How to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship?

Question

Yes, I know it sounds ghetto but I'm trying to save $ before Christmas.

By the way - I'm not paying for this cruise. It was won. My husband & I have 2 children whom we devote our lives to & deserve a break w/out spending an arm & leg on a FEW drinks. X-mas gifts for our kids come before our fun.

Answer 1

It's funny how some people seem to think that just because you booked a cruise you can "afford" the onboard ammenities? I have seen people get on a ship and forget what things cost and get a bill they can't afford on that last night of the cruise. Wanting to save money is just normal and the cruise line charges considerably more then the "duty-free" price as suggested earlier (Sorry $4.50-$10 a drink is not cheap). OK, Off the soap box.

A lot of the suggestions made earlier work for a lot of people but they are all easily detectible by x-ray machines, it just depends on if your bag is selected for a more detailed check, we know that this does happen because it has happened to us on both the Royal Caribbean & NCL lines, fortunately the bottles & cans they detected were soda, which was no problem, but they did not detect the rum & vodka that we did have in our bags.

What we did was pour the alcohol into a seal-a-meal or vacume seal type bag and sealed it closed (These are not the zip-lock type bags, these are bags that are heat sealed cutting down on the possibility of leaks. To be safe we then put the sealed bags into zip lock bags just to protect them and stuffed then between layers of our clothing. Because the liquid was in bags rather then a hard plastic bottle they were not as easily spotted in the x-ray and when they hand checked our bags because they detected the bottles and cans we did have they did not feel it either. Once we got on board we just cut open the bugs and poured them into water bottles to use for the rest of the cruise.

Answer 2

I usually wrap a couple bottles in heavy hunting socks so the don't break and wrap them in a plastic bag and put it in my luggage after 12 cruises I have never once had a problem or even been questioned. Just don't over do it and you should not have a problem either.

Answer 3

Use empty mouthwash bottles. If you use clear bottles, dye it the color the mouthwash would usually be. But the best way is to use the opaque bottles, like the Crest whitening mouthwash. We did it to sneak alcohol on to a cruise last spring and it worked.

Good luck!

Answer 4

It depends on the cruise line -- some are "forgiving" about bringing alcohol on board and others will go through every part of your luggage ....

If you're traveling on a Royal Caribbean / Celebrity ship or NCL, my suggestion is to forget it. The security folks know all the "tricks."

If you're traveling on Princess or HAL you may have better luck -- try "concealing" it in your carry on bag.

Good luck!

Answer 5

In most cruise lines the crew and staff can buy booze at the duty free shop, usually 1 litter per week.
Give cash to your cabin steward and ask him to get you a bottle.
Its very cheap and they get 20% off...
So the price would be good, you dont have to carry and they do it gladly.

Answer 6

We always bring our own booze on the ship. I bring Vodka in a Club Soda (plastic) bottle. My husband drinks Brandy and he can get that already in a plastic bottle at the liquor store. Put the plastic bottles in zip lock bags (just in case they should leak - ours have never done that) - then put them in your checked in luggage. Do not try to carry it on the ship in your carry on. We have never had a problem.

Answer 7

Instead of buying a fifth or litre to take on, buy a couple of pints or half pint sized bottles of whatever you like and soak the label off in hot water, then pack them separately in a zip lock bog mixed with toiletries in CHECKED luggage. OR, buy some miniatures and pack them throughout you luggage. That always works for me because they are looking for big bottles.

Answer 8

I went on a Carnival twice. Both times I put a bottle of Schnapps in my suitcase. I am sure the maid saw it. Nothing was ever said.

Answer 9

They will check your bags through a luggage x ray, and sometimes even smell water bottles
I would consider investing in a cantine that goes around your neck and shoulder like a purse, I doubt they would smell that. If you are going with a guy they could try putting in there shorts or pants if they are baggy enough.

Answer 10

I have brought it on packed with my shampoo and other hair stuff.There are so many bottles of liquids they never looked twice. I do suggest purchasinf liquer thats in a plastic bottle, less prone to breakage.