newbie question for RCCL

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duttysean

Guest
Hey all, this will be my first time cruising, and I am looking for a definitave answer to the dilemma of bringing booze on board. I have heard from people that you need to put it in a different bottle, or some cruise lines don't care if you bring it on board, or you can only bring bottles of wine, but I can't figure out what the actual deal is. Does anyone have some good advice from past experiences with Royal Caribbean? Thanks for your help.

-Sean
 
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Qcruiser

Guest
This is one question which will bring on more answers than you can imagine.... just realize that everyone has their own story about this... mine is on Princess, where I brought alone a case of wine in a wine box in plain sight checked with my luggage, along with a case of water. No problem, and Princess didn't even charge me the $10 corkage fee at dinner because I tipped my head waiter $20 on the first night. I read where Norwegain accually x-rays the checked luggage and separates the suspect bags, then they page the owners to a room where they open it in front of you and confiscate it for return after the cruise. This is the chance you can take, I've heard of them taking it from carry on bags too. Now I am going on Royal Caribbean to Alaska in Sept. and I plan to put the flat, plastic bottles of Vodka into my checked luggage and maybe some wine, I guess I'll find out. Princess also let's you pre-purchase liquor before your cruise on their website, and it is reasonably priced too... like a 750ml Absolut or Smirnoff for $22, we got a Vodka tonic package with a 375ml Smirnoff and 3 cans of tonic for $17.... I wish RCI would do something like this .....good luck.....
 
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crazy_canuck

Guest
I've sailed RCI several times, they're pretty strict about alcohol of any sort that is in plain sight. They will take it and hold if until the ship finishes it's trip. I have always put my wine in my checked luggage, never had any problems. My cabin steward has always provided wine glasses for me. I think it's about being discrete. Of course if you manage to get the wine on board they will be pleased to pour it for you in the dinning room, you will be charged corkage. I have used the clear plastic bags that you use to store clothes or blankets, you see them on TV where you suck all the air out and the things shrink down for easier storage? You can buy these bags at storage stores, they're really like a giant zip lock bags, wrap the bottles in a towel, put them in the bag and then in the suitcase, knock on wood, 5 trips and no spills!

Enjoy your trip. Hope this helps.
 
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Lunatic_Mic

Guest
This may or may not help. On a recent trip to Cozemel I bought two liters of Tequila ashore. One was a gift for a sister in Houston, one for a personal collection at home. I did not intend to sneak them into the cabin, was not going to open either one. I walked up the gangplank dropped them onto the x-ray conveyor, and they handed them back to me and I headed up to the cabin with them. There was no one there to take them and store them until the end of the cruise. Of course, I didn't ask either. They were in a plain white bag, and the tequileria had wrapped them in tissue paper. I don't know if this was just luck, or a lax policy. Wish I ahd known it would happen, might have bought more. LOL
 
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CindyPalmatier

Guest
We have carried some liquor in our checked bags on all 3 of our cruises and never had it be an issue. We kept it in plain sight in our cabin as well and nothing was said. We have done 2 Carnival and last year were on Norwegian. We use plastic bottles in a vacuum sealed bag. Last year, DH and another friend we were traveling with bought some fifths of CaboWabo tequila when we ported in Cabo San Lucas. We lunched at the restaurant and the bottles were really cool so we got them more as souvenirs, doubt we will ever open them. They carried them back on the ship, put them through xray, and took them to our rooms. No questions asked. I have heard of people having problems, but I have not personally seen this. Of course this is more of a money making issue for the cruise lines than anything. But on each cruise we have still had a pretty hefty bar bill come the end of the cruise. Mostly because we don't have a blender in our room and we like the slushies! So they are making money on us, that is for sure. So I say go for it. The worst that will happen is they will confiscate it and give it back at the end of the cruise.
 
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juancane

Guest
I have sailed 6 times now and one each of the cruises have taken alcohol on board. I have not placed it in different bottles or anything like that. I just simply rapped all the bottles real well and placed them inside our check-in luggage. Nothing has happened on any occasion. They arrived safely in our cabin. One time I tried to buy a couple of extra bottles in Cozumel and carry them on but was told I would have to pick them up at the end of the cruise. As I was filling out the document for this process I said something to a friend in spanish and it turned out the RCCL person helping us spoke spanish too and he let us go ahead with our bottles.......we came back and gave him a tip and that was it......so the moral of the story is....being bi-lingual can help save you money sometimes and when all else fails, offer tips........good luck
 
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juancane

Guest
I have sailed 6 times now and one each of the cruises have taken alcohol on board. I have not placed it in different bottles or anything like that. I just simply rapped all the bottles real well and placed them inside our check-in luggage. Nothing has happened on any occasion. They arrived safely in our cabin. One time I tried to buy a couple of extra bottles in Cozumel and carry them on but was told I would have to pick them up at the end of the cruise. As I was filling out the document for this process I said something to a friend in spanish and it turned out the RCCL person helping us spoke spanish too and he let us go ahead with our bottles.......we came back and gave him a tip and that was it......so the moral of the story is....being bi-lingual can help save you money sometimes and when all else fails, offer tips........good luck
 
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littlebit

Guest
We've even taken beer in our luggage without a problem. We always put it in our checked luggage. I also carry other things as well as beer. Just be sure to wrap them well, place them in the center of your luggage and put them in a sealed plastic bag (incase they open or burst or break). If you are celebrating something you can carry wine on board with you and let RCL check in folks know you're celebrating.
 
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Mbandy

Guest
I always pack a bottle or two in my checked bags. 14 cruises and never was a bottle removed from my luggage. Never carry it in you carry on though or they'll probably take it. I have a friend who brought some whiskey on in a bottle that once contained mouthwash. Bad idea unless you like mint flavored whiskey. :lol
 
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mooneydiva

Guest
We were on Adventure of the Seas last summer, and in one port, we purhased small bottles of gin, amaretto, and something else, as well as cola and diet cola. I put the alcohol in my carry-all, and we carried the the soda in plastic bags. All went through the x-ray, and all made it to our room without question. In adother port, we purchased a couple of large bottles of Grey Goose Vodka, rum and whatever else, and they did take those bottles to store until the end of the cruise.

Someone on our cruise told me that they will not take anything out of a woman's purse. I guess that's true.

Have fun!! :daisy
 
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coachbuilder

Guest
As others have said, just be discreet. Carried on two bottles in our checked bags. Wrapped in towels and a plastic bag. Porters can be pretty rough with the bags, so make sure they are in the middle of your bag. Going to try beer next time as well.

Enjoy your cruise!!

Jess
 
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