Kilted on Queen Mary 2 Cruise

[Sir William]

...Just one thing - I don't see any sgian dubhs being worn - is that a personal choice or Cunard policy? Some cruise companies worry about the liner being hijacked and won't allow them I gather.

Most cruise lines follow very similar policies to airlines and do not allow knives aboard, including decorative ones. As a general policy, most cruise lines will just confiscate the "weapon" and return it at the completion of the cruise, but some may not return it, and may even turn the passenger over to the local authorities if they believe the passenger might pose a threat to other passengers.

And, unfortunately, there are many (at least in the US) who are insecure enough to feel threatened by anything even resembling a weapon and will report it to the authorities. I have a sgian dubh that is actually a bottle opener. At one function I was informed I could not have a knife. I showed them it was a bottle opener but with no effect - it was perceived to be a knife when in my hose and that was sufficient grounds for it not being permitted. They were nice enough to allow me to put it in my sporran rather than confiscate it.

[English Bloke]

Cheers Jimmy, glad you had a grand time.

[AFS1970]

Nice pics.

The thought of sgian dubhs on cruises was discussed by a bunch of us on a cruise forum I used to post on regularly. Most agreed that based on the fairly broad definitions in the cruise line weapons policy, that they would not be allowed. One poster told of how she found actual mention of sgian dubhs in that policy, but I followed her links and never found it. I still have a feeling that it wouldn't make it past security, and have no desire to loose even my cheapest of sgian dubhs.

As for the sgian brew "looking like" a knife, I have encountered that sort of on a cruise, although going way off topic here. I was on a Carnival Cruise and they were taking anything that looked like a weapon, even obvious plastic toys that kids were bringing back from port. The cruise was showing Rocky Horror one night and a group of us set about getting the required props when we stopped in Grand Cayman. In order to get squirt guns that did not look like real ones we had to get ones that looked like frogs.

[McClef]

I trawled through the Cunard website and could find nothing about it one way or another.

They may (indeed should) ensure in a direct communication to a booked passenger what their policy actually is.

My one cruise experience with Fred Olsen lines permitted it but it was still taken from me by security at embarkation at Southampton and I was told to collect it from the purser in time for the formal cocktail party with the Captain. The security guy told me that if I had been sailing with P&O it would not have been allowed.

I then had it for the rest of the evening and nobody turned a hair when they saw me wearing it. The person on the Purser's desk seemed puzzled as to what to do with it when I took it back. I was even allowed to get it back before we docked in Rosyth.

So no consistency by the cruise companies - clearly if someone, like Jimmy, chooses not to bring one to wear then that's fine as no policy is being breached but if someone wants to bring one they need clear guidance in advance. If the other guy photographed with Jimmy had been wearing one then we would known it's OK with Cunard but because he wasn't was why I asked the question - one which I still do not know the answer to.

[Sir William]

I trawled through the Cunard website and could find nothing about it one way or another.

So no consistency by the cruise companies...

This is taken from the passage contract, which all passengers must sign before being allowed aboard:

14. BAGGAGE AND PERSONAL EFFECTS, LIABILITY LIMITATIONS.
You may take a reasonable amount of luggage on board containing only Your personal effects, which shall include suitcases, trunks, valises, satchels, bags, hangers containing clothing, toiletries and other personal effects necessary for the Voyage. If You travel by air or other transportation the terms and conditions of the airline or other transportation provider apply to Your carriage on those conveyances. You may not take on board firearms, weapons, knives, controlled or prohibited substances, inflammable or hazardous items, any other items prohibited by applicable law, or any other item Carrier deems in its sole discretion to be detrimental to the safety or comfort of any person. You agree Carrier has, at all times with or without notice, the right to enter and search Your stateroom, personal safe or storage spaces, or to search You, Your baggage and/or personal effects at any location.

Cruise lines are variable in what they allow or don't allow, but as seen here Cunard (as do other lines) reserve the right to prohibit items they deem to be detrimental to the safety or comfort of any of its passengers or crew. Thus, a sgian may be deemed threatening to someone's safety or comfort (as in my earlier statement about my bottle opener being "perceived" as a knife).

I personally don't think most mass-produced sgians should be counted as a knife, but I'm not in a position to enforce that opinion aboard a cruise ship or with a TSA functionary at the airport.