I am sorry, but I just don't get it. Why wouldn't you be allowed to bring alcohol on a cruise ship??? It's not a labor camp or a retreat for religious nuts but a vacation you paid a lot of money for!

Because the cruise itself is cheap compared to what you are getting for your money. In reality you are usually not "paying a lot of money" unless you book one of the luxury cruises. And the luxury lines usually provide some, or all, of the alcohol. Sales of alcohol is a revenue generator for the ship.

Disney Cruises also don't have any kind of restrictions of bringing alcohol on-board (cannot be consumed in public areas, natch). I'm trying to comfort myself with that fact given there is no casino on the ship.

You win some, you lose some. The last cruise I went on had complimentary lower-shelf alcohol, but it was noticeably more expensive that what I've normally seen

You've never experienced the food on the MSC cruises.

Experience with Carnival: Had 4 passengers (2 adults, 2 kids) on a 5 night cruise. We packed in 2 large bags and put 2 bottles of wine in each bag. Two bottles were allowed through (policy says one bottle per person), the other 2 were confiscated. We got a note in our luggage telling us to pick them up on the morning of debarkation.

Not sure what you mean? Does MSC provide alcohol included in the prices?

Alcohol isn't included but the inferior food is.

MSC isn't cheap as you generalized.

So you think it costs too much for transportation to multiple destinations, private accommodation, maid service, unlimited food, and entertainment? I still bet it is cheaper than pricing everything separately at the same level of quality.

But hey, everyone values things from a personal perspective.

Was on Royal Caribbean to Bahamas. We put three 500-750 ml plastic and glass bottles of liquor in four pieces of luggage, tucked into shoes, inside bags of clothing, etc., and hand-carried two 500 ml plastic bottles of liquor in purse and pocket. The bottles were not discovered.

Later on, we purchased two 750 ml of liquor in glass bottles offshore, and took those onto the ship in a purse. Also were not discovered.

you bet.

quantity != quality

That's a lot of liquor! How long was that cruise? ;)

It was a one week cruise, and there were 4 of us :)

I've heard from friends that boxed wine is the way to go if you want to get wine through the screening (plus it's definitely more portable). There are nicer versions out now (e.g., Black Box) so it's not just Franzia

Review Policies and Rules prior to booking
 

When you choose to book a cruise, it is a very good idea to look up the policies and rules of the particular cruise line you are traveling. If you do not like those policies and rules and do not want to follow them- choose another line that has policies and rules that are more acceptable to you or choose a different type of vacation. Ignoring or breaking those policies is not acceptable behavior.