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If consumed in a public area, it will be hit with a $25 corkage fee. That seems to include all alcohol, including beer, wine, and liquor. If there is a silver lining, MSC is known for having some of the least expensive drink prices and packages of any cruise line. With literally thousands of people ready to let loose in the warm sun, the booze flows like water. It’s not an accident that a cruise ship can easily have a dozen bars… and several other restaurants to grab a drink. Guests can not bring any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages onboard during embarkation.
Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy
Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Why would someone want to sneak liquor on a cruise?
Anything you purchase at port or the duty-free shop is held until the last day of your sailing. There is a corkage fee of $15 if you drink your bottle outside your cabin. That rum you purchased in port will be retained for you until the last night of your cruise. Thankfully, the grog gods have blessed us with an innovative — often hilarious — range of gadgets for sneaking alcohol onto a cruise undetected. You’ll save money, but be warned — you could lose some dignity if you’re caught sneaking alcohol onto cruise ships. Especially considering that cruise line rules prohibit such.
Binocular Flask
If you have more than one item of luggage, split the rum runners into different bags, so if one gets called out for a manual check, the other bags might get through. Rum runners are plastic bags like flasks in which you can pour alcohol and then pack it in your luggage to disguise its contents. Also, its worth checking beforehand if you can bring alcohol on a cruise in the first place for your cruise line of choice. It might be more than you think, or may allow you to use some of the methods below to sneak liquor on instead of wine.
Fake Toiletry Bottles
These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. It’s almost hard to envision a cruise without a tropical drink in hand. Letting loose and having a few cocktails or a nice bottle of cabernet at dinner is part of the vacation experience for many. That is why cruise lines sell you wine by the bundle, all-inclusive drink packages, and even bottles of liquor to bring home duty-free from the onboard shops. The carry-on allowance for Cunard is one bottle of wine or Champagne per adult but no beer or liquor.
Silversea Cruises
On this page, you'll find a breakdown of each cruise line's alcohol policy, ways to score free drinks, tips on how to decide if a beverage package is right for you and more. Click on the links for more info, and check out pictures of some of our favorite cruise ship bars. As you can see, the price of alcohol on the ship can be expensive.
Before we start discussing the ins and outs of how to sneak booze on a cruise, it’s worth pointing out that many cruise lines allow you to bring a certain amount of alcohol on the ship. However, a study by Cruzely.com showed that 19% of passengers admitted to smuggling alcohol onto a cruise ship at least once. Rum runners in checked luggage and other sneak flasks can work just as well with Carnival as with any other cruise line. Most cruise lines allow guests to bring wine on a cruise, typically just one bottle, but sometimes more. Most ocean sailing cruise ships strictly limit the amount of alcohol you can bring on the cruise. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line permits passengers from 18 to 20 years old to consume beer and wine in international waters if their parents are sailing and agree to sign waivers.
THE WINERACK
Cruise ship scanners can detect alcohol hidden in luggage. And the bottle-shaped outline is easy for security to identify. Though clever, cruise ship security is familiar with the mouthwash trick.
Because alcohol makes up a large chunk of those purchases, lines are hesitant to allow cruisers to bring their own. Remember, smuggling alcohol on a cruise is against the rules set by the cruise line, and there can be consequences if you’re caught. Always exercise caution and use these tips as guidelines, knowing that there is a level of risk involved. The key to successfully disguising alcohol in personal items is to choose items that won’t raise suspicion or draw attention.
Underage drinking is taken seriously, and cruise ship staff have the right to disembark both the minor and the adult who bought them a drink if they're caught. To find out your cruise ship's restrictions, see our story on cruise line alcohol policies. I truly cannot recommend these enough to anybody going on a cruise who doesn’t want to get stuck paying for $12 drinks all day.
This can prevent spills during the security check and limits any damage done to other items if there is an accidental breakage. When it comes to wine, look for boxed wines or individual portions such as 187ml bottles or Tetra paks that contain three servings each. Additionally, avoid buying large quantities of liquor as they will come in glass bottles that may lead to suspicion from security officers.
Cunard is known for its stately cruise ships, including the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary 2. The high-end cruise line follows the lead of many other cruise lines in that most alcohol is not allowed to be brought and consumed on the ship. Carnival allows you to bring on one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne, per adult 21 years or older. All other alcohol — including beer and spirits — are not allowed and will be confiscated. Passengers may bring aboard two bottles of wine or Champagne (750 ml) per cabin for their enjoyment for a seven-day cruise. They may bring three bottles for an eight-day (or longer) cruise.
Some people think it’s the only way they can drink on a cruise at 18 to 20, although underage drinking should be discouraged. Whereas others are convinced alcoholic cruise drinks are watered down, so try to take their own. You can also purchase duty-free bottles of liquor in port or at the onboard shops. You'll save a little, and although the ship will check the alcohol for you until the last night of the sailing, you can enjoy it when you get home knowing that you snagged a deal.
If you’re sailing on a line that allows you to bring your own alcoholic beverages onboard, you’ll be able to bring back a limited amount to your stateroom. If your cruise ship does not permit you to BYOB, you’ll have to check that bottle of rum from Puerto Rico or prosecco from Italy at security upon boarding. Virgin Voyages passengers are allowed to bring two bottles of wine or Champagne (750 mL) per cabin in their carry-on luggage. Alcohol brought on board in checked luggage or not in accordance with the policy will be stored until the end of the sailing.
However, if you are found to be sneaking alcohol on board, you might be denied boarding. Thankfully, consuming alcohol onboard a cruise ship is not a complicated topic. Whether you choose to splurge on a drink package or buy each drink a la carte, you'll need to make sure that you are of legal drinking age.
If cruise line security catches you sneaking alcohol on a cruise, they will confiscate the bottles. Cruise lines have the right to confiscate prohibited items, which may not be returned at the end of the cruise. You may be denied boarding if caught sneaking alcohol or other prohibited items on the cruise ship. Most cruise lines allow guests to bring a sealed bottle or two of wine or champagne in their carry-on during embarkation.
