Passenger Arrested

We discuss a recent incident where a passenger on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady was arrested for possessing cannabis and cocaine, allegedly attempting to sell them on a gay cruise that was turned away from Istanbul and Cairo. Greek authorities boarded the ship off the coast of Greece, searched the passenger, and deported him back to Spain. We emphasize that federal maritime law applies on cruise ships, prohibiting marijuana even from legal states or with a card, and warn of harsh penalties in countries like the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Barbados, or Bermuda, including fines or jail time. As a lawyer suing cruise lines, I advise leaving marijuana and gummies at home for a safe cruise.