Bringing Alcohol on board???

[HeatherInFlorida]

I know, Dave, and I've been very very good.

But there's something wrong with me today. I think it's the water:o

[Time2sail]

"At 82, it's fun to smuggle a bra full of miniature bottles aboard. On the other hand, I hate to think that the cruise lines are so dependant on liquor sales that they are forced to take these extreme measures. "

Note to HAL hq Board:

Please be on the lookout for two desperate elderly people--male, female approximately 80 to 90 years old. The female has pointy, perky breasts due to miniature bottles of booze being smuggled inside her bra (they could be pointing up or down).


Also, be sure to smell their breath--if it is not minty fresh please check the two or more liter bottles of cheap Wal Mart mouthwash to see if liquor is in them (note it could be cheap mouthwash so gargle to be sure).

Please unscrew the tip of the cane on the 92 year old man--what could be stashed in there!

In case this post from the elderly lady, please disregard.

[BLonde_4_ever]

[font=Arial Black][size=3][color=green]I am quite enjoying this whole discussion...but what is bugging me is the mention of waiters coming around inspecting your cups poolside to see what is in them. Surely this isn't a common occurence? I plan on bringing my own covered mug and putting whatever I want in it....sometimes it will be coffee...sometimes juice...sometimes "other" things...but I will be annoyed if I am inspected![/color][/size][/font]

[Nasmas]

Why do they ask you not to bring liquor on board? This is strictly my opinion but I think its because people abused the policy before. I personally never saw it, but I've read of people bringing their coolers to the pool. I really don't think anyone would say anything to you if you stay in your room with it and don't flaunt it. My husband and I enjoy a cocktail in the afternoons on the verandah, and we would really like to have our drink when we want it, not when they want to bring it to us. So, until they throw us off, we'll continue. (BTW, our bar bill usually runs $700 + week, so I really doubt they're going to throw us off the ship for BYOB:cool:

[parrotcruiser]

[quote name='HeatherInFlorida'] And that speaks volumes of the kind of people you are. Probably the same 60% who cheat on their spouses. A cheat is a cheat is a cheat.[/QUOTE]

My wife helped me stash it, we drank it together on our anniversary cruise. We really are couple of cheats and idiots.

To give you an idea of who THESE people are: I work with autistic children and spouse works for a non-profit charity. I think THAT speaks volumes for what kind of people we are, NOT that we enjoy getting a bottle of rum on the ship to drink before going to casino, dinner, disco. Some people can't afford to pay inflated cruise bar prices. I guess we are too busy paying child support for our illegitimate kids we are racking up by cheating all the time.

We also cheated our way to master's degrees.

We also cheat on our taxes.

Get over yourself.

[ekerr19]

You know what? The prices in the bar on cruise ships are no higher than any other restaurant or bar, less - in many cases. If you can't afford them, perhaps you should re-think your vacation. :confused:

How can you justify smuggling alcohol on board? I don't care if you are the Pope himself, it's against the rules and you are breaking them. Plain & simple.

Basically you are saying if you perform a specific type of work, such as working with autistic children or for a charity - it's means you are allowed special dispensation to break the rules and get away it??? That's nonsense. Btw -what you do (smuggling) actually does speak volumes about you.

If I were to apply your logic shouldn't this also apply to the thousands of dollars we donate to various charities throughout the year? Come on...

Talk about getting over ones self. :)

Also, to the previous poster - no, they don't go around checking your cup or glass for alcohol. :)

[peaches from georgia]

[quote name='ekerr19']
Also, to the previous poster - no, they don't go around checking your cup or glass for alcohol. :)[/QUOTE]
This is a new rumor to me. Must have missed something. BUT- how telling. We have gone from 'I only smuggle liquor because HAL doesn't carry the [I]one and only [/I] brand I like' to 'I only drink in my cabin and still buy drinks at the bar' to what is probably more the truth from this poster above and most of the others who would deny it- 'I plan on bringing my own covered mug (to the pool) and putting whatever I want in it'. :(

[parrotcruiser]

:eek: [quote name='ekerr19'].

Basically you are saying if you perform a specific type of work, such as working with autistic children or for a charity - it's means you are allowed special dispensation to break the rules and get away it??? That's nonsense. Btw -what you do (smuggling) actually does speak volumes about you.

If I were to apply your logic shouldn't this also apply to the thousands of dollars we donate to various charities throughout the year? Come on...

[/QUOTE]

No what I was saying is that just b/c we choose to sneak booze does not mean we are cheating scuz buckets. In no way do I think I am special and allowed to break a rule. You can't just throw out a brash generalization the way the previous poster did.

I am a booze sneaker, yes. Do I cheat on my wife and lead an otherwise deviant lifestyle, no. I go to work, play with my kid, love my wife, cut grass on the weekends, attend kid's soccer games. Never been arrested, never even had a speeding ticket.

Again, I DON'T think I am special and realize the cruise line wants my rum $$$. I don't appreciate being called scum because I sneak alcohol on the cruise.

Everyone's closet has at least one skeleton in it. If this is mine, well I guess I have surely punched my ticket straight to hell. :eek:

[ekerr19]

[quote name='peaches from georgia']This is a new rumor to me. Must have missed something. BUT- how telling. We have gone from 'I only smuggle liquor because HAL doesn't carry the [i]one and only [/i]brand I like' to 'I only drink in my cabin and still buy drinks at the bar' to what is probably more the truth from this poster above and most of the others who would deny it- 'I plan on bringing my own covered mug (to the pool) and putting whatever I want in it'. :([/QUOTE]

You know what Peaches - you are right! I hadn't thought of it, but that will most likely be the next step.

I can picture the whole smuggling issue running the gamut -

From:

"They don't carry the ONLY unblended scotch whiskey I can possibly stomach so I must bring my own"

To:

"Well, it's kind of expensive to purchase through Room Service or buy it in advance from Ship Services... and since I WILL only be drinking it in my cabin, it can't hurt.."

To This:

"Oh, you better hide the cup - we don't want to get caught drinking our smuggled booze at the Lido pool!"

I am amazed at the amount of people wondering why HAL changed the policy in the first place - it's called abuse. In the past (when it was still allowed) we used to see people carrying cases of beer onto the ship and then running into the Sam's Club in Mexico for more... like they say, a few bad apples spoiled it for everyone - [b]and next thing you know they will have someone in charge of sniffing the private containers and cups around the pools - if people continue to break the rules.[/b]

[HeatherInFlorida]

I always try (sometimes I fail) to be non-combative on these threads and I also try not to direct any venomous remarks directly at someone ... particularly lately. But it becomes exceedingly difficult when someone confronts me personally who I have not confronted or criticized in any way. I simply called it the way I saw it.

Methinks the gentlemen doth protest too much.

I have known many a man in my life (which is quite lengthy) who had a wonderful, loving anniversary toast with his darling wife only to turn around and cheat on her the next day. Who anyone works for or with does not in any way give them the right to cheat on anything.

I repeat ... a cheat is a cheat. No way you can rationalize it or convince me otherwise. You can't be a little bit pregnant and you can't be a little bit of a liar. You are or you aren't.

BTW, I got over myself a long time ago. Perhaps that particular remark should be held to a mirror.

[Lisa616]

[quote name='peaches from georgia']This is a new rumor to me. Must have missed something. BUT- how telling. We have gone from 'I only smuggle liquor because HAL doesn't carry the [I]one and only [/I] brand I like' to 'I only drink in my cabin and still buy drinks at the bar' to what is probably more the truth from this poster above and most of the others who would deny it- 'I plan on bringing my own covered mug (to the pool) and putting whatever I want in it'. :([/QUOTE]

That was my post several days ago. It was an isolated event on a RCCL ship where a waiter came up to me while I was lying at the pool and pointed to my bottle of water and said 'you're not allowed to bring your own liquor to the pool". He felt foolish when I told him it was water. Not too smart a fellow if you ask me!!

My take on this issue, is that I do not have to smuggle liquor to take onboard to enjoy in my cabin because I am a wine lover. I carried, or rather DH carried several bottles of wine(very heavy) right onboard with their blessing. We enjoyed a glass of wine, or 2 each evening while dressing, or just relaxing on our balcony. I don't see the difference between what I did, or the gentleman who would like to enjoy a glass of scotch on his balcony. What difference does it make if it was a nice, smooth merlot...or a fabulous scotch?

And to the poster who commented on the bar prices saying there are similiar to land bars..I agree. I was fine with the bar prices everywhere on the ship, and the daily drink was a deal. It's the prices for wine by the bottles which is staggeringly high. Restaurants, and land bars, typically double the price of wine. The cruiseline, quadrupled the prices. It's just too high. If they had a reasonable markup for wine, I wouldn't carry one single bottle on board. Because, let's face it...It's a pain! We did take wine to dinner with us a few nights and were happy to pay a corkage. We were never, however, charged one. We did tip the wine steward though. It was his fault we didn't order wine from him, and we wanted him compensated.

[ekerr19]

[quote name='parrotcruiser']:eek:

No what I was saying is that just b/c we choose to sneak booze does not mean we are cheating scuz buckets. In no way do I think I am special and allowed to break a rule. You can't just throw out a brash generalization the way the previous poster did.

I am a booze sneaker, yes. Do I cheat on my wife and lead an otherwise deviant lifestyle, no. I go to work, play with my kid, love my wife, cut grass on the weekends, attend kid's soccer games. Never been arrested, never even had a speeding ticket.

Again, I DON'T think I am special and realize the cruise line wants my rum $$$. I don't appreciate being called scum because I sneak alcohol on the cruise.

Everyone's closet has at least one skeleton in it. If this is mine, well I guess I have surely punched my ticket straight to hell. :eek:[/QUOTE]

That's not it at all - and no one is calling you a "scuz bucket", merely trying to point out that you are going against a policy that has been put into place and because you disagree with it, does it make it right to break it?

What if we applied that rationalization to everything in our lives? Also, what kind of message do you think it sends to your children? As a parent of a teen, I can assure you, parents that bend and break rules they think are "lame or wrong" are only asking for kids that will try and do the same.

I am not trying to make you feel bad or denigrate you for bringing your alcohol onboard - to each his own, but when you tried to rationalize it with references to what you do for a living, it bothered me. Actually, it doesn't cost all that much to pre-order your 1-litre bottle of Bacardi (or whatever your preference happens to be) from Ship Services. It will be waiting in your cabin when you arrive and will not have broken any rules...:)

[peaches from georgia]

[quote name='Lisa616']
What difference does it make if it was a nice, smooth merlot...or a fabulous scotch?
[/QUOTE]
I don't know or care about RCCL. The difference on HAL between bringing your own wine and bringing hard liquor onto a HAL ship is that, in the case of wine, HAL allows you to bring on whatever wine you choose and as much as you like.

With scotch or any hard liquor, HAL regulations do NOT allow you to bring it on the ship. Pure and simple. If you do, you are smuggling and any amount of excuses is just that- an excuse. You know the regs on HAL (and any other cruiseline). Don't book HAL if they are not what you want. Find a cruiseline that carries the scotch one prefers or allows you to bring it on. But don't try to BS that smuggling is not cheating.

[Lisa616]

[quote name='HeatherInFlorida']I wish I'd never happened on this thread. A bird let me to it. So prepare to flame me.

So you can argue until doomsday and it doesn't change the fact that you're defying HAL's request. And that speaks volumes of the kind of people you are. Probably the same 60% who cheat on their spouses. A cheat is a cheat is a cheat.[/QUOTE]

Wow! Now, come on..that was pretty rude. I'm not even one who smuggles liquor onboard, but to say that someone who does, is probably a spouse cheater..is just ridiculous. No one, and I repeat, no one.. is that holier than thou. You have never cheated in your life? Not on a game? Never broke a little rule, once? To generalize someone to that extent, I think..is beyond reproach. I would only be grateful that I'm not held up to that high a standard.

[HeatherInFlorida]

When I posted above, several posts hit before mine including Parrot's most recent so I feel compelled to add a comment.

I'm a little confused as to why one person has taken what I said earlier so personally. I directed my post to no one in particular. I simply believe that if a corporation has a rule as it relates to using their service, then we adhere to that rule. We may not always like it, but we agree to it.

If everyone decides to pick and choose which rules and laws they choose to live by then chaos will ensue. Some might argue it already does, but I'm quite amazed every day that more cars don't hit each other. People are driving (for the most part) in the lanes they're asked to drive in.

I'm sure the poster is a very nice person. But there's something a little screwy with his rationale. It's not "okay" simply because you believe it's "okay".

[parrotcruiser]

[quote name='ekerr19']That's not it at all - and no one is calling you a "scuz bucket", merely trying to point out that you are going against a policy that has been put into place and because you disagree with it, does it make it right to break it?

What if we applied that rationalization to everything in our lives? Also, what kind of message do you think it sends to your children? As a parent of a teen, I can assure you, parents that bend and break rules they think are "lame or wrong" are only asking for kids that will try and do the same.

I am not trying to make you feel bad or denigrate you for bringing your alcohol onboard - to each his own, but when you tried to rationalize it with references to what you do for a living, it bothered me. Actually, it doesn't cost all that much to pre-order your 1-litre bottle of Bacardi (or whatever your preference happens to be) from Ship Services. It will be waiting in your cabin when you arrive and will not have broken any rules...:)[/QUOTE]

All right, that I can handle. A few points:

1. I wasn't trying to rationalize by pointing out chosen occupations. Just an example to show I am not a social degenerate cheat. That REALLY bothered me.

2. I realize that I am breaking their "Contract".

3. I snuck booze on to my first cruise in Feb. Hadn't really discovered this sight and delved into it. Was unaware of a cabin liquor set - up for purchase until the week I left for cruise. The poster listed the procedure to get an in-room and you had to order 3 weeks prior. Now I know, live and learn. Believe me, I would rather pay a bit more and have my bottle in the room then go through hassle of sneaking.

4. Again, I got so aggravated b/c previous poster had made a blanket statement challenging mine/others personal integrity. If you want to say I made a bad choice in that instance, fine, but don't say I made that bad choice is b/c I am a bad person and I obviously lead a deviant lifestyle. Just not true.

There are some who would say (I've seen it on other message boards) that cruisers in general are bad people b/c we support companies built with US tourist dollars that hire people from poor countries and pay them poorly and require them to work 7 days a week for months. Others say meat eaters support animal torture. These generalizations are not true and just examples of how a blanket statement, without gathering all details is just a bad idea.

[HeatherInFlorida]

[quote name='Lisa616']Wow! Now, come on..that was pretty rude. I'm not even one who smuggles liquor onboard, but to say that someone who does, is probably a spouse cheater..is just ridiculous. No one, and I repeat, no one.. is that holier than thou. You have never cheated in your life? Not on a game? Never broke a little rule, once? To generalize someone to that extent, I think..is beyond reproach. I would only be grateful that I'm not held up to that high a standard.[/QUOTE]

Lisa, you can believe it or not ... but no I never have.

What I said was not rude. What I said is what I believe. I think you're getting a little carried away with it being "beyond reproach". Little strong don't you think? I said "probably the same people" ... very generalized and it means absolutely nothing.

[Lisa616]

[quote name='HeatherInFlorida']Lisa, you can believe it or not ... but no I never have.

What I said was not rude. What I said is what I believe. I think you're getting a little carried away with it being "beyond reproach". Little strong don't you think? I said "probably the same people" ... very generalized and it means absolutely nothing.[/QUOTE]

Means absolutely nothing???? You just told someone that he was probably the same type of person that would cheat on his spouse, because he snuck in a bottle of booze..and you think that is 'nothing'? I stand, that is was rude.

[HeatherInFlorida]

[quote name='parrotcruiser']All right, that I can handle. A few points:

1. I wasn't trying to rationalize by pointing out chosen occupations. Just an example to show I am not a social degenerate cheat. That REALLY bothered me.

2. I realize that I am breaking their "Contract".

3. I snuck booze on to my first cruise in Feb. Hadn't really discovered this sight and delved into it. Was unaware of a cabin liquor set - up for purchase until the week I left for cruise. The poster listed the procedure to get an in-room and you had to order 3 weeks prior. Now I know, live and learn. Believe me, I would rather pay a bit more and have my bottle in the room then go through hassle of sneaking.

4. Again, I got so aggravated b/c previous poster had made a blanket statement challenging mine/others personal integrity. If you want to say I made a bad choice in that instance, fine, but don't say I made that bad choice is b/c I am a bad person and I obviously lead a deviant lifestyle. Just not true.

There are some who would say (I've seen it on other message boards) that cruisers in general are bad people b/c we support companies built with US tourist dollars that hire people from poor countries and pay them poorly and require them to work 7 days a week for months. Others say meat eaters support animal torture. These generalizations are not true and just examples of how a blanket statement, without gathering all details is just a bad idea.[/QUOTE]

Okay, after this I'm really finished with this because it's gotten silly.

I [b]never [/b]accused anyone of anything! I [b]never[/b] questioned anyone's personal integrity. I [b]never[/b] said anyone was a "bad" person and I most certainly never said anyone led a "deviant lifestyle". Where are you getting this from? I made a generalized statement which is an absolute fact and if Dr. Phil said it his audience would clap and cheer (as a matter of fact I believe he has said this). Generally speaking, a cheat is a cheat! That is all I said.

[ekerr19]

[quote name='HeatherInFlorida']Generally speaking, a cheat is a cheat! That is all I said.[/QUOTE]

That is indeed what she said. Also, a lie is a lie and pregnant is pregnant... all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. Very general, not specific to anyone. Those who choose to take it personally are overreacting, in my mind.

Believe it or not, there are some people in this world who see everything as "all or nothing" when it comes to honesty and truthfulness - my DH is one of those people. He would never steal, cheat, sneak, or lie - not for any reason. His personal integrity means that much to him.

I think there have been really good discussions on this thread and I hate to see it disintegrate like this.

I really don't think Heather was being harsh - and isn't she also entitled to her opinion? You don't have to agree with it, but she certainly has the right to voice it the same way the rest of us do. :)

[TeresaJenkins]

[quote name='HeatherInFlorida']When I posted above, several posts hit before mine including Parrot's most recent so I feel compelled to add a comment.
I'm a little confused as to why one person has taken what I said earlier so personally. I directed my post to no one in particular. I simply believe that if a corporation has a rule as it relates to using their service, then we adhere to that rule. We may not always like it, but we agree to it.
If everyone decides to pick and choose which rules and laws they choose to live by then chaos will ensue. Some might argue it already does, but I'm quite amazed every day that more cars don't hit each other. People are driving (for the most part) in the lanes they're asked to drive in.
I'm sure the poster is a very nice person. But there's something a little screwy with his rationale. It's not "okay" simply because you believe it's "okay".[/QUOTE]

[font=Arial][size=2]Well count me in as "[b]Another[/b]" person who thinks what you wrote was quite nasty, and taking this to a whole other level. You have no right to make that stretch about any of us. You can think what you want, but that doesn't mean it has to be said. If you choose to say what you think don't be so surprised when you are challenged.

I have come across many of your posts here on CC and quite a few struck the same tone with me. I'm not sure if you mean to write this way to stir things up, or if you don't realize what you write is at times can be quite offensive.

Getting personal is something I try to never do online, but I couldn't let this pass without saying something.
[/size][/font]

[Lisa616]

[quote name='ekerr19']
I think there have been really good discussions on this thread and I hate to see it disintegrate like this.

You're right, this has been a great thread and I apologize for my part in disintegrating it. That comment about the same type of person being a spouse cheater really got under my skin, no matter who it was directed towards. Geez, I don't even sneak booze in and I ended up spatting on this thread! I should of stayed out of it!! On to a wonderful evening at home with a roaring fire (it's freezing outside) and a spongebob movie with the kids and hubbie!

[ekerr19]

To the poster above Lisa (our post crossed and I can't quote now):

How can you possibly take this as "personal?" Was your name mentioned? It was a complete generalization.


[b]You make a conscious, informed decision to break the rules[/b] (and you know from these boards that HAL prohibits bringing some alcohol on board), but don't like be called on it? Sorry, but you can't have it both ways. ;)

If you are posting that [b]you are choosing to smuggle[/b], be prepared to take some heat.

[ekerr19]

[quote name='Lisa616'][quote name='ekerr19']
I think there have been really good discussions on this thread and I hate to see it disintegrate like this.

Geez, I don't even sneak booze in and I ended up spatting on this thread! I should of stayed out of it!! [/QUOTE]

I was wondering about that! You didn't even do it - you said DH hauled all your wine on board... that's great, we usually bring a bottle or two as well.

I hope you have a great evening, we just got that movie today. :)

[dakrewser]

[quote name='parrotcruiser']No what I was saying is that just b/c we choose to sneak booze does not mean we are cheating scuz buckets. In no way do I think I am special and allowed to break a rule.[/QUOTE]

Well, you must think you are "special and allowed to break a rule," because you admitted that you did! So besides being ethics-challenged you're also logic-challenged!

It isn't the booze that bothers me, bring aboard an entire distillery if you want. What does bother me (and some others) is this notion that you can pick and chose which rules to abide by and which to ignore. Some of those rules impact my safety and well-being. I don't want anybody ignoring those...