Can You Fish Off A Cruise Ship?

Free food.

People who are ready to serve beer.

Aboard a ship that is cruising the ocean for days.

Sounds like a fishermen’s paradise right?

No, we are not talking about a cool exotic fishing trip, we are talking about a cruise.

If you are planning on going on a cruise in the near future and you love fishing, you might ask yourself such questions as: Can you fish off a cruise ship? Can I bring my fishing equipment aboard the ship? Can I fish at port?

In this post, we have done the research for you and are going to share with you what we have learned.

Can You Fish Off A Cruise Ship?

The answer is no, most cruise ships (if not all) will not allow you to fish off the boat. This is true when the ship is moving as well as when it is parked at the park. Many cruise websites clearly state that if you bring such items as fishing gear, snorkel gear etc., they are strictly limited to port use only. In other words, you can only use them on your free time while at port, but you are not allowed to fish with them off the side of the boat.

Can You Bring Fishing Gear On A Cruise Ship?

(You also might enjoy reading: The Ultimate Guide On Choosing The Best Telescopic Fishing Rod)

At the time of writing this post, I found that many cruise ships do not prohibit you from bringing your own fishing gear on board.

For example, if you follow this link here you will be brought to the official list of prohibited items allowed on a Carnival cruise. You will notice that fishing gear is not listed on the prohibited list.

The only thing closely related to fishing is spear guns. If you would like to do some spearfishing in an exotic location you will to have to do it on another occasion as they are not allowed on the ship.

In addition, on their website, you will see that fishing rods and reels are mentioned and they are allowed on board.

However it does specify that they can only be used while at port. That means that you can only use them when you are at port not on the ship as we mentioned earlier.

(For additional information on what can be brought on a cruise ship follow the links below. Each link contains the prohibited items list according to specific cruise line: Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, Celebrity)

(To learn more about how to pack your fishing gear when traveling check out: Can I bring my fishing pole on an airplane?)

Why would you want to bring your own fishing gear on a cruise?

Well, if you are a guy like me, we are always looking for an opportunity to cast a line or two. There are few things that make us happier than being able to send our wives on a shopping spree while we go down to the ocean and try to catch a fish.

Would a vacation truly be a vacation if we didn’t have the opportunity to do a little fishing? I don’t think so.

A Few Tips About Fishing In Foreign Countries

If you do plan on doing some fishing while at port here are a few things to keep in mind.

Be considerate of others, don’t fish in public areas, look for private areas. When I say public areas, I mean areas that are obviously crowded with tourists. The truth of the matter is you and I love fishing, but not everyone does. So try to find a private location so that you won’t annoy fellow cruise passengers in the meantime.

Follow local regulations. Every country has its only regulations when it comes to fishing. If you decide to do some fishing at one of the stops be sure you are well aware of the local regulations. For example, be sure to research such questions as: Is a fishing license required? Can foreigners fish? etc… By doing a quick search online you can find more than enough information about fishing abroad.

Ask the locals. Because time is limited, be sure to ask the locals where the best fishing places are. Many times, they can be helpful in pointing you to that perfect spot. They might even know of some local fishing excursions. Keep in mind, when planning your own excursions to be back at the specified time so as not to miss your cruise.

Practice catch and release. It might be tempting to bring that fish home as a souvenir and fry it up when you get home, but it is very difficult to bring such fresh fish home. The best thing and probably the easiest thing to do is to practice catch and release.

(You might also enjoy reading: A Look At The Best Travel Spinning Rod – Just Spin And Go)

Should You Bring Your Own Fishing Gear For Excursions?

No, there is no need to bring your own fishing gear. Many of the cruise excursions will provide with all the needed fishing equipment.

Can I Bring The Fish I Caught On The Cruise?

Many cruise lines do not allow you to bring your catch aboard after you have gone fishing. If you want to bring home your catch you are going to need to ship them home from the port. This can be both difficult and very time-consuming.

Things are a little different if you choose to do an excursion provided by the cruise line. Some deep-sea excursions will bring aboard the caught fish and cook them for you. There is nothing like fresh fish in a beautiful location right?

Important note. I am by no means offering you legal advice. The information in this post is based on my personal experience and personal research. If you are planning on going on a cruise with the hopes of doing some fishing, I would strongly advise you to contact the cruise line personally. Be sure to find out what is allowed on the boat and what items are/aren’t allowed aboard the ship The last thing you want to happen is to start your trip off by having your luggage detained.

Final Thoughts…

As you can see, most cruise lines do not want their passengers fishing off the boat. This is understandable as they are trying to run a business to keep their clients/passengers happy.

With that being said, is it worth it to bring your fishing gear on the boat? As much as I love fishing and would jump on the opportunity to go fishing, I personally would probably just leave my equipment at home.

It is too much of a hassle to fish in another country where I don’t know the local regulations let alone the good places to catch fish.

If I really wanted to do some fishing while on a cruise, I probably would try to find some sort of fishing excursion that is provided by the cruise line.

Now it is your turn. Have you had any experience fishing on a cruise? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.