Alcohol on cruise ships is expensive, which is why some brave travelers try to smuggle their own liquor onboard. However, one cruiser's bachelorette party was ruined after she was caught with liquor in a fake tampon flask.
TikTok user Maddie (@madisonwest2000) of Fort Worth, Texas, shared a video explaining how her poor decision resulted in a lifetime ban from Carnival Cruise Line.
"Alright, you guys asked for it," she began in the 25-second TikTok, "Here is the video that I posted that got me banned from Carnival."
Maddie is seen pouring clear liquor from a hidden flask disguised to look like a tampon into a cup in the ship's Lido buffet. She shared the video on social media while she was still on board.
In another clip, security is in her stateroom and emptying out her mini-fridge, removing more tampon flasks and a small cosmetic bottle.
She continues, "I'm sorry, Carnival. Please forgive me. I didn't mean it. I was just trying to have fun on my bachelorette trip. Me and my husband actually met on a Carnival cruise, so Carnival...means a lot to us."
Maddie got an email informing her of the lifetime ban by the time she returned home from her Carnival cruise. She was sailing to the Western Caribbean.
According to Carnival's cruise contract, which everyone agrees to when booking and checking in for their sailing, smuggling alcohol onboard is strictly prohibited and can result in serious consequences, including permanent bans:
"All liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic 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."
That said, Carnival passengers are allowed to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne onboard during embarkation. Guests are not permitted to bring any other alcohol onto the ship.
Read more: 5 cruise passengers got banned by Carnival for life (and how you can avoid a similar fate)
Many commenters were divided in their reactions
The TikTok received over 1.7 million views and 880 comments in less than four days, with many criticizing Maddie for posting the video of the prohibited alcohol on the cruise.
"Got the WiFi package but not [the] alcohol package? And on a Bach trip!?" one user wrote.
Another added, "I take it all back. Please don’t hold me accountable for decisions I make as an adult. What a joke."
Still, some thought that getting banned from Carnival Cruise Line was a silver lining.
"Consider it a blessing. It’s a cheap cruise line. Use Norwegian or any other one at all really," Birdie said.
Loggiewoggie_ commented, "Royal is where it’s at anyways. Carnival has [become] so greedy with their drink packages in general. You aren’t missing out [by] not going on another carnival [cruise]."
Not the first cruiser to get banned from Carnival for sneaking alcohol on the ship
Courtney Murley sailed aboard the Carnival Conquest at the end of March 2025 and posted a TikTok claiming she had successfully smuggled alcohol on the Bahamas cruise.
In the video, Murley and her travel partner and seen bringing their suitcases into their cabin, propping them on the bed, and unzipping the bags to see whether their contraband was confiscated.
She had hidden plastic flasks inside a tampon box, as well as shampoo and conditioner bottles that were supposedly filled with liquor.
Murley was not caught while on board. However, her post was brought to the attention of Carnival executives.
In May, Carnival's Staff Investigator, Joaquin Garcia, sent her a notice that she was no longer allowed to sail with Carnival Cruise Line:
"This letter is to inform you that you will not be able to sail onboard any Carnival Cruise Line vessel in the future due to the smuggling of alcohol onboard the Carnival Conquest on March 31st, 2025, and subsequently posting about it on social media platforms."
"Your attempt to book a future cruise will result in cancellation and possible loss of deposit monies."
Murley later claimed that the video was a joke, even though she responded to one comment saying she brought a whole bottle of bourbon, Malibu, Fireball, and 2 bottles of wine on the ship.
Read more: Carnival cruise passenger banned for life after sneaking alcohol onboard
Can you bring alcohol on a cruise ship?
Most cruise lines, including Carnival, allow guests to bring a single 750ml bottle of wine with them on embarkation day. Disney is a little more generous, permitting each guest two bottles (or a 6-pack of beer).
Outside of that, however, bringing hard liquor or other alcohol on your ship is strictly prohibited.
Regardless of intent or outcome, both Maddie and Murley learned that cruise lines take their alcohol policies seriously. Moreover, not everything needs to be shared on social media — before or after the fact.
What may have seemed like a harmless prank or a way to save a little money turned into a costly mistake that has lifetime consequences for two Carnival fans.
Read more: I always do these 5 things to save money on cruise drinks when I don't buy a drink package
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
