Cruise Line Bans Bottled Drinks to Stop Alcohol Sneaks

If you've got a cruise booked, don't plan on bringing bottled water with you. It's now been banned thanks to people sneaking in alcohol.

Carnival announced that starting July 9, passengers on all of their cruises will no longer be allowed to bring bottled beverages on board with them. Until now, customers were allowed to bring their own bottled water and other non-alcoholic beverages.

USA Today reports that the move is aimed at thwarting alcohol smugglers. Cruise passengers have found creative ways to sneak vodka and other clear alcoholic beverages on board. YouTube is full of videos instructing people on how to melt the tops off of water bottles and reseal them with alcohol inside. Some people have even gone so far as to carbonate their alcohol to disguise it as soda:

Carnival claims that the movie isn't an attempt to charge customers more for beverages, but to stop them from becoming too drunk and belligerent. A letter from Carnival explains:

We sincerely apologize for any disappointment these changes may cause... However, we firmly believe this will result in a safer environment while also improving the embarkation process and the overall guest experience.

Water can be purchased from the cruise line for $2.99 per 12-pack in advance of your trip or $4.99 once on board. The cruise line will still allow single bottles of fine wine or champagne to be brought aboard... perhaps creating another loophole that booze smugglers will be happy to take advantage of:

We want to know: Have you ever sneaked alcohol aboard a cruise ship... or anywhere else?