Are you required to go through metal detectors when you board the ship? Like the ones at the airport.

I ask because my husband has metal implanted in his body that sets off the airport detectors and causes many problems and makes him very cranky. Although I have informed him that he IS going to get on a plane in January because he IS going on a cruise with me (specifically on the Spirit) and he IS going to have fun... if he has to go through a metal detector every time we board the ship I may have to cancel any excursions and just keep him on the ship. Or spend significant amounts of money keeping him supplied in margaritas. There is nothing crankier than a husband who must sit in a glass cage while being patted down for fifteen minutes.

Back to the question... Please tell me there are no metal detectors on board... (fingers crossed)!

When you first board you go through an airport-type screening. After that it depends on the port; some do, some don't...some only check your I.D. and others will use the wand.

I would think a statement from his Doctor would eliminate any unreasonable delays or pat-downs.

But the margarita thing sounds good too.

They are constantly changing things, so I can only say what has been typical in the past. On Carnival it has been as f-mattox described. They don't use a walk thru detector to re-board the ship. You don't have to take off watches, belts etc. They do run your carry on stuff thru the x-ray machine. I actually can't recall them ever even using a wand, but the times are a changing.

IslandCruz

On my recent Hawaii trip they only used the wand in one port, Hilo, and I suspect that might have been because it was the last stop before the long trek back across the Pacific.

Usually it was just an I.D. check and sometimes a visual bag check, sometimes an x-ray scan.

On a recent Caribbean cruise, my wife and I were subjected to both xraying of items brought back on the ship and having to walk through the metal detector. They were only exempting women if they were pregnant.

Wrong wrong wrong.. they DO make you go through a metal detector to re-board in every port! They also make you put your bag (shopping bags, beach bags and purses) through an x-ray. (Looking for booze and weapons I imagine.)

Make sure your husband has a card (I think homeland security issues these) stating that he has implants that will set off the metal detectors so he can avoid hassle.

Thank you all so much! I will opt for buying him many margaritas, haha. He does have the little "gold card" from the doctor but that doesn't prevent any hassle at airports. He will have to suck it up and get over it though because I am going to Mexico and he is coming along and he is going to have FUN whether he likes it or not, lol!!!

I appreciate everyone taking the time to answer this, I'm sure it must affect others too. I will just cross my fingers that it isn't too difficult. The San Jose Airport puts him through without too much hassle, but Las Vegas was a horror for him (held in a clear plastic "cage" with a big red X on it for 1/2 hour). I will start saving now for that margarita tab!

Jim C., I guess Hawaii has a little more "hang loose" attitude than you have experienced; like I said, we got the wand once and bags were usually just visually inspected.

Rick

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C.:

Make sure your husband has a card (I think homeland security issues these) stating that he has implants that will set off the metal detectors so he can avoid hassle.

You think? I "think" Hilary is a man. Why don't you check on that and get back to us?

As Jim notes, we have had to walk through a metal detector on every cruise we've been on for the past several years - all Carnival ships for sure, and Royal Caribbean too. It may not be as large a unit as at the airport but it is a metal detector. I do think these have more "lenient" settings, but there is also a guard with a wand standing by.

quote:

he has implants that will set off the metal detectors so he can avoid hassle.

Thats exactly why one of my Girlfriends went with the new safer silicon implants. I must say they feel much softer.

I have had to walk thru metal detectors on all 7 of my cruises getting back on board

Dave, When I originally check-in and go thru the screening I have to remove my military belt because it sets if off. I always wear a decent size diver's watch that has to be removed, along with change and lighter.

When I reboard I have never had to remove any of those items. Hence I didn't know I was walking thru one. Or after a few Bushwhackers I did not recall. I just remember id and S&S, put S&S in slot and it goes ding. Then put bags in the x-ray.

It must be like you said with lenient settings. There sure isn't a backed up line with people removing items to go thru it.

Thanks, after I posted that, I started thinking it would be a little worrisome to think someone could conceal a weapon or something. Thanks as well to Jim.

IslandCruz

The issue is that my husband had a double hip replacement, and I'm thinking that with the varied age of cruisers that particular issue must come up quite often (though my husband is only 46). There must be many passengers with hip replacements, pacemakers, etc, so they must have a quick and easy way to get everyone back on board.

He only gets grumpy when he's singled out and given a very thorough pat down in front of everyone, sometimes for longer than 15 minutes. Although we understand the reasoning behind this he still feels like a criminal and gets very grumpy... and feels a little down too. I think I will just not mention it until we see what happens, and then I'll just make sure he finishes alllll his margaritas before reboarding the ship.

I really do appreciate all the information you all gave me!

Cynthia, You are most welcome from all of us I am sure. I only imagine he does not like to be embarrassed. No reason if even it happenned, I think it will be all good

IslandCruz

I am so wrong. With Dave's explanation and a slap up side the head from Wifey! Yes we like it that way. She says we do walk thru them! They just don't go off like the other ones.

Cynthia,
My mother-in-law has a defibulator(pacemaker). When she travels, she carries a notarized letter from her physician and a gov't. issued card, which she displays to security. She is excluded from the metal detectors because it may interfere with her defib. circuit. They do wand her.

My mother has a hip replacement and she also carries a notarized letter from her doctor, as well as, a gov't issued card. Although, she still has to go through the metal detector, only because her replacement doesn't require special electronic attention, such as a defib.

A'ndrea

The ships typically use lightweight units such as this one.

Looks like the "Atabachron" Where will it take you?

Ken, I didn't know you served. Travel with it much?

A'ndrea

Too quick for me, Ken.