Real Examples Of How My Cruise Was Ruined By People Breaking Hal Rules Of Alcohol Smu

[Joedog]

Okay, time to put up of shut up....(that sounds a little rude, sorry)....anyhow, here is your chance to tell all us n'er do wells how we ruined your past cruises so perhaps we will see the light and not do the offensive thing again on our next cruise.

Remember, I am asking for REAL things that actually happened, not "might have or could have"....this should be interesting....

[Krazy Kruizers]

:confused:

Okay - we have never (nor will we ever) smuggle alcohol onto any cruise ship - no matter what cruise line it may be.

So if others do smuggle alcohol on board, it won't ruin our cruise.

So what is your point?

:confused:

[jhannah]

Oh please! :rolleyes: You've made your point on the other thread. Give it a rest.

[Joedog]

Sorry it isn't clearer.

After reading many complaining posts from people stating that their cruises were "ruined" by people breaking HAL rules about smuggled alcohol and/or improper dress for dinner I am asking for real examples, not moral judgements or "could happens".

[Cruiseoften]

Like Krazy Kruizers, we've never smuggled alcohol onto any cruise ship or anywhere else for that matter. We have invariably each taken a bottle of our favourite drink in our carry on bags as was allowed. We'll no longer do that. We may send ourselves a 'gift' - believe that's allowed.

If others choose to smuggle, so be it.

Your point eludes us. :(

[srpilo]

Joedog..

It appears they're not going to "Bite".. Maybe should switch the topic to "Tipping"..


Srpilo

[seatrial]

Joedog says I'm off topic so I am removing my original post. I can honestly say that I have never had any cruise ruined for any reason including someone breaking the alchohol policy. However, I am glad the policy exists. I feel that the cruise lines should control alchohol being brought on board their vessels and I also think they "deserve" to make money off of alcohol sales onboard their vessels. I will say that on almost every cruise I have been on there are always a few loud drunk people and I'm glad they aren't allowed to have even more alcohol of their own.

[Joedog]

Sorry Seatrial but you are a little off topic. This thread is about examples of how cruises were ruined, not cruise line alcohol policies. I think I have a pretty good idea about "why" cruise lines have rules, what I am not sure of is how individual cruisers cruises were ruined by other people not following the rules. Perhaps you had a cruise ruined and would like to share.

[F5Loar]

What ruins my cruise is the drinks they serve to me are watered down or the alcohol is watered down before it goes in the drink. I can drink 3 of the umbrella drinks in a row and never feel a buzz. At home I have 1 good one and I get the buzz. So you tell me why people smuggle? To get real alcohol in their drinks. Alcohol you know is right. And this is not just HAL, it's pretty much the same on all lines. So I Think they are watering down the alcohol to save money and so you will buy more to get a buzz. Maybe I'm wrong but I know my alcohol limit and what it takes for me to get a buzz and I have yet to find a mixed drink on a cruise ship that put me under the table after 3 drinks. And I tell you I see a lot of drinks being served and lots of people chunging them down but you really never see a drunken cruisers on board(well unless he brought his own bottle and is adding to it in his room). So I say if you feel this way about your drinks that cost a lot then by all means smuggle it the best way you can.

[Joedog]

F5Loar,

I think you are just a little off topic also. I was looking for examples of how peoples cruises were ruined by other peoples breaking the rules, not reasons why people choose to break the rules. That might make an interesting thread of it's own, "WHY PEOPLE BREAK THE RULES", but that's not what I was curious about myself.

[Thoth]

Since this can of worms has been opened I'll bite. It would seem that alcoholics can be an irritation to sober people on a vacation at sea. Loud talking and lewd behavior are unquestionably linked to hard drinking. From what I have seen the bartenders stay busy enough on these ships, so anybody who needs additional alcohol in order to enjoy themselves, might need to participate in the "Friends of Bill W." meeting.

[PSR]

Well, I can't say it ruined a cruise, but on our last HAL cuise we could buy a bottle from the ships shops and take it to our room...now as I understand, we can't. I don't understand the relationship to people bringing their own aboard...Seems like it's penalizing us for them.Last cruise was on Celebrity and they had the same rule, except on the last day you could take the alcohol purchases with you.

Penny

[flatwallet]

Will a made up story do? What if I smuggled a bottle of my favorite 150 proof dark rum and the bottle broke while in transit and soaked DW's clothes...all of her gowns, underwear, shoes, etc. It would certainly be a bad cruise experience for TWO people.
This is a made up story but it could happen I suppose.


Happy Fourth of July to y'all.

[gizmo]

I don't think anyone's cruise was actually "ruined". What I read, more or less implied that Hal's new policy "ruined it" for those that like to bring a bottle or perhaps purchase a bottle from Hal's store for in cabin use. This does not necessarily "ruin" a person's cruise.

In the past I have sometimes purchased a bottle of Bailey's from Hal's store for in cabin use. On my last cruise this was no longer availble. Hal lost the profit they made in the past. I did not purchase addional drinks for my cabin.

The strangest thing I saw was a guy that somehow manged to get a wheelchair and he had it loaded with cases of beer. :rolleyes: We saw this in the waiting area about 3 or 4 years ago.

[glrounds]

There are no miracles here.

Booze sales are a major source of revenue for the cruiselines. Deprive them of that revenue stream and they don't just pout and apologize to their stockholders. They find other ways to generate revenue:

1) Start charging for something that was previously given away.

2) Cutback or eliminate something that was previously provided (does this sound familiar "suite" paxs?)

3) Raise the price of passage to recover this lost revenue.

So, to the extent, booze smuggling is prevalent the "other" paxs have to pay for it one way or another. And if it makes cruising with a particular line out of the financial reach of a potential customer that could be construed as "ruining" their cruise. :(

I never smuggle booze on board, although a nice bottle of my favorite wine would be nice to have in the cabin as a pre-dinner drink. I'm not much of a drinker (only drink mildly at home in California) and don't have a problem with watered-down drinks, as I, almost exclusively, drink beer on cruise ships.

To those that argue the "cost" of booze on a cruise ship. Really ! Is 4-6 bucks too much for a nice drink (tip included) to sit at a bar at the bottom of a 10 story atrium with a stringed trio 15 feet away going through the classics while you're roaring across the bounding main at 22 knots ? :confused:

[Sailure]

Sorry it isn't clearer.

After reading many complaining posts from people stating that their cruises were "ruined" by people breaking HAL rules about smuggled alcohol and/or improper dress for dinner I am asking for real examples, not moral judgements or "could happens".
Come on Joe, WHO said their cruise was ruined?? I know I said IF someone did break the rule and someone's cruise was ruined....

So, it wasn't me...so now tell us about the "many" people who said their cruise was ruined......

[Sailure]

Since this can of worms has been opened I'll bite. It would seem that alcoholics can be an irritation to sober people on a vacation at sea. Loud talking and lewd behavior are unquestionably linked to hard drinking. From what I have seen the bartenders stay busy enough on these ships, so anybody who needs additional alcohol in order to enjoy themselves, might need to participate in the "Friends of Bill W." meeting.
Good response IMO. Seems like smuggling and breaking rules to get a fix might be more serious than we think!:D

[superstein61]

17 posts and no cruises ruined yet JoeDog.

My oh my, where are the sanctomonious folks who argued otherwise ????

[superstein61]

Come on Joe, WHO said their cruise was ruined?? I know I said IF someone did break the rule and someone's cruise was ruined....

So, it wasn't me...so now tell us about the "many" people who said their cruise was ruined......

DECEPTION ALERT, DECEPTION ALERT !!!!!

Sems to me old Sailure said it causes delay for me and other passengers to get on the ship, if you end up falling overboard because you choose to stay in your room and drink, if you get drunk and disorderly (I'm speaking YOU in the general sense), then it DOES affect me and everyone else's vacation

So either Sailure lied above or this argument he posted didn't really have any impact on his cruise like he portrays it did.

END OF DECEPTION ALERT, END OF DECEPTION ALERT

We now return you to your normally scheduled program

[gizmo]

I think I will throw in my 2 cents about delays and falling overboard.

When we checked in our last cruise, carry on luggage went through the x-ray machine. If a bottle was spotted, you went off to the side at another table and the luggage was opened. If the bottle was not champagne or wine it was taken and tagged to be delivered back to the owner at the end of the cruise. This procedure did not cause any delays on my cruise. I don't know what it taking place today and perhaps it is causing delays. I can only comment on what took place on my last cruise.

Coming back to the ship from each port there was an x-ray set up outside on the dock. All bags had to go through also each person walked through an x=ray. People do have the right to purchase booze on shore. I did not happen to see any so there were no delays while we went through. Buying booze on shore and perhaps causing a delay so it can be tagged is not the pax fault. It is within their rights to buy booze.

People falling overboard? If some drunken idiot decides to do this, it does not require bringing booze on board to do so.

A friend of mine was on a cruise that had an incident. This nut case decided he wanted to go swimming and off he went. According to my friend he was indulging at the pool bar.
Remember the crew member who sat on the railing and fell over?
Then there was the sad story of the poor soul who committed suicide.

On the other had there was the guy who had the fight with his wife and climbed out on the railing and fell. I can't remember the entire story, but perhaps they were drinking in the cabin.

What I am trying to say is, going over board is not necessarily the result of bringing booze on board.

[HeatherInFlorida]

So where is Joedog to tell everyone we're off topic? He tried so hard for awhile to keep this about ruined cruises from smuggled alcohol.

Drunks, by being obnoxious, can ruin (or at least particially ruin for a moment in time) your cruise. But the truth is, as some have stated, you don't have to smuggle booze on board to get drunk and be obnoxious.

But one could argue that obnoxious people tend to do obnoxious things ... like smuggle alcohol onboard:rolleyes: .

So, Joedog, you win. No one has told you about a ruined cruise from smuggled alcohol. Now what is your point exactly?

[dst]

I think Joedog was trying to make a point; which I would tend to agree with. If someone wants to go through the trouble of packing their luggage full of booze, carrying it thru the airport, taking it off the conveyer and onto the ship. Who do they bother????

You can become just as rude purchasing booze onboard as you can bringing it on. I don't think that bringing booze onboard makes you an alcoholic either (as stated in a previous thread) It makes people penny wise. Which last I checked was not ilegal! Personally we do not bring alcohol onboard we preorder what we like, however we just learned that HAL does not carry "Vermoth" which is needed for a martini. So we ordered a bottle of vodka for the room and will have to bring our own Vermoth....does that make me a bad person??? Or as some of you put a booze smuggler!

In closing, some of the rudest people I have ever met have been stone cold sober so I don't think you should be throwing stones! Get off your throwns; and let people enjoy their crusies however they see fit.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Okay, I think I'm going to try this one last time. It isn't about whether or not someone is being "bothered" by smuggled booze! It's a matter of policy. Here is the policy direct from HAL's website:
On-board Policies
Bringing Alcoholic Beverages Onboard
Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel's shops or otherwise brought on the ship cannot be consumed on the ship. Bottles and other containers will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.

Now I also found another HAL policy on their website. Here it is:
On-board Policies
Pets
With the exception of qualified service animals for guests with disabilities, animals or pets are not allowed on board our ships.

Now, take a look at my Avatar. See that cute little Bichon with me? Well, she's going in my bag and I'm putting her in my cabin. Assuming she doesn't bark and I can handle her toilet activities, will she "bother" anyone in there? She will not.

Is there any difference whatsoever in breaking either policy?

[dst]

I would think there is a difference. People don't have to walk their booze but I am not even going to go there with you.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying to break the rules I am just agreeing with JoeDog that how does it ruin ones cruise????? The sinple answer is that it doesn't!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Assuming she doesn't bark and I can handle her toilet activities, will she "bother" anyone? dst, did you not see this part? It was a joke!!!:rolleyes: I was trying to be funny!!!

Although, when you think about it, I believe one of the complaints was that people DO walk their booze;).

I was only trying to point out (in what I thought was an amusing way) that we're talking about a policy set by HAL. I was trying to be funny! The point being that I wouldn't bring my dog onboard because it's not allowed. If it was allowed, I would consider it. I don't see the difference.

Whether or not it bothers anyone is not the issue. The issue is we're asked not to do it.

[dst]

Sorry I must have stayed up too late last night ......left my humor in bed :)

if you bring your pup I'll bring my cat and we can have dinenr in the Pinacle wouldn't that be fun!

[Joedog]

Heather,

I am sorry I didn't respond earlier to all the off topic replies to my post. I was enjoying our national birthday.

Sadly, I have to say just about everyone that has replied to this post has been at least a little off topic. My question was/is can anyone give me REAL examples of how their cruises were ruined by people smuggling alcohol and/or not following the dress code?

Apparantly they cannot. Which is a good thing. Not in defense of smuggled alcohol or dress code violators but in defense of the human spirit, meaning that all those who seem most upset about alcohol smugglers and dress code violators seemed to have okay cruises despite such distractions.

So what is my point then after all?

It is live and let live. Don't look for problems where they don't exists. We have too many people telling us what we should and shouldn't do already, why do we need to bring that to something that is by it's very nature suppose to exist to relax us and give us a break from the day to day stuggles of real life.

If someone is doing something that you think is wrong AND IT REALLY EFFECTS YOU, you should say something, but moralizing about right and wrong for no reason but to prove how right you are is really not the purpose of these boards, at least not in my opinion, and this was after all my topic and thread.

AND if I might convey a parting question....WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME STAYING ON TOPIC? I think that it is time for a new thread....

[dst]

Great Point Ruth: Thanks, this was a good thread and I totally agree.....

[Sage]

Must your example be on a HAL ship? If not, I have an experience that I would like to share. I was on the Norway in a suite on the Sky deck, K081, which faced the back of the ship. A group of people that had taken a couple of bottles of liquor with them to the deck below ours decided to have a party and were filling red plastic cups, which were not supplied by the ship. I admit that they were not bothering anyone at that point until they emptied the bottles and decided to throw them at the balconies. The bottles shattered, and I had bits of glass in my legs and stepped on a piece of glass trying to escape and received stitches in my foot. That pretty much ended my festive time on the ship for me. I realize that this may not be the kind of story you were looking for, but it does describe how things can quickly get out of hand when rules are not followed.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sorry I must have stayed up too late last night ......left my humor in bed :)

if you bring your pup I'll bring my cat and we can have dinenr in the Pinacle wouldn't that be fun!Yes, can I bring my cat, too;) ?

JoeDog, I can't disagree with anything you say as long as we're speaking figuratively. In fact, I totally agree. I think what people say here and how they actually act onboard are 2 different things.....and may I say thankfully so?

I was just talking policy and I'm sorry that's off topic. But in the end, not to be boring, but HAL has a right to institute any policy they want. And it's certainly our right to agree or disagree with that policy.

Personally, I think it's a stupid policy. But that's only my opinion. I'm sure there are an equal number of people that are thankful for the policy. that's if people follow it which I still maintain they should.

[superstein61]

Okay, I think I'm going to try this one last time. It isn't about whether or not someone is being "bothered" by smuggled booze! It's a matter of policy. Here is the policy direct from HAL's website:
On-board Policies
Bringing Alcoholic Beverages Onboard
Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel's shops or otherwise brought on the ship cannot be consumed on the ship. Bottles and other containers will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.

Now I also found another HAL policy on their website. Here it is:
On-board Policies
Pets
With the exception of qualified service animals for guests with disabilities, animals or pets are not allowed on board our ships.

Now, take a look at my Avatar. See that cute little Bichon with me? Well, she's going in my bag and I'm putting her in my cabin. Assuming she doesn't bark and I can handle her toilet activities, will she "bother" anyone in there? She will not.

Is there any difference whatsoever in breaking either policy?

Heather - the point is, how does someone bringing their own alcohol onboard ruin your cruise. We heard it did so Joedog started this thread so people could post some reallife examples of how it ruined their cruise. To date, I see none.

Which means those who were complaining about what others do because it would ruin their cruise were just plain wrong

[superstein61]

Heather,

I am sorry I didn't respond earlier to all the off topic replies to my post. I was enjoying our national birthday.

Sadly, I have to say just about everyone that has replied to this post has been at least a little off topic. My question was/is can anyone give me REAL examples of how their cruises were ruined by people smuggling alcohol and/or not following the dress code?

Apparantly they cannot. Which is a good thing. Not in defense of smuggled alcohol or dress code violators but in defense of the human spirit, meaning that all those who seem most upset about alcohol smugglers and dress code violators seemed to have okay cruises despite such distractions.

So what is my point then after all?

It is live and let live. Don't look for problems where they don't exists. We have too many people telling us what we should and shouldn't do already, why do we need to bring that to something that is by it's very nature suppose to exist to relax us and give us a break from the day to day stuggles of real life.

If someone is doing something that you think is wrong AND IT REALLY EFFECTS YOU, you should say something, but moralizing about right and wrong for no reason but to prove how right you are is really not the purpose of these boards, at least not in my opinion, and this was after all my topic and thread.

AND if I might convey a parting question....WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME STAYING ON TOPIC? I think that it is time for a new thread....

Well said Joedog, well said !!!!!!!!!!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

JoeDog, I can't disagree with anything you say as long as we're speaking figuratively. In fact, I totally agree. I think what people say here and how they actually act onboard are 2 different things.....and may I say thankfully so?

I was just talking policy and I'm sorry that's off topic. But in the end, not to be boring, but HAL has a right to institute any policy they want. And it's certainly our right to agree or disagree with that policy.

Personally, I think it's a stupid policy. But that's only my opinion. I'm sure there are an equal number of people that are thankful for the policy. that's if people follow it which I still maintain they should.
Superstein, did you not see the above? I agreed with JoeDog, too! But you're absolutely right (this time:rolleyes: ) in saying that for anyone to say that bringing booze onboard ruins a cruise is just plain wrong. Obviously, it doesn't.

Unless, of course, you're poor Sage who had a horrible experience. But the truth is, she could have had that experience whether the booze was purchased onboard or smuggled onboard soooooooooooo.....................

[superstein61]

Superstein, did you not see the above? I agreed with JoeDog, too! But you're absolutely right (this time:rolleyes: ) in saying that for anyone to say that bringing booze onboard ruins a cruise is just plain wrong. Obviously, it doesn't.

Unless, of course, you're poor Sage who had a horrible experience. But the truth is, she could have had that experience whether the booze was purchased onboard or smuggled onboard soooooooooooo.....................

Sorry - I started reading the thread where I left off - and saw your post first and responded. I later did see your reply to Joedog. But thanks for the comments.

Yes what occurred with Sage is sad - but as you said, someone can get drunk buying their drinks from HAL (haven't we all read about the legendary $1000 - $1500 incidental charges tabs which is mainly their bar tab?) as they can bringing something on board. But thats a whole another topic

[Sailure]

Bottom line: Some people think that rules and laws don't apply to them.

If someone is proud of being that type of person, more power to them.

I'm proud to say that when I sign a contract I honor it.:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Bottom line: Some people think that rules and laws don't apply to them.

If someone is proud of being that type of person, more power to them.

I'm proud to say that when I sign a contract I honor it.:)
I'm with you, Sailure. This has been my issue all along and I still stick to it. But if we want to stay on topic, which was that cruises aren't ruined by people bringing booze onboard, then I have to agree that they are not.

But it is still, IMHO, wrong.

[RevNeal]

I've never had a ruined cruise. :) Hence, logically, I've never had a cruise ruined by anyone smuggling booze aboard.

The same is true for clothing. I've never had a cruise ruined by someone else refusing to abide by the dress code.

Someone who refuses to abide by the dress code and, as a result, is barred from eating in the Dining room on the formal evenings might believe that their cruises were ruined, but that wouldn't effect me (except that I would feel sorry for them). This actually happened. The couple that I witnessed being turned away one formal night on the Statendam in Dec 2002 fumed and sputtered and bad-talk HAL during the disembarkation wait in the Van Gogh lounge. I was sitting behind them and couldn't help but overhear their loud exchange, for about 30 minutes, with another couple over how horrible the experience was for them. It had been several days since being turned away from the Dining room on that formal night, but they were still very angry. They said they were humiliated, in public, by the staff, and that they would never stand for that ever happening again. They recalled to their friends about how they went and chewed out the Hotel Manager, and about how they were going to write a long letter to HAL expressing their anger and dissatisfaction with the Line. They used the phrase "this ruined our cruise" more than once.

So ... someone else bringing booze aboard or dressing out of code hasn't ruined a cruise of MINE; but, it might ruin theirs. Given how HAL is inconsistent in enforcing its dress code, I doubt such will happen much anymore ... but people have been turned away recently on at least a couple HAL ships.

[lknick]

The way this question was phrased only demands a negative...and therefore our poster stands justified in doing whatever he wants since no ones cruise is 'ruined'.

Last year, the couple in the next cabin spent much of the time drinking, becoming rowdy, and arguing in their cabin. This conduct sure didn't enhance my enjoyment.

[RevNeal]

Last year, the couple in the next cabin spent much of the time drinking, becoming rowdy, and arguing in their cabin. This conduct sure didn't enhance my enjoyment.

But did it ruin your cruise? Knowing you, I somehow doubt it ... you tend to be too positive (like me) to allow that. I had something similar happen 3 years ago. A couple was fighting in the cabin next door ... it was loud, and I could hear them yelling at each other late at night. It was annoying when it was happening, but for the most part we ignored them until they began throwing empty beer bottles overboard and one bottle didn't go down, it was blown back and onto our verandah, where it broke into pieces. We called the front office and they sent someone to clean up the glass, and someone else to talk to our neighbors.

They may have ruined their own cruise, but even with this happening they didn't ruin ours.

This was back when one could buy booze aboard ship, in the stores, and take it back to your cabin ... so ... I doubt it was smuggled aboard.

[Sailure]

I guess it depends also on what your definition of "ruined" is. I've read threads where people have said their cruise was ruined because they didn't get the fruit bowl or the bottle of champagne that was ordered for a special occasion and it put a damper on the whole cruise.

I was on a cruise with Carnival once and some guys in the next suite not only brought booze on board, they brought pot on board. For two nights they were partying, were loud, obnoxious, rude and got so drunk and/or high they were throwing cigar butts that were flying onto my balcony, they kept me up for two nights and ruined 2 nights of my cruise. They were removed at the next port because someone (not me) reported them to security. Had I had to put up with that for 7 nights it would have ruined my WHOLE cruise instead of just 2 nights.

Does that count, or is there some rationalization on the part of the person who started this thead to invalidate it? I ask this with all due respect of course.:)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Does that count, or is there some rationalization on the part of the person who started this thead to invalidate it? I ask this with all due respect of course.:)
Well, I think it counts, for what it's worth:) .

But you're a much nicer person than I am because I would have complained after one night of that. I did that at a resort once and they moved us to another room.

So, Joedog, whaddya think? ... does it count?:o

[RevNeal]

... they brought pot on board.

LOL ... for a moment I thought you wrote "bought" not "brought." LOL
I was about to ask "was that pot duty free?"

hehe

[Sailure]

Heather, I usually give someone 3 chances...then they're out! :mad: Fortunately for me, someone else only gave them TWO chances to straighten up and fly right! :D

[Sailure]

LOL ... for a moment I thought you wrote "bought" not "brought." LOL
I was about to ask "was that pot duty free?"

hehe
You just gave me an idea for a new thread!:D

[Cruise Junky]

Holy Cow people I wish you could read this as an outsider. Why is it anyone else's business what I do in my Cabin? People aren't looking to bring a keg of beer on board. They simply want a bottle of their favourite beverage in their room for a drink before dinner, after dinner, after sex, while sitting on their deck watching the sunset..basically whenever the hell they want to.

A lot of people view cruise ships as floating hotels... is that next.. you'd be ok with Hotels saying..sorry, we have a mini bar.. you can't bring your own.

Get a life people...move on to more important subjects... this is simply the cruise lines trying to make money.. they really don't care how much you drink on board...they just want to make sure that you're paying them for the priviledge.

[Joedog]

Well,

It appears the question at hand is whether the cruise ruined by rowdy pot smoking alcohol guzzlers qualifies as a "ruined" cruise IAW (in accordance with) my original question and this thread?

I have two simple qualifiers...(1) was it smuggled alcohol? and/or (2) were they dressed appropriately IAW ship's stated policy and if not, was their lack of proper dress what ruined your cruise?

I was not asking if anyone ever had a ruined cruise. I was asking very specifically whether of not anyone ever had their cruise ruined because of someone's smuggled alcohol or improper dress. Also, I was not trying to phrase the question in such a way as to only get negative responses. I was phrasing the question to follow the other threads. The fact that no one has come up with a ruined cruise is not because of the way the question was asked but because IT APPARANTLY HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ANYONE WHO READ THIS THREAD.

I am not saying cruisers have not suffered by other cruisers rude, inappropriate behavior, I am sure they have, but.....whatever bad things that might have happened or MAY happen was not the question/issue.

Bottom line....I say no, it doesnt qualify IAW my stated question.

[RevNeal]

(1) was it smuggled alcohol?

What about smuggled pot? :D :D :D

[Sailure]

Here's your question:

Okay, time to put up of shut up....(that sounds a little rude, sorry)....anyhow, here is your chance to tell all us n'er do wells how we ruined your past cruises so perhaps we will see the light and not do the offensive thing again on our next cruise.

things that actually happened, not "might have or could haveRemember, I am asking for REAL "....this should be interesting....
__________________
Ruth and Joe

.

Asked and answered. EOS

[Joedog]

I am not trying to belabor the point but perhaps you missed the title of the thread.

I believe I also clarified again when I later added:

"Sorry it isn't clearer.

After reading many complaining posts from people stating that their cruises were "ruined" by people breaking HAL rules about smuggled alcohol and/or improper dress for dinner I am asking for real examples, not moral judgements or "could happens"."

Nice try though....

[Sailure]

I gave an actual example. My cruise was ruined for 2 days until the smugglers were removed from the ship. YES, they smuggled in the booze and dope.

Nuff said. EOS.

[Joedog]

Sorry Sailure,

I didnt get that the booze that was brought aboard was smuggled. I am not familiar with Carnival rules about bringing alcohol onboard. So.....even though this thread was about "HAL" rules I wouldnt want to invalidate your ruined cruise on a technicality.

So.....congratulations!! Apparantly there is someone that had their cruise ruined (or at least semi-ruined) by smuggled alcohol.

Good thing that you remembered the incident on your 5th post to this thread or we would never have known.

[superstein61]

Holy Cow people I wish you could read this as an outsider. Why is it anyone else's business what I do in my Cabin? People aren't looking to bring a keg of beer on board. They simply want a bottle of their favourite beverage in their room for a drink before dinner, after dinner, after sex, while sitting on their deck watching the sunset..basically whenever the hell they want to.

A lot of people view cruise ships as floating hotels... is that next.. you'd be ok with Hotels saying..sorry, we have a mini bar.. you can't bring your own.

Get a life people...move on to more important subjects... this is simply the cruise lines trying to make money.. they really don't care how much you drink on board...they just want to make sure that you're paying them for the priviledge.

Exactly !!!! I still can't understand why people are so bent out of shape over this.

[superstein61]

What about smuggled pot? :D :D :D

Rev - I do not believe anyone here advocated bringing pot or any other illegal drugs onboard.

The example Sailure noted doesn't fit in what JoeDog asked because it appears it was the illegal pot that got his neighbors booted from the ship and disrupted his sleep for the day or two he noted

[dougnewmanatsea]

I've read threads where people have said their cruise was ruined because they didn't get the fruit bowl or the bottle of champagne that was orderedI always have to wonder if such people have ever been satisfied with anything?

Nothing is perfect, ever. Some people have their cruises (or other holidays, or anything else) much more easily ruined than others. I'm a pretty particular person generally speaking (it takes a lot to get really high marks from me) but to actually ruin my vacation it would take something pretty huge.

I have been on 10 cruises and have had only one generally dissatisfactory one, and even that wasn't even anywhere in the vicinity of ruined.

I was on a cruise with Carnival once and some guys in the next suite not only brought booze on board, they brought pot on board.Now that must have been interesting!

I should mention that I have been on at least one cruise where passengers brought drugs on board (no idea if it was pot, or something worse, or who the pax were - I get the impression they were smuggling, not using), and I also have seen pax smoking pot on certain Caribbean islands on a few occasions (but not on the ship).

Had I had to put up with that for 7 nights it would have ruined my WHOLE cruise instead of just 2 nights.I must say you are an incredibly tolerant person. In my case I think security would have gotten a ring after about five minutes of that behavior.

On another note, I'm thrilled to see that a thread on this normally ultra-sensitive topic has 50+ replies and still has a pleasant tone. Amazing how much nicer everyone is now that we have this great new software ;) .

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, Doug, this an incredibly nice thread, very civil I think:D. We even apologized a few times!!!

And, Sailure, Congratulations! You won the pot (no pun intended:eek: ). JoeDog, tell us what Sailure won! Before you gave in and accepted the story as a partly ruined vacation I was thinking you were being extraordinarily tough.

[Sailure]

Wow! To Joe, the only reason it took me so long to post it was because it happened on Carnival. I then saw that the question didn't stipulate which cruiseline, so thanks for the congrats...even though it was backhanded.;)

Now about the prize...If I could choose a prize, please make it be an all expense paid cruise with all the people on this board, even though more than a few might be drunken, smuggling, sex starved, dressed in flour sacks for formal dinners, and dancing fools who don't know the butt end of the "boat" from fronters! Just point me to the sea!:D

[xpcdoojk]

There are no miracles here.

Booze sales are a major source of revenue for the cruiselines. Deprive them of that revenue stream and they don't just pout and apologize to their stockholders. They find other ways to generate revenue:

1) Start charging for something that was previously given away.

2) Cutback or eliminate something that was previously provided (does this sound familiar "suite" paxs?)

3) Raise the price of passage to recover this lost revenue.

So, to the extent, booze smuggling is prevalent the "other" paxs have to pay for it one way or another. And if it makes cruising with a particular line out of the financial reach of a potential customer that could be construed as "ruining" their cruise. :(



OK, I will play. Ummm, in the past smuggling was allowed. So your premise is wrong. That they are not loosing a past source of revenue that is now being lost to smuggling. They are trying to increase revenue by stopping people from bringing their own.

There is no doubt that cruising is a very competitive business as there are many more ships than ever before going after the same customers. Cruise prices are still very cheap, not as cheap as post 911, but still historically very cheap.

I still feel that smuggling is perfectly acceptable because it is not smuggling. They are completely aware of every item on the ship. The crew will bring you ice and glasses for your booze. I however, think it is in poor taste to consume your personal alcohol in public places, but in your cabin it is no different to me than taking your own aspirin versus buying aspirin from the ship.

jc

[HeatherInFlorida]

Wow! To Joe, the only reason it took me so long to post it was because it happened on Carnival. I then saw that the question didn't stipulate which cruiseline, so thanks for the congrats...even though it was backhanded.;)

Now about the prize...If I could choose a prize, please make it be an all expense paid cruise with all the people on this board, even though more than a few might be drunken, smuggling, sex starved, dressed in flour sacks for formal dinners, and dancing fools who don't know the butt end of the "boat" from fronters! Just point me to the sea!:D
Hey I'm there! I'll be the sober, dressed, dancing fool with my arms outspread, hair blowin' in the wind, out there on the "front" of the "boat":)

[RevNeal]

Rev - I do not believe anyone here advocated bringing pot or any other illegal drugs onboard.

I was being humorous, as in: "ha ha ... funny."
So, lighten up. I'll even buy you a drink in the Ocean Bar. :)

[Joedog]

Sorry Sailure,

The only prize is recognition and commiseration from your fellow cruise critic members for your suffering.

Oh, and I liked your "point me toward the sea" comment.

Keep Smilin

[Sailure]

Shoot! I thought I was gonna get some kinda real garrooneteed prize sorta!:(

Oh well....I guess I'll have to be happy with what I can get!;) Poor little uncouth, unedjukated "riff-raff" like meself can't be choozy!;)

It coulda been worse...I might have won my ticket in a poker game and on a night in the middle of the Atlantic I'd be hearing, "...My heart will gooooo oonnnnn....."

Just point me toward the sea!