sneaking on alcohol?

[jackiewelsh]

hey has anyone tried to put hard liquor in water bottles and bring it on? will i get caught?

[patio daddy-o]

If you carry it on you will probably get caught. They've seen all the tricks. Some will say pack it well in your luggage. Myself, I just order from the Bon Voyage dept. It's just a little more, but it's waiting for you in your cabin. No stress...

[ferrangi]

We just put the bottle in the suitcase... we didn't try to discuise it.(spelling?) we just packed it. and it was there when we got our luggage and so was the beer I packed in the other suitcase...

We still spent plenty on booze.....

[katlady]

Originally Posted by patio daddy-o

If you carry it on you will probably get caught. They've seen all the tricks. Some will say pack it well in your luggage. Myself, I just order from the Bon Voyage dept. It's just a little more, but it's waiting for you in your cabin. No stress...

Daddy-o we think alike. A lot of people don't know you can buy full sized bottles of rum, vodka, etc from the Bon Voyage Dept. per cruise. I just found out recently. Rum with the Fruit Punch from the buffet is very good. A liter size bottle will rum you about $40 (last time I checked). That is more expensive than on land, but cheaper than having the bottle of rum you tried to sneak on taken away and have to buy full priced drinks the whole trip. From Carnival's website:
"You can reach our BonVoyage/Gifts and Services Department by telephone, toll free, at 1-800-522-7648 during the following hours:

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm, Eastern Time

Phone orders are accepted up to one week prior to sailing. Visa, MasterCard, Discover® Network and American Express accepted."

[Jamie wants to cruise]

Originally Posted by katlady

Rum with the Fruit Punch from the buffet is very good.

Do you have to pack a special cup to take fruit punch out of the buffet? Or do they have disposable cups available to walk out with?


Also can anyone tell me if they have free bottled water? Or when you order water does it come form the tap?

Thanks,

Jamie

[ScurvyDog]

There is no free bottled water.
There are no disposable cups but you are free to take the plastic glasses from the buffet to your cabin.

[katlady]

Originally Posted by Jamie wants to cruise

Do you have to pack a special cup to take fruit punch out of the buffet? Or do they have disposable cups available to walk out with?


Also can anyone tell me if they have free bottled water? Or when you order water does it come form the tap?

Thanks,

Jamie

I just take the buffet glass with me. Since I'm not taking it off the ship I figure it's all good. No free bottled water but they do have free water at the buffet drink machine I'm guessing it's tap water. It tastes good. You can bring on your own bottled water.

[katlady]

Originally Posted by ScurvyDog

There is no free bottled water.
There are no disposable cups but you are free to take the plastic glasses from the buffet to your cabin.

Oops I guess I should have read down. Oh well

[IBCRUZIN']

I doubt if you get caught. I think it is mainly during the spring break period that the cruiselines are diligent about screening for contraband alcohol.

With that said, I will add my thoughts on "sneaking" liquor on board. I have on more than one occasion had alcohol in my cabin. Each time it resulted from me purchasing alcohol during a port stop in the Caribbean and just walking onboard with the bottles in my tote bag. Carnival has never confiscated my bottles.

Anyhoo. Even though I have liquor in my cabin, I find it way too much work to go all the way back to my cabin to make a drink and then walk around with this homemade drink. In my opinion, the $4-$6 that Carnival charges for a foo-foo is reasonable. I can drink a pretty good amount and at $6 a piece it is well less than $50 an evening of heavy drinking. Since I have budgeted to vacation, I don't feel like taking time from my evening's activities on numerous occasions just to save a few dollars. It is just not worth it.

IMO, you have to be a pretty heavy drinker in order to realize any significant savings from sneaking liquor on board. Otherwise, it is just the thrill of getting away with breaking the rules that may drive people to bring alcohol onboard. I think when you figure the amount you spend on this liquor (purchased in the States), against the inconvenience of lugging/hiding it to get it onboard, against the hassle of having to return to your cabin to freshen/refill your drink cup, you will get very little actual savings.

Anyway, remember, Carnival's profits are based on the $$ spent onboard. If they don't make money on alcohol they will just:

Change the payoff of the slots
Change the food menus offered onboard
Charge a higher cruise fare
Impose supplemental/surcharges
Charge a higher price for excursions
Charge for amenities that are now free.

One way or the other, you will end up giving X amount of $$ to Carnival over and above your cruise fare so you might as well be leisurely and not worry about that quart bottle of rum breaking in your luggage and destroying all of your clothing. Also, if your bottle breaks in your luggage and it damages other passengers' clothing, Carnival will charge you for the cleaning/replacement costs.

To me, it is just too much hassle since most people don't drink that much alcohol.

[Snoozeman]

Originally Posted by jackiewelsh

hey has anyone tried to put hard liquor in water bottles and bring it on? will i get caught?

Probably not, but you could, I've seen it happen.

[Chris64]

I ahve always taken my own booze to drink while in my room (waiting for DW) to get ready tor shows, supper, etc...)

I left it in it's original bottle , wrapped it in bubble wrap (Walmart) and put it in an old-fashioned hard sided suitcase. NO problems!

With that said, with the BonVoyage department offering liquer for your room, I agree with the other posters that for the few dollars you save, it isn't worth the hassle. Now I just bring my own mixers, have the boze already in my room, and voila!... an instant cocktail!

I can only drink so much of the fruity drinks, so at the pool I just get he bucket of beers. Your server will keep them iced for you if needed.

[ferrangi]

Ahh, I bucket of beer... Now that sounds good!

[katlady]

IBCRUZIN' if the OP orders a bottle from the Bon Voyage Dept. they can bring a flask with them fill the flask from the rum bottle, buy a soda card/fruit punch and spike it from the flask as they go. No time is lost going back to the cabin. It's cheaper then buying each drink and it is still using Carnival's rules. Just be discreet with the flask.

[hothouseflower]

Katlady, you rock

[katlady]

Originally Posted by hothouseflower

Katlady, you rock

$6.50 per drink is a bit much for me. When there's a will there is a way.

[carrie]

We were on the Liberty last week...........$6.95 for the drink special of the day, not sure about beer. From 10-12 you can get bloody marys and mimosas for $3.50

I am not a huge drinker, but $6.95 is a bit much! I brought 2 bottles of banana flavored Mailbu Rum, and to Liters of Coke, and a HUGE thermal mug. We asked our room steward to give us fresh ice everyday, he did.

The mug was large so I made one and it stayed cold the whole time I was at the pool, and no walking back and forth.

I did buy a few drinks during the week, but not many.

We wrapped the bottles in towels, then rolled them in a garbage bag(just in case of breakage) and put them in with our clothes in the suit case......no problem.

[cruisecouple]

try mouthwash bottles instead and add a little food coloring....

[cruisecouple]

after your first "drink of the day", order refills and you'll save money....how many Carnival cups do you really need to take homes???!!!!

[Jeraudg]

We have always brought a "his" and hers" bottle on board to enjoy on the balcony in the evening. Remember:
1. Bottles should be wrapped in bubble wrap and protected in you luggage.
2. Luggage should be checked at the airport. (If you try bringing it on board TSA will confiscate.
3. Luggage should be checked at the ship, not carried on board.
On our last cruise, there was a note attached to our luggage that said “two bottles in luggage”, the bottles were not removed and no one said anything.

[nurseypoo5]

we used a large dark brown peroxide bottle to take our vodka on board, but a large water bottle would work great too.

We didnt use it.

If you buy the DRINK OF THE DAY but ask for a reg glass instead of the stupid plastic crapglass they give you, its half price...about 3.95 isntead of 7.00 (ok a bit more than half lol)

[Ro]

Drink the lemonade or ice tea on board its free!

[mehawk]

By sneaking booze onboard is the same as keeping employees and the crusieline from making money. Purchasing services makes the economy go round. What if no one chose to purchase what services you provide in your working life? You would not eat. This is what you are doing to them when you sneak it onboard.

[Ro]

Drink the lemonade or ice tea on board its free!

[briguy]

Originally Posted by jackiewelsh

hey has anyone tried to put hard liquor in water bottles and bring it on? will i get caught?

yes, you will get caught, booze confiscated and consumed by employees, made to walk the plank, wife kidnapped, no refund by Carnival, then called 2 weeks later by a Carnival sales agent trying to get you to book another cruise...

[monkeythyme]

[quote="katlady"]

Originally Posted by patio daddy-o

Rum with the Fruit Punch from the buffet is very good. A liter size bottle will rum you about $40 ."

Was that a pun or a Freudian slip [liter size bottle will RUM you about $40]?

[monkeythyme]

Originally Posted by mehawk

By sneaking booze onboard is the same as keeping employees and the crusieline from making money. Purchasing services makes the economy go round. What if no one chose to purchase what services you provide in your working life? You would not eat. This is what you are doing to them when you sneak it onboard.

I am a 6-ounce-per-day wine drinker [O-L-D], so I do not know firsthand, but my friends who frequent the bars tell me that if you cash-tip above the 15% on the card your drinks will be stronger and they will occasionally "forget" to ask for your card if you tip really well. I should qualify my remark in that my sources are mostly RCI customers.

[katlady]

[quote="monkeythyme"]

Originally Posted by katlady

Was that a pun or a Freudian slip [liter size bottle will RUM you about $40]?

Nope, my brain is just faster then my fingers (to much Rum ). I meant to say "A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40." Try saying that 3 times fast.

[ferrangi]

[quote="katlady"]

Originally Posted by monkeythyme

Nope, my brain is just faster then my fingers (to much Rum ). I meant to say "A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40." Try saying that 3 times fast.

A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40
A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40
A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40

That wasn't so hard....

[katlady]

[quote="ferrangi"]

Originally Posted by katlady

A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40
A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40
A liter size bottle of rum will run you about $40

That wasn't so hard....

Well done!

[rinker250]

Originally Posted by mehawk

By sneaking booze onboard is the same as keeping employees and the crusieline from making money. Purchasing services makes the economy go round. What if no one chose to purchase what services you provide in your working life? You would not eat. This is what you are doing to them when you sneak it onboard.

I'm with Mehawk
If ya cant' handle paying about 50 bucks for bottles of alcohol provided by the line, cruising ain't for you.

By the way, 50 bucks is the DIFFERENCE between 5 bottles of name brand booze smuggled/seized and buying a bar set up.