Viral Smuggling Video Gets Former Carnival Guest Banned for Life
Carnival Cruise Line has taken a hard stance on smuggling alcohol onboard after a former guest, Courtney Murley, posted a viral video showcasing her attempt to sneak alcohol onto the Carnival Conquest during a cruise in March 2025.
The video, which has since garnered over 308,000 views on TikTok, shows Murley and a friend testing out the use of concealed containers—often referred to as “rum runners”—to hide alcohol in their luggage.
In the video, Murley proudly reveals their success in bypassing the rules, captioning the post with a tongue-in-cheek comment: “Def waited until after I got home to post this! Hahahaha but it worked. Forget a drink package lol…okay, we ended up drinking probably what we would have paid for a drink package anyways but still was fun to try and see if the rum runners would work.”
Although Murley’s smuggling efforts weren’t caught during the voyage, the consequences of her actions followed her home. Carnival Cruise Line swiftly responded by issuing a lifetime ban for Murley, citing both the smuggling attempt and her public admission on social media.
@courtneynicolemurley Def waited until after I got home to post this! Hahahaha but it worked. Forget a drink package lol….okay we ended up drinking probably what we would of paid for a drink package anyways but still was fun to try and see if the rum runners would work. 🛳️🌴🍹 #cruise #bahamas #cruisetok #vacation #vacationmode #drinktok #drinkpackage #carnivalcruise #nassau #miami #carnivalconquest #springbreak ♬ Long Cool Woman – MOONLGHT
In an official letter to Murley, Carnival wrote, “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.” The letter also stated that any future attempts to book a cruise would be canceled, potentially forfeiting her deposit.
The Risk of Smuggling Alcohol Onboard
While some passengers may feel compelled to smuggle alcohol to save money on drink packages, Carnival offers plenty of legal options.
The Cheers! Drink Package, for example, costs $82.54 per person, per day, and includes up to 15 drinks in a 24-hour period. Additionally, guests are permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per adult onboard on embarkation day, eliminating the need for smuggling.
The cruise line’s strict alcohol policy is rooted in ensuring guest and crew safety. Allowing alcohol to be served by trained staff helps to monitor consumption, reducing the risk of over-intoxication, which could endanger guests or disrupt the onboard experience.
Murley’s Denial and Response
In a twist, Murley later released another video claiming that the alcohol smuggling footage was staged.
She insists that the containers in the video did not contain alcohol but juice, and she fabricated the scenario to generate views. “What I’m mad about is that they are banning me for something that didn’t happen,” Murley said in the follow-up video. “Not one ounce of alcohol was smuggled onto the ship. Not one. Not a single drop.”
@courtneynicolemurley Replying to @Ashley yall please tag an attorney that can help me. Internet do your thing! Thank you 💕🫶🏻✨🛳️ #cruisegate #fyp #cruise #attorney #falseallegations #carnival #cruisetok ♬ NO SOUND – Sok Baraby
Murley continued to argue that the video was edited for engagement and demanded an apology from Carnival. Despite her claims, the cruise line’s decision stands, as the video clearly promotes breaking an important policy.
Even if the liquid wasn’t alcohol, the message undermines Carnival’s safety protocols and encourages future violations.
The Takeaway: Consequences of Social Media Overshare
This incident highlights the potential fallout of oversharing rule-breaking behavior on social media. While Murley may have thought the post was harmless, it ultimately led to her being banned from Carnival for life.
The case also serves as a reminder that what happens on a cruise can have lasting consequences, especially in the age of viral content.
Whether or not Murley smuggled alcohol aboard may remain unclear, but Carnival’s stance on safety and policy enforcement is undeniable.
It’s a reminder that social media, though a powerful tool for sharing experiences, can also amplify the impact of one’s actions—sometimes in ways they didn’t intend.
