Anyone been caught due to new wine/champagne policy

[Timmys_mom]

They made a ton off of me with wine lol. Even though I brought my own for a before dinner glass, I was paying 11 to 12 bucks a glass while in the casino....but hey, Tom was paying the dealer more than that for just two or three cards:rolleyes:

 

And he had to give the cards back!:D

 

I brought two bottles of "medium" wine on board. Never got around to drinking them on our balcony so I brought them to dinner on the last night. Our lovely waiter didn't charge us the corkage, but he did get a bigger tip!

[jiggs]

Hi,

 

I did not consider a $130 bar tab at the end of the cruise to be too excessive.

 

 

Thats one day for some...

 

I know that there are many opinions on the topic, I'm also an owner of CCL stock if that matters...I feel most people have a 'set' amount that they are willing to spend while on vacation...is that $100 per day or is it 1000 for the trip? It doesn't really matter...I carry on booze, but that doesn't really change my spending habits...I have money I'm going to spend on all kinds of things, casino, photos, booze, gifts, art...maybe since I have booze in the room, I'll send more money elsewhere...maybe CCL has less of a markup, on some items than others...I never find myself saying lets go back to the room and get some drinks, I enjoy them before going to dinner as well as when we're leaving port outside my room...

 

...so if you're a CCL shareholder and you're worried about the impact to your shares from booze smuggling, I could argue that a person may have a better perception of their trip b/c they drank their own booze...they could be a repeat customer, or encourage others to try the brand...a passenger not having a huge bar tab is not going to vary your stock price...decisions on where to put their new billion dollar ships and what ports of calls to offer will help/hurt your bottom line much more than someone who has already paid their cruis fare and is just looking to have a good time

[LisaFlyer]

Thats one day for some...

 

...so if you're a CCL shareholder and you're worried about the impact to your shares from booze smuggling, I could argue that a person may have a better perception of their trip b/c they drank their own booze...they could be a repeat customer, or encourage others to try the brand...a passenger not having a huge bar tab is not going to vary your stock price...decisions on where to put their new billion dollar ships and what ports of calls to offer will help/hurt your bottom line much more than someone who has already paid their cruis fare and is just looking to have a good time

 

I second that. We bring our own booze (I brought a 1/2 gallon of vodka only to drink about 4 ounces of it), but we spent far more in the casino knowing our sign and sail cards were staying low. Take away my booze, I won't gamble... We have a set amount we can spend, whether it's on booze or gambling or shopping or excursions. I wouldn't worry if I were a stockholder- Carnival does an excellent job of emptying my pockets!

 

Lisa

[GE Mom]

Land based resorts are equally as selective. For example, if a guest were to bring a bottle of outside liquor into a guest room at the Palms hotel in Vegas, nobody would really care.

 

Well, this is exactly my point. I consume the smuggled vodka in my cabin, on my balcony. When in the restaurant, of course, I order from the bar. So I simply do not believe it is Carnival's business what I do in my cabin. By this unreasonable policy, they are inviting smuggling.

[tumeroll]

Mared1

 

I sure hope that Carnival is not really only allowing 1 bottle per person. My

DH drinks wine and we always carry on 6 to 7 bottles for the week. Sure saves on our sail % sign bill. Do you know when this started? I know that it states only 1 bottle in there Welcome Aboard book you get with your doc's.

We never paid any attention to that. On our last cruise in September we took

on 5 bottles without a problem.

 

Number1cruiser

Probably started when you began to bring the booze on board there by depriving the cruise line of revenue that they count on in order to give you CHEAP fares.

 

But don't worry, I hear that there is a DVD available that plays for a full seven days and simulates a full week's cruise. That way you can stay home and pretend you are on a cruise and really save money.

[zebster15]

But don't worry, I hear that there is a DVD available that plays for a full seven days and simulates a full week's cruise. That way you can stay home and pretend you are on a cruise and really save money.

 

Too funny:D We have a friend that would DEFINETLY travel that way!!:D

[cruznlobo]

Could you imagine if Carnival had no liquor policy at all?:D

You'd be tripping over cases of beer and wine in the hall on embarkation day.:rolleyes:

[Cruise Monkey]

Too funny:D We have a friend that would DEFINETLY travel that way!!:D

Maybe it's the beer talking, or the Pretty Woman sound track on the radio right now, but are you related to Webster (from the TV show)? :p

[LizaMM]

I was just on the Carnival sight working on my FunPass and here is what popped up as the policy:

 

 

 

 

Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board. However, wine enthusiasts may bring fine wine or champagne on board only during embarkation at the beginning of the cruise. A $10 corkage fee per bottle will be charged should you wish to consume this wine in the dining room or a $14 corkage fee per bottle in the Supper Club. Guests may bring a small quantity of nonalcoholic beverages. All liquor, excessive quantities of wine and nonalcoholic beverages, to be determined at the discretion of security and/or embarkation personnel, will be confiscated and discarded without compensation. Guests may purchase a variety of beverages on board the ship. Alcoholic beverages will not be sold or served to anyone under the age of 21. We reserve the right to refuse the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone. Alcoholic beverages purchased in the ship’s gift shops or in ports of call will be retained by Carnival until the end of the voyage

 

 

Clearly no "1 bottle" wording here and this is the first time I have seen the language "wine enthusiasts" vs. the special occassion thing. PERSONALLY, I am very happy as I AM a wine enthusiast and might bring a couple of special bottles from my collection for dinner.

[GE Mom]

Well, given that alcohol scofflaws will continue to smuggle contraband beverages aboard in their checked luggage and/or their zipped carryons, (both of which have been successful strategies in the past) is there any evidence that a serious Carnival Crackdown has begun? Or is it still a reasonable, though calculated, risk to follow the above strategies?

[Miler Higher]

This brand cost twice as much as the other stuff, so in my world it is fine wine!!!!!!!!!!!

 

MH:D

[Ventura]

I probably shouldn't be sharing this information, but with two Carnival cruises under our belts, this has been our experience ...

 

We pack our bottles in our suitcases and bring them on board at the beginning of the cruise. On the Victory last year, when we brought our first bottle to the table, our waiter did advise us that a $10 corkage would be charged. We were prepared for this and even with the added cost, the total price would still be substantially less than purchasing it on board + gratuities. With a wink, the waiter then told us, that if we uncorked the bottle, he wouldn't have to charge us corkage. We continued to bring bottles throughout the cruise. The waiter opened the bottles for us and never charged us corkage. Needless to say, the waiter was rewarded for his excellent service!

 

Sailing on the Liberty recently, we again brought several bottles with us -- no problem getting them onboard. We were now travelling with another family and had two 21 year olds. The first night, we told the waiter that we were celebrating two special occasions during the week and wanted to bring our own wine. He asked how many bottles -- we told him 2 bottles each time. Again, we were initially advised that corkage would be charged. The waiter later told us, that he wouldn't charge us corkage. We did purchase wine several times and found the prices not to be unreasonable. Even the upgraded restaurant which we ate at one night, had several selections that were certainly affordable.

 

We also keep some "night caps" in our cabin -- one shot bottles of Grand Marnier, Kahlua, etc. Nobody has ever bothered us. When we purchased a bottle of Kahlua in Mexico, it was taken from us upon boarding the ship, and returned the night before we disembarked.

[excalwop]

Just finish a cruise with Princess lines on the ship Golden out of San Juan. We brought three bottles of rum aboard in our hand held baggage and we were the light booze carriers. Seen others carring whole cases and more.

So why does Carnival which owns Princess lines allows them to allow this and the home company does not? We also brought a 12pk of diet pepsi and a 24 pk of bottle water along also.:rolleyes:

Paul

[TinaLee]

Why should Carnival care whether I drink wine, which they'll permit, or vodka, which they won't? Now, if they forbade all alcoholic beverages, I'd understand (though I might still smuggle.) This inconsistency is very hard to comprehend.

 

And that is exactly what Royal Caribbean has done. When we sailed Mariner of the Seas in October, their stated policy was that NO alcohol could be carried aboard, including 'fine wine and champagne'.

 

"We apologize for any inconvenience but due to our regulatory and licensing requirements guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind onboard for consumption or any other use.

 

Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty-free from the Shops On Board or at ports of call will be stored by us and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of your voyage. A member of our staff will be at the gangway to assist with the storage of your purchases."

 

Just finish a cruise with Princess lines on the ship Golden out of San Juan. We brought three bottles of rum aboard in our hand held baggage and we were the light booze carriers. Seen others carring whole cases and more. So why does Carnival which owns Princess lines allows them to allow this and the home company does not? We also brought a 12pk of diet pepsi and a 24 pk of bottle water along also.:rolleyes:

Paul

 

This comes as a HUGE surprise to me - in all my Princess cruises the policy has always been wine and champagne only. According to their website, their policy is still the same...

 

 

"Question: What is the alcohol policy onboard Princess Cruises?

Answer: We kindly request that you do not bring alcoholic beverages (other than wine and/or champagne) onboard for consumption. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship's gift shop or at ports of call will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage. A member of our Security Staff will be at the gangway to assist with the storage of your alcoholic beverage purchases."

 

In days gone by, you could purchase liquor at certain bars to take back to your cabin for personal consumption, but I've heard you can't even do that on Princess anymore.

 

I don't think the cruiselines are stupid - they know everyone who wants to will 'smuggle' whatever on board and most will turn around and carry it right back off again because it's so inconvenient to keep running back to your cabin when you're out and about. But I see a day in the not too distant future that they ALL decide to adopt Royal Caribbean's standpoint of bringing NOTHING onboard... and then you'll be able to hear the howls!

[GE Mom]

So what is happening currently? A question for those who have cruised in recent weeks: Did you bring contraband liquor? Did you pack it or conceal it in carry ons? Was it confiscated, or did your smuggling strategies prove effective?

 

Those of us sailing in coming months are dying to know!

[TinaLee]

So what is happening currently? A question for those who have cruised in recent weeks: Did you bring contraband liquor? Did you pack it or conceal it in carry ons? Was it confiscated, or did your smuggling strategies prove effective?

 

Those of us sailing in coming months are dying to know!

 

 

See Ventura's post above - they were on Carnival Liberty over the Christmas/New Years week and seem to have had no problems... I can let you know more in a month! LOL! :D

[GB Chicago]

I know my wines and looking at a recent post of the beverage menu and associated costs it appears that the wine selection is fairly limited and CCL is charging about 3X the price as your local Jewel. Ok, I agree, one should compare the cost to a restaurant which I find in general is about 2X the cost - please $28 for Meridian????? I agree with the others that say they will spend the money other places - I will drink my wine before dinner, order from the beverage menu at dinner and possibly another glass at the bar.

[Boitexan]

My carry on luggage for our Dec. 25 Conquest cruise consisted of two cardboard wine carriers that we got when we bought wine at a winery in Napa Valley last summer. Each held 4 bottles of wine and each had the winery's logo all over the outside. I carried them on to the ship and sent them through the scanner. No one even gave them a second glance. I left a note for our cabin steward and asked if he'd clear out the refrigerator so we could chill our wine. He not only cleared our the frige, he put 4 of our bottles of wine in to chill. We carried two bottles to dinner on several nights to share with our tablemates. The first night the waiter said there'd be a corkage fee but none was charged. Needless to say, both the cabin steward and the waiter were rewarded for their kindness.

[ValCat84]

I can understand the policy of allowing wine and champagne, but not the hard liquor.

 

Wine and champagne are more associated with relaxing or having them with a meal. I am sure the cruise line may understand people wanting to bring specific wine to have with their meal or doing a champagne toast on their private balcony, but as for the hard liquor for one thing it's probably partially a legal matter to have all that hard liquor free flowing through out the cabins with so many under 21 passengers on board. Say a group of 17 or 18 year olds want to get drunk...they would have to find someone to buy them drinks, that person would have to walk all the way to the bar and then bring the drink all the way back to a place where they wouldn't be caught giving liquor to a minor, it's basically not worth the effort. If there is free flowing vodka and people doing shots in someone's cabin, I can easily see a group of people in their mid 20's maybe letting someone 18 and 19 year olds join in and when that 18 year old is drunk and something bad happens to them, the cruise line could have a law suit on their hands.

 

And even as far as the adults go, Carnival is running a business...they want people drinking in the bar and in the disco just like on a land bar or club...they want people spending money and socializing out in the open. So doing shots in your cabin to pregame is the same thing as those people who keep water bottles in their cars filled with vodka and chug them before going into a night club. The club on land or at sea is not looking to encourage that type of consumer. I am not saying anything bad towards anyone, just as someone who has worked in the night club industry, I think I can see where they are coming from...land establishments face the same problems with minors sneaking liquor and with people trying to sneak liquor in.

 

New to this board and cruising, I am still amazed by the level of contriversy over liquor. Personally, I don't care if other people sneak it in, it's their life, people can do what they want I don't like to judge people. It all just suprises me, before I came on here I never would have even thought of it. When booking my cruise and talking to my boyfriend I was actually over joyed to find out how cheap the drinks were. I spend way more money per drink while drinking inland.

[zqvol]

I can understand the policy of allowing wine and champagne, but not the hard liquor.

 

Wine and champagne are more associated with relaxing or having them with a meal. I am sure the cruise line may understand people wanting to bring specific wine to have with their meal or doing a champagne toast on their private balcony, but as for the hard liquor for one thing it's probably partially a legal matter to have all that hard liquor free flowing through out the cabins with so many under 21 passengers on board. Say a group of 17 or 18 year olds want to get drunk...they would have to find someone to buy them drinks, that person would have to walk all the way to the bar and then bring the drink all the way back to a place where they wouldn't be caught giving liquor to a minor, it's basically not worth the effort. If there is free flowing vodka and people doing shots in someone's cabin, I can easily see a group of people in their mid 20's maybe letting someone 18 and 19 year olds join in and when that 18 year old is drunk and something bad happens to them, the cruise line could have a law suit on their hands.

 

And even as far as the adults go, Carnival is running a business...they want people drinking in the bar and in the disco just like on a land bar or club...they want people spending money and socializing out in the open. So doing shots in your cabin to pregame is the same thing as those people who keep water bottles in their cars filled with vodka and chug them before going into a night club. The club on land or at sea is not looking to encourage that type of consumer. I am not saying anything bad towards anyone, just as someone who has worked in the night club industry, I think I can see where they are coming from...land establishments face the same problems with minors sneaking liquor and with people trying to sneak liquor in.

 

New to this board and cruising, I am still amazed by the level of contriversy over liquor. Personally, I don't care if other people sneak it in, it's their life, people can do what they want I don't like to judge people. It all just suprises me, before I came on here I never would have even thought of it. When booking my cruise and talking to my boyfriend I was actually over joyed to find out how cheap the drinks were. I spend way more money per drink while drinking inland.

Question for you. . . . . What is the legal drinking age at sea? In non US ports it is no more than 18 and in some French ports as low as 14 or 16 when consumed at a meal.

 

Cruise lines outside US waters can set their own ages, can't they or do they have to follow US law if they touch a US port?

 

I agree about sneaking. If I can't afford the liquor on board I can't afford the cruise.

[big_duck]

Question for you. . . . . What is the legal drinking age at sea?

 

Whatever the carrier says it is, and Carnival says 21. They set it at 21 not so much for legal reasons, but to keep teenage drinking under control.

 

Note I said under control, not eliminated.

[Buster27]

Just sailed the Victory..Dec. 18th-25th. I carried on 5 bottles of wine...in plain sight....right through the scanner. No one said a word. The stewart chilled one for us each night.

 

Ended up taking 2 bottles to dinner with us...was never charged any corkage fee.

[ValCat84]

Question for you. . . . . What is the legal drinking age at sea? In non US ports it is no more than 18 and in some French ports as low as 14 or 16 when consumed at a meal.

 

Cruise lines outside US waters can set their own ages, can't they or do they have to follow US law if they touch a US port?

 

I agree about sneaking. If I can't afford the liquor on board I can't afford the cruise.

 

Like the poster under you said, it's 21 because that what Carnival has set it at, all businesses have rules and regulations. If people don't like that regulation, they should use a cruise line that better fits their needs and wants.

[boco5]

I carried 6 bottles of wine (3 white, 3 red) on the Legend on the 12/19 sailing. No one said a word I went right through and they new that I had it. It was quite visible.

[4yanx]

We just got off Elation last week and we carried on two bottles of wine and checked three in our suitcase.

 

With respect to liquor purchased on board - Ask if anything can be taken back to your cabin. On Elation, there were three different items which could be purchased and taken back for immediate consumption or for packing away (including the $150 bottle of Remy Martin XO that I bought for $80). The clerk told me that the shops had compained that Carnival had to make an exception on a few items because they were not doing much liquor business and some people would either ONLY drink outside of the bars, or would do both, anyway. I think there was also a scotch that was included. Keep in mind, though, that if you crack the seal, the bottle must be finished, unless you're gonna try to smuggle it back on shore in your baggage.