KEY WEST About This Page:

[marcus2408]

<font color="red"> </font> IS THERE ANYWHERE IN KEY WEST TO BUY GIN/TONIC AND BEER TO CARRY BACK ON THE SHIP? WE DON'T NEED ALOT, BUT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE IN THE ROOM..TANKS...

[tinkeringaround]

I'm pretty sure there are places, however, I believe you may face a problem in reboarding the ship thinking you can take this to the room with you. I believe all liquor brought while you cruise is taken and held until you depart. I believe the only liquor you are allowed to bring with you is the one you have when you embark the ship on sailing date. I may be wrong, but I think that's how it works. Good luck.

[dmpyron]

I believe this is correct. It's this way with most cruise ships. It has to do with the duty status of the alchohol. If it's open, customs can't prove it's an import.

Of course, the seal should be the proof, but what do I know?

[Meshee]

I believe that it is the duty free liquor purchased on the boat that they hold until you get off. Any liquor purchased in a port is allowed back into your stateroom.

[dmpyron]

On Carnival and RCI they claim your liquor as you return to the ship. Since they xray everything, you can't sneak it aboard.

Last year on a Carnival cruise, we had a HS band on board. Several of the kids tried to sneak booze on board. The alchohol was seized and their parents/chaparons/whoever were notified. We saw a few kids get tossed out of C&amp;C. Not like the good old days when anybody with money was old enough to drink.

I would recommend making a call if it's that important. Of course, the easy solution is to make a stop in Canaveral/Coco Beach.

[Dave Marx]

I presume you can't buy it before you depart Port Canaveral because you're taking a bus directly from the airport?

While I can't tell you specifics of the shops in Key West, there are certainly places within walking distance of the pier where you can pick up a few bottles. You won't find much in the way of regular liquor or grocery stores in the immediate vicinity of the port, though - that kind of business goes on in other neighborhoods, where (presumably) the real estate prices are lower (check a local Yellow Pages when you debark). What I know you'll find are somewhat over-priced delis (I recall one in particular on Duval St.). I'm pretty sure it has everything you'd need. As it's US-purchased, there's no tax/duty issue, and DCL doesn't confiscate liquor brought on board in Port Canaveral or Key West, or purchased in other ports of call, although DCL security may want to inspect the package when you board. They do hold liquor purchases made in the on-board duty-free shop until cruise-end, though (presumably so they don't under-cut their own bars). You cannot, under any circumstances, bring opened bottles of liquor off the ship at the end of the cruise. Chug a lug!

As far as I know, the other cruise lines don't "hold" liquor due to customs regulations - they do it to increase liquor sales on board. All US Customs cares about is what's brought into the country. They don't give a hoot about what you consume outside the country.