Thinking about smuggling in liquor?

[cruisenfever]

But people who follow the rules are punished, too. Is RCI to the point where all liquids are suspect? Pity if so.

For those that have packed legitimate items in their check luggage that might look suspicious when going through x-ray, then my suggestion to them is to transfer those items into their carry-on luggage before they check their bags with the porters. It might take a few extra minutes to transfer and be a slight inconvenience, but it sure will avoid hours of punishment standing in a line in the naughty room especially if you know that you have a liquid that may look suspicious like contact solution.

[Shammy1]

it always amazing me that people try to smuggle in liquor. My saying is, "If you can afford the cruise, you can afford to buy drinks onboard"

[ryano]

I don't think their alcohol policy has anything to do with customer safety, otherwise all cruise lines would prohibit it.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Other cruise lines didnt have a man that smuggled on illegal booze "mysteriously" disappear off their ship.

 

Yes, its about their bottom line but you can also rest assure its about George Smith too.

[cruisegirl1]

Think again! Off the Jewel of the Seas on Monday and they were kept everyone's luggage who they suspected had something until you came and opened it for them to search. It wasn't just a few people either. It had to have been hundred's. One of my suitcases was held and I made 2 different attempts to wait in line to get it back. I left the first time as it would have made me miss my dining time (6pm). Came back about 8:30 and the line was even longer. I had no liquor, but a single bottle of Vitamin Water in mine was all it took to prevent me from having my clothes and belongings until I waited for an hour in line. They showed no mercy. I even saw them sniffing bottles of Contact Lens solution. They found plenty of liquor though. On a cart next to the line was the confiscated booze and I saw everything. Even a box of wine! I don't know if this is just a result of Spring Break, but they weren't messing around!

 

We had the same tight scrutiny in mid December – so while security may be tighter during spring break - it was pretty tight then. We observed security open a shrink wrapped six pack of water, open and smelled all bottles.

 

A few times, my case has been held and I have been called to security for A BOTTLE OF WATER. Any liquids we need to have ( mouthwash, a bottle of water or two ) we put in a carry on.

 

 

I have, at times, been called to security because a bottle of wine. I will say that RCCL security and other staff in the security areas are courteous, non-judgmental and professional. I have been lucky so far and have gotten my wine back the last evening or ther last morning just prior to leaving the ship.

M

[orville99]

Unfortunately, for those of us who abide by the rules, every time someone posts about a new way to smuggle booze, RCI updates their protocol for what to check. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that RCI reads these boards, and pays particular attntion to all the dumb$#%es who feel the need to brag and boast about how they beat they system. UHHH...if you don't want them to catch you, then don't tell the world how you're doing it...or (and here's a novel thought) abide by the d%$n rules in the first place.:mad:

[LaShelle2]

And if I follow all the rules and do not bring on any alcohol on board but get called to the naughty room due to contact lens solution - I will be more than upset. In fact, out of protest, I would do everything to not spend extra on that cruise. Cancel all pre booked shore excursions and specialty resturants and have a very, very sober cruise. Casino - forget it - we will spend the time in our cabin playing cards. Book that cruise line again - not very likely. The small size of contact lens solution does not warrent that kind of hassle. Spring break or not - that is going overboard.

 

 

No better way to punish RCI than to sit in your cabin quietly playing cards!!!! SORRY ROFL!!!!!!! :eek::D:eek::D:eek:

I am sure that will really show em whose boss!!!!

[LaShelle2]

We pack a few of the airplane sized bottles. Plastic bottles with plastic caps. we put them in w/ our toiletries. Take them in our carry on and have yet to get caught.

 

I think if you are gonna "smuggle" just be reasonable and smart about it, like not trying to smuggle on entire liters or huge wine bottles.

 

On an old CC post, a lady bragged about smuggling full sized bottles of booze in her bra:eek:. She must have had ample sized boobies. hee hee hee.

[smokie11]

You would be just fine with that. But, carry it on!

[George C]

Rccl is very money hungrey, I am thinking of RCCL or HAL for this years cruise, leaning towards HAL since they allow all the wine you want ( and they do not check bags for hard stuff) brought on over a case of wine on last cruise, also can bring on water and soda. Princess also does not really check anything.

[Sequim88]

....we saw a cart full of all kinds of wine and liquor ... wraped in bubble wrap , towels, etc....

But no rum runners? As asked a couple times by others - for those who made the trip to the naughty room were they seeing RRs on the table?

 

Bummer for those with innocent stuff but RCI policies encourage smuggling. Not so much drink prices and cost but a big factor is convenience of a quiet drink in the cabin without hauling there from a bar. Rowdy partiers in the next cabin can be handled by security without inconveniencing everyone else who behave.

 

Bottom line is it is about monitoring consumption. They could eliminate a lot of smuggling by allowing bottle purchase (at a "take to cabin rate") onboard (without losing revenue) but they stopped that at about the time of the Smith case. That suggests to me they (RCI specifically) were mandated (by settlement or insurance company?) to monitor consumption and the only way to effectively do this is by the pace of SeaPass charges. Ten drinks in an hour and you might get cut off. People have reported this in the past. Considering the revenue lost by not allowing bottle purchase for consumption onboard the the underlaying reason not to has to be pretty compelling for them.

[teajak]

I personally find that the whole attitude of Royal Caribbean towards the luggage search thing insulting and belittling. What is this high school? Get real, the whole thing for Royal is their bottom line...... I have been on Princess, Celebrity, and Carnival all of which have allowed a bottle of wine per person at least. I have never seen any issues on any of these cruises I have been on, starting in the early nineties all the way to a month ago. By being so restrictive they are inviting trouble. JMHO....

Have you ever heard of George Smith? He cost RCI millions because of smuggled booze and getting himself killed on RCI.:eek:

[Mach1]

One more time. Is anyone tried Rum Runners?

 

 

I have on my cruises with no problem :cool:

 

also check out this thread - lots of info on the RR

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1022598

[Langley Cruisers]

We pack a few of the airplane sized bottles. Plastic bottles with plastic caps. we put them in w/ our toiletries. Take them in our carry on and have yet to get caught....

 

Always surprises me at how many members here reveal their "smuggling secrets" on this discussion board. Just gives RCI more ideas on what to look for. We KNOW they read these boards because of a situation that was resolved overnight last week concerning two couples and a back-to-back cabin. OP posted her complaint, it was resolved the next day. RCI reads this board.

[teajak]

We pack a few of the airplane sized bottles. Plastic bottles with plastic caps. we put them in w/ our toiletries. Take them in our carry on and have yet to get caught.

 

I think if you are gonna "smuggle" just be reasonable and smart about it, like not trying to smuggle on entire liters or huge wine bottles.

 

On an old CC post, a lady bragged about smuggling full sized bottles of booze in her bra:eek:. She must have had ample sized boobies. hee hee hee.

Good job of telling RCI what you are doing.:p

[limey-51]

I find it hard to believe what some people will do to have a drink,surely if you can afford a cruise you can afford to pay for a drink at the bar,unless of course you intend to drink yourself senseless every day! and before anybody starts to quote freedom of choice etc, you knew what RC policy is regarding bringing alcohol onboard.Like other people here have said if you dont like their policy, you need to be looking at other cruise lines,and before anyone asks, yes I do like a drink but I will not put myself through the hassle of trying to smuggle alcohol just to save a bit of money.:)

[north29]

What they do, if I have a bottle of mouthwash or what ever, that looks suspicious, for what ever reason, let them search, MY Safety from crazies is more important, than my time.

Maybe we should all have to take all our luggage through a scanner at the dock, but that might take more time, but maybe a better Idea. To keep everyone happy, of course we(cruisers) might have to manage our own luggage a short distance.

I do not necessarily agree with the RC alcohol policy, but if that is their policy, and we still sail with them that is just the way it is.

[tdk]

it always amazing me that people try to smuggle in liquor. My saying is, "If you can afford the cruise, you can afford to buy drinks onboard"

 

 

I think for most of course not all but for most it has nothing to do with not being able to afford buying drinks on the ship. Its more about the convenience if I want to have a drink in my room before or after dinner that I dont have to run up to a bar and go buy one. I am sure they have the younger crowd that sneaks in on because they dont want a high bar bill but I think majority of the people that bring couple of bottles of wine or a bottle of booze still have a high bar tab.

[Great 2 B at Sea]

Ok here is my question: If I were to take a 6 pack of diet dr. Pepper (the only soda I really drink, and not offered onboard) and put it in a clear backpack with a luggage tag on it, would I have to go explain, and would it be confiscated? I wont be trying to hide anything, all I want is to have some diet dr. Pepper!

 

We just got of the Explorer on the 9th. In our carry-on luggage, and that seems to be the key, we had three bottles of tonic water, regular water, and some cans of diet coke. We have done this the past few cruises and they don't even blink an eye at your luggage. If you put it into your checked luggage, that's where the problem comes in. We have also seen people give the porters 12-packs of coke, right out in the open, and the porters have put luggage tags on them. This was all through RCCL, don't know about any other cruise lines.

 

Good luck!

 

Jayne :o

[sgalbo]

I have on my cruises with no problem :cool:

 

also check out this thread - lots of info on the RR

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1022598

 

1st time cruiser , guess I'll give the RR a try leaving next week so we will see how it goes!:D

[tdk]

We just got of the Explorer on the 9th. In our carry-on luggage, and that seems to be the key, we had three bottles of tonic water, regular water, and some cans of diet coke. We have done this the past few cruises and they don't even blink an eye at your luggage. If you put it into your checked luggage, that's where the problem comes in. We have also seen people give the porters 12-packs of coke, right out in the open, and the porters have put luggage tags on them. This was all through RCCL, don't know about any other cruise lines.

 

Good luck!

 

Jayne :o

 

its been a couple of years since I have went on a cruise and way longer than that on RCCL so I cant remember....so does you carry on luggage not go thru an xray?

[Nickles]

So, are they suspicious of all liquids in luggage? If I bring a bottle of mouthwash, will they make me line up and prove that it's just mouthwash? That sounds ridiculous, if you ask me...

[Great 2 B at Sea]

its been a couple of years since I have went on a cruise and way longer than that on RCCL so I cant remember....so does you carry on luggage not go thru an xray?

 

It does, indeed, go through an xray. For whatever reason they don't seem to care. They can probably see in the machine.... it is, what it is. I guess if you are up front with what you are carrying on, and it's all legal, they don't care.

[north29]

So, are they suspicious of all liquids in luggage? If I bring a bottle of mouthwash, will they make me line up and prove that it's just mouthwash? That sounds ridiculous, if you ask me...

 

And I hope so.

[time4u2go]

I think for most of course not all but for most it has nothing to do with not being able to afford buying drinks on the ship. Its more about the convenience if I want to have a drink in my room before or after dinner that I dont have to run up to a bar and go buy one. I am sure they have the younger crowd that sneaks in on because they dont want a high bar bill but I think majority of the people that bring couple of bottles of wine or a bottle of booze still have a high bar tab.

Does room service deliver drinks?

[tdk]

Does room service deliver drinks?

 

 

 

I really dont know....I have never order room service. I think even if you preorder a wine package that doesnt go to your room. I have heard you can take whats left over of your wine bottle from dinner back to your room....which really wouldn't be much since a bottle is about 2 or maybe 2.5 glasses per person. I dont know but my guess is if its a drink with ice in it ...it would be watered down but who knows. Its just not as convenient but it is what it is.