fivekitty Posted March 26, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring a police/ emergency scanner onboard? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted March 26, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 26, 2017 You can have a radio. But whether it is legal to use where ever you are is another story. Hate to see you left behind in jail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieshops Posted March 26, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 26, 2017 why in the world would anyone want to listen to a police scanner on a vacation on a cruise ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinIllinois Posted March 26, 2017 #4 Share Posted March 26, 2017 why in the world would anyone want to listen to a police scanner on a vacation on a cruise ship? Advance notice so they can hear if security is coming to raid the cabin when they are smoking on the balcony? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivekitty Posted March 26, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Thanks for all the kind words....it's actually my son who enjoys to listen to that stuff...never should have asked the question.... How can I just delete this post....:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivekitty Posted March 26, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted March 26, 2017 And I would never even think of putting a vile cancer causing substance in my body from smoking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnIreland Posted March 26, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Once it's listen only (not a transmitter) I don't see why it wouldn't be allowed on board. But scanners like that are illegal in some countries , so I would check on all my ports of call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaShark Posted March 26, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring a police/ emergency scanner onboard? Thanks! Thanks for all the kind words....it's actually my son who enjoys to listen to that stuff...never should have asked the question.... How can I just delete this post....:( I don't think that "who" would be listening is really relevant to the question. Aside from the fact that possession and/or operation of a scanner outside of the US might put you in violation of the law, you should consider that the materials used to construct a cruise ship (think metal walls, floors, and ceilings) can act to make reception a nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregor4500 Posted March 26, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 26, 2017 He might prefer a marine radio and keep it on channel 16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of a son of a ... Posted March 26, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 26, 2017 If the sounds provide comfort or distraction to your DS, then record or download a couple of hours of feed from home. You can the loop it ... make it an audio file. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivekitty Posted March 26, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Thanks I'll look into the marine radio. It is a comfort to him. Thx for the suggestion Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted March 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I cannot find anything in the contract or the FAQ that says it is not allowed. I think the real issue is what is he going to listen to? Unless he can find the frequencies that the ship uses there is not likely to be a lot to hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnIreland Posted March 26, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Channel 16 is good idea. I always bring a UBS scanner for my laptop to have a listen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of a son of a ... Posted March 26, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 26, 2017 zq - I don't know about OP's DS, but some children on the spectrum find comfort in the ambience provided by certain sounds ... just not loud noises, please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPD050 Posted March 26, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 26, 2017 If you have an internet plan then you can just use an app on smartphones to listen to first responder calls. You can then listen to calls from around the world and not just the local area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't-use-real-name Posted March 27, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I was looking the FINE PRINT over and did not come up with a definite conclusive answer ! I have a Radio Shack all band scanner for railroads (my main forte) aircraft movements and cruise marine movement chatter. It is not a transmitting device merely a receiver. The only adverse result I had was on Carnival leaving San Juan for the Southern Caribbean - they thought I was bringing on a device to assemble and formulate issues of Mass Destruction along with my little pocket tools (Leatherman and Swiss Army Knife) my God can't have a MacGyver on board - imagine the chaos this would cause. For those interested if the situation arises at San Juan there is a small gift shop near the security check-in point that accepts these WMD for a small fee until your return (provided you are making a close loop trip). Not accepted in checked baggage or carry-on - the rent-a-security Key Stone Cops at their finest ! The use of a scanner is matter left best to discretion ! The major issue herein is taking these radio receivers (and transmitters-transceivers) into foreign countries where security is of concern. Canada and Mexico are not so foreign to pose a threat but other countries are not so forgiving. El Dictator - President - Prime Minister view such items as a personal threat to their regime. With the introduction of Trunk Band receivers receiving digital signals is perhaps more of issue. If you do decide to bring your toy with you suggest not visibly displaying playing a game of hide and seek CIA FBI foreign espionage ! Use it with ear buds or a headset ! Avoid making faux replys to a non-transmitting device - "Roger that the carpet bombing will commence on my command" ! "Aye Captain the missile launch is T-minus from commencing" - all the while looking like you are the MAN - yeah you are the MAN ! Well maybe a tad bit of hyperbole but you should be receiving this message clearly and not so loudly. NCL and other cruise lines may object to privileged in house radio transmissions being heard. Calls such as "Angel xxxx with a cabin number" maybe an indication of a medical emergency requiring the ship's doctor or medical staff to that cabin for attention. Absolutely stay away from any side-walk viewing gawking least you be identified as the leaking source ! As always good judgment - listen - stay away - and enjoy your private communications respite ! Best place to have your receiver device is in your carry-on so that you will know immediately of what the problem is and not later delaying your cruise enjoyment with a visit to the Naughty Room to find out the disposition of your toy ! You can take Walkie Talkies on board but the use of same is questionable with the steel hull structure of the ship. Use by both grown ups as well as children is subject to being a good device to keep friends and family together or a royal nuisance pain to quiet serenity ! In place of W-Ts the use of cell phones is a better option while it is more expensive. With an Apt phone package the in house ships phones may connect directly to your cell phone ?!? Princess Cruise Lines - theme is to "ESCAPE COMPLETELY" - Why not on NCL ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted March 27, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 27, 2017 States like Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, and New York make it illegal to use a mobile police scanner without a license from the Federal Communications Commission or permission from local law enforcement, reports NBC. Don't use it if you are sailing out of Miami. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJMK Posted March 27, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring a police/ emergency scanner onboard? Thanks![/quote No they are not allowed. I checked with NCL directly prior to going on the Getaway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted March 27, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Thanks for all the kind words....it's actually my son who enjoys to listen to that stuff...never should have asked the question.... How can I just delete this post....:( The only dumb question is the question not asked. People just like to joke and tease on this site. That being said, it's probably a crapshoot; between security personnel deciding it's a dangerous item and not allowing it on the ship or unintentionally bringing it to a country where it's illegal to possess such a device. If it's a necessity, probably no harm in bringing it except you could possibly lose it (worst case) or have it held in the naughty room. If it's not a necessity prob better to not bring it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare justhappy Posted March 27, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I have an app on my cell phone called 5-0 radio. You can listen to police/fire/ rescue scanners from all over the world. Of course it would require an Internet plan to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WYTinman Posted March 27, 2017 #21 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Thanks I'll look into the marine radio. It is a comfort to him. Thx for the suggestion Sent from my iPhone using Forums Fivekitty, I'm a retired LEO. For a short time after I retired I used a scanner as white noise to help me sleep. (It was nice knowing I didn't have to answer those calls anymore). So I can relate to your DS finding comfort. As far as getting it on board, you really need to ask NCL. We can tell you what we think or what we heard. NCL has the final say, ask there. If you chose to bring it anyway.....bring headphones......the "Squawk" is distinctive and will draw attention. Also, a good handheld Bearcat type scanner should have the ability to scan/hold Marine 16. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted March 27, 2017 #22 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Does anyone know if you are allowed to bring a police/ emergency scanner onboard? Thanks! My son has an iPhone and there's an app for that:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted March 27, 2017 #23 Share Posted March 27, 2017 As long as the scanner is just that, a scanner, it should be okay, the problem comes with transmitters. Now, not all police/emergency services around the world transmit on the same frequencies, so depending on the spectrum that your scanner will receive, you may or may not receive anything. As for marine channels, near ports you will probably get some traffic, but on sea days or nights, not so much. Channel 16 is a distress and hailing channel, so messages there are rather short, and usually an initial contact between vessels with a request to move to another working channel. The apps for phones to receive police/emergency calls does not make your phone into a radio receiver, there must be someone in the locale who scans the frequencies and uploads them to the internet, so again, you may not receive much at all times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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