For those cruisers that are willing to break the rules, hiding alcohol in your luggage and sneaking it on board is a popular pass time. Mainstream cruise lines prohibit passengers to bring their own alcohol (Champagne is an exception) on ships.
Some methods of “rum running” are carrying mouthwash bottles and purpose-made plastic bags in their checked luggage. Some even appoint a “mule” in their innocent looking family members to smuggle their liquor on board. As crafty as these rule-breakers think they are, cruise lines know all about their packing hacks.
Embarrassing!
If you want to be humiliated, like getting caught shoplifting when you were 12, try to sneak alcohol on a cruise and get caught. A carefully placed note in your suitcase, before it’s delivered to you stateroom on embarkation day, just to let you know, your smuggled goods are no longer there. If you case is locked, you will be summoned to the “principals office” to open it.
You Will Pay
Apart from losing the cost of the grog you tried to bring on board illegally, you’ll lose the expense of the containers and smuggling paraphernalia you tried to utilise.
If you had just the original bottles in your luggage, it’s up to the cruise line whether or not to give it back to you at the end of the cruise. Now that you’ll have to pay for your alcoholic refreshments, you’ll incur that cost too and this may be quite an expensive little venture.
Those Judging Eyes
Public humiliation and reproach from fellow passengers who followed the rules, are what’s in store for you if you get caught. We all think waiting in a queue is bad enough, the last thing travellers want is to have to wait behind you while you’re getting interrogated by security staff and your luggage being searched.
It’s ironic, even though you may be on a ship with thousands of people, you will see those same annoyed people onboard during your cruise, and they won’t have forgotten you.
Under the Drinking Age?
The minimum age for the purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the bars, lounges and gift shops is 18 years of age in Australia. Picture identification may be required and cruise lines have the right to refuse the sale of alcohol to anyone.
Any cruise that begins in a US home port has a minimum drinking age of 21 years, with exception is Norwegian Sky, sailing out of Miami, which allows young adults between the ages of 18 to 20 to consume alcohol with a legal parent or guardian present.
Underage passengers who try to break the rules by sneaking alcohol on board face the same repercussions as any adult. The only difference being, they will not get their drinks back at the end of the cruise.
Champagne Allowed
Most lines will allow cruisers to bring at least one bottle of wine or Champagne onboard and some even allow bottled water, cans of soda and juice, without it being a problem.
Corkage fees, usually around $15.00 may apply if you decide to drink your own bottle in the main dining room or boutique restaurant. Enjoying the wine in your cabin will cost nothing!
The responsibility falls on you. These rules are made for a reason. If you smuggle onboard alcohol you face the risk of causing harm to yourself or others. Alcohol poisoning, falls and sexual assault are but a few. Cruise lines also reserve the right to disembark passengers who willingly violate their alcohol policies.
