Sneaking alcohol on a cruise: 5 reasons you shouldn’t do it even if you really want to
One of the most commonly asked cruise questions is “How can I sneak alcohol on a cruise?” Enjoying a beer or pina colada by the pool, wine with dinner or a craft cocktail as a nightcap are quintessential cruise vacation pastimes — but the high cost of drinks on board can force budget travelers to consider alternatives. While most cruise lines allow you to carry on a bottle of wine or two, they forbid passengers from bringing additional beer, liquor or other alcoholic beverages on board.
These policies, while understandable from a business perspective, have led to a black market of sorts, where cruisers purchase contraptions to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship, either on their person or in containers hiding their true contents. It’s an arms race between creative cruisers looking for illegal ways to smuggle booze and the security teams on board and in port who are deputized to seek and destroy contraband alcohol.
If you are tempted to sneak alcohol onto a cruise, TPG highly encourages you to rethink your plan and to follow the cruise line rules. Not only is rule-breaking frowned upon, but there are consequences if you get caught. Here are five reasons you might want to skip trying to sneak alcohol onto your next cruise.
Your alcohol will be confiscated
If you are caught smuggling booze on board, port and cruise security staff members have the right to remove the alcohol from your possession, and they don’t have to give it back.
“Any hard liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic beverage, and non-alcoholic beverages, outside of the exceptions referenced above, are strictly prohibited (in both carry-on and checked luggage) and such items will be confiscated and discarded, and no compensation will be provided,” states Carnival Cruise Line’s contract of carriage, the rules all passengers agree to follow when they book a cruise.
Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide
Royal Caribbean has a similar policy. “Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol,” the line’s online FAQs make clear.
Get caught — and yes, security staff knows where cruisers like to hide their liquor — and your attempt at saving money might become a waste of money if you never see your alcohol again.
You’ll be called out
Travelers who are brazen enough to flout the rules might not mind being called to account for their misdeeds, but know that it will happen. If your contraband alcohol is discovered on board the ship (rather than at port security), you might get called down to a crew area to ‘fess up to your rule infractions and receive a lecture on the ship’s alcohol policy.
“If your luggage is locked, the lock may be removed by security or, alternatively, the luggage will be held by security until you can be present for an inspection and any items in question further identified and/or surrendered,” states Princess Cruises’ passenger contract.
Don’t want to be embarrassed or shamed should you get caught? Follow the rules, and don’t try to sneak more drinks on board than you’re allowed.
You’ll miss out on the bar scene
The fun part of drinking on a cruise ship is checking out all the different bars, sampling classic and craft cocktails and bantering with the bartender or other patrons. If you plan to only drink your own smuggled-in booze, you’ll be relegated to toasting your buddies in your cabin or slinking around dark corners of the ship with a flask. Don’t miss out on the best cruise nightlife simply because you don’t want to pay cruise ship prices for drinks.
Related: These are the best cruise ship bars
You could get kicked off the ship
On a more serious note, smuggling alcohol on board a cruise ship can get you booted off it. This especially applies to minors who get caught sneaking on alcoholic beverages to partake in some underage drinking, or adults who sneak liquor to cruisers under the legal drinking age.
“Guests who violate any alcohol policies (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time) may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense,” reads Royal Caribbean’s online FAQs.
You do not want to risk ruining your long-awaited vacation and losing all the money you invested in a cruise just for a couple of drinks.
Related: Cruise mistakes that will ruin your vacation in an instant
You’ll miss out on the best beverage package prices
It is likely that your attempts at sneaking alcohol on a cruise will fail — or you simply can’t carry enough liquor to last a week. Inevitably, you’ll end up buying some drinks on the ship, maybe even a drinks package. Your lack of forethought will cost you because you’ve missed out on the best time to buy a cruise line beverage package.
Many lines discount drinks packages purchased online in advance of the cruise ship’s departure. Once on board, prices go up. If you plan on drinking a lot, your best bet is not to smuggle alcohol on board but to sign up for an inclusive beverage package while you can still get a pre-cruise discount.
Bottom line
Drinking on cruise ships is not an inexpensive pastime, and on the cheapest sailings, you might spend as much on alcohol as you did on your cruise fare. However, the risks of sneaking alcohol on board are greater than the possible benefits — especially since the likelihood of getting caught and having your contraband confiscated is high. Play by the rules, and you might be out a few more bucks — but it’s worth it to enjoy all a cruise ship has to offer without stressing about being caught and possibly disembarked.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- Top ways cruisers waste money
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.