
It is tempting to bring your own alcohol on a cruise to avoid expensive bar prices, but cruise ship scanners can detect liquids, which show up as dark areas on the scanner. If suspicious liquids are detected, security staff will open the bag for a closer inspection and may confiscate the alcohol. Royal Caribbean Cruises does not allow guests to bring beer, hard liquor, or alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use on boarding day or while in port. However, each guest of drinking age may bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can scanners detect alcohol? | No, but they can detect liquids. |
| How does it work? | Scanners use X-rays to examine baggage, so liquids appear as dark areas. |
| What happens if liquids are found? | Security staff will manually check the luggage for a closer inspection. |
| What happens if alcohol is found? | Alcohol will be confiscated and may be returned at the end of the cruise. Guests may be refused boarding. |
| What are the official policies? | Guests are not allowed to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use. |
| Are there any exceptions? | Each guest of drinking age may bring one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne. |
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What You'll Learn

Royal Caribbean's alcohol policy
Guests who violate any alcohol policies, such as overconsumption, providing alcohol to minors, irresponsible behaviour, or attempting to conceal alcoholic items, may be disembarked or denied boarding at their own expense.
While Royal Caribbean does not specify the methods used to detect alcohol during security checks, cruise ship scanners can generally detect liquids that show up as a dark hue on the scanner screen. Security staff are trained to be vigilant and will inspect any suspicious items or containers. They may use techniques such as the shake test or opening and smelling the liquid to determine if it is alcohol.
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Cruise ship scanners can detect liquids
Cruise ship scanners cannot directly detect whether a liquid is alcohol or not. However, if the security team spots a liquid container, they will likely open it to check the contents. They may also use a simple test to distinguish between water and alcohol. They will shake or squeeze the bottle, and if it is plastic, they will look for bubbles. Bubbles in water are larger and rise to the top quickly, whereas bubbles in alcohol are smaller and slower. If the liquid is not clear, they may also smell it to check for an alcoholic scent.
Security staff are trained to be vigilant and will inspect any suspicious items. They are also experts at spotting contraband and can see through some concealment methods, such as aluminum foil. They are familiar with various alcohol containers, including rum runners and disguise flasks, and can identify the outline of a rum runner on the scanner.
It is important to note that attempting to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship carries risks. Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, may refuse boarding if alcohol is found. The alcohol will likely be confiscated, and there may be additional disciplinary actions. Therefore, it is advisable to check the cruise company's policy before attempting to bring alcohol onboard.
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Security staff will manually check bags with liquids
While Royal Caribbean cruise ship scanners cannot directly detect alcohol, they can identify liquids. These scanners use X-rays to examine baggage, and liquids appear as dark areas on the scan. If security staff spots any liquids, they will often manually check the bag for a closer inspection. Security staff are trained to be vigilant and will be looking for any suspicious items. They will also check every bag scanned, and if they see a liquid container, they are likely to open it up and check what's inside.
If the liquid is in an opaque container or it's not a clear liquid, the security team will typically open it and smell it. Even if the bottle is sealed, their priority is to ensure that alcohol isn't being sneaked onboard, so they'll break the seal and smell the contents. If the liquid is in a transparent water bottle, security staff can perform a simple test by shaking or squeezing the bottle. Water and alcohol will produce bubbles, but the bubbles in water will rise to the top very quickly and disappear almost instantly. Alcohol, on the other hand, will form more bubbles that rise slowly and take longer to disappear.
It's important to note that Royal Caribbean has strict policies regarding alcohol. Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor, or alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use on boarding day or while in port. Each guest of legal drinking age is permitted to bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will be returned at the end of the voyage if they remain in the original sealed package. Guests who violate alcohol policies may be disembarked or not allowed to board, in accordance with the Guest Conduct Policy.
To avoid potential conflicts with security and ensure a pleasant trip, it's best to follow the guidelines regarding prohibited items. Additionally, cruises often offer drink packages that include alcohol, which can help passengers save money if they plan to consume alcoholic beverages during their voyage.
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The 'shake test' can determine if a liquid is alcohol
Cruise ship scanners can detect liquids, but they cannot directly detect alcohol. The scanners use X-rays to see inside bags and identify liquids inside bottles or containers. The liquid shows up as a dark colour on the scanner. If security staff spot any liquids, they will often open the bag for a closer inspection. They will open the container and smell it to check for the tell-tale alcoholic smell.
If the liquid is in a transparent water bottle, security can perform a shake test to determine whether it is water or alcohol. Both liquids will produce bubbles, but they will rise to the top of the water very quickly and disappear almost instantly. In alcohol, more bubbles will clearly form and rise more slowly to the top and take longer to disappear. The shake test is a quick and easy way to determine whether or not a liquid is alcohol.
The shake test has been used for over a century to gauge the potency of moonshine. To perform a shake test, fill a glass jar about halfway with the liquid. After shaking, closely examine the bubbles. A liquid with a high alcohol content will have large bubbles that dissipate within seconds, while a liquid with a low alcohol content will have small bubbles that last for several minutes. Watered-down alcohol will possess small bubbles that linger rather than dissipating.
While the shake test can be a quick and easy way to determine whether a liquid is alcohol, it is not entirely accurate. For a more accurate reading of alcohol content, a hydrometer or refractometer can be used.
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Drink packages are available to save money
While Royal Caribbean cruise ship scanners cannot directly detect alcohol, they can detect liquids, which show up as a dark colour on the scanner. Security staff are trained to be vigilant and will inspect any suspicious items or containers with liquid. They may open and smell the liquid or perform a "'shake test'" to determine whether it is alcohol. Therefore, attempting to sneak alcohol onto a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is not advisable, as there is a chance you will be refused boarding.
If you are a big drinker, purchasing a drink package can save you money. Drink packages on Royal Caribbean cruises can make your trip more all-inclusive and stress-free, as you don't have to worry about the cost of every drink. The Deluxe Beverage Package, for example, offers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including cocktails, wine, coffee, tea, juice, and more. For specialty coffee drinkers, the Cafe Select Coffee Card combined with the Classic Soda Package can offer significant savings compared to purchasing individual drinks. Similarly, the Refreshment Package, which includes sodas, premium coffees, teas, and juices, can be a more cost-effective option than paying for each drink separately.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean offers a Classic Soda Package and a non-alcoholic Refreshment Package, which some passengers have found to be good value for money. If you are travelling with a partner, you can further save costs by sharing one package between the two of you. For those who enjoy alcoholic beverages, the Deluxe Beverage Package may be a better option, as it includes unlimited alcoholic drinks and 40% off select bottled wines.
It is worth noting that drink packages may be more cost-effective on cruises with more sea days, such as Caribbean cruises, as you are likely to consume more drinks on board. On cruises with more port days, like a European cruise, you may opt to sample local beverages and may not need a drink package. Ultimately, the decision to purchase a drink package depends on your drinking habits and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Royal Caribbean cruise ship scanners cannot specifically detect alcohol. However, they can identify liquids, which show up as dark areas on the scanner. If alcohol is detected, it will be confiscated, and you may be denied boarding.
Security staff use X-ray scanners to examine baggage. If they spot liquids, they will open the bags for a closer inspection. They may use the "'shake test'" to check if the liquid is water or alcohol. They may also open and smell the liquid to check for an alcoholic odour.
Yes, Royal Caribbean offers drink packages that include alcohol. You can save money by purchasing these packages if you plan to consume alcoholic beverages onboard.
If you are caught with alcohol during security checks, it will be confiscated. In some cases, you may be denied boarding or disembarked, especially if you violate other alcohol policies, such as providing alcohol to minors.
Yes, in addition to restrictions on alcohol, Royal Caribbean has a list of prohibited items, including illegal drugs, weapons, certain electronic devices, and more. Make sure to review the prohibited items policy before your cruise to avoid any issues during boarding.
















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