Penalty for smuggling alcohol on board?

[kwtraveler]

I'm leaving on the Oasis for a cruise soon. I've traveled Carnival Princess cruiseline in the past. Normally they allow a bottle of rum placed in the room for a 35$ charge.

Unfortunately Carnival does not offer this service. I'm thinking of discreetly bringing alcohol on board. (I'm sure half the guests do so as well) I don't want to be kicked off the ship. What is reasonably likely to happen if I am caught? Will they just confiscate the rum or kick me off? I don't want to take too sever a chance.

Thanks for your assistance.

[Sandy]

Please see Royal Caribbean's policy here.

[Todd41]

The baggage is checked pretty carefully, especially in the home port. If you attempt to bring booze onboard, more than likely you will be caught.

I had security hold my bag in my last cruise. I had put Listerine in a water bottle (it was smaller and easier to pack). I had to go down to security and open it for them to smell to ensure it wasn't booze. They let me keep it, but they also showed their huge pile of confiscated Listerine bottles that were filled with liquid that wasn't Listerine!

My advise is to bite the bullet and just pay for your drinks onboard...think of it as part of the ticket price of the cruise.

[Sandy]

Todd, thanks for your first-hand experience. Too bad your water bottle was lumped into the same suspicion as the bottles that deserved to be confiscated.

[yagerbomb]

Ive actually never had the bottle of rum i put in my luggage taken away. Im like 5 for 5, so not sure how much they do actually check. Anyway, went w a big group last year and about 3 out of 12 people had their alcohol taken away. All that happened was it was confiscated and placed back in your room the last night before your cruise is over, so you really run no risk. This was all on a Carnival cruise line ship.

[im5150a]

I’ve been caught twice but never been kicked off a cruise. The cruise line confiscated my liquor and responsibly returned it the last evening of the cruise.
There are web sites that sell non-detectable plastic flask. I’ve used them many times.

[Dave]

Here at CruiseReviews we support the cruise line policies regarding personal beverages being brought aboard. We do not condone smuggling alcohol or the promotion of the practice.

Since the original question was answered I will close this thread.