tca2267 Loc: Florida

We are going on the Pride of America cruise ship doing the islands of Hawaii.....some friends of ours just came back from the same cruise and they told me that there was a sign as your board the ship "No Drone's on the Ship"......Needless to say I am a little PO.........Does anyone know what Islands allow drones......one of our excursions told me to 'yes' bring your drone......Has anyone ran into this before .....if so what did you do....any suggestions.
Thanks

distill Loc: Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire UK

Could it be that you are not allowed to use a drone onboard the ship itself hence the sign, people still expect a certain amount of privacy even onboard a ship

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I can only imagine what a nightmare it would be to have multiple drones flying above all those people, along with the complaints about people thinking they are being "ogled" by whoever is flying the drone, which may or may not be an issue. I'm sure you can "bring" it, but probably not actually use it on the ship. Until you've been on a cruise ship, you also don't realize how windy it is. You may just lose an expensive drone because the wind from the ship, plus the speed of the actual wind, blows it too far away to recover.

I don't know the laws in Hawaii, but I'm guessing they are the same as most. One big one is not being allowed to fly in a national park, which would be disappointing on the big island. I've been to Hawaii 3x, but it was before Drones were even thought of. There would be beautiful things to see, like waterfalls on the road to Hana, but beaches, and all the national park designations probably does whittle down your choices. If you want to take it, take it, but just find out when you get there who allows what. Don't trust a bunch of random people on the internet to keep you out of trouble. That could end up badly.

Good luck, and if you get some amazing drone footage, please share it. I would love to go back, but silly things like paying bills, etc, seem to get in the way.

tca2267 Loc: Florida

Thanks.....
I agree with you ..... only a "dummy" would fly a drone on board a cruise ship........that was not my intentions....I only wanted to use it on the Island's "where it was LEGAL"....I do know that they are not allowed in National Parks which would limit places to fly BUT there are some really nice place that do allow them.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Could you imagine the chaos of people on a ship flying their drones all at the same time? Especially if they are all trying to take pictures of the same thing? Maybe you can't, but the cruise company obviously can. "No drones on ship" is common sense.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Geez, leave the toys at home and enjoy the time.
--Bob

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Obviously it is the use of drones while onboard the ship the cruise line is talking about. I see no problem with you taking a drone onboard so long as you don't use it onboard. Taking it off the ship and using it on any island that permits it seems perfectly acceptable to me.

What I don't understand is why you would post this here rather than do the common sense thing and contact the cruise ship line to see exactly what they are talking about. Wouldn't they be the people to ask?

Dennis

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I know that drones are not allowed on or near the cruise ship docks in Juneau, which is basically our entire waterfront, or over the downtown core area or any of the harbors because the are used by Float planes. If your taking a cruise you might as well leave it at home. To many overlapping regulations for everywhere you will go. Now if you fly to the Islands and rent a car you can probably find some spots.
...Cam

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I did a 'doors-off' helicopter tour of Oahu. It was so much fun I did it again 2 days later. Beats a drone anyday!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Not for me. I got so sick when I went on a tour over the active volcano on the big island about 28 or so years ago, that the thought of ever sitting in a helicopter again gives me chills.

I'd rather take my photos from a nice safe location with both feet on the ground.

MW

Ditto re Big Island and Kiluea!!!!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Drones are highly restricted, on and off ships. That's one of several reasons why I won't get one. Imagine taking a relaxing cruise and having half a dozen drones buzzing over your head, looking in the windows on the bridge, and hovering over sunbathers.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I did both chopper and plane tours of the Big Island, and the plane was great - at about half the price.

JDG3

It appears to me that the sign was meant for the cruise ship to prevent drones being used on and around the ship during operations. This is perfectly understandable with people, antennas, and other obstructions sticking up from ship, not to mention the objections of the people on the ship.

There are also issues with shore use. Do you know exactly where you would operate? Are airports near the areas you intend to operate? National Parks? State parks? City/County parks? Military bases? Hospitals with helicopter landing areas? Airspace limitations? Local ordinances? I would guess that many if not all of the great scenic stops are located within a National or State park, where most drone operations are prohibited.

I have been a fixed wing pilot and instructor for 40 years and a certificated drone pilot for 3 years and the areas we can use drones are steadily being reduced and restricted, mostly due to people not following proper operating procedures and rules. It has actually been risky to fly drones almost anywhere due to fines and possible arrest if you are caught flying in certain restricted areas. There have also been reports of drone operators being attacked when flying in the vicinity of people at parks or at the beach.

Like you, I use drones mainly for photography. However, due the growing restrictions and resentment toward drones I am considering selling mine and using a Wonderpole. People who get very defensive of a drone with a camera often ignore someone with a camera on a long extended pole. I have seen this many times in real estate photography when trying to get outside shots. Most times it is simply easier and quicker to use the Wonderpole than the drone. You can get these in several sizes and most are fiberglass and can be packed and shipped as luggage.

Whatever you decide to do: DO YOUR RESEARCH! You need to make sure to check ALL the possible issues pertaining to drone use. You may save yourself from fines, possible arrest or worse.