Carnival bans bottled drinks

In an attempt to prevent alcohol being smuggled aboard its ships, and citing behavioral issues and the amount of time it took to inspect boarding passengers’ bottles for alcohol, on June 9 Carnival Cruise Lines (800/764-7419, www.carnival.com) banned most bottled drinks from being taken aboard during embarkation.

Passengers will be allowed up to 12 unopened bottles of water or cans of soda, and passengers over 21 are also allowed one unopened, 750-milliliter bottle of wine or champagne.

Passengers can prepurchase from the cruise line a 12-pack of bottled water online for $2.99 plus tax or on board for $4.99 plus tax and tip. Carnival has also set a size limit of 12x12x12 inches for coolers.