RockNCntry Posted October 11, 2013 #1 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Looking to find a cruise that has less push for alcohol sales! My wife and I are not big drinkers! We have only cruised Carnival, do all cruise lines push alcohol as much? I think what may have set me looking, was Carnival pushing Jello Shots in the main dining room! A cocktail, a glass of wine, but Jello Shots? Just looking for info on other cruise lines! Thanks all! RockNCntry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted October 11, 2013 #2 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Alcohol is a huge money-maker for the cruise lines, Carnival not excluded. They are going to want to sell it to you, but obviously it is up to you to say yes or no. We have sailed Princess, Holland America, and our favorite Royal Caribbean, none of which offered Jello shots in the dining room. That seems extreme but I can definitely see how it would appeal to some. You can do your research, ask friends, get a good cruise travel agent and then decide on a line for you. Obviously, we all have our faves and would want you to try those! Have fun planning. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcwingwalker Posted October 11, 2013 #3 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Looking to find a cruise that has less push for alcohol sales! My wife and I are not big drinkers! We have only cruised Carnival, do all cruise lines push alcohol as much? I think what may have set me looking, was Carnival pushing Jello Shots in the main dining room! A cocktail, a glass of wine, but Jello Shots? Just looking for info on other cruise lines! Thanks all! RockNCntry Carnival also has dancing waiters and I have to admit I'm not a fan especially when I'm wishing for someone to take my order. Cruise lines make big profits on alcohol so yes there is a "push". But have to agree Jello shots in the MDR is crossing the line. We prefer NCL and while you can always get a drink, I've never felt pushed. Often my husband would drink beer in the afternoon and I drank soda or water. No pressure. On one Carnival cruise my SIL was having a drink and I wanted soda, the bartender told me that I could not sit at the bar unless I ordered a drink! That's pushy. Try some of the other boards and check out the atmosphere. Princess, Celebrity, RCI and NCL would be my recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortinweb Posted October 12, 2013 #4 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Carnival is probably the worst, with NCL a close second. However, these two lines are marketed as "fun, active" cruises, so it would be expected and accepted more than the others. Celebrity and HAL, for instance, cater to a different clientele so don't encourage excessive drinking and are more low key about promoting their drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted October 12, 2013 #5 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I have not felt any pressure on my last two cruises - Disney and Celebrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockNCntry Posted October 12, 2013 Author #6 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I certainly will check out other cruise lines, but even with Carnival pushing drinks as much as they do, I have still enjoted every cruise with them! We are just checking for options! Thanks a lot for the replys! RockNCntry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerin Posted October 12, 2013 #7 Share Posted October 12, 2013 We've been on several cruise lines, including Carnival, and never felt any big push for drinks. :confused: Sorry you had a different experience, is it really that hard to just say no thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algebralovr Posted October 12, 2013 #8 Share Posted October 12, 2013 As long as you won't miss the water slide, give Celebrity a try. While we are regularly offered drinks, we have never felt they were pushed onus. Also, after the first couple of nights, if you never want anything, they pretty much stop offering unless you flag them down. If anything,lately in Celebrity we felt like there were not enough bar waiters to go around! Just anFYI, they are also very restrictive on smoking as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puppycanducruise Posted October 12, 2013 #9 Share Posted October 12, 2013 We sail on HAL. Never had pushy bar staff, even when sitting in bar areas, if you don't want a drink, say so, and no one bothers you. If you change your mind, flag down a server and order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 12, 2013 #10 Share Posted October 12, 2013 We haven't experienced any pushy sales staff selling alcoholic drinks on HAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserking Posted October 12, 2013 #11 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Try Holland America Line, Celebrity, Cunard - these more upscale lines will not pressure you into liquor sales and you will enjoy your cruise all the more for it. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anandaindonesia Posted October 12, 2013 #12 Share Posted October 12, 2013 On board Celebrity, you just lay the drink menu flat on the table. They will understand that you don't want to order any drink and will not offer. Of course on Crystal the sommelier even recognise you personally, and know your drink preference. No selling, all inclusive. via Tapatalk. sorry for typo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boulders Posted October 12, 2013 #13 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Have a look at this thread which is just a few threads down on the page Am I the only one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monalis Posted October 12, 2013 #14 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Also you have to look at the length of your cruises. We have found the longer the cruise the less the pushy the crew. The past 2 we went on, on Carnival were a 5 day out of Tampa and a 7 day out of New Orleans. We never had anyone "push" drinks on us other than on Embarkation Day, and even then it was just the roaming waiters asking if we wanted the DoD. At dinner the Bartender would come by once or twice (more often if we actually ordered something) each night and that was just to ask if we wanted anything. The shorter 3-4 day cruises are known as "booze cruises" which is why they push the alcohol so hard on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvsullivan Posted October 12, 2013 #15 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Looking to find a cruise that has less push for alcohol sales! My wife and I are not big drinkers! We have only cruised Carnival, do all cruise lines push alcohol as much? I think what may have set me looking, was Carnival pushing Jello Shots in the main dining room! A cocktail, a glass of wine, but Jello Shots? Just looking for info on other cruise lines! Thanks all! RockNCntry I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say pushing drinks??? On every ship I've been on they certainly have waiters walking around looking for anyone that wants to order. Whether it is high end champagne or jello shooters, asking if you would like a drink is not "pushing" in my opinion. If they were a bother in being aggressive I would complain. Roaming the venues to take orders is a different thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortinweb Posted October 12, 2013 #16 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say pushing drinks??? On every ship I've been on they certainly have waiters walking around looking for anyone that wants to order. Whether it is high end champagne or jello shooters, asking if you would like a drink is not "pushing" in my opinion. If they were a bother in being aggressive I would complain. Roaming the venues to take orders is a different thing. On the upscale lines I've cruised on they didn't ask, but made themselves available and you called them over if you wanted a drink. I prefer not to be bothered if I am not interested. If I want a drink, I'll do the asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggins0402 Posted October 12, 2013 #17 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Looking to find a cruise that has less push for alcohol sales! My wife and I are not big drinkers! We have only cruised Carnival, do all cruise lines push alcohol as much? I think what may have set me looking, was Carnival pushing Jello Shots in the main dining room! A cocktail, a glass of wine, but Jello Shots? Just looking for info on other cruise lines! Thanks all! RockNCntry MSC doesn't push the drinks. Service is very European, servers seem to stand back and wait for you to glance and nod that you want service, then they are right there. Have also read on the MSC board that if you are approached and don't want a drink, the server will turn over a bar menu, so that other servers don't keep approaching you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjncanada Posted October 12, 2013 #18 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I agree with those recommending Celebrity or Holland America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoncom Posted October 12, 2013 #19 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Can the Carnival. Agree with others. Celebrity, lucky to find a bar waiter.,Hal if over 75, I guess.Found HAL food marginal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubofhockey Posted October 12, 2013 #20 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Carnival has now put wine dispensers in many of their libraries. :D You can't make up stuff as funny as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 12, 2013 #21 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Whether it's "pushed" or not...you don't have to partake! Simply say, "No, thanks"! Easy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 12, 2013 #22 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Wehave never felt bar stewards are overly aggressive pushing drinks on HAL. They are available if you want something and may pass by and ask if you need help once in a while but are not in the least aggressive about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boogs Posted October 12, 2013 #23 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Carnival has now put wine dispensers in many of their libraries. :D You can't make up stuff as funny as that. Nothing funny about enjoying a glass of wine while reading a good book. Many cruise lines are now installing self serve wine dispensing machines. They are a great way to try different wines that one may not be aware of. They typically serve different amounts, from an ounce to a full glass, so a person could sample several different wines, and purchase a full glass of a new favorite. Here are two such dispensers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcwingwalker Posted October 12, 2013 #24 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Nothing funny about enjoying a glass of wine while reading a good book. Many cruise lines are now installing self serve wine dispensing machines. They are a great way to try different wines that one may not be aware of. They typically serve different amounts, from an ounce to a full glass, so a person could sample several different wines, and purchase a full glass of a new favorite. Here are two such dispensers: I would enjoy having this option on a cruise. Looks relaxing and so civilized! Nice to sit down in a quiet place and enjoy a good wine and perhaps a little conversation. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubofhockey Posted October 12, 2013 #25 Share Posted October 12, 2013 My point is that Carnival will sell alcohol anywhere. They don't need to put dispensers for wine in a library. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.