Rum Runner Risks

[OburgOrange]

Earlier in our cruise careers we would use rum runners, never got caught. At the time we were cruising with our kids, we took them with us everywhere when we went on vacation. So, we were trying to save some money. Now, there is just the 2 of us. We always buy the drink package and forgo the rum runners. Actually, we just got off Fredom last month and never touched the 2 bottles of wine we brought.Much easier and more relaxing. Saying all this, to each their own.

[fastsneakers]

Old thread here but I just had to add on....Long time smugglers here, 21 cruises & never caught. Quite sure our savings have led to at least 2 free cruises. We just can't justify paying an additional $1,000 -$1,500 when we can bring our own for around $50-$75.00. Anytime I can save $1,000-$1500.00 I'm all in!

 

The beverage package would be great if they didn't "price gouge" us on the drinks. They know we are a captive group for a week so they seriously over-charge us and threaten us if we want to bring our own? Not ok with that at all...

 

Anyway, we use the Cruise Runners brand, high quality, never leaked, about $13.00 for 8 or 9 flasks. They also have "Wine Runner" Flasks specifically for bottles of wine, you can avoid corkage fees and not worry about breaking a bottle in your luggage. Good company with fast shipping. Here's the Amazon link https://amzn.to/2xoG3gf

[Elvis1209]

Originally posted by Elvis1209 Here's an idea-why don't you just pay for your drinks or buy the drink package?

 

Elvis

 

 

I don't smuggle, but HERE is the reason I "don't just pay for my drinks or buy the drink package." Both are outrageously expensive. I would buy drinks if RCI priced their drinks reasonably. They don't, so I do without, except the two bottles of wine I bring onboard. I really just don't like to get ripped off.

 

So what you're telling me is that you are just cheap!

 

Elvis

[John&LaLa]

Old thread here but I just had to add on....Long time smugglers here, 21 cruises & never caught. Quite sure our savings have led to at least 2 free cruises. We just can't justify paying an additional $1,000 -$1,500 when we can bring our own for around $50-$75.00. Anytime I can save $1,000-$1500.00 I'm all in!

 

The beverage package would be great if they didn't "price gouge" us on the drinks. They know we are a captive group for a week so they seriously over-charge us and threaten us if we want to bring our own? Not ok with that at all...

 

Anyway, we use the Cruise Runners brand, high quality, never leaked, about $13.00 for 8 or 9 flasks. They also have "Wine Runner" Flasks specifically for bottles of wine, you can avoid corkage fees and not worry about breaking a bottle in your luggage. Good company with fast shipping. Here's the Amazon link https://amzn.to/2xoG3gf

So how exactly do you injest all this liquor?

 

Straight up, with water, juice, soda?

 

And how do you get it from cabin to the pool, MDR, bar, etc..

 

Seems like $50 - $75 would get you about 3 liters of mid grade hooch.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[boscobeans]

The never ending topic on smuggling. I've only been on CC since 2001 but the topic and the pros and cons have been beaten to death,

 

If you want to do it, DO IT. Nobody can convince you it is wrong so just do it.

If you don't, DON'T, You will never convince anyone not to.

 

The only things I always question are the statements that Royal, Celebrity or whoever is price gouging and charging outrageous prices for their drinks. Never mind the stupid posts saying they are raising their prices from year to year..

 

That is way off base and won't float in my book.

 

We have stayed at probably two dozen hotels in Florida and Puerto Rico both pre and post cruises and a drink around the pool will set you back just as much if not more than onboard a ship.

How about those places in Ft. Lauderdale one beer and a coke 12 Bucks.

 

And even for the run of the mill crappy restaurants the drink prices may seem to some out of sight. QUOTE FROM A DISGUSTED CARRABBA"S CUSTOMER, "Hubby had one shot of Sauza, which is bottom shelf tequila. I was surprised they carry it because Sauza is barely drinkable. The price tag was an unbelievable $11. My son ordered a double shot of Knob Creek whiskey, and the bill was $17 - again just ridiculous. I ordered a glass of average red wine @ $10.59."

 

Earlier on this thread I stated what is normal pricing policy for restaurants and bottles of wine.

"Wine in most places is calculated at about 3 times its cost per bottle." ( It is actually between 3-4 times the bottle price..)

 

I got a response,

"The Prosecco is $8-$10 per bottle in stores.

On board it’s $13 a glass. 6 glasses per bottle. $78

So at best 7-8 times the cost argh plus tip if not on package."

 

Yes it may be, and it would cost about 30 or so if on the ship you purchased an entire BOTTLE.

 

BY THE GLASS is a totally different animal. Normal pricing for wine by the glass is COST OF THE BOTTLE for each glass.

 

How many bars or lounges do people go to that supply the comfort ambiance and entertainment found at most lounges on a ship?

 

The last time I was down at the local watering hole for a $7.95 burger and a few drinks they didn't have a piano player or a band with a singer, no stage show, no steel drum band at the pool and nothing like the view as we sailed across the waves.

 

Do what you want and are comfortable with but attempting to sway opinions is fruitless.

 

I don't even know why the the moderators allow smuggling threads, since they really have nothing to do with cruising but instead deal with breaking the rules (sorry they are rules) that we almost all agree to when be book a cruise.

..

bosco

[CruisingNole]

What confuses me is the accusations that the drink packages are "outrageously expensive." My next Oasis sailing is $45/day. I don't find that to be unreasonable whatsoever. It's actually a bargain. At local bars in my area, a decent beer is $6+ and a martini is $10+. So when you factor in bottled water and other beverages, I'm drinking cheaper on Royal than I would anywhere on land, other than at my house. But I'm not at my house, I'm on vacation...

[CruiseGal999]

What's a rum runner

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Runner-Cruise-Flasks-Funnel/dp/B000IUO3VE

[yuvraj]

Interesting thread. Didn't realise so many people were into this.

 

Is this a thing just in US or elsewhere as well? Do people do this in Europe? Just curious, I am not one to judge. :)

[Biker19]

The never ending topic on smuggling. I've only been on CC since 2001 but the topic and the pros and cons have been beaten to death,

You mentioned.....

[Jasukkie]

So how exactly do you injest all this liquor?

 

Straight up, with water, juice, soda?

 

And how do you get it from cabin to the pool, MDR, bar, etc..

 

Seems like $50 - $75 would get you about 3 liters of mid grade hooch.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

For $18/day, the refreshment package provides everything you need to supplement your smuggled alcohol, including mocktails. That's a middle of the road option for those wanting to save some money but who also enjoy frozen drinks, etc.

 

Flasks are highly portable, though the better part of valor is discretion.

[SRF]

A friend who has been cruising many years, smuggled a lot of alcohol on board cruise ships. Mainly just to do it.

 

He finally found, he didn't drink that much, and it was a pain to go back to the cabin to put the shot into the non-alcoholic drink he got at the bar. :D

[grandgeezer]

Just because you know of other places that charge an exhorbant amount for drinks doesn’t mean it isn’t price gouging. a person has three choices, pay the price, don’t pay the price, or if you don’t have any have a moral compass smuggle it in. If the cruise line had any guts, they would kick any violaters off the ship, you are violating a rule, not a suggestion.

[Joebucks]

What confuses me is the accusations that the drink packages are "outrageously expensive." My next Oasis sailing is $45/day. I don't find that to be unreasonable whatsoever. It's actually a bargain. At local bars in my area, a decent beer is $6+ and a martini is $10+. So when you factor in bottled water and other beverages, I'm drinking cheaper on Royal than I would anywhere on land, other than at my house. But I'm not at my house, I'm on vacation...

 

$45 for a day of drinking sounds very reasonable. Then you have to add gratuity. Then add up the duration of the cruise, and for multiple people. That's a lot of money.

[sailor05]

I've watched a few behind the scenes shows about cruises/cruise industry. One thing is for sure is that when each ship sets sail it is operating in the red after all expenses paid and cruise fares taken in. It's only from shore excursions, drinks, merchandise sales, specialty dining, spa services, gambling, etc. do they get themselves profitable. If they didn't make money on all of these things then they'd HAVE to charge more upfront, thus prohibiting some from being able to cruise. I have done the rum runners in the past but I didn't like the risk of losing thousands of dollars to save a couple hundred. There's no way I could smuggle an entire weeks worth of booze plus getting mixers was a pain in the buttocks. We've done the packages since they started offering them and will continue to do so. Stress free....

[SRF]

I have smuggled some on. But I also buy the Deluxe package.

 

 

But I like really good Scotch, and bring a bit for the occasional drink on the balcony.

[sft429]

..............you are violating a rule, not a suggestion.

 

You are breaking the contract you signed with the cruise line. It means your word is not worth the time it takes to hit "submit".

[John Reid]

Don't really care what others do for smuggling. I go by the rules.

 

The most annoying aspect is the asking about the risks. As another poster said, do it or don't do it. Is it validation from others you want?

It's very much like the "will I make this flight" threads.

You'll find out the answer.

[jc3443]

Anyone caught smuggling alcohol should be kicked off, plain and simple.

 

Buy the package or pay for single drinks and quit being cheap.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

And those people that wear shorts in the MDR for dinner should be made to walk the plank!

[95south]

Have used them for years and absolutely no problems. Usually bring on 5 (all 16oz). People are going to respond with a lot of different answers so just take it all with a grain of salt. Keep them in your stateroom, don't be obvious with them, it you have the mini sun tan lotion type of flask don't get a virgin drink and rum it up in plain view of everyone! Just be inconspicuous and don't bring attention to yourself and you'll be fine. Now, if they catch you bringing them on you will lose them and that's all. They're NOT going to disembark you for that even know it says they can they won't. There are a few good ones but I'm not going to advertise them just do your homework.

[95south]

OK Captain Blackbeard! :loudcry::loudcry::loudcry:

[cruisebabe50]

We have been using them for years and were never caught, Although my son borrowed ours when he went with a buddy and they were caught during the cruise,( they had rum in their soda package cups and were trying to enter one of the bars) I am sure their behavior may have tipped off the doorman. Anyway, he asked them to remove the cap and he smelled. Well, they escorted my son to his room and searched and found the rumrunners. They confiscated them and gave them a stern talking too. He tried arguing but he was in the wrong.

[95south]

Why is it so important to cheat on the rules. IMO you cheat on one rule you will cheat on others. Evidence of the "ME" attitude. I will do what I want,screw the rules.

I hope you never break the speed limit...Not even by 1 MPH! ;p

[95south]

Sneaking liquor onto an adult vacation? Folks, grow up. Is this high school? Childish behavior.

OK MOM!! :loudcry::loudcry::loudcry::loudcry::'):')

[95south]

Sailed with Royal caribbean very recently. I had a drinks package and they charged me for two bottles of water in error. While I was down at guest services getting the charges removed, I could not help but overhear the conversation of a couple and a guest services staff member at the next desk. They were there to inquire why a relative of theirs had been thrown off the ship and not allowed to re-board. (we were docked at a port in a foreign country). They said that they had paid for the tickets, not the relative. The staff member made some clicks on a keyboard and said "this is not about that. This is not about who paid for the tickets" and then excused themselves to go to a back room and asked the couple to wait. Of course i was dying to know what this person had done. The staff member came back, and I am half-ashamed to admit i was straining my ears to hear. The staff member would not even tell THEM what the relative had done! Said only that he knew why he was banned from the ship, and they had to ask him what he had done! They tried to get the staff to reconsider, saying the relative did not have the funds the get himself back to the USA or even afford a room for the night in the port and the staff member was very polite but quite firm that he would not be allowed back on the ship.

Whatever happened, i have no doubt that it was more serious than a hidden rum runner, but believe me, they do take some things in the guest code of conduct quite seriously. This guy was stranded, end of story.

I kept teasing my family members, telling them to be on their best behavior at least until we left port.

 

I was on the Liberty out of Bayone NJ a few years ago and I watched 6 Bayone police take a guy off in cuffs BEFORE we even left port! He was followed by his wife who was dragging the couples bags and the police were dragging another bag. I did find out that they brought on drugs from a crew member I was chatting up. He said that the drug dogs found it but they let the luggage get on board and wanted to see who claimed it. He was actually arrested in the naughty room. So drugs NO! Booze go for it!!

[Wine-O]

On Celebrity, just about everyone can get a beverage package in as a perk for booking, so no real need for them. On Royal, with the 3 1/2 evening Diamond event, no real need for them there either.