NCL's "Liquor Policy" and corkage

Hello all, while searching these boards for the particular liquor policy for NCL I happened upon a lot of contradicting info. While I know that policies change I did want to provide some information I just received straight from my "Personal Cruise Consultant" (funny how cruiselines have a way of trying to make us low-rollers feel important by assigning a Personal Consultant.)

This is as of 1/25/2011

Liquor Policy

Guests are NOT allowed to bring their own liquor onboard our ships. Liquor that is brought onboard at embarkation or during the cruise will be held until the last night of the cruise.

Wine Policy Guests are only allowed to bring bottle(s) of wine onboard NCL vessels for a corkage fee. When wine is brought onboard and served or consumed in any restaurant, public room/area, or in their stateroom corkage fees will apply according to bottle sizes noted below. This fee will be charged to the guest’s onboard account. Box wines are not allowed onboard.

Bottle is 750ml corkage = $15.00 USD

Liter Bottle is 1,000ml corkage = $20.00 USD

Magnum is 1,500ml corkage = $30.00 USD

Wines not purchased onboard are subject to a corkage fee including wines sent directly to the ship by travel agents, friends, family, etc. from another retail source.

NOTE: The policy regarding Liquor has not changed. Liquor (UK – Spirits) that are brought on board at Embarkation or during the cruise will be held until the last night of the cruise. The Freestyle Daily will list the location and time for pick up.

Since the policy didn't mention a limit on amount of bottles I asked and was given this reply:

There is no limit on the bottles; you just have to pay a corkage/handling fee for all bottles used on board.

For those folks who will undoubtedly try to smuggle alcohol on board in other containers, I didn't ask about the policy for other beverages (ie. water bottles, canned soda or juice) but the FAQ section on NCL.com states pretty clearly that you are not allowed to bring on beverages of any kind-alcohol or not. I'm sure people have brought beverages on NCL ships with no problems due to lax security, a loosely enforced policy, or personnel oversight but I wanted to share with you the information that I was able to track down.

Enjoy your trips to wherever you are going!

Hello all, while searching these boards for the particular liquor policy for NCL I happened upon a lot of contradicting info. ...

Actually, what folks post here is normally very clear and not contradicting. In fact, the most often quoted BAD information is from PCC or NCL Cust Service, or somebody that has not traveled on NCL. Stick with what the veterans tell you - they know!

And, no matter what their policy says, you can take water and soda onboard. If you read though this often asked question, you will find that nobody, and mean NOBODY has ever reported an issue with this.

(what is crazy about this question is that it gets asked every week, even when the same question is right on the first page)

Actually, what folks post here is normally very clear and not contradicting. In fact, the most often quoted BAD information is from PCC or NCL Cust Service, or somebody that has not traveled on NCL. Stick with what the veterans tell you - they know!

 

And, no matter what their policy says, you can take water and soda onboard. If you read though this often asked question, you will find that nobody, and mean NOBODY has ever reported an issue with this.

 

(what is crazy about this question is that it gets asked every week, even when the same question is right on the first page)

thanks for your answer to the question that does come up weekly or at least every few weeks and will go on and on and on, etc.

OP: wine yes: corkage fee charged at time of boarding or if you put the wine in your luggage you will be called to the naughty room and pick the wine up after you pay the fee. Yes, the extra charges for larger bottles is the policy, but it is not always enforced. Assume it will be, smile if not. Do Not even try to smuggle booze on. You can bring water and soda on at least for now.

Nita

OP, what you posted is pretty common knowledge... But thanks for posting. I'm sure the info will help some new NCL cruisers.

You didn't post anything about bar setups. Now that's what I do. Just do a search if you are interested in ordering alcohol through NCL.

Just got back from 9 night southern caribbean on the Dawn. Carried on a 1.5 liter bottle of wine and was escorted over to a table where a gentleman wrote out a receipt with my name and cabin # for $15 and slapped a "corkage paid" sticker on the bottle (while I smiled).Took the wine to a restaurant 3 nights later where it was opened, and since it wasn't finished I had them hold it...they gave me a ticket to present at whatever restaurant I went to next- ending up having it at 3 different restaurants. The charge showed up on my final bill for the date and restaurant in which it was "uncorked".I probably got lucky only being charged $15 (made up for 1 of my pre-dinner martinis).I also carried on diet cranberry and low sodium V-8 juices with no problem.This was my experience others may differ.

Just got back from 9 night southern caribbean on the Dawn. Carried on a 1.5 liter bottle of wine and was escorted over to a table where a gentleman wrote out a receipt with my name and cabin # for $15 and slapped a "corkage paid" sticker on the bottle (while I smiled).Took the wine to a restaurant 3 nights later where it was opened, and since it wasn't finished I had them hold it...they gave me a ticket to present at whatever restaurant I went to next- ending up having it at 3 different restaurants. The charge showed up on my final bill for the date and restaurant in which it was "uncorked".I probably got lucky only being charged $15 (made up for 1 of my pre-dinner martinis).I also carried on diet cranberry and low sodium V-8 juices with no problem.This was my experience others may differ.

your experience is pretty much like ours. We brought on about 3 or 4 bottles last cruise, 1 was 1.5 liters, each was charged $15 and stamped or stickered, whatever.

Nita

OP, what you posted is pretty common knowledge... But thanks for posting. I'm sure the info will help some new NCL cruisers.

 

You didn't post anything about bar setups. Now that's what I do. Just do a search if you are interested in ordering alcohol through NCL.

I'm a newbie and booked a studio directly with NCL for a Med cruise on Epic in September. Having read through the various posts on alcohol policy I was thinking of maybe ordering a bottle of gin for the wee pre-dinner drink each night.

However, when I spoke with NCL on the phone the other night I was informed that they don't do bar setups for studios :(

Kate

I'm a newbie and booked a studio directly with NCL for a Med cruise on Epic in September. Having read through the various posts on alcohol policy I was thinking of maybe ordering a bottle of gin for the wee pre-dinner drink each night.

 

However, when I spoke with NCL on the phone the other night I was informed that they don't do bar setups for studios :(

 

Kate

Kate: bar setup is by email, not phone. Try a search for the email... I would for you but I replying by iPhone at dinner.

Don't give up.

Kate: bar setup is by email, not phone. Try a search for the email... I would for you but I replying by iPhone at dinner.

 

Don't give up.

Thanks for your swift reply, no need to use your iPhone, will get onto the email now - enjoy your dinner :D.

I'll email now - had seen it mentioned but hadn't gotten around to sending one before I spoke with NCL. Thought that there was no point when I'd was told that by the rep on the phone but you've cheered me up.

I won't give up (even though the prices are expensive) - I'm Irish so will not pass on the booze option :D:D:D

So just to make sure I understand, you declare whatever bottles of wine/champagne you have at embarkation and pay the corkage fees then? What happens if some of the bottles end up not getting consumed? Do you get a refund of the corkage fee? (I am going on a trip with a group and assume that most of us will bring multiple bottles so there is a real possibility it won't all get consumed.)

Is there a link to whatever drink (hard and wine/champagne) packages NCL offers that we can compare to?

Thanks!

Kate: bar setup is by email, not phone. Try a search for the email... I would for you but I replying by iPhone at dinner.

 

Don't give up.

I sent an email to the ship coordinator yesterday to order a bar setup and was told I had to call the reservations number to order a bar setup.

I sent an email to the ship coordinator yesterday to order a bar setup and was told I had to call the reservations number to order a bar setup.

This thread is over two years old and some of the information is NOT current!

So just to make sure I understand, you declare whatever bottles of wine/champagne you have at embarkation and pay the corkage fees then? YES What happens if some of the bottles end up not getting consumed? Do you get a refund of the corkage fee? YES (I am going on a trip with a group and assume that most of us will bring multiple bottles so there is a real possibility it won't all get consumed.)

 

Is there a link to whatever drink (hard and wine/champagne) packages NCL offers that we can compare to?

 

Thanks!

Here is a link to the wine list. You can also buy wine packages on board that will save you some money. Do a search on this board and you will find some recent threads that show the different options.

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/gifts-and-more

Welcome to cruise critic.

So just to make sure I understand, you declare whatever bottles of wine/champagne you have at embarkation and pay the corkage fees then? What happens if some of the bottles end up not getting consumed? Do you get a refund of the corkage fee? (I am going on a trip with a group and assume that most of us will bring multiple bottles so there is a real possibility it won't all get consumed.)

 

Is there a link to whatever drink (hard and wine/champagne) packages NCL offers that we can compare to?

 

Thanks!

It has been reported that if you have unopened bottles at the end of the cruise the corkage fee can be refunded. Take the bottles with the "Corkage Paid" stickers attached and your receipt to the guest services desk and they will credit your onboard accout for the fees.

This thread is over two years old and some of the information is NOT current!

I understand that. I was just adding correct information so there would be no confusion for others.

and to add more "old info"....if you bring on alcohol that is not in the original, sealed container, they will confiscate it and not return it.

There seem to be many opinions about what happens to that confiscated booze!!

I sent an email to the ship coordinator yesterday to order a bar setup and was told I had to call the reservations number to order a bar setup.

I did it by email earlier this year.

In future, however they do it is ok with me as long as they do it.