Drinking while on vacation

Also having 5 drinks would not make me drunk unless I hadn't eaten anything, maybe 7-10 and I would be 'drunk'

3,400 bottles of assorted wines

200 bottles of champagne

200 bottles of gin

290 bottles of vodka

350 bottles of whiskey

150 bottles of rum

45 bottles of sherry

600 bottles of assorted liqueurs

10,100 bottles/cans of beer this is what is consumed on Celebrity Constellation on a 7 day cruise. You could double or triple this amount on a 7 day Oasis cruise. I could not find the actual number but I remember reading that Oasis had set a RCI record of 25,000 cans and bottles of beer on a single 7 day cruise

Is all of that included in my UBP???? Just kidding!!!!! I've never sailed on Celebrity and I never drink whiskey.

~robin and brian

Carnival Legend 2008

Carnival Miracle 2010

Norwegian Breakaway 2014

I find it interesting when reading through the different cruise line boards when alcohol packages or booze smuggling is discussed how many cruisers seem to drink 4, 5, 6 or more alcoholic drinks per day.

 

Besides the alcohol, that's 500-1000 extra calories per day!

 

Makes one wonder if this is normal behavior when not cruising.

 

Anyone else notice this?

Never really thought about it, but don't much care, either. Most people drink more than me, some less than me, and none of that bothers me. Their behaviour might bother me, but the amount they're drinking (or the calories they consume) doesn't matter to me. To each his/her own.

In every day life I eat 1,200 calories a day and drink maybe once every 2 months, when I go on my 12 day cruise over Xmas and New Years I am going to eat what ever I feel like and as much as I feel like and drink cocktails everyday, it's a holiday after all.

SUPER DITTO.. Your mindset makes you a super cruiser.. happy cruising

My God!! 4-5 drinks a day?!

Come on y'all, it's a vacation. Doesn't mean you need to drink yourself into a coma, but the vacation splurge, fine. You could say the same about the food. Do you normally eat at a restaurant every single night? Nope. Vacation is the time where you step outside your busy life and can do whatever you want. And if you think it through, 4-5 isn't that many. You'll get a cocktail in the afternoon. A glass of wine or 2 at dinner at something at night. Is that too much?

I agree that drinking too much is not done, but come on, 4-5 drinks on an entire day?

It's not like you need to get yourself in rehab afterwards.

And erm, there's a lot of people drinking far too much during everyday's life. It's just not always that obvious, as when you're 'stuck' with them on the same ship.

As the ex-wife of a gifted man who eventually drank himself to death, I have a healthy respect for alcohol. I won't give up my nightly glass of wine, but neither will I give up my afternoon workouts, even on vacation. What keeps me from overdoing the alcohol is that I won't drink before a workout and if I overdo alcohol I get migraines.

I'm a little more relaxed about food and alcohol on vacation but don't use vacation as an excuse to go crazy on either.

I don't drink now but I have done my share in the past. I don't care what other's drink, in fact I find them often quite funny BUT alcoholism has affected my family and I hate it. Love the alcoholic but hate the alcoholism so I find it offensive that they constantly ask you if you want a "drink". I don't mind people wanting a drink but I think it should be them finding and asking for one not floating them by everyone's face all day. But hey, that's just me. I will never go on a cruise with my brother. I love him, he's harding working retired vet working for gov but I don't like him when he drinks (every night).

Vacation is one of the rare times I drink. I might have 2-4 beverages per day as a result of that. I have no work in the morning, no obligations and I don't have to drive home. So I can let down my hair and have a few drinks with no stress or guilt.

 

I have thought about the calories and sugars involved with it... but it's vacation and I let myself have fun for a week and eat all the deserts I want as well. :) I lost 105 pounds and I know how to eat properly, one week off is not going to harm me since I have the willpower to get right back on track the next week.

I lost 104 pounds! Congratulations to you! One week of fun might only "cost" a few pounds but you come home and return to your healthy ways!!

Also having 5 drinks would not make me drunk unless I hadn't eaten anything, maybe 7-10 and I would be 'drunk'

Five drinks and I would be under the table!

New to cruising but I will say that I have been quite surprised by the number of posts I read where it seems drinking is the priority for many cruisers - on the ship and off shore excursions. Numerous posts - and it could be just the particular cruise line board I read - Carnival.

I am reserving judgment until I actually take my cruise, however, I am concerned how much of the "drunken stupors" my daughter may be witness to by other passengers. Will be a pity of these types of things are common and ruin my vacation.

New to cruising but I will say that I have been quite surprised by the number of posts I read where it seems drinking is the priority for many cruisers - on the ship and off shore excursions. Numerous posts - and it could be just the particular cruise line board I read - Carnival.

 

I am reserving judgment until I actually take my cruise, however, I am concerned how much of the "drunken stupors" my daughter may be witness to by other passengers. Will be a pity of these types of things are common and ruin my vacation.

I find that it's the minority who make a big deal out of drinking and also think there's a great deal of exaggeration.

We have never encountered anyone in a "drunken stupor" while cruising. I've heard "stories" of what happened the night before, but have never witnessed it.

When we have cruised with our children it was understood when they were young that we went to our cabins usually about 9 pm. As they became college age, we asked that they be back at an agreed upon time and stick together.

Once while on vacation in Key West we saw a man who was obviously under the influence and being picked up by the police. My son who was about 10 asked what was wrong and I told him that "he stayed too long at the party". Not the best answer, but it worked at the time.

One thing that seems to happen on the shorter cruises is there seems to be more heavy drinking and drugs. Those are the cruises I would stay away from with children.

I find it interesting that anyone pays attention to what others are doing if their behavior is not causing a scene, impacting others enjoyment of the cruise, or is blatantly illegal. Whether someone has 4 drinks (which can be a beer with lunch, a pre-dinner cocktail, and 2 glasses of wine with dinner) or 7 drinks, if they behave in an acceptable manner, it is none of yours or my business. I do not judge those who don't drink nor do I draw any inferences from their behavior. Similarly, I don't pay attention to how many people bask for hours in the sun or whether they use SPF 50 or 2 --it is their choice to make.

If you have a value system or beliefs that guide your behavior, I admire and respect that. Please have the same respect for those who may not share the same values or beliefs.

At home I will have 2 glasses of wine a day at most. Often I'll have less than 1 glass a month however.

On vacation I sometimes have a mixed drink or two at the pool midday

A glass or 2 of wine with dinner

Another glass or 2 in the late evening.

So 2-6 drinks a day, and none on the first or last day.

But that is just me. Some have more, some have less.

Someone on another board broke down their daily drinking something like this:

-A bloody Mary or 2 at breakfast

-A mixed drink at lunch

-2 mixed drinks at the pool in the afternoon

-a drink before dinner

-2 drinks with dinner

-2 drinks during a show

-2 at the nightclub

-2 at the casino

-a nightcap

So 15 drinks in a 24 hour period.

Too much for me, but who am I to judge?

I'd rather they have this much on a ship than out on the town and driving around.

so I find it offensive that they constantly ask you if you want a "drink".

Note that you put the quotes around the word "drink." On my last cruise, I had a non-alcoholic package, and I loved having them come around asking me if I wanted a drink. Virgin cocktails, soda water, sodas, juices -- these are all "drinks."

Don't penalize the people who want drinks, alcoholic or not, merely because some people may be alcoholics.

I think you know what I meant by "drink" an alcoholic drink. To each his own...if alcohol affects a family in a negative way it has an affect that's to be remembered. Many people can drink alcohol who aren't alcoholics but I'm just saying that a bit of consideration to those that are alcoholics and have quit would be nice in my opinion. Just like an alcoholic I don't think should work in a bar, it'd be nice if they could cruise without having it constantly in their face. Of course my brother and his wife (both functioning alcoholics) love it in their face so they wouldn't have a problem. Can't stand to be around someone who can't go a day without getting a buzz or getting drunk...and I'm not talking about a vacation, I'm talking about in every day life. Oh I guess I forgot to mention it has my female cousin in a wheel chair...yep good ole alcoholism runs in my family. It's why I don't.

Edited to add, how about a button or something that a guest could wear that let the servers know not to offer alcoholic drinks to them. Just a small pin on or something that would alert them (note I put the burden on the alcoholics and not the "drinkers". Just a thought.

I will say though that "merely because some are alcoholics" is, to me, trivializing but perhaps that's not how you meant it. So sorry if it's not but it's not "merely an alcoholic" it's a terrible thing.

Count me as one of the drinkers. I drink way more on a cruise than when I am home. I have a few drinks at the pool, couple of drinks on the balcony with my lovely wife, wine with diner, drink at a show and after i go to a bar or casino for another drink. Cruise lines make it easy for me to drink everywhere and they do all the driving.

It isnt very hard to have 4-5 drinks a day, whether a sea day or a port day. I have that many when I go to a ball game. Cruising is one of the few times people can have a few extras and not worry about having to drive anywhere, and people take advantage of that. Whats the big freakin deal.

I think you know what I meant by "drink" an alcoholic drink. To each his own...if alcohol affects a family in a negative way it has an affect that's to be remembered. Many people can drink alcohol who aren't alcoholics but I'm just saying that a bit of consideration to those that are alcoholics and have quit would be nice in my opinion. Just like an alcoholic I don't think should work in a bar, it'd be nice if they could cruise without having it constantly in their face......

 

Edited to add, how about a button or something that a guest could wear that let the servers know not to offer alcoholic drinks to them.....

Unfortunately the economics of the cruise industry relies on the customers buying the extras in order for the cruise line to make a profit. They just break even on the cruise fares. So they need to sell these extras whether it's the casino, the shops, the spa, the specialty dinning, and yes, the booze. So like it or not, the selling of alcohol on cruises is a reality and necessary reality if the cruise lines want to stay in business and cruise lovers want to cruise.

Now, I like your idea of a button or something to wear but I wouldn't wait until the cruise lines initiate this for you as it is not in their own self interest to do so. You may need to make one for yourself and educate the servers yourself as to what it means.

Someone on another board broke down their daily drinking something like this:

 

-A bloody Mary or 2 at breakfast

 

-A mixed drink at lunch

 

-2 mixed drinks at the pool in the afternoon

 

-a drink before dinner

 

-2 drinks with dinner

 

-2 drinks during a show

 

-2 at the nightclub

 

-2 at the casino

 

-a nightcap

 

So 15 drinks in a 24 hour period.

 

OMG! That's just plain scary. I'm sitting here with my morning coffee and get a migraine just thinking about replacing it with a bloody Mary.

I am reserving judgment until I actually take my cruise, however, I am concerned how much of the "drunken stupors" my daughter may be witness to by other passengers. Will be a pity of these types of things are common and ruin my vacation.

If it happens it's a good teaching moment. You can tell her something neutral like, "that person probably started drinking at lunch, had a few at the pool, had another with lunch, and that's what happens when you take in more alcohol than your body can handle". It's usually not a pretty picture so she may learn the advantages of moderation. Don't let it ruin your vacation.

Our B2B last summer was two wine cruises that we made into one for us. The first week was hosted by a winery out of the Willamette Valley, and I swear some if the people on board who were part of their "in crowd" hadn't been out of Oregon in their lives--very provincial. We saw some pretty stupid tourist moves, but we also saw many people who seemed to think free flowing wine from this winery meant drink until you are sloshed every night.

My husband and I typically had a glass with lunch, even in the ports where buying a €1,50 glass of house wine got you the password to the WiFi. We would usually have a glass before dinner, a glass or maybe two with dinner, and about half the time we'd have a half glass nightcap in the lounge. On average four to five per day. The days that we attended tastings I would stop at the coffee bar and get an empty paper coffee cup so I could spit to avoid over consumption. We felt no guilt about leaving a glass half full when we had enough, and many nights emptied wine down the drain in the bathroom sink because the bartender didn't give us the "two finger pour" we requested.

The second week was a different crowd, much more sophisticated and very well traveled and we noticed a lack of over consumption, with people drinking like we were, and often stopping the server at the 2-3 ounce point, rather than the standard 4-6 ounce pour.

Bottom line, I think some people feel the need to "get their money's worth" even if it means over consumption of food and/or alcohol when on a cruise, even if it means they end up sick or hung over every day as a result. How many people do you see asking the same question, "Is the booze package worth it?" And trying to figure out how to squeeze every last dime of value out of it, or the people who brag about eating 23 lobster tails and then complain when the cruise line discontinues offering them?

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

Our B2B last summer was two wine cruises that we made into one for us. The first week was hosted by a winery out of the Willamette Valley, and I swear some if the people on board who were part of their "in crowd" hadn't been out of Oregon in their lives--very provincial. We saw some pretty stupid tourist moves, but we also saw many people who seemed to think free flowing wine from this winery meant drink until you are sloshed every night.

 

My husband and I typically had a glass with lunch, even in the ports where buying a €1,50 glass of house wine got you the password to the WiFi. We would usually have a glass before dinner, a glass or maybe two with dinner, and about half the time we'd have a half glass nightcap in the lounge. On average four to five per day. The days that we attended tastings I would stop at the coffee bar and get an empty paper coffee cup so I could spit to avoid over consumption. We felt no guilt about leaving a glass half full when we had enough, and many nights emptied wine down the drain in the bathroom sink because the bartender didn't give us the "two finger pour" we requested.

 

The second week was a different crowd, much more sophisticated and very well traveled and we noticed a lack of over consumption, with people drinking like we were, and often stopping the server at the 2-3 ounce point, rather than the standard 4-6 ounce pour.

 

Bottom line, I think some people feel the need to "get their money's worth" even if it means over consumption of food and/or alcohol when on a cruise, even if it means they end up sick or hung over every day as a result. How many people do you see asking the same question, "Is the booze package worth it?" And trying to figure out how to squeeze every last dime of value out of it, or the people who brag about eating 23 lobster tails and then complain when the cruise line discontinues offering them?

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

Good post:)

I think you know what I meant by "drink" an alcoholic drink. To each his own...if alcohol affects a family in a negative way it has an affect that's to be remembered. Many people can drink alcohol who aren't alcoholics but I'm just saying that a bit of consideration to those that are alcoholics and have quit would be nice in my opinion.

My dad was an alcoholic, so was my grandmother (his mom) and so is my brother. So let's just say I have a few unpleasant memories when it comes to family get togethers and behavior with alcohol.

I really never think when a beverage waiter by the pool or dining room is asking if I want a drink that they mean an alcoholic drink. They sell all kinds of beverages and are always happy to sell anything either with or without alcohol. However if I walk into a bar or lounge they probably are thinking alcohol. Once I order a soda then they know what I'm looking for. I don't have preconceived notions on what they are expecting or asking for.

Seriously don't care what other people do on the cruise unless it's impacting me in some way. Like if they threw up on me from drinking too much I'd be really annoyed. Just like I'd be annoyed if they threw up on me after eating 23 lobster tails too.

I also think, like someone else mentioned I really am not sure I believe some of the stories people claim with the packages.

Buying Cheers wouldn't be worth it for me because I don't even get close to spending 50 dollars a day on alcohol.

At home, I may have a drink once a week. I also quit drinking pop. I work out and try to watch my calories. I am average size.

On a cruise, I have a few drinks a day. I eat what I want, including dessert. I don't go to the gym. It's vacation and I treat it as such. If anybody wants to spend their vacation time counting how many drinks I have or calories I take in, more power to them. I'll be too busy enjoying myself.

Because having a buzz all day = my idea of a great vacation