Frenchie_1 Posted October 17, 2008 #1 Share Posted October 17, 2008 My family and I are sailing Independence next June from Southampton. I recently read that alcohol prices have gone up (eg a beer is now $8 which translates to about £4.60 for one beer!!). Can anyone confirm this? Secondly, I was wondering whether I could smuggle a box of wine in my suitcase (minus the box, just the plastic container inside). I read that they are quite strict from Southampton and scan suitcases too thoroughly to get past. Would it be better to use a rum runner, they look quite similar. Anyone managed to get any alcohol onto RCCI ship from southampton? This is an expensive holiday to begin with, and by the sounds of it alcohol prices are over the top, I dont want my bar bill to bankrupt me so any saving I can make will help :p Ty in advance :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 17, 2008 #2 Share Posted October 17, 2008 On my! That sounds like a "sports venue" beer price! They've never been that high on any of our sailings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redland81 Posted October 18, 2008 #3 Share Posted October 18, 2008 We are off on the IOS on the 26th If beer is that price hubby is going to be VERY thirsty!!! I knoq hat american cruise lines are often more expensive than British ones but that's rediculous. Heaven knows how much my vodka and lemonade will cost. Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllieInMD Posted October 18, 2008 #4 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Can't speak to that specific port - but there have been reports of success of bringing on the plastic container from a wine box. Wrap it in clothing to obscure it a bit. Other's have covered it (whole box) in foil or wrapping paper and put a bow on it as if it's a present. My family and I are sailing Independence next June from Southampton. I recently read that alcohol prices have gone up (eg a beer is now $8 which translates to about £4.60 for one beer!!). Can anyone confirm this? Secondly, I was wondering whether I could smuggle a box of wine in my suitcase (minus the box, just the plastic container inside). I read that they are quite strict from Southampton and scan suitcases too thoroughly to get past. Would it be better to use a rum runner, they look quite similar. Anyone managed to get any alcohol onto RCCI ship from southampton? This is an expensive holiday to begin with, and by the sounds of it alcohol prices are over the top, I dont want my bar bill to bankrupt me so any saving I can make will help :p Ty in advance :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllieInMD Posted October 18, 2008 #5 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Take vodka in a rum runner and the lemonade is free :) We are off on the IOS on the 26th If beer is that price hubby is going to be VERY thirsty!!! I knoq hat american cruise lines are often more expensive than British ones but that's rediculous. Heaven knows how much my vodka and lemonade will cost. Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leejnd4 Posted October 18, 2008 #6 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Frenchie, there are many reports of passengers successfully bringing boxed wine onboard. I don't think the port itself makes much difference - it's the same security staff on the ship, regardless of the port. Just be sure to wrap it in some clothes or something, and pack it in the middle of your suitcase, away from anything that might puncture it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie_1 Posted October 21, 2008 Author #7 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Thanks guys :) Still havent managed to find confirmation on beer prices yet (I think wine is about £13.40 for the cheapest bottle) but I'll post if I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crombiexbabe Posted October 21, 2008 #8 Share Posted October 21, 2008 While I don't drink beer and didn't have any on our last sailing on liberty last month, beer was definitely not $8. It was more like $3-$4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie_1 Posted October 23, 2008 Author #9 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Phew, that sounds more like it. Thanks, my husband will be happy now :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjran Posted October 28, 2008 #10 Share Posted October 28, 2008 My family and I are sailing Independence next June from Southampton. I recently read that alcohol prices have gone up (eg a beer is now $8 which translates to about £4.60 for one beer!!). Can anyone confirm this? Secondly, I was wondering whether I could smuggle a box of wine in my suitcase (minus the box, just the plastic container inside). I read that they are quite strict from Southampton and scan suitcases too thoroughly to get past. Would it be better to use a rum runner, they look quite similar. Anyone managed to get any alcohol onto RCCI ship from southampton? This is an expensive holiday to begin with, and by the sounds of it alcohol prices are over the top, I dont want my bar bill to bankrupt me so any saving I can make will help :p Ty in advance :) Not only does the weak pound make beer expensive it also has an impact on the gratuities/ship account. Cunard charge $11 to $13 per person per day, its surprising how quickly it all adds up! Your £4.60 beer would now cost £5.33 by todays exchange rate. We're going on QV next week but hopefully by next year our £ will be strong again. I think you could put a wine box in your carry on luggage BUT would never risk packing wine in suitcase, it would cost more in dry cleaning if it leaked:eek:. They scan for security purposes not to catch you out. Pj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllieInMD Posted October 28, 2008 #11 Share Posted October 28, 2008 RCCL scans for booze - or maybe I should say they scan for weapons/explosives and when they run across booze sometimes they make an issue of it, sometimes not. Some take the plastic bladder out of the box of wine, put in a big ziploc, and put in suitcase. Not only does the weak pound make beer expensive it also has an impact on the gratuities/ship account. Cunard charge $11 to $13 per person per day, its surprising how quickly it all adds up! Your £4.60 beer would now cost £5.33 by todays exchange rate.We're going on QV next week but hopefully by next year our £ will be strong again. I think you could put a wine box in your carry on luggage BUT would never risk packing wine in suitcase, it would cost more in dry cleaning if it leaked:eek:. They scan for security purposes not to catch you out. Pj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandancer Posted October 28, 2008 #12 Share Posted October 28, 2008 We are off on the IOS on the 26th If beer is that price hubby is going to be VERY thirsty!!! I knoq hat american cruise lines are often more expensive than British ones but that's rediculous. Heaven knows how much my vodka and lemonade will cost. Jane In May on the Navigator a small beer was $4.75 + 15% tip. Of course the $ was almost 2 to the £ at the time. Bit different now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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