> is the only thing that matters. I haven't seen that level of arrogance on any other line. So, basically, it will be a bitterly cold day in the bad place with Satan wearing fleece, down and fur, before I go on an NCL boat again. Like I was going to hijack the Sea in Roatan and ram the Pentagon with it <massive sarcasm off>

On the practical side, there are few places that you will dive from a cruise ship, in the western Caribbean, where you are likely to need a knife. Echo’ing Genisis, et. al., certainly, a pair of snips is more than sufficient. If you are more the subversive type, you can stash a knife in a small metal case; they don't tend to search that aggressively (there ARE a thousand plus people trying to get back on at the same time you are). My modified steak knife fit nicely in a metal sunglass case, and passed security 3 times. BTW, I never actually dove with it, but it was the principle :-) And, yes, you do get your knife back, if you remember to trundle down to the main desk, while in the middle of disembarking.

So..., JamesK, the ‘bloods only made it to B Deck, heck on my cruise, the Hells Angels were all over the Atlantic Deck, frolicking in the pool, terrorizing the blue hairs ;)

jwh

[cdiver2]

Just a thought, If your dive knife was confiscated by the cruise ship and you got into difficulties on your next dive where the knife would have helped could you sue the cruise line ?
I know some people will say no as it was your choice to dive without a knife but when a crusie line offers diving and then takes dive equipment of you ?.

[ElectricZombie]

Not likely if they made you aware of the "no knife" policy ahead of time.

I personally think it's stupid not to carry a knife all the time above or below water. Knives come in handy in everyday life and can be an important tool in an emergency. Knives are primarily tools; weapons second. Anything can be used as a weapon; you could kill someone with a snorkel if you had to.

If a business wants to deprive you of your right to carry a knife or firearm, find somewhere else to do business.

[O2BBubbleFree]

Just a thought, If your dive knife was confiscated by the cruise ship and you got into difficulties on your next dive where the knife would have helped could you sue the cruise line ?
I know some people will say no as it was your choice to dive without a knife but when a crusie line offers diving and then takes dive equipment of you ?.

I've yet to go on a live-aboard or cruise, but I've noticed from pictures and ads that most cruise boats seem to be registered in some third-world contry. My guess is that they would be hard to sue.

I also remember watching a 60 Minutes-type show talking about the lack of good medical care on cruise lines. If they're not registered in a developed country, they probably don't have any regulation.

Let the cruiser beware.

Rant Alert: I've carried a pocket knife since I was a young 'en and will continue. When I did my cert dives in HI my instructor told me that he once got caught in a drift net, and was fortunate enough to be able to reach his knife and cut himself free. Something to think about.

'Course, I'm from the country, where I grew up believing that a knife is a tool, and firearms are tools, and people are dangerous.

[Furner]

I use a lead lined bag for my camera film when I travel, I always have since I got it all ruined in D.C. in 2000. If you stash your knife in there with some film on top, even if they see the bag and want to look, they probably wont even notice a small knife.