CAUGHT SMUGGLING ALCOHOL on RCCL????

[BND]

There are signs at Cape Liberty that confiscated alcohol will NOT be returned. I always wondered why they felt they had to keep track of contraband for those doing what they knew was a risk.;)

[mamapan]

Ok - this is what I think that people want - just the facts. "WILL I BE SORRY?"

 

No opinions, rules, strutting, preaching, or flaming! Just "WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO YOU OR A FELLOW CRUISER ON A PAST RCCL CRUISE?"

I was foolish enough to ask the "A" question once myself, and have since seen so many people stumble into the trap; ramblings about sinning, bubble wrap, zip-lock bags, duct tape, trhe "RULES," what should or shouldn't happen, the cost of on-board booze, having to hit on older women for cruise bar drinks (!?!), and the basic personal character flaws of their fellow cruise posters.

The real question is: Did you see it happen or experience it yourself - and what was the outcome? Did you get away with it? Was it condoned (wink, wink) by cruise staff? Were you scolded? Were you humiliated at the dock? Pilloried at the Meet & Mingle? Crucified by Cruise Critics? Escorted off the ship by AA? Come'on, help us out here - Spill the beans! We're all grown ups! (Kinda)

Then let each decide his own fate....

In other words, are there any good stories out there?

 

I used rum runners successfully last cruise.

 

Our friends successfully got a bottle of champagne through in their suitcase.

 

On our anniversary one year, the folks on the excursion we were on gave us a bottle of champagne. We got to security and they said that we couldn't take it back to our room. We whined and complained a little that it was our anniversary and that it was a gift from the people on the excursion. They let us through without any further hassle.

 

LESSON: It's all random.

[CruiseandCruise]

On two cruises (1CC, 1RCL) I packed two 2 liter bottles in my checked luggage. No problems either time. my bag on Carnival didn't show up and i had to call guest svs. turns out my luggage tag had come off.it did have me worried as this was my first attempt.

 

Both times I've purchased the vodka in plastic bottles, don't know if that has mattered, and i wrap it in my beach towel.

 

yeah it's a lot of booze....don't judge. Just join the party :)

[skandls]

Old thread please retire -

[richstowe]

I will not be specific and this is based on a single cruise BUT RCI seems to be much more interested in stopping

alcohol on initial boarding then on subsequent boardings. A backpack was all that was needed.

Perhaps things are different on European cruises.

[BND]

Old thread please retire -

 

Why? Because you say so? LOL

 

Don't read it.

[rubrrick]

Why? Because you say so? LOL

 

Don't read it.

 

Old thread, nicely revived! Always interesting reading.:D

 

I, for one, would love to see Royal Caribbean bring back some sort of "onboard purchase" program of containers of libations that can be enjoyed in the privacy of ones cabin, while getting ready for dinner, etc.

 

It's sad to see what one person can do (the Smith case) to create a situation that has created everything from people smuggling to those that are so Holy that they condem any one that bends any rules pertaining to alcohol.

 

I had a bag that wound up on deck one early last year. What they found was a water bottle, that was not quite full (my DW uses water bottles every day.......she never got used to a glass and water) that the security people pulled from my bag, shook it up, then asked if I would open the top for them, so that they could smell the contents.

 

Satisfied that it was just water, I was allowed to re zip and lock my bag, and was told that I could take it to my cabin.

 

What I saw in that area on deck 1, was a long line of people waiting to identify their bags, and a large area of confiscated bottles, rumrunners, listerine bottles, and the list goes on.

 

Meanwhile, in our cabin, my DW was enjoying a vodka and mango juice, that she had brought aboard in her carry on.:eek::D;)

 

The only message that I can give to Royal Caribbean is.......treat us like children, and we shall act like children. Treat us like adults, and provide better service, and we shall act like adults and purchase products onboard.:)

 

Rick

[BND]

I am a big rule follower, but the main reason we don't "smuggle" is that it's heavy to carry and just a pain. It's flat out just easier to buy onboard. On Carnival you can buy for your cabin, which we might do next spring, but the reality is, we don't drink that many mixed drinks. We drink wine and frozen drinks usually.

 

John Heald on Carnival just posted on FB in the last couple of days that he didnt' know what Rum Runners were. Several people were helpful and told him. He said, now the "graybeards" at CCL are aware and will be on the outlook for them strapped to legs, etc. So many believe that the cruiselines monitor the boards. If they did as much as thought this wouldn't be news to them.

 

I don't think it's about treating people as adults vs children. If they allow a certain amount of alcohol, then those that currently smuggle would try to bring more onboard than allowed. For some, it's flat out about breaking/cheating the rules. It's not always about the alcohol.

[rubrrick]

I am a big rule follower, but the main reason we don't "smuggle" is that it's heavy to carry and just a pain. It's flat out just easier to buy onboard. On Carnival you can buy for your cabin, which we might do next spring, but the reality is, we don't drink that many mixed drinks. We drink wine and frozen drinks usually.

 

John Heald on Carnival just posted on FB in the last couple of days that he didnt' know what Rum Runners were. Several people were helpful and told him. He said, now the "graybeards" at CCL are aware and will be on the outlook for them strapped to legs, etc. So many believe that the cruiselines monitor the boards. If they did as much as thought this wouldn't be news to them.

 

I don't think it's about treating people as adults vs children. If they allow a certain amount of alcohol, then those that currently smuggle would try to bring more onboard than allowed. For some, it's flat out about breaking/cheating the rules. It's not always about the alcohol.

 

 

I'm glad that you said "For some, it's flat out about breaking/cheating the rules."

 

So, kind sir, could you explain to me why Royal Caribbean has the "no alcohol (except wine) in the cabin rule.....when Celebrity..a division of RCCL......does not. Celebrity allows liquor to be purchased onboard for in cabin consumption.

 

The only reason that I bring the children vs adult treatment up.....is that children have to obey many more rules, as they are growing up......than do adults. Hopefully the child's parents brought them up to understand and obey rules.

 

There are different rules applied to adults than to children. Some of Royal Caribbeans rules look like they apply more to children than adults.

 

However, when you talk about the excess weight of someone smuggling, you must be talking gallons.....not a pint.:)

 

Rick

[princess lala]

The experience my family had just a few weeks ago on the Freedom was this:

My parents packed a 30 pack of beer in one of the suitcases. (didnt even take it out of the packaging) and when we got to the room later that day they had not taken the beer.

[dancinman66]

Hi all

I always pack grog of all sorts in check in with no problem

and always buy more at varying ports on numerous cruise lines

never had a problem

 

even have gotten on board at a port with a backpack chockers with grog plus two more six packs and three more bottles of wine in shopping bags

 

gave a bottle to a cute security guard and only had to get approval for her to accept it from me

they are always helpfull

 

only seen young people caught and also certain cruises are more of a problem

 

heres to drinking - I give regular gifts to my steward/ess and waiter/ress throughout cruises

 

find what they like and get it and give to them

 

never a problem

 

Greg:)

[CruisinNole]

John Heald on Carnival just posted on FB in the last couple of days that he didnt' know what Rum Runners were. Several people were helpful and told him. He said, now the "graybeards" at CCL are aware and will be on the outlook for them strapped to legs, etc. So many believe that the cruiselines monitor the boards. If they did as much as thought this wouldn't be news to them.

 

Maybe Carnival doesn't know about Rum Runners but Celebrity does. I was told by a Cruise Director on a recent cruise while at the Cruise Connection get together that they monitor the boards and were well aware of what Rum Runners were.

[richstowe]

John Heald on Carnival just posted on FB in the last couple of days that he didnt' know what Rum Runners were. Several people were helpful and told him. He said, now the "graybeards" at CCL are aware and will be on the outlook for them strapped to legs, etc. So many believe that the cruiselines monitor the boards. If they did as much as thought this wouldn't be news to them.

I like Healds blog but he lies like a rug. Don't understand why, but people have posted on his site in the past to brag about about using rum runners.

This was not the first time he has gotten this info.

 

Back to RCI ,I would be happy to order a whole bottle if that option was available. The system works well on Carnival.

People bitch on the Carnival board that they charge too much. For a Quebecer, the prices aren't bad. Certainly cheaper then by the drink.

[wendyatpml]

If you read in the brochures, Celebrity says that you can bring two bottles of wine per person on board at the start of the cruise only. Royal Caribbean said no wine allowed to be brought on. I did have two bottles in my carryon. They made me open my bad and took one. They never saw the other. I have sent through wine through checked luggage.

 

I have heard that they don't see wine if it is the box kind.

[BND]

I'm glad that you said "For some, it's flat out about breaking/cheating the rules."

 

So, kind sir, could you explain to me why Royal Caribbean has the "no alcohol (except wine) in the cabin rule.....when Celebrity..a division of RCCL......does not. Celebrity allows liquor to be purchased onboard for in cabin consumption.

 

The only reason that I bring the children vs adult treatment up.....is that children have to obey many more rules, as they are growing up......than do adults. Hopefully the child's parents brought them up to understand and obey rules.

 

There are different rules applied to adults than to children. Some of Royal Caribbeans rules look like they apply more to children than adults.

 

However, when you talk about the excess weight of someone smuggling, you must be talking gallons.....not a pint.:)

 

Rick

 

First, I'm not a sir. I think my husband might be a little shocked if I were.

 

Second, I have no ideas why they have the rules, except "their house, their rules".

 

Third, I'm so glad you're glad I said "some". Really? It makes my day. :rolleyes:

 

As for excess weight, every pound counts and every pint takes up space.

[Tucker in Texas]

If you read in the brochures, Celebrity says that you can bring two bottles of wine per person on board at the start of the cruise only. .

 

Actually, it is two bottles per cabin, not person. However, you and your traveling partner can get in separate lines and get two bottles each through I have heard. They made me open my carry-on to show them it wasn't hooch.

 

Tucker in Texas

[rubrrick]

First, I'm not a sir. I think my husband might be a little shocked if I were.

 

Second, I have no ideas why they have the rules, except "their house, their rules".

 

Third, I'm so glad you're glad I said "some". Really? It makes my day. :rolleyes:

 

As for excess weight, every pound counts and every pint takes up space.

 

That's nice.......maam!

[BND]

That's nice.......maam!

 

You asked.

[NorthTXRanchers]

Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas (4 Day Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale) -- June 2010: Smuggled six original glass bottles of alcohol on board, hidden in three different suitcases (four people in our party). None detected or seized. :)

 

Carnival Conquest (8 Day Eastern Caribbean out of NYC) -- 2009: Smuggled the same amount/configuration of alcohol in. None detected or seized.:)

 

Carnival Victory (7 Day Caribbean out of New Orleans) -- 2007: Smuggled one large bottle of Scope in (filled with tinted coconut run ... no minty taste but I soaked/cleaned the bottle for a good week prior). Nothing detected or seized. :) NOTE: My brother packed two extra suitcases of gallon bottles of alcohol on board without attempting to hide anything. Nothing detected/seized. :D

 

Carnival Conquest (7 Day Eastern Caribbean out of Miami) -- 2006: No attempt on our first cruise. :o

[Gone Fishing]

Second, I have no ideas why they have the rules, except "their house, their rules".

 

Not to get in the middle but .... Money is why they have the rules and it increases revenue by selling more drinks. If people still cruise RCI then it was a good move for the company.

[Pitbull1130]

On my last trip on the Radiance two of my bags were sent to the naughty room. One had a six pack of diet 7up, I say they are watching more than ever............

[Sweet Carolina Girl]

Old thread, nicely revived! Always interesting reading.:D

 

The only message that I can give to Royal Caribbean is.......treat us like children, and we shall act like children. Treat us like adults, and provide better service, and we shall act like adults and purchase products onboard.:)

 

Rick

 

 

Well said!;)

[bibbysnow]

I sailed on Explorer 8/21/11 and had twelve 16 ounce diet pepsis in one suitcase and six 16 ounce diet pepsis in another and had no problem.

 

We had alot of space in our suitcases at the end of the cruise.

[Sequim88]

It's not always about the alcohol.

 

RCI is so contradictory about their policies it's hard to tell what it really IS all about.

 

- Can't bring your own on... probably about revenue

- Can't buy bottle onboard for use in cabin... probably about Smith case

- BUT...can buy drinks at bars to take to cabin or get from room service - more about revenue

- BUT... reports are they monitor consumption (SeaPass charges) - again Smith?

- BUT... you can buy multiple "straight" drinks at bars and pour in to flask for later consumption in cabin that they can't monitor - back to being about revenue? If so then there is no point to not selling bottle for use in cabin except that a bottle, bought a drink at a time, would be might expensive. Revenue again.

 

The big thing lost in all this is the irritation and inconvenience for their customers. It would be a huge win-win for them to just give in and sell bottles (even limited and controlled such as one per cabin per cruise or week). Passengers would be happier, smuggling would dwindle and revenue would be more than with all the smuggling. I note this on my comment cards at cruise end every time. Smuggling might be reduced enough to close the "naughty room" altogether - except for Spring break and possible extra scrutiny of underage cruisers.

[bamboo29]

On my last trip on the Radiance two of my bags were sent to the naughty room. One had a six pack of diet 7up, I say they are watching more than ever............

 

...and what happened? Did they keep the soda or return it or what??