Drinking

[G'ma]

No I am 25 years old and my friend is 23 years old. We are both poor college students in dire need of a vacation. We are also going on a 7 day cruise. I also went online to www.ncl.com and could not find anything about drinking coupons. Maybe I am missing it but there was nothing. If anyone knows anything about drinking coupons on the NCL please let me know. Also thank you for responding. :)

 

You actually buy "onboard credit" which will be credited to your onboard account. Here is the info:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=BonVoyageGifts#onboard

[fredman]

No I am 25 years old and my friend is 23 years old. We are both poor college students in dire need of a vacation....:)

 

I stand corrected and apologize!:o:D While I am going to be cruising Carnival, I do like the info from G'ma regarding the buying onboard ship credit. That is even nicer than the idea of coupons - more versatile, no fumbling for coupons or keeping track of them...buying credit up front must be possible with the other cruise lines? I am going to check this out too. I am not a big drinker, but when I want to have some drinks over the course of the cruise, I don't want to be worried about how much I am racking up!:D

[ikelmay]

IF you are caught, it will be confiscated or deystroyed (based on the Cruise line). Based on normal reports on here, I would guess that about 50% of the passengers get caught and the other 50% do not.

 

Just curious, do you have any evidence to support these figures or are you pulling them out of thin air? Judging by my experience on Carnival/ Celebrity/Princess I've seen waaaay more people with their own booze that would support much higher numbers of successful smugglers than you suggest.

[ikelmay]

Oh, and one more thing... the cruise lines DO READ these boards. By announcing where you plan to hide the alcohol, you are simply telling them of your plans as well.

 

Yes, for sure they do read these boards - but you'd have to be a pretty stupid organisation not to be aware of the percentage and degree of alcohol smuggling. Cruise lines make a business decision to either enforce and restrict, or permit a limited amount of smuggling. We all know that they could put a stop to it if they enforced their rules - they choose not to as the downside would be clogged ports, infinitely slower turnaround of the ship due to 100% x-raying and a waste of the limited manpower that they employ pierside.

[Teetype]

I am a first time cruiser and my friend and I are going on a cruise in February 2009 to the bahamas. We are really excited. The only downside is that the drinks are not included. I was wondering since we are young and well do not have a lot of money to spend on drinks. Will they search our bags if we were to slip a bottle in our suitecase and hide it inbetween our clothes and everything and just place a lock on our luggage?? I was wondering if anyone knew anything we could do or if anyone has ever done anything like this before. :rolleyes:

 

Thank you again for your time and help and have a great day!!

 

Princess does allow you to bring on 1 bottle of wine each.

 

Tee

[NCTribeFan]

25 year old college student who can afford a 7-day cruise? Sounds like my daughter and guess who pays for it! :p

 

Seriously, if you can afford a 7-day cruise, you can afford the drinks!

 

On Carnival, you can get the Drink of the Day in the not-fancy glass for only $3.75 (plus tip). I'm not into foo-foo drinks, but always have to have a FunShip just after boarding to get the cruise started off.

 

They also have margaritas and some other drinks (bahama mama, yellow bird, etc) for $4.50 regular price.

 

Beer runs anywhere from $3.75 to $5.95 for a big can of Fosters.

 

I don't imagine the drink prices vary wildly from one cruise line to the next, but it's been awhile since I've sailed another line.

 

After discoving Cruise Critic, I just had to smuggle on a pint of Captain Morgan's when I sailed last December. I made one drink from it. I just couldn't be bothered. And I'm just not one to want to drink heavy booze on hot, sunny days. It just puts me to sleep. I drink mostly wine with dinner and maybe an occasional beer while in port.

 

With the weight restrictions on baggage when flying, who wants to waste valuable luggage space by packing all that booze.

 

Unless you're a really heavy drinker, I just don't think it's worth all the effort. JMHO.

[fredman]

I'm not into foo-foo drinks, but always have to have a FunShip just after boarding to get the cruise started off.

 

This will be my first cruise and I am a big believer in traditions...this sounds like a great way to start the cruise - thanks for a good idea!:D

 

I guess if we were 23 and 25 we might have alcohol as part of the focus of the whole experience - and you know what no criticisms here - I think these folks sound reasonable and looking for ways of stretching their travel dollars while letting off some steam. For me I love a drink or two but I guess once you have gotten near to the half century mark or older, the appeal of over doing it gets diminished in proportion to the real recovery time that we older folks endure, it can take up to two days!:(

[dreamsofstars]

25 year old college student who can afford a 7-day cruise? Sounds like my daughter and guess who pays for it! :p

 

Seriously, if you can afford a 7-day cruise, you can afford the drinks!

 

On Carnival, you can get the Drink of the Day in the not-fancy glass for only $3.75 (plus tip). I'm not into foo-foo drinks, but always have to have a FunShip just after boarding to get the cruise started off.

 

They also have margaritas and some other drinks (bahama mama, yellow bird, etc) for $4.50 regular price.

 

Beer runs anywhere from $3.75 to $5.95 for a big can of Fosters.

 

I don't imagine the drink prices vary wildly from one cruise line to the next, but it's been awhile since I've sailed another line.

 

After discoving Cruise Critic, I just had to smuggle on a pint of Captain Morgan's when I sailed last December. I made one drink from it. I just couldn't be bothered. And I'm just not one to want to drink heavy booze on hot, sunny days. It just puts me to sleep. I drink mostly wine with dinner and maybe an occasional beer while in port.

 

With the weight restrictions on baggage when flying, who wants to waste valuable luggage space by packing all that booze.

 

Unless you're a really heavy drinker, I just don't think it's worth all the effort. JMHO.

 

 

As nice as it sounds, trust me we really really can not afford this cruise. We are just two very very lucky ladies...We work for a hotel and when we do well at our hotel we earn points which in then can be turned into cash. Those points mainly paying for our cruise. None the less we got the cruise online for 399...

 

But thank you for the advice and we are trying to save our money along with gaining more points from the hotel we work for. :D :D

[NCTribeFan]

$399 for a 7-night?!? Good for you! I'm thrilled that I got my upcoming 5-nighter for $299.

 

If you're driving to port and don't have to worry about airline baggage fees, then stuffing those bottles into your luggage makes a little more sense. Check all the smuggling threads for ideas. If you get caught, they take it away. It's not like they don't let you on the ship.

 

I end up drinking more on the cruise than I normally do, just because I like to have wine with dinner, then, of course, if we go to a show, or to the casino, I have another glass. Or two.

 

At my age (I'm past the half-centry mark), I end up with a hangover even if I didn't drink enough to get a buzz. That is not fair! :p

 

You'll have a blast! If you haven't done so, check the Save Money on Your Cruise board for other ideas.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=71

[islesfan4lyf]

The cruise lines are very strict about their no alcohol policy. Most cruise lines run your luggage through a scanner and if they find anything that remotely looks like alcohol, they will hold your luggage.

 

You didn't mention which cruise line you are on, but on NCL, for example, your luggage will be taken to one of the conference rooms (nicknamed the "naughty room"). You will then be told to come to the room to claim your luggage. You will have to unlock your luggage and it will be searched. If it is found, it will be confiscated. Some cruise lines will return it to you on the last day of the cruise, others will dispose of it.

 

Some cruise lines allow wine if you pay a corkage fee. ($15 per bottle on NCL). But beer and hard liquor are very much forbidden.

 

Oh, and one more thing... the cruise lines DO READ these boards. By announcing where you plan to hide the alcohol, you are simply telling them of your plans as well.

 

false...ive done it every time

[eandj]

Thank you this is a good idea and working so far. :)

 

 

Another thing you and your friend might want to do is look for the powdered mixes in the liquor stores. My husband bought a couple envelopes of the margaritas just to test. They actually weren't bad. You could carry on a pint of tequila and a bunch of the mixes. Would be much lighter than carrying on the liquid mix. Mix it up in the room, carry it in an insulated travel mug and you are set for the poolside. I've seen people fill their cups with the complimentary lemonade or punch, and pull out a pint of vodka from their beach bag right at the pool and sip away. No one says anything and they are saving money. Don't see it as a big deal.

[Wormy53]

Last time I was on NCL, you could order liter bottles ahead of time to have in your room by e-mailing shipcoordinator.com. This was much cheaper than buying their drinks and you can get what you want without having to drag it onboard :D

[fredman]

....Mix it up in the room, carry it in an insulated travel mug and you are set for the poolside. I've seen people fill their cups with the complimentary lemonade or punch, and pull out a pint of vodka from their beach bag right at the pool and sip away. No one says anything and they are saving money. Don't see it as a big deal.

 

How about using a brown paper bag - that is cheaper than a beach bag?:D What folks either don't know, don't care is that as a business the cruise line industry sets their profit margins in part, on how much alcohol passengers will buy, and how much other products and services they will buy over and above the purchase of their cruise. They set the Terms and Conditions and of your CONTRACT and when you (acceptance of the offer) purchase a ticket you are agreeing to all terms and conditions as set out in the policies. Whether they monitor these boards or not is not material to the point. When you buy that ticket with the terms and conditions attached you are agreeing to abide with them.

 

By ignoring or being ignorant of your (policy) you are breaking the Terms and Conditions of the contract. Hence they can impose the penalties as stipulated in your contract. Also, in effect you are actions enable the cruise lines consider a number of options in response to the loss of profit - they can continue to raise the prices of cruises including other products and services or become more efficient in checking for contraband booze. Yup someone was right when they said that it's difficult for them to check every bag of every passenger - but give them time and technology - they will find a way.

 

So how much do you save on a Cruise by smuggling drinks? $200 or more? For me I pay my cruise in installments, because my disposable income is such that I can't afford to pay it all at once (and I refuse to put it on plastic! :D ). Why not consider putting aside $20/$30 a month a year before your cruise as your margarita slush fund! No hassles, no worries about sneaking liquor - my gawd I gave up that silliness of sneaking booze and trying to find someone to bootleg liquor for me years ago - when when I was a teenager!:eek:

[Teetype]

As nice as it sounds, trust me we really really can not afford this cruise. We are just two very very lucky ladies...We work for a hotel and when we do well at our hotel we earn points which in then can be turned into cash. Those points mainly paying for our cruise. None the less we got the cruise online for 399...

 

But thank you for the advice and we are trying to save our money along with gaining more points from the hotel we work for. :D :D

 

Hi Dreams!

 

I really think it's terrific that you and your friend are taking this little bit and doing something that will undoubtedly be a grand memory for the rest of your lives!

 

A couple of people have mentioned this, but I'd like to reiterate it. Through the website of your cruise line, or over the telephone, you can add money to your shipboard account ahead of time. Usually the minimum amount is $25.00. If you and your friend each chip in $12.50-25.00 (better yet, more!) a month from now til it's time to cruise, you should have a nice nest egg waiting for you when you board. And it will be safe from throwing it away on things like groceries and telephone bills before you go. *grin*

 

A couple of ways to get the money together:

 

Have a change jar. (ok it's as old as cruising, but it works!)

Have a car wash (or 5!)

Have a lawn/garage sale.

Sell back old textbooks.

Put up a note on the supermarket bulletin board to...

...walk dogs.

...paint houses, fences, whatever.

...babysit, house sit, pet sit.

...tutor (elementary through college)

...wrap holiday gifts at the person's home.

...deliver groceries.

...use your imagination!

 

Whatever the activity, make it something outside the norm with the idea that 100% of it goes for this marvelous adventure.

 

Keep those dreams rolling and journey safely!

Tee

[dreamsofstars]

$399 for a 7-night?!? Good for you! I'm thrilled that I got my upcoming 5-nighter for $299.

 

If you're driving to port and don't have to worry about airline baggage fees, then stuffing those bottles into your luggage makes a little more sense. Check all the smuggling threads for ideas. If you get caught, they take it away. It's not like they don't let you on the ship.

 

I end up drinking more on the cruise than I normally do, just because I like to have wine with dinner, then, of course, if we go to a show, or to the casino, I have another glass. Or two.

 

At my age (I'm past the half-centry mark), I end up with a hangover even if I didn't drink enough to get a buzz. That is not fair! :p

 

You'll have a blast! If you haven't done so, check the Save Money on Your Cruise board for other ideas.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

 

thank you!! we are excited because this is really a first for us. Hey do they have nets up all around the cruise? I noticed in a few pics there were nets.

 

and I came up with a pretty good idea on my own that they will never know... :)

[dreamsofstars]

$399 for a 7-night?!? Good for you! I'm thrilled that I got my upcoming 5-nighter for $299.

 

If you're driving to port and don't have to worry about airline baggage fees, then stuffing those bottles into your luggage makes a little more sense. Check all the smuggling threads for ideas. If you get caught, they take it away. It's not like they don't let you on the ship.

 

I end up drinking more on the cruise than I normally do, just because I like to have wine with dinner, then, of course, if we go to a show, or to the casino, I have another glass. Or two.

 

At my age (I'm past the half-centry mark), I end up with a hangover even if I didn't drink enough to get a buzz. That is not fair! :p

 

You'll have a blast! If you haven't done so, check the Save Money on Your Cruise board for other ideas.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

 

thank you!! we are excited because this is really a first for us. Hey do they have nets up all around the cruise? I noticed in a few pics there were nets.

 

and I came up with a pretty good idea on my own that they will never know... :)

[dreamsofstars]

$399 for a 7-night?!? Good for you! I'm thrilled that I got my upcoming 5-nighter for $299.

 

If you're driving to port and don't have to worry about airline baggage fees, then stuffing those bottles into your luggage makes a little more sense. Check all the smuggling threads for ideas. If you get caught, they take it away. It's not like they don't let you on the ship.

 

I end up drinking more on the cruise than I normally do, just because I like to have wine with dinner, then, of course, if we go to a show, or to the casino, I have another glass. Or two.

 

At my age (I'm past the half-centry mark), I end up with a hangover even if I didn't drink enough to get a buzz. That is not fair! :p

 

You'll have a blast! If you haven't done so, check the Save Money on Your Cruise board for other ideas.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

 

thank you!! we are excited because this is really a first for us. Hey do they have nets up all around the cruise? I noticed in a few pics there were nets.

 

and I came up with a pretty good idea on my own that they will never know... :)

[dreamsofstars]

How about using a brown paper bag - that is cheaper than a beach bag?:D What folks either don't know, don't care is that as a business the cruise line industry sets their profit margins in part, on how much alcohol passengers will buy, and how much other products and services they will buy over and above the purchase of their cruise. They set the Terms and Conditions and of your CONTRACT and when you (acceptance of the offer) purchase a ticket you are agreeing to all terms and conditions as set out in the policies. Whether they monitor these boards or not is not material to the point. When you buy that ticket with the terms and conditions attached you are agreeing to abide with them.

 

By ignoring or being ignorant of your (policy) you are breaking the Terms and Conditions of the contract. Hence they can impose the penalties as stipulated in your contract. Also, in effect you are actions enable the cruise lines consider a number of options in response to the loss of profit - they can continue to raise the prices of cruises including other products and services or become more efficient in checking for contraband booze. Yup someone was right when they said that it's difficult for them to check every bag of every passenger - but give them time and technology - they will find a way.

 

So how much do you save on a Cruise by smuggling drinks? $200 or more? For me I pay my cruise in installments, because my disposable income is such that I can't afford to pay it all at once (and I refuse to put it on plastic! :D ). Why not consider putting aside $20/$30 a month a year before your cruise as your margarita slush fund! No hassles, no worries about sneaking liquor - my gawd I gave up that silliness of sneaking booze and trying to find someone to bootleg liquor for me years ago - when when I was a teenager!:eek:

 

 

 

well good thing we are not teenagers and do not need people to buy our liquor for us. :) WE are young and we are looking to have fun and I see no problem trying to save money. this is an opportunity for us to have some fun and not have to deal with working 40 hours a week and going to college full time and yet still trying to manage everything else on our own. So I am sorry that you feel that way, but if we have too we will save whenever and wherever we can.

 

 

Yes the 20 or 30 bucks sounds great....but still hard due to gas and everything else going up...yes poor excuse but still a true one in our situation.

[Teetype]

thank you!! we are excited because this is really a first for us. Hey do they have nets up all around the cruise? I noticed in a few pics there were nets.

 

and I came up with a pretty good idea on my own that they will never know... :)

 

Uhm, nets? I have no idea what you mean.

 

The ideas I gave were ways that you could have the great time you want and do it without any 'smuggling' or 'sneaking.' Just fun ways to have your beer and drink it too? :)

 

Tee

[bobnatt]

There is a fool proof way that I thought of when i took my daughter , her husband and three infant grandchildren on an NCL cruise last year. Fill a number of the infants milk bottles with liquor and mix those bottles in with the rest of the infant supplies you will bring on board. The security folks at the gang way never questioned any of the liquid items in my daughter's baby supply bag that she brought everywhere.

 

Just remember to remove those bottles as soon as you get to your cabin as you would not want to make a mistake and accidentally feed infants liquor.

[satxdiver]

Man has been smuggling alcohol (and other contraband items) past the authorities for centuries. CC has thousands of posts on how people smuggle their alcohol aboard. It goes on and the cruise lines know it. They may try to limit it by using scare tactics and of course there is the "naughty room". As long as there are pax there will be smuggled alcohol. It has become a game actually .. us against the cruise lines.

 

When a ship comes into port at the end of a cruise they only have a matter of hours to unload literally thousands of pieces of luggage and then reload thousands more. They simply do not have enough time to check them all. The best they can do is select samples and maybe catch a few unlucky pax while the vast majority escape. The odds are heavy on your side.

 

To the smugglers of the world, I raise a toast in your honor.

[fredman]

"Man has been smuggling alcohol (and other contraband items) past the authorities for centuries. CC has thousands of posts on how people smuggle their alcohol aboard.....The odds are heavy on your side.

 

To the smugglers of the world, I raise a toast in your honor."

 

well good thing we are not teenagers and do not need people to buy our liquor for us. :) WE are young and we are looking to have fun and I see no problem trying to save money. this is an opportunity for us to have some fun and not have to deal with working 40 hours a week and going to college full time and yet still trying to manage everything else on our own. So I am sorry that you feel that way, but if we have too we will save whenever and wherever we can.....

 

:D satxdiver and dreamsofstars, please don't get me wrong...I am just providing an alternate view. :p :) :D Perhaps I am too chicken to even try and just find it less stressful and easier to pay as you go. ;)

 

Dreamofstars as a college student you can appreciate the alternate view! I too did the University thing for seven years - so I really understand the difficult times financially you are going through, but it will be well worth it when you are done and wish you well in your chosen career. Hopefully in time you will be able to cruise more easily. You deserve a good break - some folks don't understand the work load at college - papers, tests etc.

 

I too will raise a toast to all cruisers - if you need to smuggle you need to smuggle. Whatever works for you! Doesn't work for me but that is okay!

[98Charlie]

Just some random thoughts:

 

• As mentioned, NCL does sell bottles to be in your cabin when you arrive. We have used this before and had no problem with the delivery. It is more expensive than buying at your local liquor store but less hassle and worry than bringing it in your luggage.
   
  
• General reports from some is that younger cruisers during the spring break period especially are more likely to have their luggage checked. It would be more difficult to know which checked luggage belongs to a younger cruiser but the carryons may receive extra scrutiny.
   
  
• Miniatures hide well. But if you want to take enough to equal a full 750ml it's probably just as cost effective to order through the cruise line.
   
  
• Prepaying or saving a special fund is a great idea. I doubt that you'll really want to go to your cabin to fix a drink when you are having a good time in one of the lounges or at a show. You can check your shipboard account at the purser's desk whenever you want to to help keep your budget under control.
  

Hope you both have the time of your life.

 

Charlie