Do NOT try to smuggle or check wine in Miami

[salty dingo]

My motto in a situation like this is:

 

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

 

I am disappointed in Carnival for being aggressive in enforcing the booze rule. The liquor revenue must be way, way down!

 

I can assure you, with all the sneaky ways I can stash rumrunner flasks, it will take them years to find my stash.

 

And, in the unthinkable event they did find and take it, I would retaliate by boycotting the onboard beverages, and would try again in each port of call to smuggle on more than I can drink.

 

Actually, on every Carnival cruise, make that every cruise period, that I have ever been on, I have taken off booze I smuggled on, because I could not drink it all.

 

Unlike many smugglers, my bar tab for the week is zero. Best deal going!

[Green Boy]

a couple of years ago. we smuggled alcohol on board but putting it

in a big washed out and cleaned mouthwash bottle.. it was almost a 1/2 gallon size, and no one was the wiser... but i'm sure the room stewart wondered why there was 2 bottles of mouthwash... one green and one clear... but it worked perfect.. if they do x-ray the luggage all they see is

a bottle of mouthwash.. and pack your real mouthwash in another suitcase..:D

[cespo]

I just returned from sailing on the Destiny, which also left 1/30 out of Miami.

 

We had put 4 bottles of Bacardi premixed Bahama Mama's in our checked luggage. All four bottles made it to the room with no problem. We did have the TSA locks on our suitcases, but the did not appear to be touched at all. And no one called us down to open our luggage.

 

Just thought I would share my information.....

[PhoenixCruiser]

I just returned from sailing on the Destiny, which also left 1/30 out of Miami.

 

We had put 4 bottles of Bacardi premixed Bahama Mama's in our checked luggage. All four bottles made it to the room with no problem. We did have the TSA locks on our suitcases, but the did not appear to be touched at all. And no one called us down to open our luggage.

 

Just thought I would share my information.....

 

I don't think Carnival would do anything extra these days with Destiny passengers...most are really ticked off already ;):eek:

 

###

[tbjl24]

I don't think Carnival would do anything extra these days with Destiny passengers...most are really ticked off already ;):eek:

 

###

 

Haha!! Regardless of how much they amp up the security they are only going to catch a small portion. IMHO

[TheDINGOateMyBaybay!]

This may be old news. but I thought it a great idea. In foreign ports, but 2 bottles of liquor and when security tells you to turn them over at "the table", then you turn one in and keep the other stashed in your bag.

 

 

My motto in a situation like this is:

 

 

 

I am disappointed in Carnival for being aggressive in enforcing the booze rule. The liquor revenue must be way, way down!

 

I can assure you, with all the sneaky ways I can stash rumrunner flasks, it will take them years to find my stash.

 

And, in the unthinkable event they did find and take it, I would retaliate by boycotting the onboard beverages, and would try again in each port of call to smuggle on more than I can drink.

 

Actually, on every Carnival cruise, make that every cruise period, that I have ever been on, I have taken off booze I smuggled on, because I could not drink it all.

 

Unlike many smugglers, my bar tab for the week is zero. Best deal going!

[zstell]

Doesn't anyone else think it might be a good idea not to report back to the board with all of our "successes". This may only encourage them to search a little more. Just asking????

[REDWITCH13]

Our PVP from Carnival said one bottle of wine per person and two...8 packs of soda(pop) is permitted. I sent this question to the Carnival site and will see what they say also? If it also comes back as it is ok...I will print it out, because it is sent with the letter head and the name of the person...

 

Unopened bottles shouldn't be even considered as anything except for what is in them? duh Carnival!

 

Getting strange

 

Darlene

[REDWITCH13]

Doesn't anyone else think it might be a good idea not to report back to the board with all of our "successes". This may only encourage them to search a little more. Just asking????

 

I do agree with you on that:eek:

 

Darlene

[TheDINGOateMyBaybay!]

Honestly, this is no secret to CCL. All you have to do is a google search. There are actual websites devoted to it (http://www.ehow.com/how_2287520_sneak-liquor-onto-cruise-ship.html). I can almost guarantee CCL has reps whose main job is to scan the internet and forums for all kinds of information. I know this happens, as I work for an airline and we do, although ours make themselves known on various forums, etc.

 

Our ideas are not original.

 

 

Doesn't anyone else think it might be a good idea not to report back to the board with all of our "successes". This may only encourage them to search a little more. Just asking????

[maggieworkman]

Would the non-alcoholic cider "champagne" count towards my allottment of wine bottles to bring on or would it count towards the soda allottment we are allowed to bring? (Like from Welch's or something) We usually order this from Bon voyage along with the strawberries to have with the kids at sail away. If you order from there it still has the "age restriction" warning saying it can only be delivered to people over 21. But I might just carry it on this time to save money. I didn't even know that was an option before.

 

What about grenadine (sp??)? I'm not sure what that is made of - would it be considered alcohol and get confiscated? I was thinking about bringing a pack of 7up and some grenadine to make shirley temples for the balcony since I don't think you can get them with the soda card.

 

Thanks,

Maggie

[5waldos]

Honestly, this is no secret to CCL. All you have to do is a google search. There are actual websites devoted to it (http://www.ehow.com/how_2287520_sneak-liquor-onto-cruise-ship.html). I can almost guarantee CCL has reps whose main job is to scan the internet and forums for all kinds of information. I know this happens, as I work for an airline and we do, although ours make themselves known on various forums, etc.

 

Our ideas are not original.

 

I am sure you are correct- I once convinced a very major resort hotel to respond appropriately after noting that I was quite computer saavy:rolleyes:

 

Nevertheless, I am not sure there isn't a connection between the large thread posted here a few weeks back showing the extent of smuggling, including pictures- people with 10 or more bottles of alcohol, cases of beer, etc etc. It was surprising to me for sure- hoped that is was not just for one cabin:eek: And I felt queasy about bringing on an extra 3 bottles of wine for 4 people! It couldn't hurt to be a bit more discreet about such activities.

[John&John]

Would the non-alcoholic cider "champagne" count towards my allottment of wine bottles to bring on or would it count towards the soda allottment we are allowed to bring? (Like from Welch's or something) We usually order this from Bon voyage along with the strawberries to have with the kids at sail away. If you order from there it still has the "age restriction" warning saying it can only be delivered to people over 21. But I might just carry it on this time to save money. I didn't even know that was an option before.

 

What about grenadine (sp??)? I'm not sure what that is made of - would it be considered alcohol and get confiscated? I was thinking about bringing a pack of 7up and some grenadine to make shirley temples for the balcony since I don't think you can get them with the soda card.

 

Thanks,

Maggie

 

These are all non-alcoholic and should be allowed as the policy indicates.

[John&John]

I suppose that I'll find out when we sail out of LA in a month. You can carry on the wine, but it is a $10 corkage fee per bottle, right? if not, then I am definitely bringing wine.

 

Corkage fees are only charged if you wish to consume your wine in the main dining room or the steakhouse.

 

If you have it elsewhere on the ship there there would not be a corkage fee.

 

We often have it with some sushi before dinner.

 

I guess you could also have it at the buffet.

[onthehighseas606]

This may be old news. but I thought it a great idea. In foreign ports, but 2 bottles of liquor and when security tells you to turn them over at "the table", then you turn one in and keep the other stashed in your bag.

 

Our friends got tagged bringing some tequila on board in Mexico. The security guy told him to step aside and turn it in. People were boarding and the security guy wasn't paying attention and our friend mingled in with the crowd and went to their cabin with the tequila. I suppose when the rules become such a hassle as to take the fun out of cruising (as IMHO it's almost there), we'll find other places to go...like an all inclusive in some far away island. No hassles about booze, drink all you want. :rolleyes:

[CruisingAmazona]

My motto in a situation like this is:

 

 

 

I am disappointed in Carnival for being aggressive in enforcing the booze rule. The liquor revenue must be way, way down!

 

I can assure you, with all the sneaky ways I can stash rumrunner flasks, it will take them years to find my stash.

 

And, in the unthinkable event they did find and take it, I would retaliate by boycotting the onboard beverages, and would try again in each port of call to smuggle on more than I can drink.

 

Actually, on every Carnival cruise, make that every cruise period, that I have ever been on, I have taken off booze I smuggled on, because I could not drink it all.

 

Unlike many smugglers, my bar tab for the week is zero. Best deal going!

An honest woman! I admire you for your honesty and courage to say this -- you will get a lot of flack for it! I too refuse to pay those hefty prices that are absolutely ridiculous and I prefer not to drink at all then pay them those prices. My bar bill is always zero as well -- unfortunately, I can't say the same for my casino expenses though - and if the p#$@# me off enough, I will hold off on that as well!

[cruisinone]

Go to your local make your own wine place and put in booze instead of wine then cork them . They will think you have wine in the bottles

[jeanarch]

we have considered trying NCL because it sails out of New Orleans as does CCL but because I can't take a few wine bottles for balcony consumption without paying an upfront corkage fee we have not. We have taken in the past bubble in our carryon and a few bottles of wine in our checked. We usually purchase a wine package for dinners. If all this is changed we may look to HAL or Princess. We usually have a moderate bar bill but we are basically wine drinkers and if necessary have been known to purchase 2 wine packages. DH usually takes a few cokes and a small amount of bourbon for a toddy in the cabin before bed. If CCL continues on this crackdown with even water bottles being poured out we can all vote with our feet. They are not the only cruiseline in the sea.

[connera3]

Ok I know you all are bashing me about doubting the OP but has anyone seen the OP back on this thread since the first few posts? Also story changes. On this thread the OP's story is above. On the thread luggage searched the OP posts this story:

 

 

 

 

So who actually had the wine?

And we went from only a bottle of coke in the checked back to a bottle of coke and water in the check bag to the next quote where the water was in the back pack. So if I am a skeptic so be it, I will hold my judgement on the smuggline until there is more reports.

 

 

Sorry for being so shady and having to actually travel home yesterday and not remain on the site all day to defend myself. So to try to clarify again:

 

I hade one water bottle in my checked bag and one in my backpack. They made me throw away the one in my backpack and the one in my checked bag arrived fine. There was also a coke bottle with dark rum in it in with the water in my check bag. The coke bottle was thrown away as I was clearly breaking the rules. I am not mad about them throwing it away as I knowingly took that risk, I did want to post it as this practice has changed, in my opinion, and knowing how many people post about their successful smugling just wanted to put it out there.

 

Now, my boyfriend had our 2 bottles of wine in his bag and they were taken and held until the end of the cruise because the policy changed on 1/30 requiring them to be carried on. We did not know this policy change or we would have carried on.

 

However, when I was arguing with the Carnival people I was asking them why I had to throw out my carry on water. To me the sealed water was the same as a new bottle of wine. Know what I mean? It was confusing to me that they would allow me to bring on sealed wine but not sealed water? I think that must have been a mistake by someone as we were checking in. They also told me there were signs stating the policy change as we were walking in so I looked as we were leaving and saw nothing.

 

I don't know how they possibly have time to look at all the bags. We were there early and our bags were in the room in a reasonable time. We did set sail a little late and were actually watching them transfer bags right til the last minute.

[*Mach*]

I just returned from sailing on the Destiny, which also left 1/30 out of Miami.

 

We had put 4 bottles of Bacardi premixed Bahama Mama's in our checked luggage. All four bottles made it to the room with no problem. We did have the TSA locks on our suitcases, but the did not appear to be touched at all. And no one called us down to open our luggage.

 

Just thought I would share my information.....

 

 

The inspection is conducted by a third party security company, not the TSA. They don't have keys or codes to open those locks...

:)

[*Mach*]

This may be old news. but I thought it a great idea. In foreign ports, but 2 bottles of liquor and when security tells you to turn them over at "the table", then you turn one in and keep the other stashed in your bag.

 

 

Ahhhh... the 'buy two keep one' ploy!!!

:D

[*Mach*]

Honestly, this is no secret to CCL. All you have to do is a google search. There are actual websites devoted to it (http://www.ehow.com/how_2287520_sneak-liquor-onto-cruise-ship.html). I can almost guarantee CCL has reps whose main job is to scan the internet and forums for all kinds of information. I know this happens, as I work for an airline and we do, although ours make themselves known on various forums, etc.

 

Our ideas are not original.

 

 

Carnival has two people who's job it is to read these boards and other forums, develop a report and submit it to marketing...

:)

 

[Sherrybaby412]

Carnival has two people who's job it is to read these boards and other forums, develop a report and submit it to marketing...

 

I want this job. :p

 

Rules? Laws? Basically the same definition.

 

No these are two different things. Breaking the law will get you thrown in jail. Breaking a rule may get you thrown out. Big difference.

 

I also had to comment on the contact lens solution. You MAY carry on anything necessary including contact lens solution even if it exceeds the 2 ounce limit. You must put it in a ziploc bag and have it out of your carry on. You must inform them before putting it in the bin to be xrayed. I have done this several times when flying.

[Nunu]

 

 

 

No these are two different things. Breaking the law will get you thrown in jail. Breaking a rule may get you thrown out. Big difference.

 

 

Sherry's right. For instance, drinking at work is breaking a rule but not necessarily a law. That's just an example of course. :p

[Kurbanfan]

Rules? Laws? Basically the same definition.

 

Only if it is a legal rule:D