Why You Should Think Twice Before Sneaking Alcohol on a Cruise — Even If the Temptation Is Strong

A frequently asked question among cruisers is, "What’s the best way to sneak alcohol on board?" Sipping a beer or a piña colada by the pool, enjoying wine with dinner, or indulging in a craft cocktail at night are classic cruise experiences — but the steep prices for drinks on the ship often lead budget-conscious travelers to look for workarounds. While many cruise lines permit guests to bring a bottle or two of wine, they strictly prohibit additional beer, liquor, or other alcoholic drinks.

These rules, though justifiable from a business standpoint, have sparked a sort of underground market, where passengers create ingenious methods to sneak alcohol aboard, either hidden on their person or concealed in containers that disguise their contents. It's a constant battle between inventive cruisers attempting to smuggle alcohol and the security teams onboard and at ports tasked with identifying and eliminating illegal substances.

If you're considering sneaking alcohol onto a cruise, TPG strongly advises against it and urges you to adhere to the cruise line's regulations. Not only is violating these rules discouraged, but there are also repercussions if you're caught. Here are five compelling reasons to think twice before attempting to bring alcohol on your next cruise.

Your alcohol will be taken away

If you're caught trying to sneak alcohol on board, port and cruise security have the authority to confiscate the alcohol from you, and they are not obligated to return it.

According to Carnival Cruise Line's contract of carriage, which all passengers agree to upon booking, "Any hard liquor, beer, other types of alcoholic drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages, aside from the aforementioned exceptions, are strictly forbidden (in both carry-on and checked luggage), and such items will be seized and disposed of without compensation."

Royal Caribbean enforces a similar policy. Their online FAQs state, "Security may inspect various containers (like water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc.) and will discard any that contain alcohol."

If you're caught — and yes, security knows all the popular hiding spots for liquor — your attempt to save money could end up being a complete loss if your alcohol never returns to you.

You’ll be exposed

Travelers who boldly disregard the rules might be okay with facing the consequences, but be aware that it will happen. If your hidden alcohol is found on the ship (instead of at port security), you could be summoned to a crew area to admit your rule-breaking and receive a lecture on the ship's alcohol policies.

According to Princess Cruises' passenger contract, "If your luggage is locked, security may remove the lock, or the luggage will be held until you can be present for an inspection and any questionable items can be identified or surrendered."

Want to avoid feeling embarrassed or ashamed if you get caught? Adhere to the rules and refrain from trying to sneak extra drinks on board.

You’ll miss out on the vibrant bar scene

The enjoyable aspect of drinking on a cruise is exploring the various bars, trying out classic and craft cocktails, and chatting with the bartender or fellow guests. If your plan is to only sip on your own hidden alcohol, you'll find yourself toasting friends in your cabin or sneaking around the ship's shadows with a flask. Don’t miss out on the lively cruise nightlife just because you’re hesitant to pay the ship's drink prices.

You might be expelled from the ship

On a more serious note, sneaking alcohol onto a cruise ship can lead to being kicked off. This is particularly true for minors caught attempting to bring in alcohol for underage drinking, or for adults who provide liquor to those under the legal drinking age.

According to Royal Caribbean's online FAQs, "Guests who breach any alcohol policies (such as overconsumption, supplying alcohol to under-21s, exhibiting irresponsible behavior, or trying to hide alcohol items at security or luggage checks) may be disembarked or prevented from boarding at their own cost."

You definitely don’t want to jeopardize your long-awaited vacation and lose the money you spent on the cruise for just a few drinks.

You'll miss out on the best prices for beverage packages

Chances are, your efforts to sneak alcohol onto a cruise will be unsuccessful — or you won’t be able to pack enough liquor for an entire week. Sooner or later, you'll find yourself purchasing drinks on board, perhaps even a beverage package. Your lack of planning will cost you, as you'll have missed the ideal time to purchase a cruise line beverage package.

Many cruise lines offer discounts on beverage packages when purchased online before the ship sets sail. Prices increase once you're on board. If you plan to drink frequently, your best option is to skip the smuggling and opt for an inclusive beverage package while you can still take advantage of the pre-cruise discount.

Bottom line

Drinking aboard cruise ships can be quite pricey, and on budget sailings, you might spend as much on drinks as you did on your cruise fare. However, the risks of sneaking alcohol aboard outweigh the potential rewards — especially since getting caught and having your contraband taken is a significant possibility. Stick to the rules, and while you might spend a little extra, it's worth it to fully enjoy everything a cruise has to offer without the worry of being caught and possibly removed from the ship.