Bringing alcohol on ship

[CLAUDIA&JAY]

Hello fellow CC'ers...just wanted to shed some additional light on this EVERLASTING HOT TOPIC.... :)

 

My reliable inside Carnival sources have informed me that all of the of major cruise lines cracked down tremendously on liquor smuggling/delivery as a result of spring break due to the excessive amounts of underage drinking that goes on during this time. However these restrictions will become pretty much extinct or shall I say "business as usual" in about another week or so. I guess this is one of the downsides of cruising during spring break if you are accustomed to taking your liquor on board via your checked luggage/gift services.

 

 

For us avid Carnival cruisers do note that the recent change in the beverage policy that struck a nerve with most, has YET AGAIN been changed back to what it used to be as a result of the enormous amounts of cruisers' complaints....so as they say there is "power in numbers"

 

 

 

Take care and HAPPY CRUISING....

 

 

 

Jay

[Livin4Real]

The only ones Princess took last week were the big four bottle boxes from ports, they didn't seem concerned at all with a bottle or two in your carryon.

[seaitall]

This will be our 10th cruise. We have brought alcohol onboard in our luggage every time. I no longer drink but my husband does. He will once again try to get it onboard when we leave on the Star on the 15th. If we get tagged for the naughty room, he is on his own!! He also buys plenty of beer onboard but likes to have his own wine and Grand Marnier to enjoy in the cabin. Guess we will see what happens.

[snelsonbrown]

the RCCL Mariner here in Port Canaveral, Florida has lifted their restrictions now on any alcoholic beverages - they had their restriction for 3 weeks - we were curious of what was done with all the alcoholic items that were taken and everything that wasn't claimed at the end of the cruise, was destroyed.

Anyhow just wanted to give you a heads up for those sailing this weekend out of Port Canaveral.

Always

Shirley

[gdisney]

However these restrictions will become pretty much extinct or shall I say "business as usual" in about another week or so.

 

I wonder what 'business as usual' means? On the RCI website, one of their FAQ's says "Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing."

 

It doesn't indicate that this is a temporary ban, rather it's listed more like a common practice. It also goes on to say that passengers who "attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense."

 

Doesn't sound worth it to try.

[snelsonbrown]

Hello gdisney,

I just know that the vendors will be allowed to do again, but at the time before the restrictions was put on, both vendors and passengers were taking alcoholic beverages onboard though there was a restriction on how much. Guess I will find out Sunday what is what.

Thanks for your imput and heads up for just in case.

Always

Shirley

@the Pefect Gift

[Kuta_Beach]

Traveled out of Galveston on Conquest March 18 for seven days. Had 6 bottles of wine and one gin in a suitcase all wrapped in bubblewrap and paper. Came to room no problem. Brought a few bottles to dinner and they didn't charge corkage. They did charge in the special supper club .We did heard that the week before was Houston spring break and they confiscated everything. Mostly underage kids. Also did hear that one couple was arrested upon arriving in Houston for weed. Pretty stupid to think drug dogs won't be in the terminal when you return from Jamacia and Mexico.

[CruisinMinnie]

I wonder what 'business as usual' means? On the RCI website, one of their FAQ's says "Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing."

 

It doesn't indicate that this is a temporary ban, rather it's listed more like a common practice. It also goes on to say that passengers who "attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense."

 

Doesn't sound worth it to try.

 

Thanks for your info. We were wondering about buying wine ashore and taking onboard for use on our balcony. I guess we'll have to settle for a drink in one of the bars on ship. I'm sure the restrictions are industry wide and not just on one cruise line.

[Donnaluv2cruise]

Minnie,

It is definately worth taking a bottle or two for your veranda. I think a lot of this is just happening during spring break. We have always packed some vodka, wine, and champagne, and have never had a problem. Don't worry about it. People have strong opinions on this board about bringing your own, but that's life. Part of why we spend so much on a nice veranda stateroom is to relax quietly on our veranda. Running to the bar everytime you need a drink is not my idea of relaxing. Just pack it, I don't think you'll have a problem. Don't forget to put it in the big ziplock bags though!:eek:

[CLAUDIA&JAY]

I wonder what 'business as usual' means? On the RCI website, one of their FAQ's says "Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing."

 

It doesn't indicate that this is a temporary ban, rather it's listed more like a common practice. It also goes on to say that passengers who "attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense."

 

Doesn't sound worth it to try.

 

 

Gsdisney, I have been on 7 cruises and each time have taken liquor on board in my checked luggage with absolutely no problems. Have friends who are recently back from cruising with both Carnival and RC just this weekend and none of them had any issues with taking liquor on board that was packed in their checked luggage. What I was referring to as "business as usual" was simply saying that the heavy restrictions during spring break time will be relaxed and cruisers' will pretty much continue on as those of us who take liquor on board normally.

 

The policy you speak of on RCI's website states pretty much the same as Carnival's does and I'm not sure about the rest of the CC'ers but I have never heard of or witnessed any guest not being allowed to board or being kicked off the ship if liquor was found in their carry on bag or one of their shopping bags when boarding from a port of call.

 

The general practice is for the cruise line to take the liquor and not deliver it to the guest until the last night of the cruise. The more harshness of their policy is geared towards those who overly abuse these policies intentionally and outrageously.

 

However to each their own and for those who plan to take liquor on board make sure it is wrapped and packed securely and try to avoid taking it on in your carry on luggage unless it is either wine or champagne.

 

 

HAPPY CRUISING EVERYONE!

[likes2sleep]

Always brought my own booze. Never stoped or questioned. Not giving all my tips here. Just use your head. (When packing and enjoying.)

Example from a "strict" cruiseline last fall.

 

A picture of our stateroom "bar"

http://picasaweb.google.com/billfreeman1974/UntitledAlbum/photo#5152593587533929602

 

1 liter of Ketel One Vodka (Bloody's and Martini's)

16oz. Bailey's (for coffee)

16oz. Knob Creek Bourbon (Manhattans and shots)

4oz. sweet vermouth

1 Box of Cab

1 box of Pinot

 

Garlic stuffed olives (Martini)

cherries (Manhattan)

bloody mary mix

 

The blue cup on the right has measurements on the side and can be used as and insulated 2 layer cup, 2 one layer cups or as an egg shaped shaker when the 2 are reversed and put together. (Coleman - Nalgene, purchased for $5.00 at a camping store.)

 

Tip the staff well when you get the chance. The cruise line is makes alot of money on the stuff they sell you, but making an effort to tip the staff what you would have paid in gratuities helps them out a bunch.

[cruise_lover]

In past cruises I have managed to bring beer, wine and spirits in my checked luggage. I am curious since the liquids ban, if there is more scrutiny on this. Also has anyone every been denied entry for trying to smuggle alcohol on ship at embarkation??:rolleyes:

 

I watched my friend being escorted up the gang plank, during our Muster Drill, on our last cruise (NCL SUN - Jan 2007) because they found wine in his carry-on. He almost was denied entry to the cruise ship and had to do fast talking before they allowed him to come on-board.

 

I am not sure if I would want to try and carry on a bottle(s) of wine, beer or other spirits only to have it taken away from me. Cruises are an expense in themselves without me having to treat the port authorities to a free bottle of spirits. Plus the additional expense I would have because I woul have to buy a bottle of wine, etc to replace the ones taken away from me.

[AzCruiseGurl]

I always carry two bottles of wine in my carry on and then pack 4 more in suit case.

Never a problem have done this same thing for 5 cruises