Liquor question

[klei3354]

This is the first time I will be flying to actually take a cruise. Usually i drive or go to a port that is close to me.

 

When bringing back 5+ liters of alcohol, where do you store it? Carry on bag? Just a separate box with the alcohol? I'm sure if I put it in my suitcase it would bring me over the 50 pounds allowed for suitcases.

 

Any tidbits or advice would be great!

 

Thanks

[jchipgcs]

We just returned from Puerto Rico, where we were on the Constellation. I had 3 bottles in my back pack and 2 bottles in my rolling carry on. Just wrap them real well.

 

My travel companion had 8 bottles in a soft bag and they made him check it. We were worried but since they were boxed up by the store (A.H. Riese) we took a chance. Came out fine.

[klei3354]

Thank you very much. i'll be on the same cruise next week!

[jchipgcs]

You'll love it. Can I answer any questions for you? We got a pretty good feel for the ship and it's offerings. What cabin will you be in?

[KreinKrunker]

The stores will box it in carry cases, then just carry them on and put them in the overhead. Sometimes I add some packing to the boxes, because I would hate to lose that bottle of Belvedere.

[klei3354]

That would be great if you don't mind. I don't have the cabin number with me at work. It's actually an inside cabin...nothing special. I can get the # later when I'm at home.

 

The only question I really have is about the seating areas all over the ship. I just had knee surgery. I can walk without any problems at all, but I have a small knee brace on. I can't sit in restaurant style booths at all because I can't bend my knee well. I was just wondering if there are any booths on the ship that I should worry about. I hate requesting special seating.

 

Thanks in advance! Any other information you have would be great. How were the dinners in the main dining room? I can't wait to try the martini bar.

[jchipgcs]

No. I don't recall any booths. Most all of the seating is "club chairs". Even when there is some bench seating, it's up against a wall and then it's flanked with 2 or more individual chairs. Even in public areas, I found all the chairs in the lounges rather comfy.

[darrencantwait]

I was flying out of San Juan last month, and Continental was giving us a hard time about carrying on the carry box of liquor (divided to hold 6 bottles). They were reducing carry on to ONE item. I had the box and a little carry on the size of a magazine. Combine they were WAY less than the roll-ons that most people bring. They had to bring a manager over to make an exception.

 

I havent' had this problem in the past. But, it appears Continental is beefing up ways to gain extra revenue. If I had checked the box in, I would have been over my 2 check in limit and they would have charged. They were already charging me because one of my bags was 55 pounds! It's getting a little ridiculous.

[jchipgcs]

Well, my mom who travels for work and is VERY used to all the luggage requirements said you get one carry on piece of luggage and one personal item. Meaning, a rolling small suitcase for example is a carry on and a purse OR backpack would be your personal item.

 

I had 2 bottles in my rolling carry on and I had 3 bottles in my backpack. One wrapped in bubble wrap and the other 2 were in a box/carry case from the liquor store.

 

My suitcase weighed in at 58lbs and I wasn't charged extra since my reservation was booked BEFORE they changed the weight limit. We were on American Airlines.

 

Someone with us was charged $25 for overweight luggage and is appealing for a refund now as they booked before the policy went into effect.

 

Regardless, my backpack could have held 4 bottles and the rolling carry on 3. Just be prepared for a backache! Also, I think if it's INSIDE a piece of luggage or backpack that the airline doesn't notice/care. Perhaps it's just the carry box's being toted around they oppose to.

[KreinKrunker]

TSA only allows five liters of liquor, and no 151 proof rum.

[jchipgcs]

The airline didn't even look in my bags so they didn't know what I had. The only folks who investigated them at all were security folks and then it was only via x-ray. I could have had toxic waste in the bottles and they wouldn't have known.

[usha]

Bear in mind, that most flights are flying full, and the airlines are getting stricter about "extra" carry-on items. It might be a good idea to make sure all of your liquor purchases will fit in the ONE carry-on and ONE personal item that each passenger is allowed.

[canderson]

This is the first time I will be flying to actually take a cruise. Usually i drive or go to a port that is close to me.

 

When bringing back 5+ liters of alcohol, where do you store it? Carry on bag? Just a separate box with the alcohol? I'm sure if I put it in my suitcase it would bring me over the 50 pounds allowed for suitcases.

 

Any tidbits or advice would be great!

 

Thanks

8 bottles of wine (6X 750 and 2X 375) fit very nicely in my carry-on roller-style little suitcase with room to spare for basic toiletry items as well. That's the way it always travels on our cruises. My own secret recipe for success -- sweat socks.

 

Just realize that they're a whole lot more understanding about wine than they are hard booze when getting your bags on the ship.