Does Princess confiscate alcohol?

[coiran]

AHracer - haven't been on the next cruise yet - Feb 2005.

 

Ron

[CruisinChris]

I've never seen them concerned with alcohol on European itineraries - that probably also extends to Asia. I think they focus on this issue more in the Caribbean.

[Ethel5]

I still don't understand why people insist on smuggling when most liquors can be purchased from Princess at less than what it costs in the states. If you pre-order it using the form on their web site it will be sitting in your cabin waiting for you when you arrive.

 

Unless they don't carry your favorite why bother going through the hassle of smuggling??

 

Scott

I'm not about to open this tired can of worms again. Keep in mind the OP wanted to know if booze would be taken from him. I answered him with what I experienced and I don't intend to be judged on this. I'll just say that we go on 2-10 night and 1-7 night cruises a year and we bring back booze from the islands and pay the proper duty on it. So when we cruise again, we are taking on board booze that cost less than anywhere in the States or on board. Like Absolut for $10.75/1.75 liter or Cointreau for $10.00 where in the States it's 35.00.

[ahracer]

I'm not about to open this tired can of worms again. Keep in mind the OP wanted to know if booze would be taken from him. I answered him with what I experienced and I don't intend to be judged on this. I'll just say that we go on 2-10 night and 1-7 night cruises a year and we bring back booze from the islands and pay the proper duty on it. So when we cruise again, we are taking on board booze that cost less than anywhere in the States or on board. Like Absolut for $10.75/1.75 liter or Cointreau for $10.00 where in the States it's 35.00.

 

Do you realise everytime this "tired can of worms" is opened someone learns that they can purchase liquor onboard and avoid the hassle of smuggling in many cases.

 

Yes, in your case you are getting it for less but that is why is stated "less than the states". I'm not judging you or anybody else just curious as to why people smuggle. You explained your particular reasons and they make sense.

 

Scott

[nschurr]

I agree that the liquor on board is reasonably priced. If Princess has your brand, order if from room service. The mix is what is way over priced. If I am taking anything on board it's the mix.

[Ethel5]

Do you realise everytime this "tired can of worms" is opened someone learns that they can purchase liquor onboard and avoid the hassle of smuggling in many cases.

 

Yes, in your case you are getting it for less but that is why is stated "less than the states". I'm not judging you or anybody else just curious as to why people smuggle. You explained your particular reasons and they make sense.

 

Scott

Thanks Scott :) We do learn a lot from these boards. For instance-from now on, I'll be sending myself casino credits-what I don't spend on booze, I make up for in the casino!!!:D

[Kittycat]

We bought a bottle of cream liquor (like Baileys) from Jamaica to take home and it was confiscated as we reboarded the ship and returned to us the night before disembarkation - good job we hadn't planned on drinking it on board!!!

[woodofpine]

Yep - I "smuggled" a bottle of rum on from Barbados... I never opened it mind you, I just wanted to make the purchase and didn't feel like slowing down with my kids to fill out the form... My sense is that if you bring several bottles boxed security will ask you to check it in (I've seen that) but they are not looking to shake everybody down. If they enforce or don't it doesn't bother me.

[pinupprincess]

where can I find the form to preorder liquor? I don't see it on the princess site:confused: :confused:

 

thanks

 

stacey;)

[geocruiser]

Here is the link.

 

 

http://www.princess.com/onboard/sendagift/liquor.html

 

 

 

Geo

[MaggieS]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. We have never had it taken away and I hope that holds true. Guess I never really thought of it as smuggling, just exercising my rights. I agree with the comment on the mixers. Never had them taken either. Thanks also for the tips on how best to "smuggle" it on. I may try one of these, guilt-free, mind you. ;)

[Crowsie]

I still don't understand why people insist on smuggling when most liquors can be purchased from Princess at less than what it costs in the states. If you pre-order it using the form on their web site it will be sitting in your cabin waiting for you when you arrive.

 

Unless they don't carry your favorite why bother going through the hassle of smuggling??

 

Scott

 

 

Because they don't carry (that is..sell a bottle of) any bourbon that I can drink.

Also..it's extremely difficult to get bourbon in foreign ports...so I pack my own.

No question that I'd rather just order it from Princess than to tote it across the world in my suitcase. Especially with the reduced weight luggage limits...might have to change to gimlets from manhattens...that way I can just order from Princess :D

[ahracer]

Crowsie,

 

I've heard several complaints from bourbon drinkers about the lack of selections. Good thing I'm a vodka drinker as the cover the bases pretty good in that category.

 

Scott

[roohound]

odd, they carry Bailey's but not Kahlua...huh

 

We're not big drinkers so we don't smuggle (ok, you caught me..we have been known to carry our favorite soft drinks onboard if we know the line doesn't carry them) I do, however, buy stuff in ports...can't beat the $10 bottles of Kahlua in Cozumel or the Guavaberry liquor in St Maarten that you can't get anywhere else. I don't drink anything onboard tho..#1 I know we won't finish off a bottle and therefore I don't want to deal with carrying home an opened bottle.

 

I remember one cruise (was either the Grand or HAL) where I was bringing some stuff back and I saw my stuff go through X-rays and waited for them to take it away..I just stood there and the guy gave me this look like, hon, just go already LOL

[macmax]

This along with "formal dress" are the most popular topics on these boards IMO. One aspect of the BYO question is....why is this even an issue?:confused:

 

I feel that as adults and paying a damn good price for our cruise, we should be able to bring aboard a reasonable amount (I know, I know, what constitutes reasonable) of liquor/beer/wine for our own consumption. I don't know of any hotel or resort that forbids you from bringing booze onto their property, so what's the difference. Do cruise ships have this rule to protect their outrageous (since they buy it duty free) bar profits, or to "control" the passengers liquor consumption or what?

 

It seems really silly to the point of being absurd that we should have to discuss ways of smuggling booze aboard. Or does the topic just take us back to our younger days.;)

[ahracer]

. Do cruise ships have this rule to protect their outrageous (since they buy it duty free) bar profits, or to "control" the passengers liquor consumption or what?

 

 

Of course they want to maximize the bar profits. But the fact they allow some smuggling to occur and will sell you liquor cheaper than what it cost in the states and deliver it to your room leads me to believe they understand people want a bottle in their cabin.

 

Scott

[bdjam]

I’m not quite sure how outrageous the bar profit is. When you factor in that the sale of alcohol subsidizes the running of the ship around the Caribbean, and that the drink prices are low compared to urban areas on shore, I doubt they’re raking in the money.

[ahracer]

I’m not quite sure how outrageous the bar profit is. When you factor in that the sale of alcohol subsidizes the running of the ship around the Caribbean, and that the drink prices are low compared to urban areas on shore, I doubt they’re raking in the money.

 

Good point BDJAM, last weekend in Vegas I paid $11.00 for a martini which Princess charges either $4.95 or $5.95 for.

 

Scott

[ogtiger]

We drink wine and I did check out the prices on the website. Much higher! I don't usually buy $30. bottles of wine like on their site. I ordered a wine shipping box with styrofoam for protection. Anyone know if they'll confiscate that? Or should I put it in my luggage instead?

[ahracer]

We drink wine and I did check out the prices on the website. Much higher! I don't usually buy $30. bottles of wine like on their site. I ordered a wine shipping box with styrofoam for protection. Anyone know if they'll confiscate that? Or should I put it in my luggage instead?

 

True, wine is priced high. For some reason they only price the liquor reasonably. Go figure but since i'm a vodka drinker i'm not complaining...

 

Scott

[coiran]

You can bring aboard all of the Boones Farm you can carry = trouble is, at dinner, the $10 corkage fee is much more than the wine is worth.

 

Ron

[Crowsie]

Crowsie,

 

I've heard several complaints from bourbon drinkers about the lack of selections. Good thing I'm a vodka drinker as the cover the bases pretty good in that category.

 

Scott

 

Yup...Jack Daniels is the only bourbon they sell.....haven't had that since my college days....and there's a reason for that!

 

We purchase plenty of other alcohol on board...a couple of bottles of wine a night with dinner..and beer/bloody marys etc during the day...

 

If I could get something other than the Jack..I'd definitely buy on board vs carrying it on.

[woodspines]

One month ago, I openly carried a full case of beer on the Diamond in Juneau. The guys ran it through the scanner and just smiled. Nothing was said, and I was allowed to take it to my room. I did buy it for a gift, so I didn't care if they took it or not. I personally got they feeling that they didn't want to be bothered with it.

[TMWOOD1012]

I Just Came Off Of The Sapphire Two Days Ago....i Witnessed Numerous Bottle Of Liquor Confiscated At The Xray. As Long As It's Not Obvious, They Won't Catch It. We Had Friends With Bottles In Their Checked Pieces And They Arrived Safe And Sound.

P.s. Use Water Bottles Or Apple Juice Bottles For Colored Liquor.

 

They Don't Take Wine/champagne, Clearly States That On Their Site.

 

Happy Sailing!

[roohound]

looking at the order form I find this interesting.....

 

Dom Perignon is $117.......that's roughly what I see it for around here, tho in the past I did see it as low as $90-something at Sams Club

 

Asti Spumante, which runs $10 maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less depending on the store and if there's a sale, is $24.

 

That's a huge markup on the "lower end" wine :lol: