How To Sneak Alcohol Onto A Cruise: Easy Or Not?

Drinking on cruise ships can be expensive, and many passengers try to find creative ways to sneak alcohol onboard. While some people have successfully smuggled alcohol onto a cruise, it is prohibited by most major cruise lines and can result in serious consequences if you are caught. If you are caught with alcohol, it will be confiscated and not returned, and you may be fined or even denied boarding. There are many ways people have tried to sneak alcohol onto a cruise, including hiding it in water bottles, mouthwash bottles, bras, fake shampoo bottles, umbrellas, binoculars, and other containers. However, there is no foolproof way to sneak alcohol onboard, and with the use of X-ray scanners and metal detectors, the likelihood of getting caught is high.

Consequences of getting caught

While sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship may save you some money, it can also get you into serious trouble. If you are caught, your alcohol will be confiscated and not returned. Security and port authorities have the right to remove any alcohol from your possession if you are not adhering to a cruise line's alcohol policy.

Most cruise lines have a strict alcohol policy, and if you are found to be in violation, you may be fined or surcharged. Cruise lines also have the right to retain your passport or identification card. In addition, you may be denied boarding or asked to disembark the ship. This is especially true for minors caught sneaking alcohol or adults providing alcohol to minors.

If your contraband alcohol is discovered onboard the ship, you may be called down to a crew area to receive a lecture on the ship's alcohol policy. You will also be closely monitored by the ship's crew and security, who are wary of suspicious activity, such as being drunk without having ordered a drink.

In summary, the consequences of getting caught sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship can include confiscation of alcohol, fines, retention of identification documents, denial of boarding, and being asked to disembark. It is important to consider these potential consequences before attempting to bring alcohol onto a cruise ship in violation of the cruise line's policies.

Plastic bottles and flasks

Another popular method is to use rum runners, which are flexible, bendable, and reusable plastic pouches that can be concealed in luggage or pockets. These rum runners come in different sizes, such as 32-ounce, 16-ounce, and 8-ounce pouches, and are often sold with a funnel for easy filling. For those seeking a more discrete option, boozy bracelets are also available, offering a 3.5-ounce capacity for liquor. While not particularly fashionable, these bracelets can be worn on each arm to increase the amount of alcohol smuggled.

While these plastic bottle and flask methods may seem appealing, it is important to remember the risks associated with sneaking alcohol onto a cruise. The likelihood of detection by X-ray scanners and pat-downs is high, and if discovered, your alcohol will be confiscated, and you may face serious consequences, including fines or denial of boarding. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the potential drawbacks before attempting to smuggle alcohol onto a cruise using plastic bottles and flasks.

Alcohol disguised as mouthwash

Although it is prohibited by most major cruise lines' alcohol policies, some people try to smuggle alcohol onto cruise ships to avoid the high cost of alcohol onboard. One common method is to disguise alcohol as mouthwash.

A successful way to do this is to use a large bottle of mouthwash, fill it with a clear alcohol such as vodka or gin, and add blue, green, or purple food colouring. This method has been recommended on social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. However, some people have reported that the alcohol takes on a horrible minty smell and taste from the mouthwash, making it unpleasant to drink.

Another option is to purchase empty plastic bottles designed for smuggling alcohol, which can be found on Amazon. These bottles come with seals for the tops and can be filled with alcohol and placed among other toiletries. The X-ray scanners used by security apparently show a certain colour for liquids, so having multiple liquid-filled items in one bag can help the alcohol blend in.

It is important to note that attempting to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship can have serious consequences. If caught, the alcohol will be confiscated and not returned. In addition, passengers may be fined or even denied boarding. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the cruise line's alcohol policy and refrain from attempting to smuggle alcohol onboard.

Alcohol hidden in luggage

Although it may seem tempting to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship due to the high cost of drinks onboard, it is important to remember that doing so goes against cruise lines' policies and can result in serious consequences. If you are caught, your alcohol will be confiscated and not returned. In addition, you may be denied boarding, fined, or even removed from the ship. With that said, here are some ways that people have attempted to smuggle alcohol onto a cruise ship in their luggage:

Rum Runners

Rum runners are flexible, bendable, and reusable plastic pouches that can hold various liquids. They can be easily concealed in checked bags, carry-on luggage, or pockets. Each pouch typically comes with a funnel for easy filling.

Fake Toiletry Bottles

One way to sneak alcohol onto a cruise is to hide it among your other liquids by using fake toiletry bottles. These bottles are designed to look like shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, sunscreen, or other personal care products. They are typically made of BPA-free food-grade plastic and can accommodate a total of 80 ounces of liquor.

Alcohol Bras

For women, a discreet way to smuggle alcohol onto a cruise is by using a bra with a built-in pouch. These bras, such as the WineRack, can hold up to 25 ounces of liquid and are designed to look like a sports bra. They are flexible and comfortable to wear, making them ideal for pre-cruise security screenings.

Binocular Flasks

If you're cruising to an exotic or picturesque destination, consider using a flask designed to look like a set of binoculars. These flasks can hold 8 ounces of liquid on each side and come with a funnel and a strap for a realistic look. They are also useful for sporting events, concerts, and music festivals.

Other Creative Methods

Some other creative ways people have attempted to smuggle alcohol include using boozy bracelets, water bottles, mouthwash bottles, fake tampon flasks, and even disguising liquor as shampoo in a hairbrush flask. Additionally, some people use classy tote bags with built-in pouches that can hold up to 1.5 liters of liquid, or disguise liquor as mouthwash.

While these methods may seem clever, it is important to remember that security members are experienced and have likely seen these tricks before. X-ray machines at cruise terminals can detect liquids, and your luggage may be flagged if it contains a questionable amount of liquid. Therefore, attempting to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship in your luggage may not be as easy as it seems and could result in unwanted consequences.

Boozy bracelets

While it is not recommended, people regularly attempt to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship due to the high cost of alcohol on board. If caught, there can be serious repercussions, including confiscation of the alcohol, fines, and even being denied boarding.

One way to sneak alcohol onto a cruise is by using a "boozy bracelet". These bracelets are discrete flasks that allow you to wear your alcohol on your wrist. While they may not be the most fashionable accessory, they are certainly creative and functional. The bracelets typically hold around 3.5 ounces of liquor and are available in various styles and colours, including silver, bronze, gold, rose gold, and rainbow. Some even come with a funnel for easy filling. You can find these boozy bracelets on Amazon or Walmart, with prices starting as low as $10.50.

If you're looking for other creative ways to sneak alcohol onto a cruise, there are a variety of options available, such as:

• Rum runners: Flexible, bendable, and reusable plastic pouches that can be hidden in luggage or pockets.
• Water bras: Bras with a flexible, removable pouch that can hold up to 25 ounces of liquid.
• Fake toiletry bottles: BPA-free food-grade plastic containers disguised as shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, or sunscreen bottles.
• Binocular flasks: Designed to look like binoculars, these flasks can hold 8 ounces of liquid on each side and are perfect for exotic cruise destinations.

Frequently asked questions