Two Carnival Cruise Line guests are banned for life after smuggling a handgun onboard their cruise ship. To make matters worse, the couple posted about the incident on social media, catching the attention of the cruise line.
The couple, Kendra Gordon and Travis Rainey, recorded themselves inside their stateroom while sailing with Carnival Cruise Line. The video was supposedly posted to Facebook by Gordon on October 1, 2024. In the video, Gordon filmed the contents of her stateroom’s safe; inside the safe, a small handgun can be seen.
Gordon explained in the since-deleted video how they checked luggage to board their Carnival cruise ship. The video, which she said was filmed on the second day of their itinerary, explained how the cruise line confiscated other items from their checked luggage. However, the couple was apparently able to sneak their handgun onboard the ship during the embarkation process.
Showing the contents of the safe, Gordon displayed her handgun and stated, “Day two on Carnival [Cruise Line]. Now mind you, they took my pickles, my hot sausages, [and my] open bag of popcorn.”
Gordon implied that while other items were confiscated, the handgun was missed by the security screening process. She stated, “We all good,” while referring to their handgun. In addition, the video clearly showed Rainey in the cruise cabin.
Following the incident, social media users sent the concerning video to the cruise line to ensure Carnival was made aware of the incident. In response, Carnival Cruise Line stated, "The guests who recorded the video have not sailed with us since April and have been prohibited from sailing Carnival in the future.”
Based on this response, Gordon posted the video to Facebook months after the cruise was complete. Ironically, it seems the couple was only banned because they posted the incident on social media.
Read more: Things that can get you instantly kicked off a cruise ship
Carnival Cruise Line has a long list of prohibited items that guests are not allowed to bring onboard. The cruise line’s website states, “Carnival Cruise Line prohibits weapons, illegal drugs and certain items that could interfere with the safe operation of its ships or compromise the safety and secure environment of its guests and crew.”
Moreover, the cruise line conducts mandatory security screening of all luggage that guests bring onboard. Carnival’s website confirms that the cruise line has the right to confiscate any item at the cruise line’s sole discretion. Any item that is considered dangerous or can pose a risk to the ship or its guests will be removed from guests’ luggage before boarding their ship.
It’s unclear if Gordon’s handgun was real or fake; either way, the cruise line explicitly states that fake weapons are also prohibited. The website clarifies, “All weapons and any item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon: firearms (including replicas, imitations and their components)."
Online Backlash
The reason Gordon posted the incriminating video to Facebook in the first place is unknown. However, the incident has caused an uproar online by fellow cruisers, with most people questioning why the couple would choose to post the video. In addition, many people are praising the cruise line’s response to the incident by banning the couple for life.
The story was recently posted to the Reddit thread r/Cruise, amassing more than 100 comments online. The post was titled, "Did someone really bring a gun?"
“Wow! How stupid can you be and double stupid to self incriminate [with] the video,” commented one Reddit user.
Another commenter said, “Cruise line companies need to share information with each other with passengers that break the rules. This fool who brought a gun on board should be banned for LIFE from ALL cruises....not just Carnival. What's to stop this fool from booking a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean or any non-Carnival company?”
“I have had nightmares about traveling internationally and accidentally bringing a gun, and am now faced with how to get rid of it or risk trying to get home with it knowing that it's likely you'll be caught and end up in some dank prison. Weird that someone would do this on purpose,” writes one commenter.
Similarly, another user said, “This is a really low IQ move of this couple to literally post a video of it online as well. Thank goodness they are banned for life."
Some responders even pointed out that certain destinations have very strict laws about bringing guns into the country, such as Turks and Caicos. “Having a firearm or even just ammunition is a serious offense in some of those popular tourist destinations,” pointed out one commenter.
Read more: Cruise ship prohibited items: 23 things you can't bring on a cruise
Recent news stories have shown the country cracking down on guests bringing guns or even ammunition into the country by cruise ship. For instance, people who possess ammunition in Turks and Caicos could face up to 12 years in prison at minimum. Several Americans have made recent headlines for accidentally bringing ammunition into the country, resulting in thousands of dollars in fines and arrests.
One user shared, “Depending on where they are going they could have landed themselves in serious hot water. There are a number of countries that take firearms offenses incredibly seriously. There are tourists facing long prison sentences for having left over ammunition in their baggage”
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
