What begins as a cheeky TikTok for laughs can sometimes end in a lifetime cruise ban — just ask Courtney Murley. The Carnival guest thought she’d pulled off a clever stunt by allegedly sneaking alcohol onboard and sharing the whole process on social media after her trip.
But while the internet applauded, Carnival Cruise Line did not — and now she’s banned from sailing with them for life.
The Viral Video: What Happened?
Courtney Murley, a TikToker with a growing audience, posted a video after her March 2025 sailing aboard Carnival Conquest. In the clip, she and her travel companion are seen checking their luggage inside their cruise cabin, revealing what appeared to be alcohol concealed in toiletry containers — a classic smuggling method among cruisers known as using “rum runners.”
Her caption read: “Def waited until after I got home to post this! Hahahaha but it worked. Forget a drink package lol…” She added that although they ended up drinking about as much as they would’ve paid for the package, it was fun to test whether the hack would work. The video quickly gained traction, amassing over 300,000 views.
Carnival’s Reaction: Lifetime Ban
Though Murley may have slipped under the radar during the cruise, the consequences arrived once she returned home. Carnival Cruise Line issued an official letter informing her that she was permanently banned from sailing with them.
The letter cited the smuggling of alcohol onboard Carnival Conquest and the subsequent promotion of this behaviour on social media as the grounds for the ban. It also warned that any future attempt to book with the line would result in cancellation and potential loss of deposit. In short: her Carnival cruising days are over.
Murley’s Defence: “It Was Fake!”
In response to the backlash and the ban, Murley shared a follow-up video claiming the entire smuggling stunt was staged. According to her, the containers in the video didn’t contain alcohol at all — just juice placed inside a novelty “tampon flask” for entertainment purposes.
“What I’m mad about is that they are banning me for something that didn’t happen,” she said. “Not one ounce of alcohol was smuggled onto the ship. Not one. Not a single drop.” She insisted the video was edited for comedic effect and asked Carnival to clarify exactly which rule she had broken.
Why This Matters: Carnival’s Alcohol Policy
Carnival enforces strict rules on alcohol for a reason — mainly guest and crew safety. When drinks are purchased onboard, staff can monitor consumption levels and step in if a guest becomes overly intoxicated. Smuggling alcohol bypasses that system, increasing the risk of unsafe behaviour.
Carnival does allow each adult to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage at embarkation. Beyond that, alcohol is prohibited unless purchased onboard. The Cheers! drink package, while on the pricier side, includes up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day and ensures consumption is responsibly managed.
The Role of Social Media: You’re Being Watched
Think twice before bragging about a cruise “hack” online. Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has warned guests repeatedly that the cruise line actively monitors social media. And they’re not the only ones watching — passengers themselves frequently send in videos of rule-breaking behaviour.
Heald noted that while methods for smuggling booze onboard aren’t new, it’s the public posting that really gets the cruise line’s attention. “We’ve known for years that you can buy gadgets to sneak alcohol on board,” he said. “But what absolutely drives me crazy is when people go, ‘Ha ha! Look what we smuggled onboard!’” In short: if you break the rules and post about it, expect consequences.
Could Other Cruise Lines Ban Her Too?
After posting about the ban, Murley commented, “thank goodness we love MSC & Royal better,” prompting speculation about whether other cruise lines might follow suit. While there’s no publicly shared blacklist, repeat or serious incidents — especially within cruise groups under the same parent company — can sometimes carry over.
For now, Carnival appears to be the only line taking action. But as social media stunts continue to surface, don’t be surprised if other cruise lines take a harder stance. Viral fame may come at the cost of future holidays.
Final Thoughts
Whether it was a genuine smuggling attempt or just a prank for clicks, the outcome remains the same — Courtney Murley is banned from Carnival for life. It’s a modern reminder that what you post online doesn’t always stay online, and cruise lines do take it seriously.
So if you’re tempted to test the limits with a cheeky hack and a viral video, maybe think again. Enjoy your cruise, follow the rules, and leave the undercover operations to the movies.
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I'm Hannah and I've been cruising for as long as I can remember.
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