Lena Savoie
While it may seem like a harmless idea, sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship can get you into serious trouble. If you're caught, your alcohol will be confiscated and not returned, and you could even be fined or denied boarding. Despite this, many people attempt to smuggle alcohol onto cruise ships due to the high cost of drinks onboard. One common method is to use mouthwash bottles, either by emptying and rinsing them or purchasing empty bottles with seals, and filling them with liquor and food colouring. However, cruise staff are familiar with this tactic and will open suspicious bottles to smell their contents. Other methods include using Rum Runners (plastic pouches), hiding alcohol in luggage, and bribing ship workers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why sneak alcohol on a cruise? | Alcohol on cruise ships is expensive. |
| How to sneak alcohol on a cruise using mouthwash | Buy a mouthwash bottle, empty it out, clean it, and put a clear liquid in. Use food colouring to make it look like mouthwash. |
| Other ways to sneak alcohol on a cruise | Use empty plastic bladders, small miniature bottles, fake shampoo bottles, water bottles, wine bottles, rum runners, luggage with secret pouches, etc. |
| Risks of sneaking alcohol on a cruise | Alcohol will be confiscated and not returned. You may be fined or denied boarding. |
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What You'll Learn
Use mouthwash bottles, but beware of suspicious quantities
Using a mouthwash bottle to smuggle alcohol on a cruise is a well-known trick. The idea is to use a clear mouthwash bottle and add a clear spirit such as white rum, gin, or vodka, and blue or green food colouring to make it look like mouthwash. However, it is important to be aware that cruise port staff are familiar with this hack and may become suspicious if they spot a large bottle of mouthwash in your luggage. After all, who needs a litre of mouthwash for a one-week cruise? Staff may open the bottle and smell it to check if it really is mouthwash.
To reduce the risk of getting caught, it is recommended to use a smaller mouthwash bottle, such as those that are travel-sized. Additionally, make sure to thoroughly clean the bottle before filling it with alcohol to avoid any unwanted minty flavours. It is also worth noting that some mouthwash bottles are opaque, which can make it even harder for staff to see the contents.
While using mouthwash bottles can be a discreet way to smuggle alcohol, it is important to be aware of the potential risks. If you are caught with alcohol in your luggage, it will likely be confiscated and not returned. In some cases, you may even be denied boarding or fined. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential consequences before attempting to smuggle alcohol on a cruise.
Another option is to buy kosher wine or spirits and claim they are for religious purposes. This method does not require any decanting or risk of contamination, but it is not a foolproof method.
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Rinse the bottle thoroughly to avoid a minty taste
Rinsing the bottle thoroughly is an important step in ensuring your alcohol doesn't take on an unwanted minty taste. It is worth noting that security staff are familiar with this old trick and will be suspicious of large bottles of mouthwash, so it is best to use a small, travel-sized bottle.
To ensure the mouthwash bottle is properly rinsed, you should wash it with hot water and a bit of dish soap multiple times. One person reported that they washed their bottle "a ton of times" and it still had a minty taste. You could also try using a bottle that is not clear, as these are harder to see inside and security may be less likely to open and smell the contents.
If you are set on using a clear bottle, you can disguise the alcohol by adding food colouring to make it look like mouthwash. However, be aware that if your bottle looks suspicious, security staff will open it and smell it, so thorough rinsing is key.
While sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship may save you money, it can also get you into serious trouble. Security staff are aware of all the tricks and X-ray machines can detect liquids. If you are caught, your alcohol will be confiscated and you may even be denied boarding.
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Use food colouring to make clear alcohol resemble mouthwash
If you're thinking of sneaking alcohol onto a cruise disguised as mouthwash, it's important to know that security members are aware of this tactic. Still, if you want to try, you can use food colouring to make clear alcohol look like mouthwash.
Firstly, it's important to choose the right colour of food colouring. While blue or purple might pass for mouthwash, it's best to go for a clear, glass drinking vessel to check the colour, as colours can appear differently in different containers, especially under certain lights. You can add a drop or two of food colouring at a time, but remember that you can always add more, but you can't take it back.
If you're using a clear alcohol, you can use a yellow food colouring as a base and then add drops of brown and orange until you reach the desired colour. You could also try a caramel-coloured food colouring as a base, and then adjust with red, yellow, green, or blue.
Another option is to use tea steeped with red food colouring, or for a lighter colour, mix water with ice tea. If you're using a mouthwash bottle with a blue tint, you could try using blue food colouring with a clear alcohol.
While this method might help you get past security, it's important to remember that if you're caught, your alcohol will be confiscated, and you could face other serious consequences, such as fines or even being denied boarding.
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Buy empty bottles with seals designed for alcohol smuggling
If you're looking to sneak alcohol onto a cruise, one option is to buy empty bottles designed specifically for this purpose. While it may seem like a good idea, it's important to remember that you can get into serious trouble if you're caught, as you could be fined or even denied boarding. However, if you understand the risks and are still interested in pursuing this option, there are a few products available.
One such product is the Smuggs Jugs Ultimate Hidden Alcohol Flask Kit, which is specifically designed for cruises. It includes empty flasks disguised as shampoo, conditioner, and sunscreen bottles, allowing you to blend your alcohol with your personal care items. The kit contains 4 17.3-ounce bottles and 2 8-ounce tubes, all made of food-grade plastic and featuring leak-proof designs and two sets of safety seals. Smuggs Jugs has been in business for over ten years and their products have been used successfully by many customers, as evidenced by their reviews on Amazon.
Another option is the Classy Wino Sunscreen Flask 2-Pack, which offers 10-ounce leak-proof flasks with seals and an easy-pour spout. These flasks are also designed for cruises and can help you discreetly carry your favourite beverages.
While these products may seem appealing, it's important to remember that security members on cruise ships are well aware of these tactics and have likely seen them before. X-ray machines can detect liquids, and if your luggage contains a questionable amount, it will likely be flagged. Additionally, even if your alcohol makes it through security, crew members are required to report suspicious behaviour, so you could still face consequences.
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Use other disguised containers, like fake shampoo bottles
While sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship may seem like a good idea, it's important to remember that it can result in serious consequences, such as fines or even being denied boarding. If caught, security personnel have the right to confiscate any alcohol that violates the cruise line's alcohol policy, as outlined in the terms and conditions you accept when reserving your cruise. Despite this, many people opt to smuggle their own alcohol onboard to avoid the high prices of drinks on the ship.
One popular method for sneaking alcohol onto a cruise is by using disguised containers, such as fake shampoo bottles. These fake bottles are designed to look like regular shampoo or conditioner bottles but actually contain alcohol. They are typically made of plastic and are refillable, allowing for discreet alcohol consumption. Some products, like the Cruise Runners kit available on Amazon, include additional accessories such as a travel funnel, liquor pour spout, and tamper-proof security seals for a stress-free experience. With a capacity of 66oz across multiple bottles, these kits can save you a significant amount of money on drinks during your cruise.
When choosing a shampoo bottle disguise, it's important to select one that looks authentic. Avoid using an actual shampoo bottle, as staff may become suspicious if the liquid inside appears too watery. Instead, opt for purpose-made fake shampoo bottles, which are designed to mimic the appearance and consistency of real shampoo. These bottles are often made of clear plastic, allowing you to fill them with liquor of any colour without raising suspicion.
To further enhance the disguise, consider mixing your alcohol with a small amount of shampoo or conditioner to create a coloured liquid that resembles the actual product. This adds an extra layer of deception and can be especially effective if the staff decides to open and inspect the bottle. Additionally, you can utilise other toiletries to conceal the alcohol. For instance, you can use empty plastic bladders, available on Amazon, and fill them with liquor before placing them underneath your other toiletries. This tactic takes advantage of X-ray scanners' limitations, as they detect a certain colour for liquids, and having multiple liquid-filled items can help your smuggled alcohol blend in.
While the shampoo bottle method has worked for many people, there is still a risk of getting caught. Security staff are aware of common smuggling tactics and may open bottles to inspect or smell the contents. Therefore, it's essential to be cautious and aware of the potential consequences when attempting to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship.
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Frequently asked questions
Buy a mouthwash, empty it out, clean it, and put a clear liquid like vodka, gin, or white rum in it. Then use food colouring to make it look like mouthwash.
It's recommended to use a tinted mouthwash bottle, as they are more popular because it's harder to see the product inside.
Some other common methods include using "Rum Runners" (small plastic pouches), hiding alcohol in water bottles, or buying kosher wine and claiming it's for religious purposes.
If you are caught, the alcohol will be confiscated and not returned. You may also face fines or be denied boarding for your cruise. Cruise lines have different alcohol policies, so be sure to check before attempting to bring your own alcohol.
Make sure to thoroughly clean and rinse the mouthwash bottle multiple times to avoid any residual taste or smell. Also, be aware that security members are familiar with these tricks, so consider bringing a reasonable amount and using multiple hiding methods to avoid suspicion.
