We are leaving on our first cruise in a week (my husband and I) and I have some questions about carry one vs checked. I know a 12 pk of soda or bubbled water is allowed per guest and a bottle of wine per guest. For those of you who take 2 bottles of wine and two 12 pks of drinks -what works well to get that on the ship? I hadn't planned to roll my luggage on since it's only a 5 day cruise, but with that bulk am thinking I may have to (but then not sure if my big luggage is too big) or is there a better way to tote all of that on board? Can we have one back with both of our wine and drink allowance in it? or do we have to divide it up per person? I know we can't check the luggage and at that point, do you just roll on ALL of your luggage together in one big bag (if allowed)?
Thanks for any help. Just drying to navigate this well.
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Carry on vs Checked luggage
18 Answers
Looks like you are sailing out of Charleston from your other post, which would mean you are on Carnival. Maybe you could carry your wine in a tote or backpack. That would leave you each carrying one twelve pack of soda which should be manageable.
Have a great cruise!!
Hey. You have been to New York. Any advice on where best to stay post cruise. Your name is familiar from the old Carnival forum. Ennett says you would be a good source to ask. Any tips?
Policy states.
On Princess----
They do prefer you hand carry your wine on board but we have found that is not a hard and fast rule and can prove to be a real pain since it takes up so much room in your hand carrys. So we leave it in our luggage. When I bring extra I am prepared to pay the $15.00 per, they have never given us any grief over this. Never charged us either. Also, on long cruises, like we take, some guests bring it on by the case, I've seen three cases, this is okay if they pay, but very difficult to do during the check in process, so they send it with their checked luggage and let the porters do the heavy lifting.
They state in a number of different places that------- "At embarkation, all luggage is subject to scanning and any contraband, including alcohol in excess of the allowed amount, will be removed and discarded. You may be required to attend an inspection if your luggage is locked."---That language appears to recognize that alcohol can be brought on board in checked luggage as long as it is an "allowed amount".
But then they say:-------“Guests agree not to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind on board for consumption except one bottle of wine or champagne per person of drinking age (no larger than 750 ml) per voyage only in his/her carry-on luggage.”----This language indicates that the only alcohol allowed on board is one bottle of wine or champagne per person and must be in carry-on luggage.
But then they say:----"Additional wine or champagne bottles are welcome, but will incur a $15 corkage fee each, irrespective of where they are intended to be consumed. Liquor, spirits or beers are not permitted."
So, there you have it, very unclear. Having spent so much time cruising with Princess I have to go with my experiences based upon their on-board practices. As I mentioned, most of the time we don't carry on our wine but leave it in our checked luggage. They have even opened our checked luggage before and found our wine which was more than the free allowance. They left a nice note. "You are in full compliance with our liquor policy, thank you."
In summary, to be on the safe side, bring your wine on board in carry-on luggage, better have wheels on your luggage or rent a dolly though if you have a lot of stuff.
Thank you. I know the policy. I know it had to be brought as carry on (if you're not familiar seltzer water is in a can like soda and is allowed.) I appreciate you looking it up for me thoug. My question was what you've used or seen other use to tote these items on as carry on items and if you put it together with your husband/wife in one bag. I just wanted advice on how best to move those heavy items in carry on. Sorry you misunderstood but thanks for looking it up for me. I'll try to post more clearly in the future.
Sorry, got it. Maybe a carry-on piece of luggage (with wheels) so that once you've consumed it, you have an empty bag to take all your new purchases home.
I was just rereading the cruise contract (in case anything has changed since our last cruise) and you answer is there 8f:
f) Beverage Policy: For safety reasons, Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception: At the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day, Guests (21 years of age and older) may carry on in their hand luggage, one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person. A $15 corkage fee (a charge exacted at a restaurant for every bottle of wine served that was not bought on the premises), per 750 ml bottle, will be charged should Guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in a main dining room, steakhouse or bar. Guests are also prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in bottles. A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought on board on embarkation day, only if carried on in Guests’ hand luggage (not in checked luggage). A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person. Any hard liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic beverage, and non-alcoholic beverages, outside of the exceptions referenced above, are strictly prohibited (in both carry-on and checked luggage) and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.
Thank you. I know the policy. I know it had to be brought as carry on (if you're not familiar seltzer water is in a can like soda and is allowed.) I appreciate you looking it up for me thoug. My question was what you've used or seen other use to tote these items on as carry on items and if you put it together with your husband/wife in one bag. I just wanted advice on how best to move those heavy items in carry on. Sorry you misunderstood but thanks for looking it up for me. I'll try to post more clearly in the future.
We are leaving on our first cruise in a week (my husband and I) and I have some questions about carry one vs checked. I know a 12 pk of soda or bubbled water is allowed per guest and a bottle of wine per guest. For those of you who take 2 bottles of wine and two 12 pks of drinks -what works well to get that on the ship? I hadn't planned to roll my luggage on since it's only a 5 day cruise, but with that bulk am thinking I may have to (but then not sure if my big luggage is too big) or is there a better way to tote all of that on board? Can we have one back with both of our wine and drink allowance in it? or do we have to divide it up per person? I know we can't check the luggage and at that point, do you just roll on ALL of your luggage together in one big bag (if allowed)?
Thanks for any help. Just drying to navigate this well.
I was just rereading the cruise contract (in case anything has changed since our last cruise) and you answer is there 8f:
f) Beverage Policy: For safety reasons, Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception: At the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day, Guests (21 years of age and older) may carry on in their hand luggage, one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person. A $15 corkage fee (a charge exacted at a restaurant for every bottle of wine served that was not bought on the premises), per 750 ml bottle, will be charged should Guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in a main dining room, steakhouse or bar. Guests are also prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in bottles. A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought on board on embarkation day, only if carried on in Guests’ hand luggage (not in checked luggage). A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person. Any hard liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic beverage, and non-alcoholic beverages, outside of the exceptions referenced above, are strictly prohibited (in both carry-on and checked luggage) and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided.
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We check our luggage, nothing to keep us from lunch on Lido. We are on vacation, so we buy our drinks, etc.
Thank you so much! I'm trying to stay away from soda so my canned bubbled water (seltzer water) is helpful but you're right, heavy.What a great idea to bring snacks for crew as well. Thanks!
Happy First Cruise......cruising is addicting 
