Nashville Flyer

Hi all!

My question is to ask if (and how) it’s possible to bring rum from Cuba, all the way to my flight's carry-on bag in the U.S., from a Cruise.

Admittedly, somehow I missed the 2014 memo that we can now bring liquor from outside the U.S., through TSA, in our carry-on bags (not checked) and on to connecting flights in the U.S., provided the spirits are properly packed in clear, Duty-Free sealed packaging. I get it: buy booze in the airport in Europe, have it sealed, carry it on, show the sealed bag in the U.S. and continue to carry it on to a connecting flight within the U.S.

But in my case, I’m going to Cuba on a Royal Caribbean (Empress of the seas) cruise out of Miami, and I live in Nashville.

Has anyone been able to buy Rum in Havana, bring it on the ship, have it sealed in permissible duty-free bags, and then fly from Ft. Lauderdale (on Southwest) to another U.S. city with the rum in their carry-on? (not their checked bag, because I plan to pack a few more bottles there, too!)

Thanks!

First off, thank you all so much for the amazing number ofresponses!My specific cruise is Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas,leaving Sunday 12/9/18.

I consider myself a pretty experienced traveler (10+cruises, SouthWest A-list, fly once a month, 32 countries, 44 states, etc.) sotight schedules don’t stress me at all.

I’m trying to fly same-day because I have family event thenight before that I’m trying to attend.

Since my cruise docks at Key West the next day, I’maccepting the fact that I might have to catch the boat there if things gowrong.

I’ve been to Key West a dozen times, and I’m not much of afan of Miami, so missing part of those is no big deal.

One minor wrinkle I need to check on is, since my cruisestops at two ports in Cuba, I need to make sure embarking from Key West will beok.

I’ve been to Havana twice before so visiting Cienfuegos andSantiago de Cuba are the primary reasons I booked this cruise.

To answer a couple questions:

- Yes, I usually travel the day before (which I’m doing formy 2/17/19 NCL from San Juan!)

- If Royal doesn’t have a shuttle for me, I’ll use Uber/Lyft(not a group shuttle).

- The earliest arrival flight SouthWest offers on 12/9 is my9:15am-12:25pm flight. (changeable and refundable)

- Yes, BNA-MIA is an option on American that I could/shouldconsider (6:05am-9:25am)

- @chengkp75 – excellent answer, thank you

Terribly sorry if this has been asked before, but I'm reading that by policy all passengers must be on board 90 minutes prior to embarkation. Has anyone been refused boarding for arriving less than 90 minutes out?

I ask because my cruise is scheduled to depart Miami at 4:00pm, and my flight into Ft. Lauderdale arrives at 12:25pm.

After picking up luggage and taking the shuttle, I estimate I'll get to port by 2:00pm. Close, I know, but there are no earlier flights that day.

About 10 years ago, due to traffic and an error with time zones, I arrived at the Barcelona port within 30 minutes of embarkation as wasn't denied boarding, but admittedly that was a different era, country, and cruise line.

Just hoping to hear what *actually* happens in Miami if arriving "late."

Thanks!