What is the "Limited Selection" of alcohol on Liberty out of Galveston on day 1?

I asked RCI about this and all they could tell me is that selection will be "limited" with the Deluxe drink package on day one out of Galveston due to Texas Alcohol Beverage Control law and could not provide any specific brands.

My friends drink Coors Light and I would like to find out what brands of vodka and whiskey/bourbon are available on day 1. I'm not too picky and I'm sure I'll find something to my liking no matter what but I was wondering if anyone could give me specific beers and spirits that were offered on day one of your Liberty cruise out of Galveston.

Thanks!

First, the limitation is not the entire day, just until the ship gets beyond Texas waters.

See restrictions here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=54708316&postcount=4

It’s really not a big deal. We cruise Galveston often and shortly after dinner the full complement is available.

That being said, I have never ordered a drink prior to international waters that wasn’t available.

All your common brands are available.

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This might help. Don’t see coots light but it’s only till about 6 pm

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I find this policy extremely annoying , you normally can get full bar about 6 pm as said but weather issues can delay ship and that time. I rather just not sail from Galveston even though I live in Dallas.

My husband is a coors light guy too. When we were on liberty, he drank shiner until we were out to sea. And as stated, it was about 6 when all drinks were available. Plus, there’s always a drink of the day!

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When we sailed out of Galveston this year, the only difference for me was when ordering a Miller Lite, it was a 12 oz can. After we got out of Tx. we were served 16 oz. cans. The bartenders have to pull off all of the booze with a Tx. stamp on it, then restock with bottles without the stamp. Then before we enter back in Tx. they restock the stamped bottles. Kind of crazy.

I find this policy extremely annoying , you normally can get full bar about 6 pm as said but weather issues can delay ship and that time. I rather just not sail from Galveston even though I live in Dallas.

Isn't that a little extreme, just for having to (possibly) wait an hour or two for a full selection?

Isn't that a little extreme, just for having to (possibly) wait an hour or two for a full selection?

I have cruised out of Galveston many times because of weather delays, we were ready to board at noon, boarding was delayed to 2pm and full bar was open at 7pm. Also have done those same ports over and over and seen same play a couple of times.

I find this policy extremely annoying , you normally can get full bar about 6 pm as said but weather issues can delay ship and that time. I rather just not sail from Galveston even though I live in Dallas.

It could be worse. At least RCI allows a limited menu on their beverage packages. Carnival doesn't include day 1 at all when cruising out of Galveston.

George C. It is because of the contract RCI has with their beverage supplier. Since they are not subject to Texas alcohol taxes, they do not sell until after ship hits the 13 mile limit. You are literally talking about maybe a 4 or 5 hour period when beverages supplied by a local distributor are sold.

The limited menu is due to a Texas law that prohibits unlimited beverage packages. The law no longer applies at the state waters line, which is 9 miles out.

The limited menu is due to a Texas law that prohibits unlimited beverage packages. The law no longer applies at the state waters line, which is 9 miles out.

This is not accurate information. There is no TX law that prohibits unlimited beverage packages. The law in play on cruises from Galveston is as follows, while in TX waters, alcohol served must have been purchased from a TX distributor AND had TX taxes paid on them (taxes paid at the wholesale purchase). Rather than pay taxes on the entire ship’s stores, there is an abbreviated menu available until out of TX waters (and that is 12 miles out, not 9)

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This is not accurate information. There is no TX law that prohibits unlimited beverage packages. The law in play on cruises from Galveston is as follows, while in TX waters, alcohol served must have been purchased from a TX distributor AND had TX taxes paid on them (taxes paid at the wholesale purchase). Rather than pay taxes on the entire ship’s stores, there is an abbreviated menu available until out of TX waters (and that is 12 miles out, not 9)

I believe it's both. This has been discussed at length on the CCL boards. Here's an article that covers it. They also mention "all you can drink" packages.

https://www.cruzely.com/answered-first-day-drink-packages-and-alcohol-on-galveston-cruises/

What is this law that only allows certain brands or alcohol? I don't get it

EDIT: Nvm, read all but the last two posts that explained it it detail...

I believe it's both. This has been discussed at length on the CCL boards. Here's an article that covers it. They also mention "all you can drink" packages.

 

 

 

https://www.cruzely.com/answered-first-day-drink-packages-and-alcohol-on-galveston-cruises/

I’ve never read that article, thanks for sharing it, I learned a lot.

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I’ve never read that article, thanks for sharing it, I learned a lot.

No problem. Truth is, I'm no expert on this law either. It's only from what I've read on these boards. :)

I've learned something new from this thread, I wasn't aware that this was in operation.

I did expect something similar when we sailed from Dubai with Royal but nothing imposed at all on alcohol consumption. If I remember correctly the casino was hardly open though.

unless you are used to top shelf, you will not feel a difference. at least i didnt

I find this policy extremely annoying , you normally can get full bar about 6 pm as said but weather issues can delay ship and that time. I rather just not sail from Galveston even though I live in Dallas.

You could easily incur hundreds (of not $1,000+) of dollars plus hours of increased travel time by sailing from another port. It's only a few hours to have a full selection of beers or alcoholic drinks

I'm not too picky and I'm sure I'll find something to my liking no matter what but I was wondering if anyone could give me specific beers and spirits that were offered on day one of your Liberty cruise out of Galveston.

You'll be totally fine.

For those that sail out of Galveston, have you noticed do they actually sell the all you can drink packages while in Texas waters? Or do they wait until they are out of Texas waters before allowing on-board purchase of the package?

For the people that pre purchased the all you can drink packages, technically they didn't sell the package in Texas, so the law may not apply.

For those that sail out of Galveston, have you noticed do they actually sell the all you can drink packages while in Texas waters? Or do they wait until they are out of Texas waters before allowing on-board purchase of the package?

 

For the people that pre purchased the all you can drink packages, technically they didn't sell the package in Texas, so the law may not apply.

They are selling the packages as soon as you board the ship.

For those that sail out of Galveston, have you noticed do they actually sell the all you can drink packages while in Texas waters? Or do they wait until they are out of Texas waters before allowing on-board purchase of the package?

 

For the people that pre purchased the all you can drink packages, technically they didn't sell the package in Texas, so the law may not apply.

As usual, Bob is correct. They sell them as soon as you get on board. Prebuying doesn't make any difference though, except in price. All the rules still apply. Of course, quite a few of us who prebuy still buy it in Texas, so it wouldn't make a difference to us anyway. ;)

Pre-purchase mine all the time, and I do it from my home in Dallas. That part of the law really seems arbitrary when you think about it.

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As long as the beer that is served before the full bar is available is ice cold I'm good to go! ;p