Bear Spray for an Alaskan Cruise

[I Run Long]

We have bear, cougar and wolves where I live (Vancouver Island). I’ve come across black bear many times when walking my dog - I always keep him on leash so I don’t have to out run the bear. Frankly I worry about cougar more as by the time you see one it may be too late. I don’t walk with bear spray but I make sure the potential bears can hear me as they typically want to avoid human interaction. Most of the time I come across bears it’s in the fall. Just be aware of your surroundings. They really want to avoid you.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

As said before Bear Spray is illegal in Canada. It will be confiscated from your luggage and you might not be allowed to pass into Canada. Just leave it at home.

 

[Michelle Perno]

First time? Read this…
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/prohibited-items/

Bear spray is a form of pepper spray. Pepper spray is prohibited from even being brought on the ship.

Not sure where you're departing from but even regular old pepper spray is banned in Canada. Learned that the hard way at customs. I had it in my checked bag and I was planning to go running alone while my partner was in meetings, so that is why I had packed it. The officers were not amused that I felt that I would need this sort of protection in their country. Fortunately since I was honest about it and reported it voluntarily after answering the questions on the form, they just confiscated it and let me go.

 

[SirDuff]

As said before Bear Spray is illegal in Canada. It will be confiscated from your luggage and you might not be allowed to pass into Canada. Just leave it at home.

This actually isn't true. Parks Canada even tells you how to use it:

https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/gaz-spray

It is however, illegal unless being use as bear spray (and not for self-defense against humans as pepper spray).

https://www.netnewsledger.com/2025/...ar-spray-whats-legal-and-whats-not-in-canada/

https://legalbeagle.com/6942366-canadian-bear-spray-laws.html

Also, you CAN bring it across the border (when driving - cannot fly with it) as long as it meets criteria and is declared:

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-13-2-eng.html

 

[BrokeMack]

I used to live in Eastern Washington. I got into the habit of whistling anytime I hike, to avoid surprising any bears.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

This actually isn't true. Parks Canada even tells you how to use it:

https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/gaz-spray

It is however, illegal unless being use as bear spray (and not for self-defense against humans as pepper spray).

https://www.netnewsledger.com/2025/...ar-spray-whats-legal-and-whats-not-in-canada/

https://legalbeagle.com/6942366-canadian-bear-spray-laws.html

Also, you CAN bring it across the border (when driving - cannot fly with it) as long as it meets criteria and is declared:

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-13-2-eng.html

Thanks for the clarity. Those are new updates. In the past it has been confiscated.

 

[SirDuff]

Thanks for the clarity. Those are new updates. In the past it has been confiscated.

I've been carrying bear spray when camping in national parks (purchased often from the park) since at least the 90s. So, if it was ever illegal (as your post said) it it's been at least 30ish years. Again, only if marked as for use against bears (and only carried where it would be used against bears).