Cruise Tips 51: Alcohol Policies
Gary Bembridge author of “The Cruise Traveler’s Handbook” provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit http://www.60secondcruisetips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn Radio
Taking alcohol on board
Cruise lines want you to buy drinks on board to drive their revenues. Therefore, most cruise lines will not allow passengers to bring alcohol for personal use onto their cruise. They screen for it being brought on at the start of the cruise and after excursions. If they find any they hold it until the end of the cruise when they return it to passengers. It is important that you get a receipt when it is taken from you.
The lines know that some destinations are known for their local wines, spirits and other alcohol-based drinks and expect their guests will want to take some home with them. However, they will still require it to be handed in until the cruise is over.
If you are on a ship that is cruising in a region that allows them to sell duty-free alcohol on board, you will also only be able to take it at the end of the trip.
Some cruisers try ingenious ways to sneak alcohol through the screening and there are blog posts with tricks on how. However, the lines are aware of most these practices – and probably follow the same postings.
