All things "Victory"

[dvan68]

An odd question - After reading through some of the posts about checking luggage, I am assuming that there are 2 different checks - USDA, and then Security - am I understanding this correctly? We have a late flight - so will probably do something in San Juan, but still want to budget the time so we don't have to rush.

[Jett456]

I'm sailing 1/10 and have 2 questions.

 

1. Which airlines use luggage express?

 

2. Is there poker in the casino?

 

Thanks.

Edited December 30, 2009 by Jett456
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[Buffettfan 225]

An odd question - After reading through some of the posts about checking luggage, I am assuming that there are 2 different checks - USDA, and then Security - am I understanding this correctly? We have a late flight - so will probably do something in San Juan, but still want to budget the time so we don't have to rush.

 

Yes, there are two scans in San Juan. The first is for United States Agriculture Dept (USDA) making sure no plants,food like produce get in to prevent bringing in disease, bugs etc. It usually goes pretty quick from 5min to 15 or so. If I recall it is right near doors as enter- glased in area, but its been a few years since been in SJU airport. It is just one of those huge xray scanners. They then slap a sticker on bags and can proceed to checkin at counters. Do Not go to counter without stickers or they will send you back and stand in line again. It us unclear if carryons need to be scanned (but makes sense they should) at the USDA screening. After check-in then proceed to regular security screening. Make sure to try and eat before security, they do have some spots for food after secuirty checkpoint, but often lines moves very slow. So bring your own snacks that are factory sealed (or won't pass USDA:p.)

[dvan68]

Yes, there are two scans in San Juan. The first is for United States Agriculture Dept (USDA) making sure no plants,food like produce get in to prevent bringing in disease, bugs etc. It usually goes pretty quick from 5min to 15 or so. If I recall it is right near doors as enter- glased in area, but its been a few years since been in SJU airport. It is just one of those huge xray scanners. They then slap a sticker on bags and can proceed to checkin at counters. Do Not go to counter without stickers or they will send you back and stand in line again. It us unclear if carryons need to be scanned (but makes sense they should) at the USDA screening. After check-in then proceed to regular security screening. Make sure to try and eat before security, they do have some spots for food after secuirty checkpoint, but often lines moves very slow. So bring your own snacks that are factory sealed (or won't pass USDA:p.)

 

Thanks so much! I remember the lack of food the last time we were through San Juan, but not the USDA check.

[flyingandcruising]

I'm sailing 1/10 and have 2 questions.

 

1. Which airlines use luggage express?

 

2. Is there poker in the casino?

 

Thanks.

 

 

Im not to sure about the luggage, but there is texas hold em. $1/$2, its with an electronic dealer

 

[flyingandcruising]

Yes, there are two scans in San Juan. The first is for United States Agriculture Dept (USDA) making sure no plants,food like produce get in to prevent bringing in disease, bugs etc. It usually goes pretty quick from 5min to 15 or so. If I recall it is right near doors as enter- glased in area, but its been a few years since been in SJU airport. It is just one of those huge xray scanners. They then slap a sticker on bags and can proceed to checkin at counters. Do Not go to counter without stickers or they will send you back and stand in line again. It us unclear if carryons need to be scanned (but makes sense they should) at the USDA screening. After check-in then proceed to regular security screening. Make sure to try and eat before security, they do have some spots for food after secuirty checkpoint, but often lines moves very slow. So bring your own snacks that are factory sealed (or won't pass USDA:p.)

 

Also, as we learned the other day, the food is very expensive in the airport.....over $7 for a cheeseburger that tasted like wendys. no fries, no drink.

[Buffettfan 225]

I'm sailing 1/10

1. Which airlines use luggage express?

 

Thanks.

Here is a scan to Luggage Express info from Oct Destiny at MIA. So may get general info from it. I think I read somewhere Southwest does there own program. When clicking on photo below, it will open my webshots alubm- once you read this page hit next and will see other side of flyer with more details.

This was also posted by memeber jenms2000 Nov 2009:

we used luggage express and will always use it from now on. it cost $20pp with a maximum of two bags each. i didn't bring the paper with all the info on it home. we used us airways. all of the major airlines were on the list though. the bag fees for the airport will be added to your sign & sail on the morning of debarkation.

 

Hope this helps.

[pjhootch]

Just a heads up for anyone that is about to get on the Victory in San Juan: As we boarded the ship on December 20th, they collected any and all alcohol from carryon bags that was not wine. There were certainly a lot of irritated folks getting on the ship that day. After the x-ray there was a customs official searching carryon bags. He attached a red plastic tag to the carryon. Then those bags were stopped on the ship, the plastic band was cut off, and the alcohol was removed. People were coming unglued because the folks in the duty free shop had told them it would be okay if it was in their carryon bag out of sight.

[azurewater]

Same thing happened to us on the December 13th boarding. At that time they were using white stickers with "CCL" on them. A few people had removed the stickers and told my husband to remove his sticker. I had not heard the converstiaon and sure enough, I was stopped and rum was confiscated. Oh well....at least we had a few bottles that got on.

 

Joy

[katiecat]

Same thing happened to us on the December 13th boarding. At that time they were using white stickers with "CCL" on them. A few people had removed the stickers and told my husband to remove his sticker. I had not heard the converstiaon and sure enough, I was stopped and rum was confiscated. Oh well....at least we had a few bottles that got on.

 

Joy

Wow, I guess I always thought it was to good to be true. How did you get some bottles in, your checked luggage?

Thanks

[Hdog76]

I was originally going to put the liquor in my carry on, and chose not to. Once in San Juan, We bought 4 bottles of rum, one bottle of wine and one bottle of champagne. We packed it in our CHECKED baggage. When we got to the port, the first thing you do is give your luggage to the scanner people. They DO NOT work for carnival and could care less what liquor is in your bag. We tipped them 5 bucks, and they were SO happy. We then went up to check in for the cruise. Yes, the liquor store people tell you you can carry TWO bottle of ONLY WINE/CHAMPAGNE....they did not mention hard liquor. Once we checked in, we went through another scan done by carnival..where they check/scan your carry ons....I had bought a 5 pack of mini absolute bottles in the terminal liquor store, and was worried. It went through scanner and the guy on the other end pulled my bag andw alked me outside to a "table" where they put these red plastic tie wraps on your luggage. The guy sifted through my carry on to see the liquor and i got LUCKY bc it was in a gift box and then in a bag and he didnt see it...I told him I had eye drops, maybe thats what came up on the scanner. If you DO get caught, they dont take it away at that table. Once you get across the gangway, there is the collection table. BRING A SCISSOR, and you can cut the red tag off before you get to the collection table, but I recommend putting it in your checked bag. Once we got to our room, our checked bags with liquor arrived safely. We then unpacked our 2 carry ons, and went to old san juan. We filled the carry ons with 2 cases of soda and 2 cases of beer....wrapped in towels. We entered the port again, went over to the FIRST scanner for checked bags, gave the guy a 5 dollar bill, a wink and said PLEASE take care of our luggage...it was SUPER heavy. He took the 5, thanked us, and it arrived at our door like 2 hours later. Again, if you want to carry it in yoru carry on, you NEED to bring a scissor to cut the tag they mark your bag with B4 you get to the colelction table. Again, I recommend putting it in your checked bags, because once the non carnival scanners take it, nobody goes through it. We wound up with only a 250 dollar bill at the end, for some casino slots, bingo, and a drink at the bar here and there

[Summer Breeze]

Hi, has anyone done this? I've done this cruise from San Juan and want to recommend this cruise to friends, and suggested that they board in Barbados - as it's a direct flight from the UK.

 

I read a review where someone said that they were not able to access their cabin for a few hours, and wasted the majority of the day going through US immigration in San Juan.

 

Can anyone else share their experiences of this?

 

Also, on Carnival's website, I've found that the exact same cruise on the same week is more expensive if you board in Barbados than San Juan? :confused::eek::(:mad:

[kelz66]

I was originally going to put the liquor in my carry on, and chose not to. Once in San Juan, We bought 4 bottles of rum, one bottle of wine and one bottle of champagne. We packed it in our CHECKED baggage. When we got to the port, the first thing you do is give your luggage to the scanner people. They DO NOT work for carnival and could care less what liquor is in your bag. We tipped them 5 bucks, and they were SO happy. We then went up to check in for the cruise. Yes, the liquor store people tell you you can carry TWO bottle of ONLY WINE/CHAMPAGNE....they did not mention hard liquor. Once we checked in, we went through another scan done by carnival..where they check/scan your carry ons....I had bought a 5 pack of mini absolute bottles in the terminal liquor store, and was worried. It went through scanner and the guy on the other end pulled my bag andw alked me outside to a "table" where they put these red plastic tie wraps on your luggage. The guy sifted through my carry on to see the liquor and i got LUCKY bc it was in a gift box and then in a bag and he didnt see it...I told him I had eye drops, maybe thats what came up on the scanner. If you DO get caught, they dont take it away at that table. Once you get across the gangway, there is the collection table. BRING A SCISSOR, and you can cut the red tag off before you get to the collection table, but I recommend putting it in your checked bag. Once we got to our room, our checked bags with liquor arrived safely. We then unpacked our 2 carry ons, and went to old san juan. We filled the carry ons with 2 cases of soda and 2 cases of beer....wrapped in towels. We entered the port again, went over to the FIRST scanner for checked bags, gave the guy a 5 dollar bill, a wink and said PLEASE take care of our luggage...it was SUPER heavy. He took the 5, thanked us, and it arrived at our door like 2 hours later. Again, if you want to carry it in yoru carry on, you NEED to bring a scissor to cut the tag they mark your bag with B4 you get to the colelction table. Again, I recommend putting it in your checked bags, because once the non carnival scanners take it, nobody goes through it. We wound up with only a 250 dollar bill at the end, for some casino slots, bingo, and a drink at the bar here and there

 

So the problem with the carry on was the hard booze not the wine, correct?

[Hdog76]

I am not sure, as we had no wine or champagne in our carry on....I didnt want to take a chance

[pjhootch]

Our wine was fine (well actually it kind of stunk once I opened it and started drinking it) but the booze bottle was taken away. From all prior reports it appears that you could previously walk through the scanners with more than just a bottle of wine but times seem to have changed.

 

We only had a bottle of Jack with us so we weren't out too much (and of course we did get it back on the last morning right before we left the ship) but I have to say there were people around us that were having an awful lot of alcohol removed from their bags. One guy must have had 8 bottles in his bag and they were all nicely removed at the table.

[katiecat]

Our wine was fine (well actually it kind of stunk once I opened it and started drinking it) but the booze bottle was taken away. From all prior reports it appears that you could previously walk through the scanners with more than just a bottle of wine but times seem to have changed.

 

We only had a bottle of Jack with us so we weren't out too much (and of course we did get it back on the last morning right before we left the ship) but I have to say there were people around us that were having an awful lot of alcohol removed from their bags. One guy must have had 8 bottles in his bag and they were all nicely removed at the table.

These bottles they remove do they deliver them to your cabin last night before they left the ship.

If so I'm going to give it a try anyway as I'm lucky enough to be staying another week.

[atlsteve]

I"m sailing on Victory on Feb 7. Staying at Mariott Stellaris.

Wondering in light of the new duty free liquor developments, where would be a good place to buy a bottle of Jameson so I can put in checked bag. Thanks in advance:D

[cruiseawaits]

i was originally going to put the liquor in my carry on, and chose not to. Once in san juan, we bought 4 bottles of rum, one bottle of wine and one bottle of champagne. We packed it in our checked baggage. When we got to the port, the first thing you do is give your luggage to the scanner people. They do not work for carnival and could care less what liquor is in your bag. We tipped them 5 bucks, and they were so happy. We then went up to check in for the cruise. Yes, the liquor store people tell you you can carry two bottle of only wine/champagne....they did not mention hard liquor. Once we checked in, we went through another scan done by carnival..where they check/scan your carry ons....i had bought a 5 pack of mini absolute bottles in the terminal liquor store, and was worried. It went through scanner and the guy on the other end pulled my bag andw alked me outside to a "table" where they put these red plastic tie wraps on your luggage. The guy sifted through my carry on to see the liquor and i got lucky bc it was in a gift box and then in a bag and he didnt see it...i told him i had eye drops, maybe thats what came up on the scanner. If you do get caught, they dont take it away at that table. Once you get across the gangway, there is the collection table. Bring a scissor, and you can cut the red tag off before you get to the collection table, but i recommend putting it in your checked bag. Once we got to our room, our checked bags with liquor arrived safely. We then unpacked our 2 carry ons, and went to old san juan. We filled the carry ons with 2 cases of soda and 2 cases of beer....wrapped in towels. We entered the port again, went over to the first scanner for checked bags, gave the guy a 5 dollar bill, a wink and said please take care of our luggage...it was super heavy. He took the 5, thanked us, and it arrived at our door like 2 hours later. Again, if you want to carry it in yoru carry on, you need to bring a scissor to cut the tag they mark your bag with b4 you get to the colelction table. Again, i recommend putting it in your checked bags, because once the non carnival scanners take it, nobody goes through it. We wound up with only a 250 dollar bill at the end, for some casino slots, bingo, and a drink at the bar here and there

 

you seem so proud of this so called accomplishment . . . And why?

[Hdog76]

you seem so proud of this so called accomplishment . . . And why?

Not quite sure the purpose of your question/statement. All of us on CC know there are those people who are very against the smuggling of liquor.....therefore there really was no need for your question or comment, as you wasted a second of your time. If you browse the boards you will find that TONS of people ask for ways to accomplish getting it on board, so I was not boasting about my accomplishment, I was trying to help out fellow smugglers

[Hdog76]

I"m sailing on Victory on Feb 7. Staying at Mariott Stellaris.

Wondering in light of the new duty free liquor developments, where would be a good place to buy a bottle of Jameson so I can put in checked bag. Thanks in advance:D

We stayed at the Hotel Mirimar and asked the bartender where there was a liquor store. Every supermarket sells liquor, so you can just ask where the closest supermarket is

[atlsteve]

We stayed at the Hotel Mirimar and asked the bartender where there was a liquor store. Every supermarket sells liquor, so you can just ask where the closest supermarket is

 

Sweet. Thank you for the info

 

Steve

[elemon]

Well I for one very much appreciate the info about getting liquor on board! Thanks for the tips, very helpful. We are spending enough money on the trip so we would love to limit the amount spent on anything else like alcohol of we don't have to :)

[katiecat]

I know alot of people talk about the piano bar so I know that's popular.

Where do they play the music you dance too? I want to know ahead of time to tell my roll call friends.

We'll meet there after a long day for a drink.:)

Thanks

 

Ps. I hope the tax & duty free store starts selling lots of liquor again! They don't want to lose their jobs of filling luggage on wheels.:D

[Hdog76]

I know alot of people talk about the piano bar so I know that's popular.

Where do they play the music you dance too? I want to know ahead of time to tell my roll call friends.

We'll meet there after a long day for a drink.:)

Thanks

 

Ps. I hope the tax & duty free store starts selling lots of liquor again! They don't want to lose their jobs of filling luggage on wheels.:D

The duty free shops in the airport, in the cruise terminal and on the ship sell TONS of alcohol! I never knew they had stopped?????

[cruisegirl29]

I know alot of people talk about the piano bar so I know that's popular.

Where do they play the music you dance too? I want to know ahead of time to tell my roll call friends.

We'll meet there after a long day for a drink.:)

Thanks

 

Ps. I hope the tax & duty free store starts selling lots of liquor again! They don't want to lose their jobs of filling luggage on wheels.:D

 

Hi Katiecat-

The name of the dance club is called Arctic Dance Club on deck 5.

10 days till I leave for San Juan! 11 Till we board the Victory!! WooHoo!

 

Sue