Smuggling alcohol on cruise ship

[markel]

I know this topic has been beat to death in the past, but I'd like an update from any recent cruisers if they had any trouble doing it. Friends just returned yesterday from a week-long Norweigan Cruise Line cruise. They had a few bottles of rum in suitcase. They said the had a note in their mailslot that they had to claim their luggage. Needless to say, when they went to claim they had the rum taken and returned at departure. They also saw a few people try to get it onboard at port and was taken as it went through the scanner. I've had no problems in three previous cruises (Princess and Carnival) of either taking it in my suitcase or at any port getting it back on through the carry on bag Most recent cruise for me was October 2007. Have things changed recently?

Thanks, Mark

[Talent312]

Originally Posted by markel

I know this topic has been beat to death in the past, but I'd like an update from any recent cruisers if they had any trouble doing it. Friends just returned yesterday from a week-long Norweigan Cruise Line cruise. They had a few bottles of rum in suitcase.... They had the rum taken and returned at departure. They also saw a few people try to get it onboard at port and was taken as it went through the scanner.

Cruising luggage is getting a lot of scrutiny these days, even to the point of bags being scanned on return from ports of call. I've wondered if sniffer-dogs can tell the difference between Cuban cigars and legal-tobacco.

However, with certain accessories, one can sneak alcohol on board (or anyplace). Just don't use bottles. Check out "Binocular Flasks" (up to 16oz. of booze). Description: http://www.bewild.com/bindoubflas.html

Other alternatives:
"Beer Belly" for men (80oz). See: http://www.bewild.com/beerbelly.html
"Wine Rack" for women (25oz) See: http://www.bewild.com/wiragipebosm.html

[itchyfeet]

Do you think they'd suspect anything if I had ten binoculars in my bag?

[lll1929]

If its a clear liquid, use a water bottle.

[beejaybeeohio]

for checking for smuggled liquor and calling those who have it in their checked bags to the "Naughty Room". You can take wine aboard and pay a $15 corkage fee per bottle.

There is a device being sold online called RumRunners that supposedly is undetectable through the scanners.

[jehb2]

You guys need to talk to some college kids. They are experts are smuggling large quantities of liquor into football games. Here in Texas flasks inside of cowboy boots is always popular.

[julle]

With all the lawsuits for people falling off the ships while drunk and to make more $$, the cruise lines are strict and they will confiscate liquer and in many cases also wine.

Check www.cruisecritic.com

[riverside]

We just got back from Royal Caribbean. I took several of those small plastic wine bottles packed in with my clothes. No problem. My husband and my cousin brought back some local beer in their backpacks at each port. (just a couple of bottles) and no one said anything. We didn't buy any liquor so can't speak to that.

[legalls]

I have brought alcohol an many cruises in my suitcase without any problem.

Rick

[x3 skier]

Like anything else, don't put anything in your luggage that you are not prepared to lose, including booze, wine or beer. The only difference is that with checked luggage, you never see them take stuff out while on the ship, you may get to actually witness the removal.

Cheers

[Mimi39]

We are taking an Alaska cruise next month and an informational packet from Princess said that it is ok to bring a bottle of wine or champagne.

[Talent312]

Originally Posted by Mimi39

We are taking an Alaska cruise next month and an informational packet from Princess said that it is ok to bring a bottle of wine or champagne.

Princess is a class-act, but I'd double-check to make sure there's no asterick leading to fine print about a fee for storage or some such.

[Passepartout]

I think it's a quantity thing. A bottle in your carry-on or backpack as you board isn't going to raise any eyebrows. A suitcase or cooler full, well, probably more scrutiny. But heck that's 2 when you board and a couple more at each port. Sounds like party time!

Jim Ricks

[AwayWeGo]

. . . they make you Walk The Plank.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.

[Twinkstarr]

Originally Posted by AwayWeGo

. . . they make you Walk The Plank.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.

Okay Matey!

[KathyJed]

One bottle of wine isn't enough. The last cruise we went on, each couple brought 6 bottles. We finished them all before the cruise was over. I was so proud.

Kathy

[riverside]

Holland America also lets you bring wine on board. I'm sure there's a fee if you want it served in the dining room but we were allowed to take it up on deck. We had many a pleasant evening drinking our glasses of wine!

[MusicMan (Formerly JP)]

From what I can tell, NCL is much more diligent about smuggled booze than other lines. I've taken alcohol onboard Carnvial and HAL (in my checked luggage) with no problem, but I'm consistently reading about people being called out on NCL. I suspect smaller quantities packed with shaving supplies/makeup etc. would make it through the scan better than bottle shapes/sizes that are easily identified via a scanner.

[markel]

I hope it's just that NCL is stricter than others. As I said before, NEVER any problems with Princess & Carnival. I, of course always put it in mouthwash bottles. They don't seal real well, so I tape around seal and put in ziplock bags. Some liquid "escaped" the tape job but didn't get past the plastic bag. Within minutes of getting luggage and unpacking, a passanger directly across the hall pulled his rum bottles (plural !!) out of the suitcase. Didn't try to conceal at all, and no problems. He told me he's done this many times before. I'm gonna tell my buddy to try another cruise line next time, save lots more $$$ for the bar tab, or quit drinking. He's also a gambler. This was a Bermuda cruise and the casino was shut down for 3 days !!! I don't think in the end he cared about that, because it was open the rest of the time as he had plenty of time to make a donation.

Mark

[silvib]

I'm going to Cozumel with Carnival in January and looked up on their website that you're allowed to take 1 bottle on board and then pay corkage if you use it in the restaurant.
Maybe I could sneak in some little "single use" bottles too?
Pity they don't operate like the all inclusive hotels and have the drinks included too. People fall off balconies in hotels in the same way they can fall overboard.

[Linda74]

NCL is tougher than other lines. Princess lets you bring wine aboard. We did a Mediterranean cruise on Royal Caribbean this past spring and they never said a word when we brought wine back from our port stops....We met people who had some Pirate Flask things to bring hard liquor aboard. They said they worked great....

[Patri]

And I thought all TUGGERS took the high moral road.

[Talent312]

Originally Posted by MusicMan (Formerly JP)

From what I can tell, NCL is much more diligent about smuggled booze than other lines. I've taken alcohol onboard Carnvial and HAL (in my checked luggage) with no problem, but I'm consistently reading about people being called out on NCL. I suspect smaller quantities packed with shaving supplies/makeup etc. would make it through the scan better than bottle shapes/sizes that are easily identified via a scanner.

What about smuggler's walking sticks or canes?
These are hollowed out "walking aids" with glass or plastic inserts.
http://www.fashionablecanes.com/flask-canes.html

[Steamboat Bill]

24 posts and nobody mentioned that there is a typo in the thread title and poor grammar...perhaps they were inebriated.

Smuggling alcohal on cruise ship

It should read "Smuggling alcohol on a cruise ship"

[philemer]

Originally Posted by Steamboat Bill

24 posts and nobody mentioned that there is a typo in the thread title and poor grammar...perhaps they were inebriated.

Smuggling alcohal on cruise ship

It should read "Smuggling alcohol on a cruise ship"

What's your pint, I mean point, sir.