Bringing Alcohol on a Cruise?
#16
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: EWR
Posts: 680
Just put the bottles in your luggage that you leave for the curbside staff to deliver to your stateroom. No need to pour it into Listerine bottles (don't do it, ruins the taste and you'll end up dumping it all) or water bottles. I don't think think the check in baggage screeners care about the alcohol policy.
#17
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
I probably wouldn't risk bringing a glass bottle of brown liquor or red wine personally.
Secondly, the port of origin in the only one where there is checked luggage; other ports allow only hand luggage. It is possible to get it past the staff, but much less likely. In my experience the best strategy is to act like Uncle Leo from Seinfeld.
We had it confiscated from checked baggage on Royal Caribbean. We had two bottles, one plastic, one glass, in different cases. The plastic liter made it through, the glass on didn't. We had to go and claim our case and they searched it and took the bottle. They would not return it at the end of the cruise either.
I've taken more than 40 cruises, and the only time I've not been successful was when doing a non-international trip (Pride of America in Hawaii) in which the screeners were just cruise line employees.
Last edited by pawtim; Mar 31, 2014 at 8:47 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: BA Gold, HH
Posts: 673
re: alcohol
when sailing Princess, i usually bring beer and wine, as well as sodas during embarkation. then at various ports replenish sodas and wine. though i did manage sake, several bottles (shaped like wine bottles) on Holland America.
i've had good luck in port at St. Maarten (usually middle of the itinerary) with getting rum and whiskey through the scanners, no smoke and mirrors needed. (hope this doesn't jinx me) we just put them in our day bags/backpacks along with soda and water bottles.
i guess other cruise lines are more restrictive, which if they'd price the alcohol more reasonably, they wouldn't have to "worry" about people trying to smuggle it onboard.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 60137
Posts: 10,498
On Princess, they have irons and boards in the self service laundry rooms.
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i've had good luck in port at St. Maarten (usually middle of the itinerary) with getting rum and whiskey through the scanners, no smoke and mirrors needed. (hope this doesn't jinx me) we just put them in our day bags/backpacks along with soda and water bottles.
...
i've had good luck in port at St. Maarten (usually middle of the itinerary) with getting rum and whiskey through the scanners, no smoke and mirrors needed. (hope this doesn't jinx me) we just put them in our day bags/backpacks along with soda and water bottles.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 78
Carnival
Bottom Line: We had no issues. YMMV.*
Carnival April / May 2013: We used several methods.
#1 Sprite bottle filled with Vodka / Clear Run.
#2 Empty mouthwash filled with spiced rum.
#3 Rum-runner filled with alcohol.
#4 Glass Whiskey bottle full of whiskey (Friend who we hadn't shared our internet research with)
All alcohol was left in our checked suitcases (Yes even the other friend forgot the rum-runner in his suitcase. Security called him to come see him. Asked him if he brought any scissors. Moved the rum-runner out the way to verify it actually was scissors in suitcase, Closed suitcase and gave us bag to take to room)
I.e. This is purely a time vs risk vs $ decision. What method you choose if at all will depend on your priorities.
I'm sure this varies by cruise line / if this becomes a problem or people make it too apparent they are sneaking it in / not purchasing anything they might crack down more. Just keep in mind YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED to bring your own alcohol and everything will be fine.
As far as I know any taken alcohol is returned at the end of the cruise. Someone else can verify if that is even true for open bottles. (We never had anything taken). Also remember most cruise lines allow one 750 ML bottle of wine! (A fee is charged to drink in dining room. For Carnival we drank in our hotel room)
Carnival April / May 2013: We used several methods.
#1 Sprite bottle filled with Vodka / Clear Run.
#2 Empty mouthwash filled with spiced rum.
#3 Rum-runner filled with alcohol.
#4 Glass Whiskey bottle full of whiskey (Friend who we hadn't shared our internet research with)
All alcohol was left in our checked suitcases (Yes even the other friend forgot the rum-runner in his suitcase. Security called him to come see him. Asked him if he brought any scissors. Moved the rum-runner out the way to verify it actually was scissors in suitcase, Closed suitcase and gave us bag to take to room)
I.e. This is purely a time vs risk vs $ decision. What method you choose if at all will depend on your priorities.
I'm sure this varies by cruise line / if this becomes a problem or people make it too apparent they are sneaking it in / not purchasing anything they might crack down more. Just keep in mind YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED to bring your own alcohol and everything will be fine.
As far as I know any taken alcohol is returned at the end of the cruise. Someone else can verify if that is even true for open bottles. (We never had anything taken). Also remember most cruise lines allow one 750 ML bottle of wine! (A fee is charged to drink in dining room. For Carnival we drank in our hotel room)
#23
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
#24
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
As far as I know any taken alcohol is returned at the end of the cruise. Someone else can verify if that is even true for open bottles. (We never had anything taken). Also remember most cruise lines allow one 750 ML bottle of wine! (A fee is charged to drink in dining room. For Carnival we drank in our hotel room)
A fee is charged to *pour* the wine in the dining room. Have a drink in your own room, or pour a glass for each of you in your own room, then go to the dining room and bring it with you. Many people buy a drink in one of the lounges before heading in to a meal, so quite a few people walk into the dining room with a glass of wine in their hands. If you want to be extra sneaky, pick up a couple of cocktail napkins that are on the top of every bar and make it seem even more as if you were served that glass of wine you're carrying.
On the first day of the cruise, when your cabin steward comes to introduce himself tell him you need a couple wine glasses and that you would like him to replace the wineglasses in the cabin every day. (So you leave your empty on at the dining room.)
Ah, important strategies!
Slightly OT, but while you're not allowed to bring "liquids" through airport security, you are allowed to mix up a fairly weak cocktail at home the day before, freeze it solid, and bring the frozen one through. It's a "solid" not a "liquid".
#25
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 190
FREE DRINK PACKAGE on Celebrity----CruiseDeals
Gosh, so many creative ways to smuggle alcohol onto cruise.
For you big drinkers, this CruiseDeals website is offering FREE DRINK PACKAGES on Celebrity:
http://cruisedeals.com/ships/celebri...ty_free_drinks
I find that CruiseDeals.com Facebook page always posts deals in advance: https://www.facebook.com/cruisedeals
For you big drinkers, this CruiseDeals website is offering FREE DRINK PACKAGES on Celebrity:
http://cruisedeals.com/ships/celebri...ty_free_drinks
I find that CruiseDeals.com Facebook page always posts deals in advance: https://www.facebook.com/cruisedeals
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
#28
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
Some cruise lines sell bottles, but the mark-up over retail is a lot more than $25. And if you use your smuggled booze to replace mixed drinks purchased at the bar, the savings could be quite significant.
Sure it is a bit of work, tacky, and against ship policy, but the savings can be worth it for some.
Sure it is a bit of work, tacky, and against ship policy, but the savings can be worth it for some.
#30
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
You are typically allowed so many water bottles per person as well and you can buy new caps online that when you screw them on the water bottles they will have the perforation intact and appear unopened. Must be a clear liquor of course. I have never done this on a cruise, but I will if we ever take one. I have used them to take vodka into concerts before though