Plus package and Galveston departures

[sunsetme]

what is the deal with ordering drinks while still in Texas ports?

[nwnittany]

I think the short layman's answer is that there is some Texas law that requires establishments (including ships) in Texas or 'Texas waters' to (a) source the drinks from a local distributor, and (b) don't allow the equivalent of 'drink packages' (I'm not sure of the details of this one). 

 

The effect is that while in Texas waters, the drink selection is reduced and everyone, regardless of Plus or Premiere, is charged for the drinks.  Historically, Princess has added $25 to everyone's OBC account to compensate for this. 

 

I purposes skipped the details (ie, is it just acoholic drinks ?  when exactly do we leave 'Texas waters' ?  etc).  Mainly because I don't know them...lol...

[Paula_MacFan]

 

[rj59]

Be aware, in Galveston you're subject to a state liquor inspection too, and are supposed to declare any liquor you're bringing back. 

[satxdiver]

7 hours ago, rj59 said:

Be aware, in Galveston you're subject to a state liquor inspection too, and are supposed to declare any liquor you're bringing back. 

This is regardless of where your home is outside Texas.  All pax have to declare any liquor you are carrying and pay the tax of usually a  few dollars.  It is enforced by the state and not US officials.  They can be found at a table just outside the federal area.  If they can see the liquor you will be stopped, otherwise just keep walking.  In other words hide the liquor and just walk on by.

 

Only liquor bought from a licensed distributor can be sold in Texas including cruise ships.  Texas alcohol laws forbid any sales such as two for one or liquor packages.  Decades ago they did not enforce this with cruise ships but now they do (part of TX backwards policies).  Furthermore state tax must be collected on anything you buy while on the ship (or off) so if you order a soft beverage state tax must be collected.  These laws are enforced while in TX waters.  It takes a little over an hour for the ship to reach international waters when they will open the bars and honor the different packages without TX state taxes.

[Shocker]

Reference the liquor packages when on the Regal Princess in port at Galveston:

1. Do you have to pay full price for a drink?

2. Do you only pay Texas Tax on the drink?

3. Is the bar selection limited and you just pay Texas tax?

On Royal we had a limited selection and had to pay Texas Taxes I would assume Princess is the same.

 

[Curtzilla]

What liquor or beer they serve must have been purchased by Princess from a Texas distributor.  The intent is to collect Texas liquor tax (Texas has high sin taxes).  The cruise lines buy a limited selection from the Texas distributor, and serve only that while under Texas territory.  Once under way and outside the territorial limit, they can serve what ever they like and open the shops (avoiding Texas Sales tax) and casino (no casinos in Texas).

 

Texas also has a law prohibiting 2-for-1 or similar setups for public service.