Whats the Latest on Alcohol Smuggling

[wyattm]

Have they started letting up on checking your bags for alcohol. We leave 4/14 and wanted to know what everyones been seeing on the ships. I think that most of the college age kids are back in school now.

[phbr]

Have they started letting up on checking your bags for alcohol. We leave 4/14 and wanted to know what everyones been seeing on the ships. I think that most of the college age kids are back in school now.

They are still searching. Friends of ours were on the Freedom two weeks ago and unwittingly put a bottle of champagne they got as a present in the main case.

 

When they got it delivered, the champers was gone with a note that it had been confiscated

[timmy1958]

As the Spring Break season winds down, they should be easing up on that a bit. Still, you need to know how to smuggle/disguise your booze, lest it wind up being confiscated.

[macskakitty]

Just off the Serenade of the Seas yesterday. We took on three flasks of Vodka, and three of whiskey. I used rum runners and just rolled them into jeans, three in each suitcase. So, no problem smuggling it on, they were waiting at our stateroom right at 1 when we got there.

 

That said, this was my first cruise so I didn't really know what to expect. In the future, I won't bother, we brought some of the flasks home with us. The mixed drinks are VERY strong. A vodka cran cost $5 but was poured about how a triple at my local bar would be poured. Same with Whiskey soda. In fact, the drinks were so strong I switched to beer! A bucket of five buds was only $23 (including the gratuity) and you could carry it around with you and have the server open them as you needed them.

 

IMHO, not worth the hassle of smuggling alcohol.

[FanofFlorida]

Just off the Serenade of the Seas yesterday. We took on three flasks of Vodka, and three of whiskey. I used rum runners and just rolled them into jeans, three in each suitcase. So, no problem smuggling it on, they were waiting at our stateroom right at 1 when we got there.

 

That said, this was my first cruise so I didn't really know what to expect. In the future, I won't bother, we brought some of the flasks home with us. The mixed drinks are VERY strong. A vodka cran cost $5 but was poured about how a triple at my local bar would be poured. Same with Whiskey soda. In fact, the drinks were so strong I switched to beer! A bucket of five buds was only $23 (including the gratuity) and you could carry it around with you and have the server open them as you needed them.

 

IMHO, not worth the hassle of smuggling alcohol.

 

Now this is about the most practical advise I have read on this topic. It has been my concern since we started planning our upcoming trip.

I was surprised by the bar bill on my first cruise because I dont drink much, and thinking that I wanted to bring some onboard. But then it just seems like a hassle.

 

I remember we had the same 'strong' drink, ordering a lemon drop at the champagne bar. It was so strong, we had to take it back to the room and split it between two servings of Sprite in our drink package cups. It was still very strong, and all we needed for the night.

[maggieq]

we ususally take a couple of pints for during the days. Trust me our bar tab is still pretty high...we ordering dinner drinks, show drinks, etc.

[johnlcruise]

Has anybody had a promblem bring wine in a box on board?

[FanofFlorida]

Has anybody had a promblem bring wine in a box on board?

 

Can you actually recommend a boxed wine that is worth trying to smuggle onboard?

[FloatingFreely]

I just don't see why it would be worth bringing alcohol onboard unless maybe it is fine wine. That is a preference thing and RCI should allow this and just charge the corkage fee per bottle as it is brought onboard.

[lucky99]

Have they started letting up on checking your bags for alcohol. We leave 4/14 and wanted to know what everyones been seeing on the ships. I think that most of the college age kids are back in school now.

 

The latest on alcohol smuggling is you are not suppose to do it.

[mom2NnB]

In my opinion and from my experience from my first cruise, going all the way back to the room was a pain. We brought our own travel mugs, made a drink before we left room to have by the pool. EXCEPT... the ice melted in the sun so the drink was watered down, then it became warm unless I wanted to suck down a 20 oz vodka and lemonade quickly. After the 2nd day of doing this I decided it was much easier to order a drink at the bar and take it back to room to enjoy while getting ready.

 

Now I will be the first to admit I am not a heavy drinker so maybe someone else wont have the same problems. Upcoming cruise I will just put away a little more to order more drinks onboard. Ended up having to buy a second bag onboard to bring home the alcohol we brought onboard and the Champagne we received as gifts.

[trislow]

We have had luck with rum runners but found we didn't finish all of the booze we brought on and didn't save any on our bar tab but still liked the fact we could have a drink in our room when we wanted it ect.

About the boxed wine, I've heard of people wrapping a box up like a gift in their suitcase. Clever.

I also agree that wine should be allowed on board, I'd even be willing to pay a corkage fee to be able to enjoy my favorite wine while cruising. I'm more of a wine person than a mixed drink person and a more unique selection of wine offered on board would be nice as well.

I know they aren't going to get any substantial booze on board but I thought it was clever, have any of you seen the dram sandals by reef? They hold 3oz of liquid in the heels.

[katstoy]

Just got off the Vision this morning :( and had to pick my bottle of rum up from the confiscated goods table in the terminal. I packed a bottle of rum (regular 750 ml size) and it was taken from my checked luggage and they left a note. A friend's bottle of wine was also taken. I think it's a spring break thing. On a sailing in January I brought two pint sized bottles on board with no problem, again packed in a suitcase. There were about five cases of confiscated booze at the table this morning. A porter passing by jokingly said if I'd checked my bags with him the booze would have made it! I should have remembered his name :D !

[johnlcruise]

Can you actually recommend a boxed wine that is worth trying to smuggle onboard?

 

Some box wines are not too bad. We just want to have wine in the room. So that we can be out on the balcony enjoying the water and getting a cheap buzz.

[bulldogmom1]

Just back from Voyager today and there was plenty of confiscated alcohol.

[MrsPete]

In my opinion and from my experience from my first cruise, going all the way back to the room was a pain. We brought our own travel mugs, made a drink before we left room to have by the pool. EXCEPT... the ice melted in the sun so the drink was watered down, then it became warm unless I wanted to suck down a 20 oz vodka and lemonade quickly. After the 2nd day of doing this I decided it was much easier to order a drink at the bar and take it back to room to enjoy while getting ready.

 

Now I will be the first to admit I am not a heavy drinker so maybe someone else wont have the same problems. Upcoming cruise I will just put away a little more to order more drinks onboard. Ended up having to buy a second bag onboard to bring home the alcohol we brought onboard and the Champagne we received as gifts.

Okay, I can accept plenty of reasons NOT to smuggle: it is against the cruise line's policy, it's possible that your bottles could burst inside your suitcase, etc. . . . but I can't buy into these two reasons. Here's why:

 

1. If you're not a heavy drinker, then going "all the way back to your cabin" isn't going to be a big deal. You make the drink in your travel mug before you head out to the pool. If you're not a heavy drinker, that 20-oz drink's going to last you a while -- especially if it's in a travel mug, which I assume is insulated to keep it cold.

 

2. Ice from your room melts at the same rate as ice from the bar; if you're drinking it by the pool, it's going to have a short lifespan. If you're taking it back to your room, it's going to last longer . . . but either way, ice is ice.

[Bufordite]

Okay, I can accept plenty of reasons NOT to smuggle: it is against the cruise line's policy, it's possible that your bottles could burst inside your suitcase, etc. . . . but I can't buy into these two reasons. Here's why:

 

1. If you're not a heavy drinker, then going "all the way back to your cabin" isn't going to be a big deal. You make the drink in your travel mug before you head out to the pool. If you're not a heavy drinker, that 20-oz drink's going to last you a while -- especially if it's in a travel mug, which I assume is insulated to keep it cold.

 

2. Ice from your room melts at the same rate as ice from the bar; if you're drinking it by the pool, it's going to have a short lifespan. If you're taking it back to your room, it's going to last longer . . . but either way, ice is ice.

 

I think what she was getting at is that it's just not worth the smuggling, going back to the room to mix a drink. I'm pretty much convinced of that myself at this point. I've taken booze on my last 2 cruises and most of it went unused. I like the thought of taking my own more than the reality of it.

[Crosboro]

The mixed drinks are VERY strong. A vodka cran cost $5 but was poured about how a triple at my local bar would be poured. Same with Whiskey soda. In fact, the drinks were so strong I switched to beer! A bucket of five buds was only $23 (including the gratuity) and you could carry it around with you and have the server open them as you needed them.

 

 

There have been a few posts recently that said the drinks were very weak. I'm sure it differs from ship to ship, bar to bar. And I'm convinced that NO ONE puts any alcohol in a Margarita! :rolleyes: Ever try those specials in a casino? HA!

[ccxnola]

Crosboro,

Too bad you have not had the opportunity to enjoy one of the Margaritas I prepare!! :D

[hersheykiss]

just back from Voyager today. our box of wine went thru with no problems. we had wine on the balcony..

[GrannyLala]

When we have been in the Caribbean on a cruise, my DH will buy a flat half pint plastic bottle (or 2) of local rum in port and bring it on board in his pocket. We have never had a problem, because we usually also have other liquor that we check.:)

[Merion_Mom]

Some box wines are not too bad. We just want to have wine in the room. So that we can be out on the balcony enjoying the water and getting a cheap buzz.

 

Wine is the one thing that is easiest to order from RC and have in your cabin. You can do it before your cruise, through Gifts & Gear on the website, or through room service after you have boarded. You can also buy a bottle of wine at the Champagne Bar and take it back to your cabin.

[katstoy]

I've tried the boxed wines at Target and they're not too bad. The Reisling is actually pretty good. I've also tried the Cab/Merlot blend and liked it.

[macskakitty]

Yeah, we are convinced they use a hybrid ice of some sort. The ice in the room melted very quickly, our steward filled it three times a day for us and what we didn't use immediately was water 1 hour later.

 

Even the bud buckets they sell weren't great unless you drink them fast because the ice melted too fast and the beer would warm up a bit.

 

I did enjoy bloody mary's on the balcony in the morning and late night drinks just listening to the waves.

[reverie4401]

I've tried the boxed wines at Target and they're not too bad. The Reisling is actually pretty good. I've also tried the Cab/Merlot blend and liked it.[/quote

 

I enjoy the Black Box California Merlot, also their "Sonoma Merlot" [both far superior to R. Mondavi's Merlot on the Wine and Dine middle package]. We just don't drink much at home and since I prefer a full smooth merlot, and DH likes a chardonay, BB is a perfect solution.

 

The wine manager at a local store reccomended it based on my favorite bottled choices. My DH was not sure he wanted to try the boxed chardonnay until she promised to buy it back from him for her own personal use if he was disappointed.

 

We now buy both varieties by the case when they have promo sales.

 

In years past for long cruises we brought BB for the cabin and our favs for the DR, gladly paying the corkage fee. Once we reached diamond the D Lounge was such a pleasant place for a pre-dinner treat [not the Calterrible, lol] we don't bother bringing our own. With the wine ban we settle for the W&D package and keep one in the cabin just in case.

 

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