Expert: Curtis Thorsen - 11/2/2002

Question
Can you tell me which cruise lines do or do not allow passengers to bring aboard their own bottles ?  Also, I understand that Carnival takes the passengers passports. Is this correct ?
What happens if you have a bus accident in Cabo and don't make it back to the ship ?
Thanks Mac

Answer
Hi Mac....

"-0- TOLERANCE" is being enforced by ALL CRUISELINES regarding the bringing your own liquor on board......if you get caught ! Carnival is watching this VERY CLOSELY....and will hand inspect suspicious baggage that is checked at the pier. I have seen where passengers were trying to smeak liquor in plastic water bottles only to be disappointed when they were taken from them !

Passengers caught carrying liquor onboard willbe asked to remove it from their luggage (includes checked pieces if discovered in random searches) afterwhich it can and will be confiscated and then returned to you at the end of the cruise.

I have seen passengers get away with the sneaking of liquor, but, I wionder if it is worth the possible embarrasment !

Wine is allowed to be brought, however if consumed in the dining rooms, a corkage fee (Approx. $10.00 per bottle) will be charged to your account.

As for passports being taken when you board the ship. If you are a US Citizen, you will not have to give up your passport, however if you leave a US port, enter a foreign port, and re enter a US port, you will have to go thru customs. NON US CITIZENS are required to leave their passport at the time they embark the ship at the beginning of the cruise. It is advised that a color photo copy of your passport be made and kept with you when you disembark the ship in a foreign port so that in the event you loose or do not have your passport, you will have records of the info if needed for an emergency situation.

Hope I have shed some light on your questions....