Many cruise lines have very specific rules about what you can and can’t pack in your luggage. However, there is one in particular that countless cruisers attempt to flout in order to save money.
In many cases, cruise lines do not permit passengers to bring onboard their own alcoholic drinks, although there are some exceptions depending on the operator you are travelling with.
Despite cruise lines setting out their specific rules, guests are frequently found trying to sneak their own booze onboard. Social news aggregation and discussion website Reddit also hosts several forums of cruisers sharing tips and tricks for hiding alcohol in your luggage.
However, cruise expert, author and blogger Elaine Warren, who runs The Family Cruise Companion, has warned holidaymakers: “It really isn’t worth the risk.”
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she said: “People try it on every cruise I have ever been on! It’s insane.”
From hiding liquor in mouthwash bottles to specially designed bags with hidden pockets to conceal booze, stealthy passengers have found their ways, but it’s something Elaine says is “insane”.
READ MORE: Cruise passengers issued cabin warning – ‘don’t chance it’
“Personally, I don’t drink, so I don’t see the obsession,” she said. “I see people always try and get away with it, and they often do. It really isn’t worth the risk, though. If caught, it will be seized and not returned.”
There are some exceptions to the alcohol ban for certain cruise lines, and these can easily be found on the company’s website.
“The rules are pretty straightforward,” said Elaine. “No beer or hard liquor. There are usually exceptions for small quantities of wine and or champagne. But the cruises don’t want to bring on any of your own alcohol for personal consumption.”
Royal Caribbean stipulates that guests are not allowed to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use. However, on boarding day, guests may bring onboard two 750 ml bottles of personal wine or champagne per stateroom in their carry-on luggage.
The same rules apply to Virgin Voyages. The cruise line states: “Sailors are also welcome to bring two 750mL bottles of wine per cabin in carry-on bags (sorry, no liquor or beer please).”
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Any alcohol found in checked luggage will be collected by the staff pre-sailing and returned once the voyage is complete. Some cruise lines may charge a corkage fee for bringing your own wine onboard, while others may completely ban bringing on your own alcohol.
But there are some ways you can enjoy a free drink or two without breaking any rules at all, according to Reddit users. In a forum dedicated to cruise tips and tricks, one user said: “On your cruise papers say you are celebrating an anniversary or other event in the special comments section, your room steward will often provide you with vouchers for free drinks.”
A second user recommended attending special events onboard the ship. They explained: “Stop by a lot of the special welcome events, captain’s talks, auctions, etcetera.
“They usually offer free drinks. Grab your drink and head out if you’re not interested.”
Alcohol rules for cruise companies
Azamara cruises
Liquor, wine and beer can be brought aboard and consumed in-cabin for no fee; however, there is a $10 (approximately £8.70) corkage fee to open any bottle at Azamara’s bars or restaurants. The same rule applies for alcohol purchases in ports of call.
Carnival Cruise Line
During embarkation only, each passenger may bring one bottle of wine or Champagne (750ml) onboard in their carry-on luggage; beer and liquor is not allowed. The corkage fee is $15 (approximately £13), and bottles may be consumed in the main dining room, steakhouse or bars; there is no corkage fee for bottles consumed in passengers’ staterooms.
Celebrity Cruises
No alcoholic beverages may be brought onboard for consumption, with the exception of two bottles of wine at embarkation.
Costa Cruises
No alcohol is permitted onboard; if found, it will be confiscated and held until the end of the cruise.
Cunard
Liquor may not be brought onboard. Passengers are allowed to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne onboard. A $20-per-bottle (approximately £17) corkage fee applies for bottles consumed in the ships’ restaurants and bars.
Disney Cruise Line
Passengers may bring onboard two bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or six beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on embarkation day. The alcohol must be hand-carried in a day bag or carry-on luggage.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Only alcohol purchased onboard may be consumed onboard. Any alcohol brought from ashore will be placed in safekeeping by the ship’s security officers and will be returned at the end of the cruise.
Holland America
Passengers of legal drinking age may bring one bottle of wine or Champagne (no larger than 750ml) onboard in their carry-on luggage at the beginning of a sailing. This bottle is not subject to a corkage fee if it is consumed in the cabin.
Marella Cruises
According to TUI, who operate Marella: “The carrier will confiscate all alcohol brought onboard by Passengers, with the exception of alcohol purchased on the outbound flight to the ship – proof of purchase will be required. Alcohol that is confiscated will be returned to Passengers at the end of the cruise.”
MSC Cruises
At embarkation, no alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought onboard.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Beer and liquor are not allowed, items will be secured until disembarkation day. Wine and champagne are permitted, but you’ll have to pay a corkage fee for any that is consumed onboard in staterooms, bars or restaurants.
Oceania Cruises
Passengers may not bring their own beer or liquor onboard, but may bring a maximum of three bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin for the duration of a cruise.
P&O Cruises
Each passenger, aged 18 or older, is allowed to bring one bottle of wine, Champagne, beer, spirits or liqueur up to one litre in size at embarkation. Additional alcohol will be held until the end of the cruise.
Princess Cruises
Beer and liquor are not allowed. Each passenger of drinking age can bring one bottle of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) per voyage, which will not be subject to a corkage fee if consumed in the cabin.
Royal Caribbean
Passengers can bring onboard a maximum of two bottles of wine or Champagne (750 ml each) per cabin during embarkation only.
Silversea Cruises
Passengers are allowed to bring alcoholic beverages on the ship throughout the cruise.
Virgin Voyages
Alcoholic beverages, hard liquor, spirits or beer are not allowed. Any alcohol in checked luggage will be collected on embarkation and returned once the voyage is complete.
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