RANT against cruise ships

[Dale D]

As some of you may suspect, my wife and I are travel junkies, and have traveled the world in our lifetime (100 + countries). So I get a lot of travel brochures in the day's mail. Today's mail comes from Seabourne Cruise Line. It seems that they are doing adventure cruises all over the world and they really are good locations, although very expensive. I decided to dig down into the their website to see if drones were permitted and there it was, way down on the list of PROHIBITED items which will be seized on the gang plank and returned after you are definitely off the ship at the final dockage. On the probited list of guns, dynamite, big knives, etc. were DRONES. So here, amongst all of the most beautiful drone scenic places on the face of earth no drones are permitted.

I know, I know, all of you out there who are so protective...will give me all of the reasons for this But still, come on. We know when it is safe and when it not to fly above an iconic site for a birds eye view and the shot of a lifetime. It really burns me up, and of course, removes that cruise line from any consideration whatsoever of ever paying a dime to them for travel.
Rant over.

Dale
Miami

 

[DJ Wes]

As some of you may suspect, my wife and I are travel junkies, and have traveled the world in our lifetime (100 + countries). So I get a lot of travel brochures in the day's mail. Today's mail comes from Seabourne Cruise Line. It seems that they are doing adventure cruises all over the world and they really are good locations, although very expensive. I decided to dig down into the their website to see if drones were permitted and there is were, way down on the list of PROHIBITED items which will be seized on the gang plank and returned after you are definitely off the ship at the final dockage. On the probited list of guns, dynamite, big knives, etc. were DRONES. So here, amongst all of the most beautiful drone scenic places on the face of earth no drones are permitted.

I know, I know, all of you out there who are so protective...will give me all of the reasons for this But still, come on. We know when it is safe and when it not to fly above an iconic site for a birds eye view and the shot of a lifetime. It really burns me up, and of course, removes that cruise line from any consideration whatsoever of ever paying a dime to them for travel.
Rant over.

Dale
Miami

I hear you, Dale. This appears to be a common rule on cruise ships.

The problem is that for every thoughtful and considerate person (such as yourself), there are 10 other individuals who would put their drone up in the air at the most improper location and time.

 

[old man mavic]

@Dale D ,lets be honest here ,their reasons for banning drones on their ships ,has really nothing to do with the actual drone ,or the fact that it will be flown ,by the owner ,even if it is off the ship while it is at a destination
its all about liability ,and so its easier for them to just put a blanket ban on them ,so as not to have to deal with an issue should it arise .

 

[DARKSeifer]

There's no reason but ignorance, <900g are just flying compact cameras, not weapons.

If I can't bring my camera you won't see my money, that's all you have to say before leaving.

 

[Rusty_SWO]

My wife and I went on Carnival over Thanksgiving. Had a look for their policy- seems to be that they collect it at check-in, but you can get it back when you're going ashore for port calls. You're just not allowed to have it underway.

 

[Dale D]

I hear you, Dale. This appears to be a common rule on cruise ships.

The problem is that for every thoughtful and considerate person (such as yourself), there are 10 other individuals who would put their drone up in the air at the most improper location and time.

wow- that response took a short wait! I wish I could agree with you but the majority of us experienced travelers ( and for these trips most people are already well traveled) , we are the majority and we have common sense-something... missing from newer generations.

 

[Dale D]

I hear you, Dale. This appears to be a common rule on cruise ships.

The problem is that for every thoughtful and considerate person (such as yourself), there are 10 other individuals who would put their drone up in the air at the most improper location and time.

I would never even let it go that far (e.g.L show up at the gangplank with my aerial camera). I would write the cruise company directly and make my case- no aerial camera, no trip. Be sure to omit the hated word, DRONE.

 

[TommyGrimmer]

Something not mentioned is the fact you will be stopping in different ports and different countries with different rules. They do not want to deal with someone who does not respect the laws of the country they visit. Keep the drone at home and enjoy your vacation most of us cannot afford.

 

[Cymru]

Cruise ship ban doesnt seem that dumb.

Firstly most go to a different country each day - would the drone owner REALLY legally register their device and pay for it for each country it visits on a daily basis? I suspect not, they'd just fly illegally.

Secondly, most cruise ship ports are in or near secure areas and very often inside a flight restriction zone.
We had all sort of issues where i used to work where the berthing was 1 mile from the runway on the extended centreline and idiots with drones flying them off the ship or dock right in the way without bothering to check.

If they do allow the things they should be held under lock and key and only released to the owner provided he can show legitimate paperwork/registration for the country they're currently at.

 

[Dale D]

@Dale D ,lets be honest here ,their reasons for banning drones on their ships ,has really nothing to do with the actual drone ,or the fact that it will be flown ,by the owner ,even if it is off the ship while it is at a destination
its all about liability ,and so its easier for them to just put a blanket ban on them ,so as not to have to deal with an issue should it arise .

Thanks OMM

They are always covering their tushies from liability. If you don't understand that word, I'll tell you on a private conversation.
I am constantly balancing my decisions on whether or not I should risk it . So I bought yet a second ! Mini 2 for travel. I was successful in flying it in Tanzania around the camp and avoided using it on the game drives over animals. I sold it after getting back home. Now I have purchased yet another one (fly more) for upcoming trips to Middle East and to Canada Rockies, both places that disallow drones. I've tried get a permit in DOHA (Qatar), UAE (Dubai) and it is impossible. Israel is possible and Jordan I don't yet know. Certainly I do not want to pay $10,000 USD fine or a year in jail. Also planning yet another safari and it is very possible there.

Dale

 

[old man mavic]

@Dale D i do know what it means thanks Dale ,and i can fully understand your reasons for your rant
unfortunately we do now live in a Blame /Claim society in many parts of the world ,and that has influenced the way that many situations are handled, it is what it is ,and the way things are going, it is not going to get any better ,any time soon ,

 

[Dale D]

@Dale D i do know what it means thanks Dale ,and i can fully understand your reasons for your rant
unfortunately we do now live in a Blame /Claim society in many parts of the world ,and that has influenced the way that many situations are handled, it is what it is ,and the way things are going, it is not going to get any better ,any time soon ,

Yes- OMM
Sad but true

 

[shb]

Personally, I'm against almost all regulations on drones. How many people have been injured by drones? Obviously you can't fly on a airport runway, but other than that I don't think they pose a danger to anyone.

 

[Dale D]

From your lips to God's hands.

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

Personally, it's probably as much to do with other passenger experiences as other aspects of potential problems for the cruise line.

People pay good money to go on regular cruises, and REALLY BIG money to go on smaller specialised cruises, many of which would go to pristine and remote wilderness type locations.
Very often drones just don't fit well with small group tours, flying around other people in close proximity, disturbing others peace in such locations.
That alone would be enough to ensure they aren't going to be used on / off compact ships, or smaller shore excursions where groups tend to stay compact.

This is besides other issues . . . people taking time to set up, fly, pack up etc . . . possible neglectful / ignorant use from the ship itself . . . flying in places one shouldn't on shore . . . wildlife issues in places where nature rarely sees human life . . . the potential of hazards like lipo batteries, as low as it might be . . . probably numerous other reasons.

I liken this to drone flight in National Parks, where people go to get away from modern life, they don't want to hear a drone buzzing around.
Also, I see other travel adventures like African safaris etc to limit or outright ban them, it's just one less thing for tour guides to worry about with groups, they usually have enough to do.

I'd love to fly in some National Parks here (and do in states that allow it, and I'm remote), but as a bushwalker I can certainly understand why some states in Australia outright ban drones for recreational flight.

One could argue quite well that a 15 minute flight now and then is no harm, I agree with that with careful consideration and thought for the environment and others in the group.
It's just most operators don't want the headaches / arguments where others might complain, and require time for mediation to ensure group harmony.

 

[karlblessing]

I guess one approach might be ... liability insurance (there's a few companies out there they will do day, week, etc rates for drone insurance, such as if you were filming for a wedding), if you contact those companies and ask if they could give a rate for being able to perform "a job" off of a cruise ship. See how easy it may be to get, if you can manage to actually get coverage, then talk to the cruise line and see if they would change their tune if presented with insurance coverage. But I suspect you probably won't get past the first part.

 

[AZDave]

wow- that response took a short wait! I wish I could agree with you but the majority of us experienced travelers ( and for these trips most people are already well traveled) , we are the majority and we have common sense-something... missing from newer generations.

I'm 75 years old, but this kind of derision for "newer generations' is not only totally tiresome and unwarranted in general, it is as old as humankind and applied to you once as well.

As for the drone prohibitions, the cruise line has every right in the world to try to limit their liability in situations like this. You may not like it, but it is no doubt the result of them weighing the loss of your business against the potential loss of money in a lawsuit. It would only take one fool with a drone to offset hundreds or even thousands of lost passengers like you. They probably also don't want to find themselves in the middle of a legal situation caused by somebody with a drone trying top operate within a country that has severe restrictions for them.

There are lots of situations involving drones that have far more valid gripes than this one.

 

[edfrombama]

Good morning to all-
I suppose I can understand cruise ships' restrictions on drone use while under way at sea, but once the ship arrives in port, what is it to the cruise line what kind of camera their passengers use?
There are some places in Mayan Mexico where I would love to discretely fly my drone and get some wonderful overhead shots. But if I can't take my drone camera on the ship, why should I spend my money to take their big ship to the port I need?
I don't like being regulated overly by other entities, and this is a case where I feel drone camera fliers are being very much overly regulated.

I agree with Dr. Dale.

good day to all- Ed

 

[Cymru]

How many of these people are realistically going to register, answer any test and pay a fee to fly their drone from a cruise ship on the one day its in port in that country?
Few or none.
How many will even bother checking (or care) to see if flying is banned where they're berthed? Very few.
So most, if not all the flights are illegal per local regulations.

Cruise ships are likely covering their backs legally in not facilitating illegal operations every single day.

 

[LeeB]

I'm taking a Viking cruise to Norway in January. They allow drones to be taken on the ship, just not to be flown from the ship. I reached out to Norway's CAA (online and via email) to insure I'm in compliance with their regulations. I had to take an online course and pass a test. The fee was $22 for a year. I am now certified to fly in Norway and have a tail number.
I'm hoping to get some Northern Lights photos with the drone and my traditional camera.
Since this trip is just one country, it was worth getting certified. A different country each day is a different story.
I was recently in the Azores and Greece. I took my drone to the Azores and got some beautiful aerials of the volcanic lakes and pools. However, I did not take to to Greece since we were mostly visiting archaeological sites.
Being banned by the cruise line would have me looking elsewhere.