atanac Posted November 30, 2017 #26 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Don't forget the cruise lines get their liquor duty free where U.S. land based establishments can't. It is price gouging plain and simple. It is capitalism but the deck is definitely stacked against the buyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaveitallbehind Posted November 30, 2017 #27 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Don't forget the cruise lines get their liquor duty free where U.S. land based establishments can't.It is price gouging plain and simple. It is capitalism but the deck is definitely stacked against the buyer. I think the bar prices are comparable to most land base resorts and hotels and in that respect are to market. The cost and resulting margin is a matter of how they purchase and is not gouging to the consumer if the selling price is market based. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted November 30, 2017 #28 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Don't forget the cruise lines get their liquor duty free where U.S. land based establishments can't.It is price gouging plain and simple. It is capitalism but the deck is definitely stacked against the buyer. They provision their ships, including liquor, in their home ports. Most of those voyages go out of U.S. ports, and most of those go out of Florida. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted November 30, 2017 #29 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Don't forget the cruise lines get their liquor duty free where U.S. land based establishments can't.It is price gouging plain and simple. It is capitalism but the deck is definitely stacked against the buyer. Also, as any number of TV shows on the topic will tell you, cruise lines make their money from on board spending, NOT from cruise fares. Cruise fares stay low because the company knows that you will buy things like liquor, excursions, specialty meals, and souvenirs on board. Of course the cruise line makes money on the drinks that they sell you. They are a for-profit industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisby Posted November 30, 2017 #30 Share Posted November 30, 2017 The mixed drink prices are very similar to a nice restaurant bar in my area but beer is higher. We get the Deluxe package, I really don't care what it costs, I'm on vacation and am just going to enjoy! I don't even get my diamond member drinks as I get the package, which sucks but I don't feel like having to think! Plus my fiance is not a diamond yet and she needs the package to keep up [emoji6] Sent from my K88 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefdmain Posted November 30, 2017 #31 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I think the bar prices are comparable to most land base resorts and hotels and in that respect are to market. The cost and resulting margin is a matter of how they purchase and is not gouging to the consumer if the selling price is market based. Here is one big difference between the ship and your resort. You can stop at the local liquor store and buy stuff and take it to your room if you want. On a boat, you can not bring drinks aboard. So the arguments are not apples to apples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PigsCanFly Posted November 30, 2017 #32 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Just a note re: "free drinks". I expect that the drinks given out to some of us in the casino rivals the total for the Diamond Happy hours. I do know that RCCL is not losing (yet) on the free casino drinks vs. my table/slot donations. Hopefully that changes in my January visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted November 30, 2017 #33 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Just a note re: "free drinks". I expect that the drinks given out to some of us in the casino rivals the total for the Diamond Happy hours. I do know that RCCL is not losing (yet) on the free casino drinks vs. my table/slot donations. Hopefully that changes in my January visit. Almost impossible for the cruise line to lose money on cocktails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted November 30, 2017 #34 Share Posted November 30, 2017 No. Diamonds (and higher) get the "free" drinks from the significant amount of money they paid to RCI over the many years of cruising with them to get to that level! :rolleyes: Small dividend! And we still pay the full price outside of the cocktail hours - just like everyone else. Not entirely, we get a few e-coupons for BOGO and 25% on wine or beer Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpostman Posted November 30, 2017 #35 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Just as a comparison, here are drink prices from last January on MSC Divina posted last week in the MSC boards These are from Divina from January but it gives you an idea of prices. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Note that those are NOT Euros but in fact $USD dp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted November 30, 2017 #36 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Beers on Freedom TA last month were $6.95 and up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citymom92 Posted November 30, 2017 #37 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Agree with the other posters, that the Royal cocktail and beer prices are less than we pay at home. It's pretty much the norm for cocktails at bars on Capitol Hill to be in the range of $12-16 and beers $8-10. We're not huge drinkers, but on vacation might have a bloody mary or mimosa during the day, cocktails before dinner and a glass of wine or two with dinner, so the deluxe package I got for $41 ppd makes sense for us. Someone on another board made the good point that even if you didn't get the Deluxe package, the Refreshment package so the costs above the $18 for soda package isn't that much of difference, and is definitely worth it. We're not Diamond level obviously, but I think even if I could get the three drinks free in the lounge, I'd be inclined to buy the packages anyway just to have complete freedom of choice and location and timing for my drinks to enjoy my vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark290 Posted November 30, 2017 #38 Share Posted November 30, 2017 They provision their ships, including liquor, in their home ports. Most of those voyages go out of U.S. ports, and most of those go out of Florida. They must buy the liquor they sell in the onboard store from a non US port to get it duty free. Why wouldn't they also buy the liquor for the onboard bars at those non US ports ? I would think they also pick up their fuel from wherever it is the least expensive. The ships move so why not buy items that are considerably elsewhere at those places ? They outsource everything from labor to where they build the ship based on cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awestover89 Posted November 30, 2017 #39 Share Posted November 30, 2017 They must buy the liquor they sell in the onboard store from a non US port to get it duty free. Why wouldn't they alsobuy the liquor for the onboard bars at those non US ports ? I would think they also pick up their fuel from wherever it is the least expensive. The ships move so why not buy items that are considerably elsewhere at those places ? They outsource everything from labor to where they build the ship based on cost. Many reasons. There are distribution contracts in place at the departure ports for one, but the main reason is that the islands the ships visit are just not setup to handle the demand of a cruise ship. They don't have the necessary quantity or the infrastructure to get it loaded on the ship in bulk. There's also the logistics of employees. It is much easier to load and stock on turnaround day when there aren't passengers wandering around the ship and employees are all busy helping guests. There are also health code issues, mandatory inspections, and US agriculture and customs rules. If ships bought a bunch of items at foreign ports and returned to the US with it still in their storerooms it would be a customs nightmare. Of course ships like the MSC that do a multi-month around the world cruise restock at some of their ports, but they specifically time out visiting the ports that have the infrastructure in place to allow for restocking. There's also just the fact of efficiency of buying in bulk. Getting several tons of food and thousands of bottles of alcohol in bulk is significantly more efficient than getting a few tons here and there. As an example, here's a list of what Oasis of the Seas typically stocks on turnaround day for a 7 day cruise. Lobster tails: 5,400 Ice cream cones: 21,000 Tomatoes: 8,800 pounds Lettuce: 9,000 pounds Potatoes: 14,800 pounds Apples: 2,600 pounds Bananas: 5,400 pounds Eggs: 46,800 Milk: 2,622 gallons Chicken: 19,723 pounds Beef: 18,314 pounds Fish: 7,070 pounds Hot dogs: 10,680 Beer: 31,900 bottles and 900 cans Soda: 16,900 cans Vodka: 820 bottles Whiskey: 179 bottles Scotch: 293 bottles Rum: 765 bottles White wine: 3,360 bottles Red wine: 2,776 bottles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingNole Posted November 30, 2017 #40 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I live in Orlando, which compared to the rest of the state, has very cheap prices for food and beverage. A pint of decent beer is typically about $7 at a bar, less during happy hour of course. About the same price for a single-liquor mixed drink. Sporting venues in the area charge $12 for a beer and even more for a mixed drink. I would expect a cruise to be less than sports venue gouging prices but more than your local bar. Which is what you usually pay at a hotel bar. So it seems like RC's prices are right where they should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueHerons Posted December 1, 2017 #41 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Cruise ship drink prices are WAY cheaper than what we pay in South Florida. Two draft Bud Lights at a Miami Heat Game were $24 including tip. Two mojitos at The Delano in South Beach including added gratuity were $50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atanac Posted December 1, 2017 #42 Share Posted December 1, 2017 They provision their ships, including liquor, in their home ports. Most of those voyages go out of U.S. ports, and most of those go out of Florida. I was in St Thomas and watched several pallets of liquor being stowed onboard a ship last year. One of the bartenders told me the liquor they sell while in a U.S. port has the duty paid as well as local sales tax. Once at sea as they use those bottles they restock with the duty free ones. He seemed to know what he was talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingNole Posted December 1, 2017 #43 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Cruise ship drink prices are WAY cheaper than what we pay in South Florida. Two draft Bud Lights at a Miami Heat Game were $24 including tip. Two mojitos at The Delano in South Beach including added gratuity were $50. I used to have to travel to Ft. Lauderdale for work. $25 + tip for one margarita at a bar across from the beach. Thankfully I expensed everything to the company. I had never realized how good I had it in Orlando as far as cost of living goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted December 1, 2017 #44 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Cruise ship drink prices are WAY cheaper than what we pay in South Florida. Two draft Bud Lights at a Miami Heat Game were $24 including tip. Two mojitos at The Delano in South Beach including added gratuity were $50. I must be spoiled. Here in Myrtle Beach we have Happy Hour 7 days a week. Depending on where we go, I can get a bottle of Bud Light for $1.75, $1.90, and at a real expensive place, $2.50/2.75. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted December 1, 2017 #45 Share Posted December 1, 2017 I must be spoiled. Here in Myrtle Beach we have Happy Hour 7 days a week. Depending on where we go, I can get a bottle of Bud Light for $1.75, $1.90, and at a real expensive place, $2.50/2.75. :rolleyes: But how long does it last. Down here it generally runs 4:00 - 6:00. That's at the Cove, Sandbar, Coconuts, etc.. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyitsmema Posted December 1, 2017 #46 Share Posted December 1, 2017 I must be spoiled. Here in Myrtle Beach we have Happy Hour 7 days a week. Depending on where we go, I can get a bottle of Bud Light for $1.75, $1.90, and at a real expensive place, $2.50/2.75. :rolleyes: Happy Hour??? Come to Massachusetts and Happy Hours are banned. Embassy Suites can't even offer free drinks at their nightly Manager's Reception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Dancer Posted December 1, 2017 #47 Share Posted December 1, 2017 I must be spoiled. Here in Myrtle Beach we have Happy Hour 7 days a week. Depending on where we go, I can get a bottle of Bud Light for $1.75, $1.90, and at a real expensive place, $2.50/2.75. :rolleyes: But how long does it last. Down here it generally runs 4:00 - 6:00. That's at the Cove, Sandbar, Coconuts, etc.. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app At our watering hole south of Myrtle, they give us snowbirds happy hour prices all the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted December 1, 2017 #48 Share Posted December 1, 2017 But how long does it last. Down here it generally runs 4:00 - 6:00. That's at the Cove, Sandbar, Coconuts, etc.. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Most places 4:00 to 7:00. In the off season (Oct-Mar) some until 8:00. Craft beers from $3 to $3.50. The biggest decision I have to make in the late afternoon is "where are we going for happy hour." ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted December 1, 2017 #49 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Most places 4:00 to 7:00. In the off season (Oct-Mar) some until 8:00. Craft beers from $3 to $3.50. The biggest decision I have to make in the late afternoon is "where are we going for happy hour." ;) Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted December 1, 2017 #50 Share Posted December 1, 2017 There are hundreds of terrific happy hours in south Florida where two people can get a couple of cocktails and a couple of apps for $20. https://foursquare.com/top-places/fourt-lauderdale/best-places-happy-hour At higher end resorts or resorts that cater to business travel there is often bonkers pricing because it gets expensed out to the employer not the employee and sports events all bets are off. There was a time when ship drink prices were at least noticeably cheaper than most everyday prices and more along the lines of happy hour pricing the whole time, and happy hours that were silly cheap. This of course was subsidized in part by higher cruise fares, made the alcohol seem like a deal, and lots of service so they did volume without packages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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