Based on the number of suitcases that were NOT delivered to peoples'
cabins, and only a handful of Google Groups hits on "xray" and
"alcohol", I thought I would post my observations for a recent NCL
cruise (also very likely the same as other lines -- please advise).
After you check your bags at curbside, they are x-rayed. That
shouldn't be news. If during x-ray, they see something that might be
booze, instead of your suitcase, you got a paper on your cabin door!
I went by there and there was a swarm of angry people. There had to
have been 100 suit cases in that little room. There was a guy there
arguing that something was a gift for someone he was meeting at one of
the ports, and about 8 people behind him, milling around with scowls
on their faces. Meanwhile, ladies down the hall were drinking white
wine out of glasses from their cabin's washrooms. Seeing these two
things back-to-back I had to ask how they did it. They said the wine
was in a box.
Anyway, the process is that you answer the note on your door by
showing up at this confiscation room, remove the booze from your bag,
and get a ticket. You use the ticket to get your liquor back at the
end of the cruise (the morning you leave the ship).
I learned all of this on the very first evening, so I started watching
closer at the security checks after going to ports. They were shaking
water bottles. They didn't shake mine, but I could have had 2 liters
of vodka!
The bottom line is that you need to be a lot more sneaky if you wish
to BYOB on a cruise ship nowadays. Not too many years ago I know of a
guy who had lots of booze (for 3 couples), mixers, and even a blender
packed in it's own suit case! He dropped $50 on the cabin attendant
the first day and had three full ice buckets every evening at 5,
without asking. Everyone knew where and when the Pina Coladas would
be. Those days are gone.
So you either get creative, or it's going to be the $6 (minimum)
cocktail that they sell in the lounges.
--Dale--
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