Any idea's on how to smuggle alcohol onto a Cruise Ship? I'll be going on the Carnival Inspiration.?

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shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

I have brought it on a few times in my luggage. I packed it with the shampoos and what not, get plastic bottles though just in case. Drink prices on the ships are comparable with that in most bars and I actually found them to be pretty reasonable to the point I dont even bother brining any on anymore.

The D

You shouldn't have any problems if you pack it in your checked luggage, everyone does it. Don't carry it on. And remember to get plastic bottles and zip-loc them so they don't leak. Also, every passenger is allowed to carry on one bottle of wine.

Check the boards at www.cruisecritic.com for more tips and the FAQ's at www.carnival.com for more info on smuggling and the official policy, respectively.

Obama Happends

You can pack reasonable (1-2 bottles) amount in your suitcases, done it myself many times. Check-in your suitcases before boarding the ship, do not take them with you

emtp911

I just came back from a cruise 2 days ago
All the answers have good info for getting alcohol on the ship. Have used these methods without getting caught.
The drinks on the ship can be expensive. But they do have the drink of the day that is at a lower price. You can buy the souvenir glass and get it refilled for $XX dollars too. All the drinks have a 15% gratuity on there. You can go to guest services and have that adjusted higher, lower or have it removed.
As far as excursions go, if you are looking for the beach scene this is the best place for you. 7 mile beach in Grand Cayman is awesome.
For me in Cozumal, I have been there 6 times and the best one for me was the Mexican cooking experience. When it 1st came out the tour was $50, now it's $80. but they take you to a huge beach that I can't think of the name. You have swimming, water volleyball & trampolines, parasailing and different kids of water actitivies there
The cooking is where you have a "chef" guide you through cooking your meal that you will be eating. When I went drinks were included.
Most of all get back to the ship on time. If you take a cruise ship sponsored tour and the tour is late, they will wait on you. If you go out on your own and you are late, they will NOT wait on you and you will be looking for a flight to the next port @ your expense.
Have a good time

dMae712

I heard you can bring your own wine but just pay the corking fee, which is far more less than buying the wine from the ship.

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

People who are successful at that do so by packing the liquor in their checked luggage. NEVER try to carry in on board in a carry on bag. Also, consider buying and packing pint bottles, in lieu of fifths and pack them in a zip bag with your toiletries. Or buy some mini's and pack them too.

The best thing for me in Grand Cayman is to just go to 7-Mile beach. You can catch a mini-bus/taxi right at the pier and it cost $4.00 or $5.00 per person each way, depending upon which beach you want to go to. Most any beach is good and at them you will find jet ski rentals, para-sailing, bologna boat ride, sail boat rentals and all other types of stuff. So you can spend a hundred bucks of so and go swim with dolphins or stingrays, or go for five buck and swim with people.

Cozumel is the place where you want to snorkel. Or just go to the beach. There are some Mayan ruins on the island but the best ruins are on the mainland. The tour to Chichen Itza is the place to go to see Mayan ruins. Its an all day trip that will cost about $100.

my4sonsnme

You are young, and carnival is trying to "clean up" their drunken image. They WILL be looking for it. The key is to pack in small containers. No one takes a 1/2 gallon of mouthwash for a week, right? Pack in smaller containers accordingly.

They now XRay the ship's checked bags, so don't make it obvious. Pack a bottle, wrap in a Tshirt, and ziplock it in a baggie. Leaks are protected then. That is for 1st day boarding....

For the stops- Buy a refillable "beach bottle" in colored plastic at Walmart, like 1/2 liter size, and get cheap booze ashore and fill that bottle. Again, if it is packed with standard "beach" gear, no one will look. That way, you replenish your supply. :)

MUST DO- sting ray city snorkel in Grand Cayman (FIRST thing in the morning), with 2 additional reefs stops- book independent ashore with the guys waiting for you. Then on the bus ride back, ask to be dropped at 7 mile beach. Hang out and catch a taxi back to the ship....

nevrgru

Having grown up in Fairport, NY - I feel your pain! Now that I live in San Diego since '78 I'm just about thaw'd out!
I have been on about 5-6 cruises and have brought my own alcohol each time with no problem, always in checked luggage. We bring a bag of chard. wine, plastic bottles of rum, and vodka as the norm., we also fill water bottles in port with what ever we want and bring them back on w/ our beach gear. When we flew to Fort Lauderdale to cruise we packed the same in our luggage and bought more at a liquor store before going to the port, and filled our carry ons. That time the guys who get your luggage helped themselves to 2 cans of beer...only incident we've had. I do wrap bottles in towels and other clothes. We you get to your room tip your room steward 10-20 bucks up front and tell him to keep the ice flowing...they are grateful and don't rat you out,so that you can set up your bar in the room w/out hiding it! We are leaving sunday for a cruise to the mexican riviera and will do all of the above once again! If you have time go to a tanning booth a few times to get a base tan so you don't fry your first days in the sun, believe me, we live in ca. and do it and never regret it. My other half didn't do it last summer and fried in cabo.
In the Grand Caymans we rented our own mopeds and took off on our own, found great beaches w/out people (secluded if your traveling w/ a partner) fun for friends too, and restaurants for plenty of drinks and great food, would do it next time we go, watch your time though we had to race back to the ship and barely made it...added to the adventure!
In cozamel we have done the ruins and dune buggy adventures, had fun at both - food wasn't to good at the dune buggy beach stop...buy a waterbottle on the ship w/ the strap, usually w/ a black sleeve (worth the price)so you can fill it with alcohol of choice for the day, they never question them when getting back on the ship. sorry this was soooooo long but wanted to give you some peace of mind on the smuggling thing, it's not big deal....!!Have a great time!!!

Chris S

GEET REEF SANDALS-- THE KIND THAT HAS THE REMOVABLE CONTAINER FOR LIQUIDS IN THE BOTTOM

http://www.gadling.com/2007/03/27/get-drunk-on-the-beach-booze-holding-sandal/

randall_nd

Just put it in your checked luggage. Everyone does it. In your stateroom, just put it in the cabinet right beside your hotel safe. Even if the cabin steward would see it, they aren't going to do anything. They aren't very strict about things like that. They want you to have the best time possible and be a repeat guest. Last year, I "borrowed" some Tobasco sauce from the lido deck restaurant at noon and ordered tomato juice from room service that night (room service doesn't cost extra) Then I made bloody marys in our room with gin I bought in Fargo the day before we flew to San Diago. I did return the Tobasco sauce before debarkation. Bon Voyage!!!

las vegas golfer

IF YOU ARE BRINGING BROWN LIQUOR ON BOARD, A LISTERINE BOTTLE HAS ALWAYS WORKED FOR ME... JUST REMEMBER THAT IF YOU GET CAUGHT YOU CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE SHIP WITH NO REFUND AT WHAT-EVER PORT YOU ARE AT... (IS IT WORTH IT ?) JUST HAVE FUN AND SPEND WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD, GET DRUNK IN PORT WHERE THE DRINKS ARE A BIT LESS-PRICEY...

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