Kilted on Queen Mary 2 Cruise

[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.

[Grizzly]

Does the same still apply for a safety sgian? Am looking at Alaskan cruises for 2013 and would like to be formally kilted for the dinners.

[McClef]

If there is nothing clear in any of the literature it would be best to contact them for a direct answer in writing.

[chrisupyonder]

Great photo's. I took the liberty of rotating your first 2 pictures. Hope you don't mind.
Looks like you had a right good cruise.





Chris.

[Sir William]

Does the same still apply for a safety sgian? Am looking at Alaskan cruises for 2013 and would like to be formally kilted for the dinners.

McClef is correct - contact the cruise line you're sailing with and ask. If the answer is yes, be sure to get the name, department of the person who gives you the answer, and the date and time as well, and take it with you in cas and security has another opinion. Most cruise lines x-ray all bags and if they find anything prohibited or questionable they'll have you come down to security.

However, the little caveat in the Cunard contract, which is similar to that used by other cruise lines, "any other item Carrier deems in its sole discretion to be detrimental to the safety or comfort of any person", especially the "comfort" part, gives them a lot of interpretive leeway.

That said, you can still be formally kilted without the sgian on your cruise. Few, if any, would even notice it's absence.

[McClef]

I do remember that with Fred Olsen the policy was laid out in print but cannot find it on their on line site. It must have come through with the welcome pack after booking and I no longer have it.

So always check if nothing is received in print that directly covers it before you take a sgian with you. With an airline you can take it in your hold luggage and get it back at reclaim - with a cruise line it could lose it for at least the whole voyage or even longer.

And believe me if it is not clearly mentioned by the cruise line it does not mean that security will let it through. I had with me a brand new can of lighter fluid for my cigarette lighter - security confiscated it and there was nothing in the cruise line literature I had received that said I couldn't. The lighter itself went through OK but when it ran out of fuel I had to buy matches which were quite happily sold on board. Go figure.

[Grizzly]

Thank you for the advice. I hadnt even considered this to be an issue until mentioned on here. Another example of what makes this such a useful and informative forum.