Question about smuggling alcohol and Carnival Contract

[dyin2cruz]

Smuggling was not cost effective for us. Our bar bill was always huge anyway, even a few beers and drinks out and about add up quick. I love the drink packages, able plan on expense and keep it controlled.

[tonit964]

I always bring a couple of rum runners with me, and end up bringing a fair amount back. I also buy many drinks on board. My DH doesn't drink but he's the gambler so lots of $$$$ donations there.:rolleyes:

 

I know and accept the risk of them confiscating my adult beverages, which so far has not happened. Carnival is not stupid, they would not deny boarding to us if they found my rum runners, they would just take them, and then gladly take our on board spending dollars.:D

[First and Ten]

Just a question for the smugglers....I don't think ignorance is an issue as it seems all smugglers here know it's against the rules. The penalty for getting caught smuggling can be removal off the ship....Question, if after you embarked and in your cabin, there is a knock on the door. You answer it and 2 officials from Carnival are there with your checked luggage. They verify the luggage is yours and you agree. They advise you are being removed from the ship due to smuggling. My question is, do you accept that maturely and without incident?

[SkyPiglet]

When it comes to revenue, I saw a special on the cruise industry on the travel channel, I think. I cannot remember which line they showcased, but they did a day-by-day synopsis. Up until the last couple of days, the ship operated in the red, and didn't break even until the sales from the line's private island and alcohol sales from a huge deck party on the last night was figured in.

 

My understanding is that your fare provides a portion of the most basic operating costs, and sales in the shops, bars, excursions, etc account for the main revenue. A program like FTTF is so ingenious because CCL doesn't really need to use more manpower cost, just timing. Some rooms are going to be ready first anyway. If Carnival gets some extra money, you make sure it is yours. For the rum smugglers, it certainly would DECREASE the bar revenues, but I wonder if the stricter statement is really more of a message to discourage it, and the threats of disembarkation are held as a "just in case."

 

As far as underage drinking is concerned, I remember on an excursion from Victory, I overheard two "upper teens" talking about getting served lots of champagne at the art auction. I am not sure how common that is for minors to be accidentally served on the ships, but it DOES happen. A statement on their liquor policies would serve as a PR message for concerned parents, whether strictly enforced or not.

[ray98]

A company is always going to give themselves maximum leeway when addressing contract violations. Standard practice my be different than the max consequence.

[ray98]

Hello everyone going on Vista, question on the 1-750ml wine/champagne bottle per adult on debarkation day...

 

I enjoy Remy 1738 Champagne Cognac, would this brand be probhibited to bring on with carryon, I know policy states wine or champagne only , but technically bottles reads champagne Cognac, any thoughts? Don't want to buy 2 bottles and to try bring on board and lose out on $100+... should I contact carnival?

 

Of course not....it is classified as a Cognac. They will refuse it.

Edited July 16, 2017 by ray98

[ragethjj23]

Just a question for the smugglers....I don't think ignorance is an issue as it seems all smugglers here know it's against the rules. The penalty for getting caught smuggling can be removal off the ship....Question, if after you embarked and in your cabin, there is a knock on the door. You answer it and 2 officials from Carnival are there with your checked luggage. They verify the luggage is yours and you agree. They advise you are being removed from the ship due to smuggling. My question is, do you accept that maturely and without incident?

 

 

Asking a question for a situation that will never happen is silly. That's like asking, so you just landed on the moon how do you feel. Sure, I could become an astronaut and go to the moon but probably never will. Sure if they came to my door to take me away, i would accept consequences. Those are the risks you take when you smuggle.

[tonit964]

Just a question for the smugglers....I don't think ignorance is an issue as it seems all smugglers here know it's against the rules. The penalty for getting caught smuggling can be removal off the ship....Question, if after you embarked and in your cabin, there is a knock on the door. You answer it and 2 officials from Carnival are there with your checked luggage. They verify the luggage is yours and you agree. They advise you are being removed from the ship due to smuggling. My question is, do you accept that maturely and without incident?

 

 

I'm sure some would, some wouldn't. Everyone is different.

 

But that will never happen. The cruise lines know there are some that will try and get some booze through, it's easier to just take it and discard it and get the on board spending from that passenger.

 

I think it all balances out. There are some people that don't drink at all, don't gamble, don't buy photos, excursions, etc. Then there are ones that just don't worry about it and spend on everything and then the folks that buy some things on board.

[BallFour4]

Enforcement of this policy is an attempt at monitoring alcohol consumption and generating revenue.

Those that say "we smuggle but our bar tab is __ dollars and we spend $__ in the casino" are defending the rule breaking.

I don't care what people bring aboard.

.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[DebJ14]

Interestingly, most smugglers have larger bar bills than most and spend more money on the ship. In our smuggling days, our purpose was to have liquor in our room to fix drinks, not to avoid a bar bill. We loved fixing a cocktail and sit on the balcony and watch the sunset. Now we just order from Bon Voyage. The fare you pay to cruise is not where the cruiseline makes it's money-it's bar, excursions, pictures etc. It is not to Carnival's advantage to kick off revenue!!

Pat

 

Yes, and that was certainly possible when the mini bars were filled.

 

Because of all the people demanding that they empty them we have to buy a bottle and mixers or do without.

 

It was much easier when we had the mini bar and could fix a gin and tonic, vodka and tonic etc. or have one of the splits of wine. Last time we ended up leaving about half of a bottle of vodka onboard since we could not fly with an open bottle of booze. That ended up costing us more than we used to spend on the contents of the minibar.

[Allofus12345]

Not really. Fare forfeited... win for Carnival. Non-revenue producing passenger off the ship... a wash for Carnival. No consumption of fixed passenger costs... win for Carnival.

 

The only loss would possibly be losing the smuggler as a returning guest. And that's not really a loss.

 

I don't understand why this policy isn't more widely enforced. Seems like an easy way to make money to me.

 

Not really. Carnival needs to make a certain amount of money per person, which includes the cruise cost, liquor sales and gambling. Each guest has a break even point. By kicking of those that to not pay their fair share, will leave room for those what will obey, and pay.

 

How many times on these boards to people brag that Carnival sails their ships full for every cruise? If that is the case, than a waiting line should be available to fill those slots of disgruntled people. In addition, by eliminating the smugglers and opening up those future slots, they will increase their revenue and keep the prices low for everyone else. Once word gets out, people will be a little more reluctant to break the contract. If by chance they do not fill empty rooms, than they will just raise the price. The faithful will continue to use them regardless.

 

These answers are ridiculous. If we are to accept this rational then carnival would only allow drinkers on their ship. To say they don't make money off of non drinkers is plain silly. I've spent more in the casino on one sailing then most spend on booze in 10 sailings.

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Gamblers and drinkers are definitely the best customers. Inside room buyers with hardly any on board spending they probably lose money on.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Doubt they would kick booze smugglers off. Because once they confiscate the booze they know they are gonna spend money on booze. Why have an empty cabin spending zero. Tho I know even when smugglers get booze on they still have a nice size booze tab. Most of the smuggled booze is for in room drinks while getting dressed etc.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[frayedend]

These answers are ridiculous. If we are to accept this rational then carnival would only allow drinkers on their ship. To say they don't make money off of non drinkers is plain silly. I've spent more in the casino on one sailing then most spend on booze in 10 sailings.

 

True enough. I have always smuggled in the past. Never got caught. But if I had it would not have changed how much I spend. I usually have a certain budget for the ship. If I bring booze I get to drink more. I don't get to spend less.

[ddlb]

Once we brought a couple pints of rum or something in our suitcase and left it on the shelf in our cabin. It was confiscated but returned to us on the last night. We didn't know that you don't just leave it out in the open :-( . Regardless I thought our steward reported us and he was visibly upset when I asked him (didn't know any better) and he said when the small refrig is checked to see if you used anything from it - that person was the one who left the note! Lesson learned. We didn't get thrown off the ship! But I think we were on RCI not Carnival.

[Purvis1231]

Carnival knows that most smugglers are heavy drinks who after they drink their smuggled booze buy a lot on more on the ship.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Purvis1231
typo

[frayedend]

Once we brought a couple pints of rum or something in our suitcase and left it on the shelf in our cabin. It was confiscated but returned to us on the last night. We didn't know that you don't just leave it out in the open :-( . Regardless I thought our steward reported us and he was visibly upset when I asked him (didn't know any better) and he said when the small refrig is checked to see if you used anything from it - that person was the one who left the note! Lesson learned. We didn't get thrown off the ship! But I think we were on RCI not Carnival.

 

I've smuggled on Carnival 3 times and always left my rum runners out in the open in my cabin and never had a problem.

[loanshark]

Carnival would lose the credit card chargeback if they were to boot someone for smuggling.

[tef43]

My question is, does this mean if they find your liquor they would or could kick you off the ship.

Yuuup, and we saw it happen a few cruises ago out of JaxPort.

[nisewenn]

Yuuup, and we saw it happen a few cruises ago out of JaxPort.

What happened?!

On our last cruise during embarkation a cruiser was arrested for carrying cocaine. We were next to him, on the other side of the rope, and the drug dog ran over to him. His companion kept going, but she was brought back shortly afterwards.

 

Sent from my SM-G920P using Forums mobile app

[tef43]

What happened?!

On our last cruise during embarkation a cruiser was arrested for carrying cocaine. We were next to him, on the other side of the rope, and the drug dog ran over to him. His companion kept going, but she was brought back shortly afterwards.

 

We were still docked, obviously. Evidently the pax were called down to the Naughty Room, and I would guess that they had to have been repeat offenders. We saw them being escorted off the Deck 0 gangway shortly before we were called to muster.

[nisewenn]

We were still docked, obviously. Evidently the pax were called down to the Naughty Room, and I would guess that they had to have been repeat offenders. We saw them being escorted off the Deck 0 gangway shortly before we were called to muster.

I always feel mixed (bad & not bad) when I see something like that.

 

Sent from my SM-G920P using Forums mobile app

[frayedend]

We were still docked, obviously. Evidently the pax were called down to the Naughty Room, and I would guess that they had to have been repeat offenders. We saw them being escorted off the Deck 0 gangway shortly before we were called to muster.

 

Sort of making a lot of assumptions. I've not ever seen one post from a person that was kicked off for smuggling booze.

[First and Ten]

Sort of making a lot of assumptions. I've not ever seen one post from a person that was kicked off for smuggling booze.

 

 

 

I wouldn't think someone would admit to being that much of a chucklehead [emoji23]

Edited July 31, 2017 by First and Ten

[coevan]

Yuuup, and we saw it happen a few cruises ago out of JaxPort.

 

 

I just do not believe you or that CCL would kick someone off the ship for alcohol. What do you mean you saw it happen? The contract obviously has been amended to "confiscate" not such a drastic decision.