Liquor confiscated?

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Karry

Guest
We are going on Empress of the Seas on 10/7. We haven't been on RCI in a few years and have always had luck "sneaking on" our booze. "Everyone" is talking about RCI's new stricter liquor policy. Has anyone who has cruised recently had their liquor confiscated?
 
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Karry

Guest
Edited to add: If I bring my liquor on in soda bottles, are they allowed to OPEN AND SNIFF :?
 
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Mbandy

Guest
I just posted a thread "Royal Caribbean Raises Minimum Drinking Age to 21" The article answers these and other pressing questions.

I have never had any booze confiscated from my checked bags and have been pretty good at sneaking it on board if I buy it in port. I wrap it in a beach towel and bury it deep in my snorkel bag.

The article I posted states "Security may inspect containers (such as water or soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's guest vacation policy says any guest who violates the alcohol policy may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense".
 
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Karry

Guest
I've always been lucky too which is why I asked. But really....they are allowed to OPEN the "soda/water/mouthwash" bottles?? I mean, what happens when the bottles really ARE what the label says. I don't want some stranger sniffing my bottle :nono Then again, who knows...maybe they have booze sniffing dogs now. :devil I don't want anyone to get me wrong, I am not trying to "stiff" the cruise industry. We have taken MANY cruises and always buy a lot of =gulp on the ship. We have also "recruited" dozens of friends and family over the years on our trips and the $ my DH leaves behind in each casino...well =blush We just enjoy bringing on some of our own booze to save a little $ and the convenience of having it in our cabin. I know this topic has been talked to death for a long time, but was just wondering about the "new stricter policy." Also, I like to drink "weak" white wine spritzers, so I like to put a little bit of wine in a bottle and add club soda. If I bought a glass on a ship it would cost a lot of $ for a thumbnail of wine...=huh
 
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Mbandy

Guest
I agree with the convenience of being able to mix a cocktail in your room. I also don't think the new stricter cruise line policy is designed to prevent folks like us from having a bottle in our cabin. If that were the case the cabin stewards would be instructed to take any bottles they find in the cabin.

I think the new stricter policy is to protect the cruise line from liability litigation from the families of people who get tanked and fall overboard. After all, if a guest is injured as a result of violating the cruise line's alcohol policy then it is not the fault of the cruise line. Secondly it gives the cruise line more control over people who get out of control. Just my =twocents
 
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Karry

Guest
So, the "innocent" have to suffer for the fools....but I still think this is a load of bunk...I can't tell you how many times I have seen people "TOTALLY TANKED" at the Lido bar and the bartender keeps putting more cold ones in front of them and swiping that S&S card. But I have yet to read an article that the bartender is liable for any "incident" because he didn't cut a pax off. So if a pax falls overboard, it is because he had empty booze bottles in his cabin that he supposedly snuck on, but has nothing to do with the booze he paid for and was served on the ship. =shake It all comes down to $$$ imo. =soapbox Thanks for the info Mbandy.
 
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Mbandy

Guest
I agree Karry. I am curious if with the new stricter policies for guests there might be more and stricter internal policies for employees who serve alcohol on the ships. There needs to be.

It also should be said that although this thread is on the Royal Caribbean board most of this conversation goes for all cruise lines too.
 
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cubita0216

Guest
Hello- I'am a first time cruiser- also our anniversery -and my birthday - still no one has answered the question??- can you get it on board RCCL - has anyone done it recently??
 
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suer182

Guest
You can NOT buy bottles and bring it back to your cabin. You will get your bottles at the end of the cruise.

You can buy a drink at one of the bars and bring it back to your cabin.

IMO, "sneaking" booze on board and getting caught is luck of the draw.
 
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sailingrose

Guest
I agree with Suer. We have not had our wine confiscated but we haven't sailed in a few months since the policies have changed. I'll be trying it in Decemeber on the Mariner.
 
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lindajeff

Guest
Someone needs to explain to me why you would book a cruise knowing what the cruise line policies/rules are and then try to figure out a way to circumvent them.
 
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sanjoseca

Guest
[quote lindajeff]Someone needs to explain to me why you would book a cruise knowing what the cruise line policies/rules are and then try to figure out a way to circumvent them.[/quote]

I've known an alcoholic that would do just that. Desperation sets in and it's a security thing for them.
 
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Roland

Guest
Desperation or not Your Lordship, those people should choose another kind of vacation or pay for their drinks onboard.
 
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sanjoseca

Guest
I'm not condoning the practice, Roland, just mentioning the lengths that alcoholics will go to to ensure they have their little security blanket. My SIL would have done the same thing and did. It's very sad.
 
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PH8

Guest
Ok,just not alcoholics sneak it......I USED to...........not anymore.......so not worth it to me......I just pre order any wine I might want and have it waiting for me in the cabin..........after one, one spends thousands and they have to smuggle in a $10-$20 bottle of wine?? Jeez.......thats kinda being cheap to me.......
 
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sanjoseca

Guest
I took one bottle of California wine aboard Jewel for Roland in July, but I declared it to the RCI person at the gangway and they let me go aboard with it. I wouldn't bother taking bottles aboard for my own consumption.
 
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PH8

Guest
Im sure once you mentioned his name,it was OK!! (tu)

What did you get in return?? Some aquavit?? =huh
 
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sanjoseca

Guest
A real nice tour of Stockholm and the surrounding area with a very nice couple.
 
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PH8

Guest
Sounds very nice...........hope to get there one day and go to the Ice bar...........
 
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