Embarking on a fancy cruise means relaxing, enjoying ocean views, and having drinks by the pool. But high prices for drinks on board can be a problem for experienced cruisers or those on a budget.
Some people try to bring their own alcohol on board to save money, even though it’s against the rules. A study found that almost 20% of passengers have tried to sneak alcohol on a cruise. How do they do it?
This guide will share clever ways travelers have used to bring alcohol on board, making your trip memorable and affordable. So put on your spy hat and let’s explore How to Sneak Alcohol on a Cruise Ship!
I have never smuggled drinks onto a cruise ship, and I don’t support others doing it. I’m just sharing examples of how people have done it before so you can decide for yourself.
Can You Take Alcohol on a Cruise?
Before discussing How to Sneak Liquor on a Cruise Ship, it’s important to know that some cruise lines allow passengers to bring a limited amount of alcohol with them.
The table below shows how much alcohol you can have on each cruise line.
| Cruise Line | Alcohol Allowance Per Passenger |
|---|---|
| Carnival | One bottle of wine |
| Celebrity | One bottle of wine |
| Costa | Not allowed |
| Cunard | One bottle of wine |
| Disney | Two bottles of wine or six beers |
| MSC Cruises | Not allowed |
| NCL | Unlimited wine – $15 fee per bottle |
| P&O Cruises | One litre of wine, Champagne, beer, or spirit |
| Princess Cruises | One bottle of wine for free. ($15 per additional bottle) |
| Royal Caribbean | One bottle of wine (or two bottles per stateroom) |
P&O Cruises truly stands out with its beverage policy, allowing guests to bring up to one litre of spirits per passenger along with unlimited mixers. This generous approach saves travelers from the hassle of trying to sneak extra alcohol on board and ensures a relaxed and enjoyable experience.
P&O Cruises boasts some of the best bar prices at sea. With competitive pricing for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, guests can indulge in their favorite drinks without worrying about hefty bar tabs at the end of their voyage. Making it unnecessary for guests to engage in any secretive tactics to bring extra alcohol on board.
Most cruise lines offer drinks packages that are good value for money. Which is much than trying to sneak Alcohol on cruise ships.
You can read about the Royal Caribbean Drink Package here.
Do Cruise Lines Check for Alcohol?
Cruise lines have strict security protocols in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers. From scanning luggage for prohibited items like weapons, drones, alcohol, drugs, and weapons to conducting thorough manual checks, they leave no stone unturned. They use scanners and do spot checks.
Sneaking alcohol on cruise is a bad idea. It’s not worth the risk.
Can Cruise Ship Scanners Detect Alcohol?
Cruise ship scanners have revolutionized the way security checks are conducted onboard, especially when it comes to detecting hidden alcohol in passengers’ luggage. The x-ray technology quickly shows liquids as dark on the screen, making bottles and cans easy to detect. This helps port staff find any banned items quickly and act promptly.
Some cruise companies like Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line have strict rules about bringing drinks from outside to stop people from drinking unauthorized beverages during the trip. They only allow drinks for medical reasons. This helps them check luggage faster because they don’t have to figure out which liquids are allowed and which are not.
How to Sneak Alcohol on a Cruise – Top 15 Ways
There are many ways for sneaking alcohol on cruise ship without being noticed. The best way to sneak alcohol on cruise depends on what kind of drink you want to hide (vodka is easier to hide than beer) and how much you want to bring.
I made a list of ways by which cruise passengers hide alcohol on board, like using homemade disguises and special bags. This will help you sneak alcohol on a ship without getting caught.
Here are the following 15 ways (How to Sneak Alcohol on a Cruise).
Sunscreen Bottle
Sunscreen bottles can also be used for sneaking alcohol on cruises. Fill them with your favorite drinks and put them in your bag. These sunscreen bottles look like sneaky flasks and hold up to 10 ounces (about 296 ml) of alcohol. They let you enjoy your drink secretly and add fun to your vacation.
Avoid large containers like wine boxes. Check the cruise line’s rules before buying sunscreen bottles. Don’t risk security taking them away. Consider buying smaller containers to avoid suspicion during searches. You can buy sunscreen bottles on Amazon to carry spirit, vodka, Tequilla, or any other liquor discreetly.
Umbrella Flask
Next time you’re heading on a cruise and want to bring along your own stash of booze without any prying eyes, consider the umbrella flask. This discreet accessory holds a 9 oz (255 ml) of your preferred spirit. It’s easy to pour into your glass. It looks and feels like an umbrella, not a hard bottle.
It’s unlikely to be found, especially on Northern European cruises where it might rain. As you sail towards the sunny Mediterranean, the game changes. In this region where summer vibes are in full swing, an umbrella might seem out of place and draw unwanted attention
Binocular Flask
The innovative binocular flask offers a discreet and clever way to sneak alcohol on cruise, with each side can hold up to 8 oz (about 236.5 ml) of liquor. Not only is it invisible on X-rays, but its design also makes it challenging to detect during manual searches, giving you the upper hand in bypassing strict security checks.
The beauty of this binocular flask lies in its dual compartments, each independent and sealed off from the other. This unique design enables you to keep different types of alcohol such as tequila & whisky separated yet conveniently housed within the same sleek container.
Tampon Flasks
The idea of using tampon flasks to sneaking alcohol on cruise ship might sound devious, but for some, it’s a clever solution to enjoy a little extra tipple while sailing the high seas. These discreet flasks are designed to blend in seamlessly with your personal items, making them undetectable during routine luggage checks
These tampon flasks are perfect for sneaking small amounts of alcohol on a cruise ship without raising suspicion, it’s essential to remember their limited capacity. These fake tampon wrappers have mini flasks inside that can hold one shot of alcohol. With each flask holding just 1 oz (about 30 ml) of liquid, you may need quite a few to keep you well-stocked for a week-long voyage
Wine Bottles
Sneaking extra wine bottles onto a cruise ship has become a common practice among savvy travelers looking to save on alcohol costs. By strategically placing bottles in both checked and carry-on luggage, passengers can often go undetected, taking advantage of the one-bottle-per-person rule enforced by most cruise lines. Since the bags are checked separately, it’s hard for the cruise staff to notice if you’ve brought more than allowed.
It’s essential to be cautious when packing glass bottles, as breakage can not only result in a messy situation but also risk ruining other belongings in your luggage.
To prevent wine bottles from breaking when you travel, use inflatable wine bottle protectors that provide an added layer of protection against impact and pressure
Shampoo Bottles
Using shampoo bottles for sneaking alcohol on cruise may sound clever, but it has some problems. It can be hard to completely clean out the shampoo smell, which can affect the taste of your drink and make it unpleasant. There is a risk of leaking also which could create a messy and embarrassing situation.
Shampoo bottle flasks sold on Amazon can help with these concerns. These bottles are leak-proof and have seals to keep odors in. They can hold 8 ounces (about 236.5 ml) of liquor and are a discreet way to sneak alcohol on cruise without being caught.
Rum Runners
Rum runners, also known as alcohol bags or plastic flasks, are a clever solution for those looking to enjoy their favorite spirits on a cruise without breaking the bank. Many cruisers have successfully used rum runners to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship.
Rum runners are reusable plastic bags with a funnel for pouring wine and can hold up to 32 oz (about 946 ml) of liquid and don’t look like bottles on x-rays. Seasoned cruisers like using them to bring alcohol onboard. If your bag is checked by hand, the alcohol bags’ contents will be easily seen.
You can buy Rum Runner on Amazon to carry wine, vodka, gin, or any other liquor discreetly.
Mouthwash Bottles
People often try to sneak alcohol on cruise ships by using mouthwash bottles. This may seem like a smart idea, but Cruise Staff are aware of this trick. They can easily tell if someone has put clear alcohol in a mouthwash bottle and added food coloring to make it look like real mouthwash.
The sight of an unusually large bottle of mouthwash during a short cruise raises suspicion, prompting them to take a closer look. They are always watching out for people trying to be sneaky.
Fake Paddle Brush
Some people think using a fake paddle brush to sneak alcohol onto a cruise ship is a smart idea. With its inconspicuous design, making it easy to bring your own drinks without getting caught by customs.
Fake Beer Belly
You can sneak alcohol on cruise ships using a beer belly canteen. This polyurethane container looks like a beer belly and can hold up to 80 oz (about 2.37 L) of alcohol which is like 3 bottles of wine, right under your clothes.
It may not earn you points for fashion sense in your embarkation photos. It may not look stylish, but it lets you carry drinks discreetly and avoid high prices on the ship.
Camera Flask
The camera flask lets you sneak alcohol on cruise without getting caught by hiding it in a clever way. You can fill the flask with your favorite alcohol, put it in your bag, and have a drink without anyone knowing while you’re on the cruise.
Boozy Bladder
Boozy Bladder device is worn around waist. This device is a game-changer and has a tube that comes out through your pants so you can refill your glass without raising any suspicion. This is more suitable for men than women due to its design. It’s best to Sneak off to a bathroom stall for a quick refill to avoid strange looks from others. The device can hold 1 liter of alcohol, which can last you the whole cruise if you fill it with spirits.
Wine Handbag
The PortoVino wine purse may not be the ideal choice for sneaking alcohol on cruise ship due to security measures, but it certainly offers a unique way to enjoy your favorite wine with style. Beyond its practical use as a beach tote, this chic handbag’s insulated compartment is designed to hold 2 bottles of wine at the perfect temperature for hours of enjoyment. The insulated pocket with a hidden zipper ensures that your beverages are kept at an optimal temperature, ready to be poured out whenever the mood strikes.
Wine Rack Bra
The Wine Rack Bra also known as booze Bra or Liquor bra is a fun way for women to sneak alcohol on cruise, but the consequences of getting caught with a wearable flask on a cruise can be quite serious. The idea of enhancing your appearance while sneaking alcohol on cruise may be appealing, it’s essential to consider the risks involved. Setting off an x-ray scanner with something that mimics a suspicious item can lead to unnecessary trouble with port authorities.
Water Bottles
Sneaking alcohol on cruise by using water bottles is a common trick. Pour your drink into a water bottle and seal it to sneak it onboard without drawing attention. Choose clear or light-colored liquids that resemble water, like vodka or white wine. Be cautious not to bring too much alcohol and attract suspicion at customs.
Another method is to use glasses that look like juice glasses at breakfast tables. Match the colors of the drinks, such as mimosas, to blend in. Bringing along snacks like chocolate chips or nuts can help distract from the hidden alcohol.
Where to Hide Alcohol When You Check-In
Once you choose a container for sneaking your liquor, decide where to keep it. Options are:
- In checked luggage
- In carry-on luggage
- On your body
Choosing the best place to hide alcohol for a cruise requires stealth and cleverness. By stashing your Alcohol in your checked luggage, you can avoid the potential awkwardness of being caught during a public security scan at the port. There’s always a risk of rough handling of checked luggage by baggage handlers, so make sure your items are well protected.
Can You Sneak Alcohol on Cruise on Your Body?
Many people try to bring alcohol on a cruise by hiding it on their bodies, but this is very risky. The strict security measures, like walking through x-ray scanners and setting off alarms, make it likely that you will be caught. Even if you hide the alcohol well, it can still be found during a pat-down. This can turn what seems like a smart idea into a bad decision.
What Happens if You Get Caught Sneaking Alcohol on Cruise?
If you try to sneak alcohol on a cruise ship and get caught, the worst thing that can happen is you won’t be allowed to board.
Royal Caribbean’s policy states:
“Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will be returned at the end of the voyage provided that they are in the original sealed package. Security may inspect containers and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies may be disembarked, or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them.”
Other cruise lines only mention that any prohibited alcohol found will be taken away and disposed of.
Carnival’s policy states:
“Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception – at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage. Outside this exception, all forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.”
There were many instances in which orange confiscation slips were found inside suitcases instead of missing alcohol. No one has mentioned that they are denied boarding the ship after being caught. Surprisingly, several individuals mentioned being able to retrieve their confiscated alcohol at the end of the cruise!
FAQs – How to Sneak Alcohol on a Cruise Ship
How do You Sneak Alcohol on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?
Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring one bottle of wine on board. Bringing more than one bottle is not allowed, but some guests try to sneak extra bottles past security using disguised flasks or rum runners.
How do You Sneak Alcohol on a Carnival Cruise?
Carnival Cruise Line lets guests bring one bottle of wine. If you want to bring more, you can try using a hidden flask or a rinsed-out shampoo bottle, but cruise lines may check these.
How do Cruise Ships Check Wine Bottles?
If cruise ship staff suspect you of attempting to sneak alcohol on a cruise, they will conduct a thorough inspection of your luggage. They will thoroughly examine all wine bottles to confirm that they are properly sealed and contain wine. If they discover spirits instead of wine, the alcohol will be confiscated, and you may be denied boarding access to the ship.
Do Cruise Ships Check Your Luggage?
Cruise ships use x-ray to check your luggage. If they find anything suspicious, they will open it for a manual search. They may open bottles to see what’s inside, so using an old trick of shampoo bottle for alcohol might not work.
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