Booze in My Luggage

[Water Lilly]

My husband and I are considering cruising on the Veendam to Bermuda next year. We have previously been on Celebrity and Carnival and RC. We always pack one or two bottles of booze for the room in our locked suitcase.
I was wondering how strict is HAL for putting booze in locked luggage?
Also since we have previously sailed on the above ships do you think we will like HAL. I have been reading mixed reviews.
Thanks.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Why risk bottles of alcohol breaking in your checked luggage?

You can call Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576 or order through room service once on the ship.

[catl331]

They do put the luggage under a scanner and booze can be confiscated. You may be called down to unlock your luggage. It is against the rules. Wine and soda and bottled water are okay. I don't know of any cruise line that lets you bring in booze.

[bdmarine]

Allow me to apologize for those who feel it is their duty to judge you and reprimand you for even asking this question. If you were able to pack booze on a Carnival ship, then you should have no trouble with HAL. You can take additional precautions if you are nervous. This includes packing booze that comes in plastic bottles, thoroughly cleaning a large mouthwash container and pouring the booze in it, emptying a screw top wine bottle and pouring the booze in it, etc.

[jimmy2x]

The OP may not be aware that HAL is probably the only mainstream line left that allows you to purchase liquor thru them for in-cabin consumption. I have also "smuggled" on other lines, but agree it is far less hassle to order direct from HAL .

[suse]

The whole idea of putting booze in a mouthwash container is so far beyond me. What would that taste like at your final destination? Like you just had a liquoir wash or something. Don't you still taste the mouthwash?
Yike.:eek:

[kakalina]

One would ask that you follow the rules that are set out for everyone who wishes to sail with HAL. If you do not like the rules then choose another cruiseline.

HAL still allows wine, soda and water to be brought on board. Those who break the rules will be responsable for HAL tightening their rules and eventually none of us will be able to bring anything on.

[SailorJack]

The OP may not be aware that HAL is probably the only mainstream line left that allows you to purchase liquor thru them for in-cabin consumption.

I didn't know this:eek::) Can you buy the liquor in the duty free shop at their low prices or do you have to order through the ship at their higher rate?

Thanks.

[kakalina]

Duty free liquor you purchase is delivered to your stateroom on the last night. The liquor one purchases from ships services is at regular prices.

[SailorJack]

Duty free liquor you purchase is delivered to your stateroom on the last night. The liquor one purchases from ships services is at regular prices.

Thanks. We are booking our first cruise on HAL so I appreciate the info.

[jcrandle]

They do put the luggage under a scanner and booze can be confiscated. You may be called down to unlock your luggage. It is against the rules. Wine and soda and bottled water are okay. I don't know of any cruise line that lets you bring in booze.
Let's be accurate in what happens, though many of you will get rather emotional on this subject. HAL's policy is that any alcoholic beverages brought aboard, other than wine and champagne, will be held for the duration of the cruise and returned to you at the end (effectively the last night). In my mind, the term "confiscated" implies that they would take it and not return it.

[pspercy]

The OP may not be aware that HAL is probably the only mainstream line left that allows you to purchase liquor thru them for in-cabin consumption. I have also "smuggled" on other lines, but agree it is far less hassle to order direct from HAL .


Celebrity does too, ex http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/pdf/amenity/Final_Celebrity_CVG_35036_4-2-09.pdf

[Paul123]

They do put the luggage under a scanner and booze can be confiscated. You may be called down to unlock your luggage. It is against the rules. Wine and soda and bottled water are okay. I don't know of any cruise line that lets you bring in booze.

I do believe that the lovely cruise line OCEANIA allow you to bring booze on boad for consumption in you cabin.

[pipedreams62]

http://pipedreams62.eaph2.com/share/afunstuffjuly/ajeff.jpg

[luannsimon]

They do put the luggage under a scanner and booze can be confiscated. You may be called down to unlock your luggage. It is against the rules. Wine and soda and bottled water are okay. I don't know of any cruise line that lets you bring in booze.

It has always puzzled me as to why they let you bring wine on, but not liquor? Does anyone know why they let one on, and not the other?

[blckdawg]

Let me just say that if you are going to transport booze in your luggage, which by the way I'm a huge fan of, and have always done it. Transfer the booze into PLASTIC 1 litre bottles. NO BREAKS of GLASS will occur.:)
I typically bring 3 1 litres bottles for a 7 day cruise. Don't forget to bring mixers if you need or use cranberry of OJ on the house. Oh yea a a container to drink from, preferably large so that your not continuously running up to the stateroom for a refill..

[blckdawg]

Drinking Wine from your stateroom is allowed, however HAL will typically charge a cork fee if you bring the bottle to dinner.

[suse]

Not to mention emotional! I'm still wondering what kind of containers, besides mouthwash, you guys use. I cannot imagine the number of possibilities. Isn't it easier to drink liquoir from a liquoir container? Or is it just me?:confused:

[CDRMark]

Not to mention emotional! I'm still wondering what kind of containers, besides mouthwash, you guys use. I cannot imagine the number of possibilities. Isn't it easier to drink liquoir from a liquoir container? Or is it just me?:confused:
Even easier from a glass.:)
Cheers
Mark

[pipedreams62]

Not to mention emotional! I'm still wondering what kind of containers, besides mouthwash, you guys use. I cannot imagine the number of possibilities. Isn't it easier to drink liquoir from a liquoir container? Or is it just me?:confused:


The "Bubba" mug is a little classier

http://www.recarda.co.uk/images_products/57.jpg

[coffeeclutch1]

http://pipedreams62.eaph2.com/share/afunstuffjuly/ajeff.jpg
Pipedreams, you are so funny. I love your post.

[blckdawg]

1 litre seltzer bottles work for me.

[blckdawg]

Love the Mug, Bubba

[suse]

Do you know if they run the mouthwash bottles through a dishwasher first and does that get rid of the smell. Does anyone know. I mean, let's face it, Listerine blue is pretty strong. I can't even use it till I dilute it some so how can people use it for a booze bottle? Kind of weird.

[pipedreams62]

Do you know if they run the mouthwash bottles through a dishwasher first and does that get rid of the smell. Does anyone know. I mean, let's face it, Listerine blue is pretty strong. I can't even use it till I dilute it some so how can people use it for a booze bottle? Kind of weird.


That sounds like something out of a movie?

http://www.classicmoviefavorites.com/milland/lostweek24.jpg

[Boytjie]

Not to mention emotional! I'm still wondering what kind of containers, besides mouthwash, you guys use. I cannot imagine the number of possibilities. Isn't it easier to drink liquoir from a liquoir container? Or is it just me?:confused:

The easiest is to order liqour to be delivered to your cabin. ;)

[heathriel]

CVS sells a certain company's line in flat, 1 liter plastic containers. This includes Smirnoff, Jack Daniels, Bacardi, and some others that I can't think of right now.

They all look surprisingly like mouthwash bottles under a scanner.

My husband and I, however, love that HAL allows us to bring our own wine aboard. We get one of those roll-along, folding cooler thingies and pull it aboard with us, and then have our steward keep it filled with ice during our stay, so we always have chilled wine and soda.

[suse]

Instead of worrying about Listerine, I just go to a great package store in FLL and buy fine wine. That's it. Easy peasy.:) Forget all the mouthwash, that's so silly.

[dandro]

Not that we have ever done this, but there are containers specifically made for bringing hard liquor (I don't like the term "booze") on board in your luggage without being detected.

You can find the topics here on Cruise Critic if you do a search for the term "rum runner".

Also, I would think those flexible plastic containers they sell in camping goods stores would work, I think they are called "Platypus". We have brought those to rock concerts and they work well.

It would be better than to trying to stash your stuff in mouthwash containers...a bit tacky, IMO.

Or go the easy way, and purchase your hard liquor on board. You can find the prices on the HAL website, and I think someone here on the HAL board has posted the liquor price list before.

We brought on 2 bottles of wine in our luggage, well protected with bubble wrap.

[innlady1]

CVS sells a certain company's line in flat, 1 liter plastic containers. This includes Smirnoff, Jack Daniels, Bacardi, and some others that I can't think of right now.

They all look surprisingly like mouthwash bottles under a scanner.

My husband and I, however, love that HAL allows us to bring our own wine aboard. We get one of those roll-along, folding cooler thingies and pull it aboard with us, and then have our steward keep it filled with ice during our stay, so we always have chilled wine and soda.

Is this something that packs up small enough to carry on the plane?

[innlady1]

Instead of worrying about Listerine, I just go to a great package store in FLL and buy fine wine. That's it. Easy peasy.:) Forget all the mouthwash, that's so silly.

I'm with you on this, suse. Do you go to Total Wine near Port Everglades? Awesome store! :cool:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Scotch/Whiskey
Onboard Sales Price (BSC NOT included)
Seagrams 7
$26.00
Seagrams VO
$26.00
Cutty Sark
$28.00
Canadian Club
$28.00
Jim Beam
$30.00
Johnnie Walker Red
$32.00
J&B Rare
$32.00
Ballentine's
$35.00
Crown Royal
$37.00
Jameson Irish
$37.00
Dewars
$42.00
Jack Daniels
$48.00
Chivas Regal 12 yrs
$58.00
Johnnie Walker Black
$67.00
Cognac
Hennessy VS
$81.00
Remy Martin VSOP
$85.00
Remy Martin XO
$196.00
Gin
Beefeater
$28.00
Tanqueray
$36.00
Bombay Sapphire
$37.00
Liqueurs
Southern Comfort
$32.00
Kahlua
$32.00
Bailey's Irish Cream
$40.00
Sambuca - Opal Nera
$41.00
Tia Maria
$43.00
Amaretto
$45.00
Cointreau
$48.00
Drambuie
$51.00
Grand Marnier
$65.00
Vodka
Smirnoff
$24.00
Skyy Vodka
$25.00
Finlandia
$26.00
Stolichnaya
$26.00
Absolut
$28.00
Absolut Citron
$28.00
Tanqueray Sterling
$31.00
Grey Goose
$60.00
Chopin
$61.00
Belvedere
$61.00
Rum
Myers
$28.00
Bacardi Gold
$30.00
Bacardi White
$31.00
Sherry
Sherry Harvey's Medium
$50.00
Tio Pepe
$50.00
Tequila
Jose Cuervo Gold
$30.00

Beverage Package
Gin & Tonic Package
$32.00
(One btl Beefeaters Gin, 3 Cans of Tonic Water)
Scotch & Soda Package
$32.00
(One btl of Cutty Sark, 3 Cans of Soda Water)
Vodka & Tonic Package
$30.00
(One btl of Smirnoff or Stolichnaya, 3 Cans of Tonic Water)
Bourbon & Coke Package
$34.00
(One btl of Jim Beam, 3 Cans of Coke)
Rum & Coke Package
$34.00
(One btl of Bacardi, 3 cans of Coke)
In Cabin Beer/Soft Drinks Packages
6 x Domestic Beers
$19.00
(Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite)
6 x Imported Beers
$20.00
(Heineken, Amstel Light or Corona)
3 x Soft Drinks
$4.25

[suse]

I forget what the name of it is but it's within walking distance of the Pelican Beach Resort which happens to be my favorite FLL hotel. It's near a big drugstore, Walgreens? They had some fine wine and at very good prices.
What I find intriguing though, is the roll-along cooler! Wow. Sounds like something I'd like for my personal watercraft (boat) but I have never seen anyone bringing on cases of wine. How funny!:D

[pipedreams62]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMykaF1f9KE

[Water Lilly]

To all who responded to my inquiry regarding taking some alcohol in my checked luggage for the room I thank you all so much and for not judging me in the process. My husband and I like to have a martini or a mixed drink in the room while we are getting ready for dinner. We always have a hefty bar bill at the end of the cruise. Also, I want to add to this so the other people who sit in judgement will know we were not aware we could order liquor for our stateroom since we have never sailed HAL before. At this point we are just considering HAL so we had no way of knowing. If we sail on HAL I will definitely order our alcohol for the room.
Thanks again.

[Bakincakes]

To all who responded to my inquiry regarding taking some alcohol in my checked luggage for the room I thank you all so much and for not judging me in the process. My husband and I like to have a martini or a mixed drink in the room while we are getting ready for dinner. We always have a hefty bar bill at the end of the cruise. Also, I want to add to this so the other people who sit in judgement will know we were not aware we could order liquor for our stateroom since we have never sailed HAL before. At this point we are just considering HAL so we had no way of knowing. If we sail on HAL I will definitely order our alcohol for the room.
Thanks again.

Most cruiselines also have very informative websites.:)

[suse]

Pipedreams, that is one of the funniest videos I've seen in some time. Hoot and a holler.:)
And to the OP, any other questions, we'd all be happy to help you. We tend to find the funny side of life.

[Cruising-along]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMykaF1f9KE

OMG pipedreams, too funny!!!!!

[Tamaracboy]

The "Bubba" mug is a little classier

http://www.recarda.co.uk/images_products/57.jpg

I actually have ont of those mugs.
But NOT (yet) the Beer Belly.
Loved the video.

r.

[Sea King]

At this point we are just considering HAL so we had no way of knowing. If we sail on HAL I will definitely order our alcohol for the room.
Thanks again.

any bets on whether OP will sail HAL:rolleyes:

drinking in rooms with liquor brought aboard has always been a issue in the industry.. with revenues falling and the lines looking to make as much money as possible just to stay afloat, IMO you will see much more intensive screening of luggage and carry-ons in the immediate future

I wouldn't be shocked if bringing your own "wine" aboard soon became a "thing of the past"

[heathriel]

http://www.luggage.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=EW1076&refid=FR52-EW1076
Here's a link to the cooler I have. It's neat. It packs pretty flat.

[like friends]

I had no clue you can legally bring wine onboard,Is this correct?
thanks for the info.

[heathriel]

Perfectly kosher.

You have to pay a corkage fee of $15 a bottle to drink it in the dining room unless it is a gift bottle from the ship, but there's nothing stopping you from having a bottle with dinner on your Verandah! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

The price of the corkage fee was raised a number of months ago -- it is now $18 a bottle for any bottle that isn't HAL's.

[heathriel]

Still, minimal cost compared to being able to enjoy the wine I choose.

[pms4104]

any bets on whether OP will sail HAL:rolleyes:

drinking in rooms with liquor brought aboard has always been a issue in the industry.. with revenues falling and the lines looking to make as much money as possible just to stay afloat, IMO you will see much more intensive screening of luggage and carry-ons in the immediate future

I wouldn't be shocked if bringing your own "wine" aboard soon became a "thing of the past"
And possibly water and soda as well? I think some lines already have limited the amount of non-alcoholic beverages permittted, as well as the size of cooler being brought onboard.

[jimmy2x]

Celebrity does too, ex http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/pdf/amenity/Final_Celebrity_CVG_35036_4-2-09.pdf

I was unaware of that - its been a few years since we did Celebrity and IIRC that policy was not in existence then. Thanks for the update. Did seem a bit pricey though.

[makaita]

I suppose you can use empty bottles of water if you are drinking clear liquor like vodka, rum......nicer than a mouthwash bottle. ;)

[telutel]

To all who responded to my inquiry regarding taking some alcohol in my checked luggage for the room I thank you all so much and for not judging me in the process. My husband and I like to have a martini or a mixed drink in the room while we are getting ready for dinner. We always have a hefty bar bill at the end of the cruise. Also, I want to add to this so the other people who sit in judgement will know we were not aware we could order liquor for our stateroom since we have never sailed HAL before. At this point we are just considering HAL so we had no way of knowing. If we sail on HAL I will definitely order our alcohol for the room.
Thanks again.

No you wouldn't... and neither would I. Everybody I know always brings their own liquor on board, checked in their luggage. We've never had a problem...

[Boytjie]

I suppose you can use empty bottles of water if you are drinking clear liquor like vodka, rum......nicer than a mouthwash bottle. ;)

So a friend took rum in a water bottle onboard and when he and I went scuba diving he grabbed a bottle of water for the excursion, only to discover after the forst dive that he had grabbed the rum. Oops! Maybe they should have used bottels from different brands. :D

[jtl513]

It has always puzzled me as to why they let you bring wine on, but not liquor? Does anyone know why they let one on, and not the other?I suspect that it is because there is a far wider variation in what people prefer for wine than there is for hard liquor. Beer, to my mind, is somewhere in between. I think that if beer or hard liquor were permitted that most people would bring on types and brands that are the same, or nearly the same, as what is available for sale on the ship, while many or most people bringing wine tend to bring ones not available on board.

[Davey Interweb]

We brought a case of wine on each of our last two HAL cruises, and there were a couple bottles of the hard stuff in there both instances. The last time they did ask me to open the box, but the guy gave it no more than a cursory glance.

Now that I think about it, it'd be easy enough to fill empty wine bottles with spirits, would it not?

[YeaYeaYea]

real class:mad:

These people asked a question not your OPINION so keep it to yourself:p

:p

[SDHALFAN]

These people asked a question not your OPINION so keep it to yourself:p

:p

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Feeling the need to accuse someone of having no class shows a distinct lack of class by the one pointing the finger.

Valerie:)

[cruisin2934]

My wife and I like rum and diet coke. Every cruise we have ever been on,(including HAL) we always pack a few plastic bottles of bacardi in a shoe box. Additionally, we pack a couple cases of diet coke. We generally bring one bag designated as a bar. Once aboard, we explain to our cabin attendent that the only request we have is pleanty of ice to enjoy our cocktails every time he visits our room. Everyone is always more than cooperative and it is often quite nice to invite new friends over for a drink.
Logistically, If HAL or any other line for that matter decides they are going to begin searching guests for sealed bottles of booze, they better plan to leave ports a day late and with much fewer passengers. Have a great cruise and don't forget to pack your booze.

[kakalina]

I have seen them confiscating bottle after bottle of rum after we visited Puerto Rico and Grenada. I am happy to see them do this. It isn't right for some people to think they are above the rules. No one is. And those that break the rules eventually make it harder on everyone else.

[Bakincakes]

any bets on whether OP will sail HAL:rolleyes:

drinking in rooms with liquor brought aboard has always been a issue in the industry.. with revenues falling and the lines looking to make as much money as possible just to stay afloat, IMO you will see much more intensive screening of luggage and carry-ons in the immediate future

I wouldn't be shocked if bringing your own "wine" aboard soon became a "thing of the past"


You are probably correct.

You can always count on people to push the envelope and ruin things for everyone else in the process.

As long as the economy stays as it is more and more pax will be bringing the hard stuff onboard. Affording the number of drinks they need, to have a good time, will get tougher so smuggling will increase.

Sooner or later cruiselines will have to take serious steps to curb the smuggling. Their bottom lines will depend upon it.

[cruisin2934]

I have seen them confiscating bottle after bottle of rum after we visited Puerto Rico and Grenada. I am happy to see them do this. It isn't right for some people to think they are above the rules. No one is. And those that break the rules eventually make it harder on everyone else.


We like to purchase alcohol in either San Juan or St Martin because they are generally the cheapest. When we reboard the ship, they have never confiscated our purchases. They do however, hold it until the end of the cruise. In our experience, the cruise line could care a less about how much rum you bring back to the states. But US Customs does. Usually, Customs allows 2 bottles per a passenger but each island may vary. For instance, I think St Thomas allows 4 bottles. A good person to ask is the cruise director. Also, many of the stores will deliver the bottles to the ship for you as long as you purchase them early enough in the day. This way, you don't have to lug them arround the island. I know it sounds suspect, but in my experience, we have never had a problem. It's also a great way to enhace your bar at home or score a good deal on a bottle of JW Blue. Let me add, we only do this on Carribean cruises and because we live in Florida, we don't have to deal with airline regulations.

[Fljagguy]

I have to look even one step beyond that and ask...who actually pours liquor into plastic bottles, mouthwash or otherwise, to "smuggle" it onto a cruise ship?

[pipedreams62]

I have to look even one step beyond that and ask...who actually pours liquor into plastic bottles, mouthwash or otherwise, to "smuggle" it onto a cruise ship?


http://pipedreams62.eaph2.com/share/afunstuffmay/docdance.jpg

[suse]

I guess they get a charge out of it. It's very strange sometimes. I see people all the time, in my profession, who spend a fortune on their hair, nails, bags etc., yet flip out over a small expenditure that they don't want to spend.
They differentiate between expenses that they want to have and those expenses that they'd rather not have. They call it "priorities". I call it cheap.

[bdmarine]

Thanks for calling those of us who pack booze cheap and I especially appreciate the picture that likens us to trailer trash. I hope these epithets bring you enough pleasure to make up for the pain caused by your supercilious attitude.

Now let's face facts. The prices for drinks on HAL are comparable to the price of drinks in the average American city, about $6.00 plus tip. The difference is, though, that HAL pays much less than the average American bar does for liquor. I have yet to see a tax stamp on the bottles stocked behind the HAL bar. So this means that they spend $7.00 for a liter of Myers Rum that would cost an American landside bar $21. Do they make up for this savings by charging us less? No, they try to make up rules to enforce and ensure their unfair monopolistic money grubbing ways.

[Boytjie]

Do they make up for this savings by charging us less? No, they try to make up rules to enforce and ensure their unfair monopolistic money grubbing ways.

Also known as making a profit/the capitalist way. HAL is not a non-profit organization. :rolleyes:

[suse]

There are alternatives for those who would rather not pay the drink prices. It's called all-inclusive.
Why would HAL charge less if they can charge more? I work for a living and certainly buy into that philosophy.
Have a good day.:)

[Bakincakes]

Thanks for calling those of us who pack booze cheap and I especially appreciate the picture that likens us to trailer trash. I hope these epithets bring you enough pleasure to make up for the pain caused by your supercilious attitude.

Now let's face facts. The prices for drinks on HAL are comparable to the price of drinks in the average American city, about $6.00 plus tip. The difference is, though, that HAL pays much less than the average American bar does for liquor. I have yet to see a tax stamp on the bottles stocked behind the HAL bar. So this means that they spend $7.00 for a liter of Myers Rum that would cost an American landside bar $21. Do they make up for this savings by charging us less? No, they try to make up rules to enforce and ensure their unfair monopolistic money grubbing ways.

So justification for smuggling is that HAL is making too much profit on the drinks they sell?

You said they charge the same as the average American City. They aren't gouging you at their bars. So your issue is that they are using the profit margin they make from alcohol sales to help keep the fares, they charge reasonable for everyone.


BWAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA


Good grief.