Warning Regarding Packing Purchased Alcohol

[cruisecrasy]

Returned recently from a cruise onboard the Ryndam.

Enjoyed our trip with HAL as usual except when we started to unpack. Of the 2 bottles purchased onboard of duty-free alcohol in one cardboard carry-case - 1 had a crack and YUP u guessed it, had leaked into the cardboard case & all thru the suitcase & clothes including tuxedo shirts etc.. Only bright spot is that it was Kahlua & smelled good!

We carefully wrapped and cushioned the case as we always do. We did not even think of checking the inside of the box or alcohol other than looking at the sticker which listed the type and # we purchased as we have never had a problem before - BIG mistake!!

There was NO divider for 2 bottles in the cardboard case HAL now is using thereby allowing some movement between the bottles and likely while being thrown around, either while exiting the ship OR by the airline, one bottle slammed into the other and cracked glass.

To be sure it doesn't happen to u - plse check what the alcohol is packed in before leaving the ship..and make sure there is a divider if more than 1 bottle or make one if not.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We wouldn't even consider taking alcohol home in a suitcase -- just isn't worth it.

[jtl513]

...and make sure there is a divider if more than 1 bottle or make one if not.Or insist on two separate boxes.

[MadManOfBethesda]

We wouldn't even consider taking alcohol home in a suitcase -- just isn't worth it.


I agree. I've never understood why people schlepp liquor accross the country just to save a few dollars/bottle. And as the OP unfortunately has learned, the downside risk is much greater than the meager savings if all goes well.

[jtl513]

I agree. I've never understood why people schlepp liquor accross the country just to save a few dollars/bottle.We often bring back liquor from ports as gifts, usually things that we don't find at home. It just has to be packed adequately.

[Cruising-along]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, and thanks for the warning. Yeah, Kahlua does smell good :p and sure beats the smell of the olive oil that broke open and soaked DD's clothes on her first trip to Italy. :eek:

[meterman2]

We often bring back liquor from ports as gifts. It just has to be packed adequately.

We do this as well, but less frequently now because of the necessity of having to put it in the "checked bags". We used to look for unique "rums" or "liqueurs" in the Carribean, special to the island we visited.

In the checked bag, we try to carefully places it near the base (where the roller wheels are) while well wrapped in clothing and protected by footwear. Try not to put no more than one per bag. The "baggage weight limits" is another factor to now reducing our purchases.

[meterman2]

double click

[lorekauf]

I usually take home liquor in my suitcase but only one bottle. I always take it out of the box and wrap it in tons of clothes. My suitcase is so full there is no way I would get the box in there. Lots of padding for the bottle:D .

[sail7seas]

Sorry this happened to you.

We never put liquor bottles in our suitcase. The ruined clothes cost very much more than the small savings on the bottle.

Hope your leaking suitcase didn't get someone else's bag soaked as well. I always picture my suitcase will be just under the suitcase someone has filled with bottles of leaking liquor and I will be the recipient of their drippings. I actually place two dry cleaner bags across top, bottom and sides of suitcase to provide some protection just in case.

[FoxyTerrier]

We have done this many times and the secret is in the packing

If you are travelling to a location that has specialy liquors just bring a long a box of 2 gallon ziplocks and you be all set.

Wrap the bottle in t-shirts for cushioning as other have suggested and then put in a 2 gallon ziplock bag and then put that in a 2nd 2 gallon ziplock bag. We've never had a bottle break but if it did the double wrapping should avoid any mess.

On our last cruise I did have a bottle of red nail polish break - luckily it was in a ziplock bag. I put all my liquid cosmetics in ziplocks just for that reason.

[SarasMommy]

This doesn't have to do with alcohol, but liquids are liquids nonetheless...

Years ago I had an aerosol can of hairspray in my carry-on. I placed the bag in the overhead compartment and thought nothing else about it until the end of the flight six hours later. It was then that I discovered the lid had come off during the flight, either due to the contents shifting or another bag being squished against it. Not only that, something had put pressure on the nozzle and it had been spraying out the contents of the can all over my bag for most of the flight!

So my tips for aerosol products are: Make sure you put the plastic lids on any aerosol cans you are taking, either in your carry-on or checked luggage; be sure they are on securely; and pack them so that they are not in danger of being knocked off during travel. Also putting them in a ziploc bag is a good backup plan.

[2bout2c]

Sorry this happened to you.

We never put liquor bottles in our suitcase. The ruined clothes cost very much more than the small savings on the bottle.

Hope your leaking suitcase didn't get someone else's bag soaked as well. I always picture my suitcase will be just under the suitcase someone has filled with bottles of leaking liquor and I will be the recipient of their drippings. I actually place two dry cleaner bags across top, bottom and sides of suitcase to provide some protection just in case.




I agree with you. I'd hate for my clothes to smell like liquor. I'd want to find the person who's bag leaked to pay my drycleaning bill.

[jtl513]

This doesn't have to do with alcohol, but liquids are liquids nonetheless...

Also putting them in a ziploc bag is a good backup plan.DOUBLE zip-lock bags for me now! I had a bottle of blue-green mouthwash leak out of a single zip lock bag. I don't know if I didn't zip it compleletey or some kind or motion caused it to open slightly. At least my underwear smelled minty!! :D

[cruisecrasy]

Appreciate u posting all the tips to follow to hopefully help others avoid my little 'mishap'! My biggest upset is losing all that Kaluha! :)!

As far as saving goes - They cost $11 US per bottle and wld cost $26 + tax C per bottle at home (& before the Canuck buck took a nose dive, of course) - Seems like a bit of a saving to me - even losing 1 bottle I am still ahead and over 25 yrs we have saved hundreds of $s with just 1 breakage.

Hubby suggested that the bottle may have had hairline cracks (caused before it was even placed in the case or bumped while doing so) and even a slight jarring cld have started it leaking - so no matter how well we packed it might not have helped!

I always use a hardsider suitcase for packing any alcohol so no leakage..
On the bright side of this, the suitcase after being hosed out, smells a heck of a lot better than it did before.. :)

I prefer packing alcohol in the cardboard boxes (with a divider or each in a separate box now though) because the case soaked up the bulk of the liquid..Will be plastic bagging any from now on though & wrapped in an absorbant towel also.

I confess I studied that cardboard container - trying to figure out how to squeeze out the 'booze'.... Best of all, my garbage can smells wonderful :)

Actually, I consider myself lucky.
Everything has washed perfectly clean - no stains..
No drycleaning needed because all that stuff was packed in another area of the suitcase

It helps to put things in proper prospective because, much more importantly, we got home from a great cruise safely & smelling good too :)!!

Thanks again for posting...hope this thread helps others!!

Have happy cruisin!

[heathriel]

I'm an "airline wife", and there are horror stories (for the passengers - we find them hysterical) of what happen to people's bags on certain routes.

For example, when my man worked at BWI, almost all of the flights coming in from New Orleans contained live crabs (because in the Chesapeake Bay area, there is a HUGE demand for crab, and there simply isn't enough supply). Well, the crates they're shipped in are tossed in there with as much love and care as all the rest of the bags, strapped down, and sent on their merry way.

They also proceed to leak crab water all throughout the hold. And that does not even address what happens when the crates break - which happens at least twice a week. It's no ends of fun to watch the ramp agents running around trying to wrangle up some crabs before the flight can turn.

Try explaining to someone why their suitcase and all the contents is drenched with crab water - or, better still, has a live crab crawling inside the half-open zippered pocket. More than once I heard a sarcastic baggage claim agent tell an incredulous passenger that Southwest Airlines had provided them free dinner.

[InTheWASide]

If you're taking the train or driving it can be worth it to do this...

But airplane? No way!

Sorry to the OP that this happened. Hopefully everything can get cleaned and will be good as new.

[cruisecrasy]

I'm an "airline wife", and there are horror stories (for the passengers - we find them hysterical) of what happen to people's bags on certain routes.

For example, when my man worked at BWI, almost all of the flights coming in from New Orleans contained live crabs (because in the Chesapeake Bay area, there is a HUGE demand for crab, and there simply isn't enough supply). Well, the crates they're shipped in are tossed in there with as much love and care as all the rest of the bags, strapped down, and sent on their merry way.

They also proceed to leak crab water all throughout the hold. And that does not even address what happens when the crates break - which happens at least twice a week. It's no ends of fun to watch the ramp agents running around trying to wrangle up some crabs before the flight can turn.

Try explaining to someone why their suitcase and all the contents is drenched with crab water - or, better still, has a live crab crawling inside the half-open zippered pocket. More than once I heard a sarcastic baggage claim agent tell an incredulous passenger that Southwest Airlines had provided them free dinner.

Truth can be stranger than fiction...
I needed a good giggle and this was it!!

[SonomaDriver]

I agree. I've never understood why people schlepp liquor accross the country just to save a few dollars/bottle. And as the OP unfortunately has learned, the downside risk is much greater than the meager savings if all goes well.

From our point of view, we bring our own because the wines they stock are often bottom shelf grocery store quality and overpriced to boot.

On our Pac Coast cruise, we avoided corkage fees because the Sommelier had been dying to try the wines we brought to the dining room but could not get his hands on any.

I know some pack to save a couple of bucks which I agree is silly but when you live in the wine country and are used to drinking great wine, it's hard to justify spending $$ on a cruise and drink ho hum wine.

[serendipity1499]

So sorry you had that problem but glad to hear that you were able to wash & save your clothes...I worked for an airline & have seen this happen so many times..

We've occasionally purchased the more expensive liquors such as Kahlua & Baily's Irish Cream (my downfall), when overseas or in the Caribbean as well as some of the special rums..We've also very carefully packed them in our suitcases in double Zip Lock bags..Don't use the boxes as they take up too much room..

All of our aerosol cans, liquids, nail Polish etc., are packed in two Zip lock bags...We take liquor out of the boxes & use DH's socks plus some laundry before placing these in the two Zip Lock bags... Have always used the two gal size but recently found larger ones at our new Super Target Store..

They are called ZIPLOCK BIG BAGS & come in L, XL's & XXL's...The XL's are 24 inches X 20 Inches...Don't know the dimensions of the L or XXL ones..

In addition, I line each suitcase with large plastic cleaner bags both top & bottom before packing our clothes in them...A couple of our bags have a narrow space in the lid for clothes..I insert a 13 gal garbage bag into the top... This will protect our clothes if someone Else's bag leaks or if the bags are left in the rain on the tarmac or the port:( .. We've also seen this happen..

Cheers..:) Betty

[obriendan]

cruisecrasy,

One more helpful tip when you get your next bottle of Kaluaha. On a Russian River Cruise we were introduced to the KGB cocktail. It is made by carefully layering a shot of Kaluaha, then one of Galliano, and finally one of Bailey's Irish Cream. It is really a great combination.

Dan

[carolmacey]

Returned recently from a cruise onboard the Ryndam.

Enjoyed our trip with HAL as usual except when we started to unpack. Of the 2 bottles purchased onboard of duty-free alcohol in one cardboard carry-case - 1 had a crack and YUP u guessed it, had leaked into the cardboard case & all thru the suitcase & clothes including tuxedo shirts etc.. Only bright spot is that it was Kahlua & smelled good!

We carefully wrapped and cushioned the case as we always do. We did not even think of checking the inside of the box or alcohol other than looking at the sticker which listed the type and # we purchased as we have never had a problem before - BIG mistake!!

There was NO divider for 2 bottles in the cardboard case HAL now is using thereby allowing some movement between the bottles and likely while being thrown around, either while exiting the ship OR by the airline, one bottle slammed into the other and cracked glass.

To be sure it doesn't happen to u - plse check what the alcohol is packed in before leaving the ship..and make sure there is a divider if more than 1 bottle or make one if not.
Socks fit nicely around bottles and cushion fairly well. Double sock the bottles if you have room in the box.

[DesertDogs]

cruisecrasy,

One more helpful tip when you get your next bottle of Kaluaha. On a Russian River Cruise we were introduced to the KGB cocktail. It is made by carefully layering a shot of Kaluaha, then one of Galliano, and finally one of Bailey's Irish Cream. It is really a great combination.

Dan
I think the KGB is Kahlua, Grand Marnier, and Bailey's, hence the KGB. They are AKA B52's. One of my all time favorite drinks! :D

[obira]

Forgive me for for not contributing to the thread topic here but Heathriel's post reminded me of a funny story:

At the beginning of a flight from Darwin (an Australian Northern Territory town with a wild frontier reputation) a passenger asked for some assistance from the purser with some crabs he was transporting. The purser duly took care of the passenger's seafood and they settled in for the long flight.

On arrival in Sydney the purser made the following announcement, "Could the gentleman who gave me the crabs in Darwin please see me before leaving the aircraft?"

The whole aircraft broke into laughter and many of the passengers as they disembarked asked the flight attendants which one of them had crabs.

obira :D

[jjb415]

Thanks OP for posting & letting us learn from your experience!

[GatorV]

Bubble wrap,,,,its a must for those wonderful little purchases...not just liquor. never a mis hap here....so far... bubble wrap and 2 gallon sip locks

[m steve]

instead of dry cleaner bags. Then on your return, use the wrap for the bottles and all the dirty clothes going to the cleaners as added protection. They won't let you take the liquor boxes on the plane so you have to either pack your purchases in checked bags (keeping the weight under 50 lbs.)I don't have to fly to the port so i don't have the weight problem but I still repack the boxes with clothes to buffer them when handled by the ship when they are unloaded. I have had 2 bottles break once when I didn't repack the boxes. I also save the old boxes for the next cruise to take wine, water, mixers and the bad stuff on board.

[innlady1]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, and thanks for the warning. Yeah, Kahlua does smell good :p and sure beats the smell of the olive oil that broke open and soaked DD's clothes on her first trip to Italy. :eek:
Oh my...olive oil. That must have been a nightmare to get out of the clothing.

[innlady1]

Returned recently from a cruise onboard the Ryndam.

Enjoyed our trip with HAL as usual except when we started to unpack. Of the 2 bottles purchased onboard of duty-free alcohol in one cardboard carry-case - 1 had a crack and YUP u guessed it, had leaked into the cardboard case & all thru the suitcase & clothes including tuxedo shirts etc.. Only bright spot is that it was Kahlua & smelled good!

We carefully wrapped and cushioned the case as we always do. We did not even think of checking the inside of the box or alcohol other than looking at the sticker which listed the type and # we purchased as we have never had a problem before - BIG mistake!!

There was NO divider for 2 bottles in the cardboard case HAL now is using thereby allowing some movement between the bottles and likely while being thrown around, either while exiting the ship OR by the airline, one bottle slammed into the other and cracked glass.

To be sure it doesn't happen to u - plse check what the alcohol is packed in before leaving the ship..and make sure there is a divider if more than 1 bottle or make one if not.
Thank you for the warning.

We don't bring back liquor that can otherwise be found in the States, but did bring back the guava berry liqueur from St. Maarten for our kids. I wrapped it in bubble wrap and it did fine.

We didn't have to fly so we were OK. We're flying into Fort Lauderdale this year, so I won't bother taking up valuable weight with that!

[Cruising-along]

Oh my...olive oil. That must have been a nightmare to get out of the clothing.

Lordy yes! :eek: At least she learned her lesson (she was a young college student on her first trip overseas). She also said most of the clothing was old and not worth salvaging. I only hope her clothes soaked up all the olive oil and it didn't get on anyone else's luggage! :o

[stanford's girl]

After having a bottle of Vodka break in my suitcase (it was packed in the cruise lines box and packed with dirty clothes on all sides), I found a great product to bring back your booze safely.

It is called a Platy Bottle and they are great. I bought 4 of the one liter size, as that is the size of the bottles they sell on the ship. They are collapsible, taste-free, lightweight, easy to fill, and rugged enough to handle temperatures from freezing to boiling. Once the ship delivers your booze to your cabin, just pour the contents into your Platy Bottle. Make sure you buy the ones with the screw top and not the pop-up drinking kind. Here's their website and you can find a local dealer close to your home on there too. :D

http://www.platypushydration.com/product_detail.aspx?ProdID=36&CategoryID=8

[Seavoyage]

Hi All:
Ziplocks-bubblewrap and tape - never leave home without them!:D
Happy cruising -

[cruisecrasy]

U are all wonderful - sharing all these great tips - many thanks to all..

I am very glad if this post helps others...

Have happy cruisin'!!

[m steve]

I also use those bags for 1 or 2 bottles. Take my wine to dining room and pack expensive bottles in them on the way home. Very safe. You can get them online at Chef's catalog or Macys.