Found a cruise within my budget but heard that incidentals (such as drinks) can really add up. Are you allowed to bring your own bottle on board?

Here we go again..........

Donna, you have asked the question that goes around all the time, If you put the alcohol in soda bottles (7-up for vodka, coke for the darker drinks) in the checked baggage, you have a chance, that it will get through.<BR><BR>Depending on what your &quot;budget&quot; is, the cheaper the cruise, the more they check.<BR><BR>I saw a cruise today that was a 4 day for $59 pp per day. They will check your undies.<BR><BR>You will only have to pay alot, if you drink alot.

Let me tell you what I know....<BR><BR>On HAL [a more costly cruise line] a drink will run $4-$5. On Carnival, the same drink $6-$7. <BR><BR>On HAL, you can purchase liquor from the on-board store, and drink it in your room...On Carnival that is not allowed. [In HAL's ships store, a liter of Absolut runs about $10, plus a slight premium to drink it in your room]<BR><BR>On HAL, you can bring on liquor without a problem...On Carnival they not only search for &quot;contraband,&quot; but can deny you boarding if they find it [Used to only confiscate, but now tougher]<BR><BR>On Carnival, just wait until you receive your &quot;voluntary&quot; tip charge...in the $10 range per person per day added to your ship's account. On HAL, no mandatory tipping [does not mean no tipping.]<BR><BR>So...a low fare does not mean a low cost cruise. <BR><BR>

One time I smuggled two jugs of vodka on board in my luggage. Didn't get caught and needless to say, I had a blast!

Gee Sarah, hope your next trip will be to the Betty Ford Clinic.

How fun could it possibly be to sit in your room drinking two litres of Vodka? Or did you bring your 'NSYNC sports bottle, fill it up with your scary-fabulous booze, and stagger around the pool deck with it? <BR>Why don't you all just BUY THE FREAKING DRINKS!

As a general rule, cruise lines don't allow passengers to bring their own alcohol, however, it seems that many smuggle it on board in their luggage. Please be advised that booze is just one of many things that will add up during your cruise. Tips (expected and/or automatic on most cruises), shore excursions, sodas, bingo and casino gambling, bottled water, specialty restaurants, specialty coffees, ice cream, pictures, spa treatments and even some exercise classes are all &quot;extras&quot;. How much you indulge is up to you.

How about perfume bottles or after-shave bottles. A dozen of each would be great to fill. Even a few of those specimen cups you can purchase at a pharmacy. They would hold quite a few liters of booze.<BR><BR>Paul

I like your sarcastic humor, Paul<BR>It alwyas amazes me how focused people are on alcholic drinks on cruiseships. You see adults acting like collage-age kids at frat parties; downing those drinks non-stop one after another. You hang around the pool for a couple of hours, and you see some people buying 6-7 drinks in a row!<BR>I'm not saying people shouldn't drink , but boy, you are drinking too much if you're thinking of carrying on alcohol .<BR>Hasn't anyone heard of water, or iced tea?

Anthony - you might want to consider sailing with someone other than Carnival.

Anthony you might want to consider booking with Carnival. Peter doesn't sail Carnival. We all know drunk people can sober up, but Peter will always be stupid.

<BR>We hate the crowds (that's why my husband won't go on another cruise), but we bought rum and mixers in Port in San Juan and had drinks on our balcony every evening. It was much, much nicer than going down to the bar, not to mention quite a bit less expensive. This was on RCL, but was 2 years ago. I don't know if they let you bring alcohol on now, but no one batted an eyelash at the time.

If you are celebrating a special occasion you can bring onboard a bottle of your favorite wine. You can also send yourself a bottle of wine as a gift. You will find the order form in your cruise documents. You will find your bottle or ten bottles, if you wish) in your cabin, chilled and ready to drink, when you board.<BR><BR>As Bob says .... Cheers<BR><BR>Paul

All those people with negative comments towards questions about alcohol must own shares in the cruise lines. You don't have to be an alcoholic to want to bring your own alcohol on board. Besides, why do you people continue to read these posts if they don't interest you!<BR><BR>If two people on a 17 day cruise order a beer or glass of wine at lunch and a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, spending $35 per day is not unusual. That's $600 for the whole cruise!<BR><BR>When I stay in a hotel, they don't hold me hostage and force me to buy their food and drinks. I can quite easily purchase my own food and drinks and bring it back to my room. Why should a cruise be any different? <BR><BR>I can't wait to see people's responses!!

We simple carried it on (including beer) in plain sight. Had no problem. (RCCL)

Just shows you where RCCL is going. It's going to be funny when CCL becomes the upscale and RCCL becomes the choice of the lesser types.

Are you insinuating that CCL is the choice of the &quot;lesser types&quot; now? What characteristics do the lesser types have?

Actually I was insinuating that the lesser types are now frequenting RCCL not CCL. I think witness said it best.

I wouldn't advise taking a lot of liquor since you may end up taking it back home with you. It will also take up your vacation time rounding it up when you are ready to go home.<BR><BR>Paul