Booze question

[Chilipepa]

Rob and I are cruise virgins & drinkers and the booze issue has been bothering me. We really want to bring a bottle of something on at embarkation. I read one thread on this issue that makes it sound like other lines are more lax than HAL. HAL apparently confiscates more often? How do you do it? Is it luck of the draw? Any info would be greatly appreciated.:)

Thanks,
Linda

[FoxyTerrier]

Carefully wrap and pack in your checked luggage and you won't have any issues. If they find spirits in your carry on luggage they will hold it for you until you return.

You can always order it from room service with or without setups. We did both - brought a bottle and bought a bottle.

[wdblake]

Agreed. Wrap bottle in bubble paper and pack in your suitcase. They will take it if in a carry on. If you wish to take your own ashore transfer it to a coke or water bottle.

[Chilipepa]

Thank you very much for clearing that up, you know us cruise virgins can be quite daft.:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

I wouldn't risk packing a bottle of alcohol into luggage if you are flying a great distance. Have seen too many pieces of luggage being tossed around with no regard to its contents.

Either order through ship services or order a bottle through room service once you get on board.

[grandma bev]

In 15 cruises, 4 with HAL, we've never had a problem with a bottle of rum in checked baggage or carryon. Have always bought liquor in ports and brought it to the ship in my backpack. Maybe these wrinkles make me appear harmless ;-), but most likely it's the fact that 2 or 3 bottles of local booze are not important. A case would be another matter.

Where/when do you sail?
We're doing Ryndam Dec. 18 from San Diego

Bev

[Golfgrl1911]

Linda.....I understand that there's an unlimited Rum Punch, Beer and Water card that may be purchased for the day while on HMC.....I don't remember exactly how much it costs, but since it's MY vacation I plan on purchasing one of those (along with a clamshell) and giving it "the old college try" on getting my moneys worth!! If anyone knows the reputation of Ohio University, I will be successful!! See you onboard!! Chef Nancy:D

[jazzsea]

Grandma Bev, you will get a big surprise if you plan to carry liquor aboard in your carry on. The rules have changed and HAL will take it and hold it until the last night of your cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We were among the first cruisers last February on the Oosterdam when the new alcohol policies went into effect.

There were a lot of angry people at security when their bottles of alcohol were taken away from them as they went to get on the ship. There was a table right by the x-ray machine and a crew member there putting names on the bottles to be held until the end of the cruise.

It also happened in each port. Passengers were getting into arguments because they did not know about the new alcohol policies.

We didn't as much confiscation of alcohol on our last cruise because people now have the note included in their travel documents and have stopped trying to bring alcohol on board the ship in their carry-ons and back-packs.

[FoxyTerrier]

I wouldn't risk packing a bottle of alcohol into luggage if you are flying a great distance. Have seen too many pieces of luggage being tossed around with no regard to its contents.

Either order through ship services or order a bottle through room service once you get on board.


Put it in your suit case after you land and you won't have a problem.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have never carried alcohol onto a ship either by suit case or by carry-on.

I just posted to try and warn others what HAL has done.

[Chilipepa]

Linda.....I understand that there's an unlimited Rum Punch, Beer and Water card that may be purchased for the day while on HMC.....I don't remember exactly how much it costs, but since it's MY vacation I plan on purchasing one of those (along with a clamshell) and giving it "the old college try" on getting my moneys worth!! If anyone knows the reputation of Ohio University, I will be successful!! See you onboard!! Chef Nancy:D
Thanks for the tip about the beverage card. DH and I will definitely be purchasing one of those!:D

[Golfgrl1911]

Hi Linda!!

Hopefully we'll "stumble" upon each other over on HMC!! Where we can toast to our cruise, the beach, great weather and anything else we can come up with! Is this your first cruise? Will you be attending the sail-away? As the time gets closer I will be giving away "clues" as to how people on our roll call thread can spot me at the sail-away party on the lido deck!! 33 days and 23 hours to go!! Chef Nancy:)

[Chilipepa]

Hi again Nancy.
We can toast to the beverage cards!
Yes, this is our first cruise. We like going to the Yucatan area but I got sort of burned out on that so this year we went to Vegas and New Orleans. Then I got my Travelzoo email that had a great price for this cruise (altho it is in hurricane season) but I asked DH and we thought what the heck. I always knew I'd get around to trying a cruise one of these years.

I hadn't decided on the Sail-Away, I was sort of thinking of borrowing someone else's idea & ordering appetizers for the veranda in our stateroom. And maybe champagne (that part being my idea).:)

I have a question - what is a clamshell? Is it a shade thingy for the beach?
Also, who are you cruising with?

[Golfgrl1911]

Yes it is a shade "thingy"!! They run $9.00 for the day and from what I understand there are only about 100 of them. So I am going to book one as soon as we get onboard! They are good for 2 people and include 2 chaise lounges as well. There is a picture of them on one of the previous pages (they are bright blue) Page is entitled HMC Cabanas and Clamshells I believe. Have a good day! Chef Nancy:)

[Golfgrl1911]

Linda,
Go to Cruiseclues.com........Click on Zuiderdam ship............Look under Zuiderdam photos.............Click on webshots Crackerken.......Click on Zuiderdam Eastern Carribean.........And you'll see the photos....click on the photo and it will enlarge....Good Luck! Chef Nancy:D

[sail7seas]

I agree that it would be an ugly, smelly mess if your bottles broke in your suitcase. Why risk it?


It is easy enough to call Room Service or to call Ships Services before you board and get your bottle delivered to you.

Yes...maybe it will cost you a little bit more money but it sure will cost a whole lot more if your clothes all get wrecked.

You're on vacation. Who needs the grief.

[Chilipepa]

I'm getting older & smarter & packing lighter. I think the extra $ spent is worth not having to lug heavier luggage across half the country. I find that I am a lot more willing to pay for convenience now.:)

[sail7seas]

Hope you have a great time.

[Chilipepa]

Thank you 7Seas, you have a great time as well!
Chef Nancy, thanks for the info on finding the pics. The clamshells are what I was thinking of. The color of the water reminds me of my fave place in the Yucatan. Gawd, I want to leave tomorrow! I don't know if I can wait another month!

[Golfgrl1911]

Linda!!
I'm right there with ya sister!! Having a VERY stressful job makes for even more anticipation. I'm just thinking that 7 nights is not enough!! Perhaps I should just get a job on the ship and be at sea all the time!! Talk with you soon!! Chef Nancy
P.S. The cooking part of my job is great, it's the corporate part that lends it's share of Balony! (Bologna respectfully) Unfortunately I am part of the corporate:(

[Chilipepa]

You're lucky to have a job that could translate so well into the cruise industry, or travel industry period. You could work for the hotel industry, etc. It gives you a lot of options with what you want to with your life if you love to travel.:)

[digby]

Empty out a plastic 2 liter water/soda bottle and refill it with liquor. Problems solved!

[Chilipepa]

Empty out a plastic 2 liter water/soda bottle and refill it with liquor. Problems solved!
Realistically would someone pack a 2-liter of soda in their checked luggage? I would think that raises a red flag. Might as well just pack the real bottle, but I understand the breakage issue.

[digby]

Realistically would someone pack a 2-liter of soda in their checked luggage? I would think that raises a red flag. Might as well just pack the real bottle, but I understand the breakage issue.


It has worked for me on HAL and NCL. I actually usually use 2 one Liter bottles. I have not been questioned on 3 cruises.