Sneaking Alcohol On A Cruise: Possible Or Myth?

With the high cost of alcohol on cruise ships, it's no surprise that some passengers try to sneak their own drinks on board. While this practice is banned by most major cruise lines, people have come up with creative ways to do it, from hiding alcohol in water bottles and mouthwash containers to using fake tampon flasks or even special alcohol bras. But is it really possible to sneak alcohol past security, and is it worth the risk?

Creative ways to smuggle alcohol on a cruise ship

Although it is banned by most major cruise lines' alcohol policies, some people try to smuggle alcohol onto cruise ships to avoid the high cost of onboard alcohol purchases. While it is unlikely that you will succeed, and there may be serious consequences if you are caught, here are some creative ways people have tried to smuggle alcohol onto a cruise ship:

• Rum runners: These flexible, bendable, and reusable plastic pouches allow passengers to conceal alcohol in their luggage or pockets.
• Fake toiletry bottles: These sets of plastic containers are designed to look like shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, aloe, and sunblock bottles, allowing you to hide alcohol in plain sight.
• Alcohol bras: These bras, designed to augment a woman's appearance, can hold up to 25 ounces of liquid and are unlikely to raise suspicion during security screenings.
• Fake tampon flasks: These flasks, disguised as tampons, take advantage of the fact that people are often too embarrassed to question feminine hygiene products.
• Binocular flasks: These flasks, designed to look like binoculars, are ideal for cruises to exotic or picturesque destinations, as they will likely go unnoticed.
• Mouthwash bottles: People wash out mouthwash bottles and fill them with liquor, sometimes even adding food colouring to make it look like mouthwash.
• Boozy bracelets: These bracelets can hold up to 3.5 ounces of liquor, although they are not the most fashionable accessory.
• Hairbrush flasks: These functional hairbrushes have a built-in flask that can hold around 6 ounces of alcohol.
• Water bottles: Some people simply pour alcohol into a water bottle or sports drink container.
• Tote bags: Some cruise lines allow passengers to bring a specific amount of alcohol, and a tote bag with a hidden pouch can be an excellent way to smuggle in two bottles of wine.

While these methods may seem ingenious, it is important to remember that they are not foolproof. If you are caught, your alcohol will be confiscated, and you may face additional consequences, including being denied boarding or asked to disembark. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you reconsider your plans and follow the cruise line's rules and policies.

The risk of getting caught and consequences

The risk of getting caught while sneaking alcohol on a cruise ship is high. Security and port authorities are well aware of the various methods people use to smuggle alcohol, and they have the right to confiscate any alcohol that violates the cruise line's alcohol policy. They may also not return the confiscated alcohol.

If your contraband alcohol is discovered onboard, you may be called down to a crew area to admit to your infractions and receive a lecture on the ship's alcohol policy. You may also face fines, and your identification may be surrendered. In some cases, you could be denied boarding or asked to disembark, causing you to miss your cruise entirely.

The consequences of getting caught can vary depending on the cruise line and the specific circumstances. Some cruise lines may have stricter policies than others. Additionally, the amount of alcohol you are attempting to smuggle and your level of cooperation with the crew may also factor into the consequences.

It is important to note that attempting to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship is not only a violation of the cruise line's policies but also a potential safety hazard. Alcohol can impair judgment and increase the risk of accidents or incidents on board. Therefore, it is highly recommended to follow the cruise line's rules and not attempt to smuggle alcohol onboard.

Why people try to sneak alcohol on board

The high cost of alcohol on cruise ships is a significant factor in why people try to sneak alcohol on board. Many passengers feel that the prices are too high, especially when compared to the cost of alcohol on land. As a result, they may try to bring their own drinks to save money, even though this is against the alcohol policies of most major cruise lines.

Another reason people may try to bring their own alcohol is that they want to drink a specific type or brand of alcohol that may not be available on the ship. Some people also view drinking as an integral part of the cruise experience and want to ensure they have access to alcohol throughout their trip.

In addition, the ease of access to creative smuggling methods has encouraged people to try to sneak alcohol on board. There is a black market of sorts, where cruisers can purchase contraptions designed to hide alcohol, such as fake tampon flasks or flasks disguised as binoculars. These products are easily accessible online and through social media platforms like TikTok, which features numerous hacks for sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship.

Lastly, some passengers may simply enjoy the thrill of breaking the rules or view it as a challenge to try to outsmart the security measures in place. They may not be deterred by the potential consequences of getting caught and may see it as a worthwhile risk.

Alcohol policies of major cruise lines

While bringing your own alcohol on board is banned by most major cruise lines, some small-scale cruise lines have more relaxed policies. For example, Ponant, a small French cruise line, has virtually no policies for passengers. Other small-scale cruise lines mentioned in this context include Seabourn, Silversea, Residences at Sea, Regent, Azamara, Paul Gaugain, and AmaWaterways Europe.

Some major cruise lines allow passengers to bring a limited amount of alcohol on board. For instance, Azamara Club Cruises permits passengers to bring their own liquor, beer, or wine for private consumption in their suites or staterooms. A corkage fee of $10 is charged if the alcohol is consumed in a shipboard restaurant, bar, or dining venue. Royal Caribbean allows each guest of drinking age to bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. Additional bottles can be purchased and stored by the ship and will be returned on the last day on board.

Other cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, have stricter policies and do not allow passengers to bring any alcoholic beverages on board. Alcohol purchased while ashore will be placed in a secure hold area and returned at the end of the cruise. Security staff are authorized to remove and discard any alcoholic beverages found during luggage checks.

It is important to note that attempting to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship can have serious consequences. Guests who violate alcohol policies may be disembarked or denied boarding, and their alcoholic beverages will be confiscated.

Alternatives to sneaking alcohol on board

While sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship may seem like a good idea, there are many reasons why you shouldn't do it. The arms race between creative cruisers and security teams means that the chances of getting caught are high, and the consequences can be serious. If you're caught, your alcohol will be confiscated, and you may be denied boarding or asked to disembark, at your own expense. You could also face fines or have your identification surrendered. Therefore, it's best to follow the cruise line's rules and consider the following alternatives to sneaking alcohol on board.

Firstly, check the cruise line's alcohol policy, as some lines may allow a certain amount of alcohol to be brought on board. For example, Royal Caribbean allows each guest of drinking age to bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne on embarkation day. Other cruise lines may have similar policies, so it's worth checking before your cruise.

Another alternative is to take advantage of pre-cruise discounts on beverage packages. Many cruise lines offer discounted drinks packages when purchased online in advance of the cruise ship's departure. This can be a more cost-effective option than buying drinks individually on board, especially if you plan on drinking a lot.

If you're looking for ways to save money on alcohol without breaking the rules, consider drinking alcohol in your room. Some cruise ships allow guests to bring their own wine on board, but it must be consumed in their rooms. This way, you can avoid the high prices of alcohol in public areas without sneaking alcohol onto the ship.

Finally, if you're set on bringing your own alcohol, consider taking a cruise where alcohol is included in the price. Some cruise lines offer all-inclusive beverage packages, which can save you money and the hassle of trying to sneak alcohol on board. Ultimately, it's best to follow the cruise line's policies and choose alternatives that are safe, legal, and won't result in confiscation, fines, or denied boarding.

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