Is anyone on this board an avid wine drinker? We like our wine in our cabin, does the ship let you take a case with you when boarding? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Lucie

Sorry to break the news, but they will take the wine from you when you board. They return it to you the last night of the cruise. They might let you have it if you pay a uncorking fee. Pennie

[This message was edited by pgabl1 on March 12, 2003 at 03:09 PM.]

Will they allow wine if we ARE willing to pay corkage? Many restaurants do.
We plan to buy our wine in the dining room, but would enjoy a bottle of champagne, or a bottle of wine in our cabin / on the deck at sailing.
txtraveler

Did a little reseaech on RCCL's web site. Here is a copy of their policy.

Can I bring my own liquor onboard at embarkation?


Guests who purchase liquor onboard a Royal Caribbean International
vessel from one of our gifts shops, for in-cabin consumption, will be
sold the liquor at an in-cabin consumption rate (non-duty free rate
which is comparable to retail rates), which in turn can be taken
immediately to their cabin.

If a guest decides that they would like to purchase duty free liquor
from any of our gift shops, then they will pay the duty free price and
their respective liquor purchase will be delivered to their stateroom on
the last night of their voyage.

In addition, any liquor purchases that are made by a guest in a land
based location, will be stored onboard when they enter the vessel,
and will be delivered to their stateroom on the last night of their
voyage.

For those guests who bring wine and champagne to celebrate a
special occasion onboard, these products will be tagged and stored by
our personnel, and delivered to the guest stateroom or their dining
venue, as per their request. If these special wines or champagnes are
consumed in our dining room or specialty restaurants, or in the
Windjammer Cafe for casual dining, a corkage fee of $8 per bottle
will apply

That's great! I looked all over their website, and must have simply missed that very detailed explanation. Can you send me the link/address that got you to that particular spot?
The information you have provided will allow us to finalize our decision. We're celebrating BOTH of our Birthdays (the cruise is our only gifts to each other - my husband was thrilled with THAT plan!)...and so, we really want to make it very special...some champagne...some wine in the privacy of our room. I'm very thankful that they are reasonable in their policy. It seems very fair. And, thanks again for answering my post! We are very excited; 23 days until sail!
txtravler

Here is the link for FAQ at RCCL


http://www.royalcaribbean.com/asp/faq/support.asp?s=95D14826E8

We are gioning on our next cruise in 24 days. All this talk is really making me anixous. I can't wait. If you need any more info let me know. Which cruise are you going on? Was it the Rhapsody?

Best wishes!

Pennie

Yes, the Rhapsody of the Seas out of Galveston. Thanks, again....I appreciate your help! Enjoy YOUR cruise, too!
txtraveler

I want to thank everyone, very inlighting, of course we always buy our wine for dining but we also need some for our personal enjoyment in the cabin, and at the rate we drink we couldn't afford to go on a cruise if we had to buy it from room service!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucie

No problem Lucie. Hope you have a wonderful time. RCCL offers a wonderful wine & dine package. You might want to look into that.

Best wishes!

Pennie

If you decide to drink when you reach an island, is that expensive as well? I have yet to go on my first cruise so I need some info on the liquor costs when sailing the Eastern Caribbean. I do not believe that I can find out from the web.

The liquor stores are duty-free, and very cheap. I can't imagine that it would be very much to drink. Alcohol is so inexpensive. When we were in the Bahamas two months ago one of the liquor stores had an open bar to sample. That was pretty cool.

Pennie

Sampling an open bar must have been a whole lotta fun. Bet that place drew a crowd. Well, I will certainly ask friends and family about prices of liquer on the islands that we will visit. It is better than bringing your own, especially since we won't be able to enjoy it due to the ships policies. Thanks pgab1

I can tell you that in the Bahamas you can get a 1 Liter bottle of ABSOLUT vodka for $9.95. We also got a nice sized bottle of Peach Schnapps for $9.95. Great deals to be had. Don't forget that these are tax free.

Pennie

In the Miami port last week, the security checkpoint was similar to an airport metal detector. They told us that bringing alcohol in our carry-ons was all ok!!! They told us that Royal Caribbean discourages this, but there is absolutely NOTHING illegal about this. The worst that could happen is that they RC keeps your wine until you get off the boat. My dad ran out and bought a case of beer!!

I always buy wine ashore to drink on our balcony and have never had a problem bringing it on board. The alcohol rules are to prevent drunken passengers especially teens.

I bought wine off the ship and they charge me a corkage fee. My bags were not checked when I returned on ship. Frankly, I struggle that they don't let you bring it on board, but it is their rules. Their money to loose I guess even though my cruise (with excursions and air) cost almost $6000 for two. You'd think I could bring on some alcohol. It was our most expensive vacation ever, but we enjoyed.

We did with no problem.

Folks at our table had the dine and wine package. The wine was really bad stuff. I'd suggest if you are a wine drinker you buy it off ship and pay corkage or buy it separate. I couldn't have drank what they drank - trust me it was as bottom shelf as it gets.

Besides checking your hand luggage do they also chech your luggage? If you take a couple of bottles of Alcohol in your luggage do they take them away? Even if you intend to use them in your cabin?

Anton

On the Navigator of the seas in Jan, no problem ordering a bottle of champagne for each cabin and was awaiting us when we arrived. We also brought liquor in our luggage (1 bottle) each and no problems. When we got on board they had liquor that you could purchase in the duty free on board and pay a $10.00 corkage fee. This must be different with each ship. We also would take our day packs which each have 1 qt water bottles. Would get small amounts of liquor in port and thn pour it into our day packs. No problems coming back on board. It has been posted that a bottle to celebrate a special occasion is ok. I figure everyday I sail it is my birthday or anniversary right? Also just know that a pint of liquor requires more paper work than it is worth so they may just waive you through at the embarkation coming from port. We tried it and it worked. Whata ya got to loose? We also sailed in May and bought a bottle of champagne at dinner and then finished it in our room. No hassles from anyone.

This will be my 7th cruise (Brilliance of the Seas, July 23rd) & I intend to board with wine in my suitcase, as usual. I do this every cruise & have never had wine taken away. I even pack my own corkscrew so that everything I need is in my cabin. Cheers!!