Purchasing Liquor in Ports

[erby2283]

I understand that I will need to pay duty if I bring back a certain amount of liquor and then depending on the mood of customs agents, etc.. However, can I bring back as much liquor as I want?

It seems all my friends want something different and will probably need to bring back upwards of 10 bottles of liquor.

[serene56]

Hopefully you wont be flying... and check the alcohol contents especailyl in the rum.

Ports are differnt with rules. Some you can only bring home 1- some 2 When we cruised the Eastern Caribbean to st thomas we had a lot of people leving the cases of alcohol at the customs desk. From reading these links you can bring back 2 bottles.

http://www.touringinwinecountry.com/USCustoms/US%20Customs%20Information.htm

http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/know_brochure/dutyfree_exemption.xml

[Krazy Kruizers]

If one of your stops is St Thomas, you can bring back 4 liters and a fifth bottle of a Virgin Island product - per person.


But if you have to fly home, check with your air line. Some of the air lines have gotten tough on what you can carry onto a plane. Some count that box of alcohol as your carry-on.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Don't know what thw price of alcohol costs in your state, but if you do buy more than alotted amount, you will have to pay duty on it.

[Orcrone]

Customs also allows you to purchase 4 liters per person in San Juan.

[erby2283]

Sorry I didn't give you enough information:

We are not flying and I don't drink so advising me of how many liters I can bring back is confusing to me. Is a liter usually one bottle? We are stopping in Cancun (supposed to be Cayman but it got cancelled), Cozumel and Key West.

Serene: thanks for the links, I will check them out as well!

[serene56]

My suggestion is--tell the people you cant buy them alcohol like taht and enjoy the cruise doing things you want to do instead of finding alcohol for your friends. Ships carry some stuff but not a lot.
Especailly since you are doing the Western Caribbean where youwill be allowed 2 bottles. Tell them you will get them magnets instead.

[erby2283]

Serene: You crack me up! My best friend has told me I MUST being back some tortuga rum. Other people want Khalua (sp?). Maybe I will buy it here in the states and SAY I bought it in the Caribbean!

Since I consider you the "Queen of Cruise-Critic" with all your posts, can you advise of a good website to a cruise checklist of items to bring?

Elisa

[serene56]

Queenie??? lol

Check out www.cruiseclues.com look at their top tool bar for stuff you wanna know-- port schedules?? its there- wanna see menu-- you will find those too.

Then there is www.cruisediva dont forget to add the dot com with huge packing lists. Im sure that half that stuff on that list you wont even need. Are you taking more then 2 people to a cabin??? an over the door shoe holder is a must if you are.

An alarm clock so you can see what time it is in he cabin. an a power strip so you can plug in all your daily necessities of life--a curling iron./blow dryer/ charger for your video camera or or bettery charger for your digtal.
Pack half the clothes you think you need. oh and dont forget to pack your sense of humor. You are gonna have the best vacation that you have ever had.

Rum cakes??(instead of the tortuga rum = last cruise we discovered the orange choc ones---yum oh mi gawd they were to die for. I think we got one flavor of each that year. There is a place across the street from the turtle fatory that has tables and tables of free samples.

[KreinKrunker]

Try this link for a packing list.

http://www.geocities.com/jazzyjas63/PackingList.htm

[JDee]

Erby2283: Based on the ports you will be visiting, your best liquor port would be Cozumel. Believe Khalua (sp?) was about $10.00 per ltr.

Your other best bet, would be the ship's botique. Many times those prices are just as good as shore side liquor stores. Plus you don't have to carry it back to the ship. Most ships will hold your liquor purchases and deliver them to your cabin on the last night of the cruise, or they will require you to pick up the stuff at the botique that night.

A ball park customs duty would be approx $1.00 or less per ltr, depending on the alcoholic contents. With that much booze, doubt if the customs agent would give you a freebie.....

Even though you will be driving, hope you have a strong back to lug all that stuff off the ship. Porters will not be available until after you get off the ship, pass customs & get your luggage in the terminal.

Happy cruising....

Happy cruising.....

[glgolfer]

Tortuga Rum Cream in Grand Cayman is better than Baileys (IMHO). Brought back 2 bottles the last time there. Pour them over ice cream and they seem to disappear (evaporate?) very rapidly. We really don't believe we drank both bottles that fast.

[jdechter]

you can get kahlua for close to $8 in cozumel. in cayman go to rum cake factory if its still standing, they have great prices. before you go go to costco for some prices and then look online, then u will know if its a good deal. the ship will match any price u pay on land, show them the receipt.

[JDee]

Would agree that Grand Cayman is a very good liquor port. However, poster states will only be vising Cancun, Cozumel & Key West. Apparantly Cayman cancelled due to hurrican damage......Booze ports limited to Cancun & Cozumel....or the cruise ship.....

Happy cruising....

[erby2283]

Thank you to all who posted a response!

JDee: Carrying back all the liquor? That's what my man is for :D ! I am only taking 1 suitcase so I am bringing an extra one for all my souvenirs and liquor. From what I have read, I will pack them really well... or do you suggest I carry them off?

[JDee]

Erby2283:

Would suggest carrying them off. Almost all liquor outlets (including the cruise ship's botique) will pack your purchases in a carboard carrying box, with suitable partitions between bottles, usually can fit up to 4 btls. It looks like a large briefcase, handle & all.

Of course, you can always have the stuff put in one of the originial liquor boxes that will hold 12, but that's heavy, heavy....

Happy cruising.....