All Things Adventure of the Seas ¡Olé! Edition

[cclarke12]

Pete, do you think this is a recent change in the rules as I am fairly sure we were not charged this VAT on our Navigator cruise in June 2008 which visited Marseille, Cagliari and Palermo (All EU ports) on a round-trip Bracelona?

 

Linda :)

 

or maybe it just wasn't quite so obvious on the receipts then!:p

 

They were charging the 7% on Voyager in September 2008 but I only noticed when we bought something that was supposedly "duty free" which they actually added the Spanish IVA on to. Thus followed a debate as to how they can claim to be selling duty free when it isn't! We ended up returning the watch anyway as it fell to pieces within half an hour. After that I realised 7% was on all the bar bills too. We just had the same on P&O and when docked at Barcelona they added 7% to drink bills.

[Lobbylin]

They were charging the 7% on Voyager in September 2008 but I only noticed when we bought something that was supposedly "duty free" which they actually added the Spanish IVA on to. Thus followed a debate as to how they can claim to be selling duty free when it isn't! We ended up returning the watch anyway as it fell to pieces within half an hour. After that I realised 7% was on all the bar bills too. We just had the same on P&O and when docked at Barcelona they added 7% to drink bills.

 

I guess as more and more people started to question it, they had to officially publicise it... hence the note Pete posted earlier in this thread.

[Lobbylin]

HI Linda, they have cut back a lot. From what I remember there is a discount on bottle of wine purchase over $100 and another one related to purchasing a bottle over $50, but didn't take too much notice as I dodn't intend spending that amount on a bottle of wine! There is also a discount for Dom Perignon.

 

There's a coupon for the following:

 

Buy 1 glass of wine get 1 free

2 for 1 milkshakes in Johnny Rockets

1 free Seattle's Best speciality coffee

3 coupons for $3 slot pulls in the casino

$10 Internet credit (charge for internet has increased to 65c per minute)

Discount off a 'lifestyle portrait'

Free coffee when buying a special mug

Several for $5 match play in the casino

 

There may have been more, but not of much interest to us.

 

They do a laundry special on 1 day, all you can get into the supplied bag for $25, not much use on a 4 night cruise IMHO, especially on day 2!

 

Yes, apparently we got the ice show tickets, well more like a pass as they were valid for any performance, in our cabin with the Diamond welcome letter which also told us about the Diamond event daily in the 19th Hole and the Diamond breakfast in the La Notte dining room.

 

Thanks for the info. I doubt I will be spending $50+ on a bottle of wine either!:D

[cclarke12]

Thanks for the info. I doubt I will be spending $50+ on a bottle of wine either!:D

 

Yes, I'll think we'll be giving the wine a miss at that price as well (or even $30 a bottle). Last time the selection was pretty poor and mainly young Californian wines which were very overpriced. It's a pity they are so expensive on board as it does make me think about twice about what I drink, especially with the dreadful exchange rate. On P&O the prices were so reasonable I never gave it a thought. I suspect we'll pop into Ibiza for a few more reasonably priced drinks. Only 2 weeks and 3 days until we're on AOS :D

[Discovery141]

We went on the 15 May for 5 days as a trial intro to Royal Caribbean and was not to impressed as it seemed that there was the league of nations on it and the entertainment was done in 2 or 3 languages and it seemed to lack an atmosphere people being friendly and the self service restaurant was a night mare to get a seat, and no shop to buy duty free all in all it has put us of Royal Caribbean

[Bobal]

was not to impressed as it seemed that there was the league of nations on it and the entertainment was done in 2 or 3 languages

 

Different strokes for different folks - that's one of the reasons I don't want to cruise on the Indy and would prefer to fly to Spain or Italy for a Med cruise. I actually like a ship to have a more international flavour.8

[Jolimont]

We went on the 15 May for 5 days as a trial intro to Royal Caribbean and was not to impressed as it seemed that there was the league of nations on it and the entertainment was done in 2 or 3 languages and it seemed to lack an atmosphere people being friendly and the self service restaurant was a night mare to get a seat, and no shop to buy duty free all in all it has put us of Royal Caribbean

Thank you for sharing your experience. It'll be my first time on RCI also and I already think announcements in several languages will be annoying. I heard that on Costa they do 5 languages. Kill me now!

 

When you say no shop to buy duty-free, is that different from other cruises you've taken? Because in my experience they all charge taxes and it's up to the cruiser to save their receipts and get the tax back at the end if they qualify.

[peteukmcr]

Yes, I'll think we'll be giving the wine a miss at that price as well (or even $30 a bottle). Last time the selection was pretty poor and mainly young Californian wines which were very overpriced. It's a pity they are so expensive on board as it does make me think about twice about what I drink, especially with the dreadful exchange rate. On P&O the prices were so reasonable I never gave it a thought. I suspect we'll pop into Ibiza for a few more reasonably priced drinks. Only 2 weeks and 3 days until we're on AOS :D

 

Be careful at the bars around the harbour in Ibiza town, our G&T and Jack & Coke cost more than onboard and were not as strong! Onboard $13.73 for the 2 drinks, in Ibiza bar just over $19 (€16)! Even in the D'Alt Vila (old town) around $15 (€12).

[peteukmcr]

We went on the 15 May for 5 days as a trial intro to Royal Caribbean and was not to impressed as it seemed that there was the league of nations on it and the entertainment was done in 2 or 3 languages and it seemed to lack an atmosphere people being friendly and the self service restaurant was a night mare to get a seat, and no shop to buy duty free all in all it has put us of Royal Caribbean

 

I agree to some degree about the number of nationalities onboard, but that is what is going to happen when a ship sails from such an acessible port as Barcelona. The Windjammer can be a nightmare on any RCI ship, you just have to be smart about the time you pick. We only had a problem on one day.

 

Please don't let it put you off RCI, the Duty Free isn't their fault, it's the Spanish government rules when they sail out of Spain and don't visit another non-EU port.

[Bobal]

We've sailed with RCL from the Med on 3 occasions and every time they spoke in only 2 languages - English and the language of the country from which they'd sailed.

[cclarke12]

Do they have kettles in the staterooms on AOS (they didn't when we were on Voyager)? It would just make life easier for heating my daughter's bottle as I can put in a cup of boiling water for a few minutes to heat it up.

[Discovery141]

No they did'nt have kettles in the staterooms which was annoying as we like to make a cup of tea in the morn. and there was no shop to buy any form of duty free. As for the "no taking booze on board" you can trust a Brit to break a rule, Bacardi split up into 2 water bottles. Where there is a will there is a way.

[peteukmcr]

Do they have kettles in the staterooms on AOS (they didn't when we were on Voyager)? It would just make life easier for heating my daughter's bottle as I can put in a cup of boiling water for a few minutes to heat it up.

No, unfortunately no kettles in the staterooms.

[Bobal]

I think they have them on JS and above. They certainly had them in the JSs we've sailed in because I remember they had tea but no instant coffee and they only have coffee makers in GS and above. Since you have a good reason for wanting one, I'm sure your steward would sort one out for you.

[Jolimont]

Yes, I'll think we'll be giving the wine a miss at that price as well (or even $30 a bottle). Last time the selection was pretty poor and mainly young Californian wines which were very overpriced. It's a pity they are so expensive on board as it does make me think about twice about what I drink, especially with the dreadful exchange rate. On P&O the prices were so reasonable I never gave it a thought. I suspect we'll pop into Ibiza for a few more reasonably priced drinks. Only 2 weeks and 3 days until we're on AOS :D

Yeah, I've been living in France too long to put up with $30 bottles of wine. Here you can buy a pretty good bottle for 5€ at the grocery store and 10€ for a pitcher of Bordeaux at most restaurants! I think RCI is going to have to offer "house wine" at a price no more than $10 per liter pitcher or the French/Spaniards/Italians are going to grumble. Most French people never drink cocktails other than rhum and coke or rhum punch (if you can call those cocktails) they're just used to wine with meals and apéritif before dinner. They don't order cocktails at a bar, alcoholics do that! So cultural issues are going to be addressed.

[peteukmcr]

Yeah, I've been living in France too long to put up with $30 bottles of wine. Here you can buy a pretty good bottle for 5€ at the grocery store and 10€ for a pitcher of Bordeaux at most restaurants! I think RCI is going to have to offer "house wine" at a price no more than $10 per liter pitcher or the French/Spaniards/Italians are going to grumble. Most French people never drink cocktails other than rhum and coke or rhum punch (if you can call those cocktails) they're just used to wine with meals and apéritif before dinner. They don't order cocktails at a bar, alcoholics do that! So cultural issues are going to be addressed.

 

Same here in the UK you can get a decnt bottle of wine in the supermarket for the equivalent of €5 (especially with the poor exchange rate for GBP to Euro at the moment!).

 

Unfortunately, I doubt RCI are going to give $10 pitchers of house wine when the cheapest glass is $7 plus VAT plus gratuity = $8.54 which is nearly €7.

 

They have had ships in the Med for years with Spanish, English and Italian clientele onboard and they are moving more ships up there so somebody must be spending at the bars.

 

BTW when you refer to an apéritif, what type of drink is that normally?

[Lobbylin]

Do they have kettles in the staterooms on AOS (they didn't when we were on Voyager)? It would just make life easier for heating my daughter's bottle as I can put in a cup of boiling water for a few minutes to heat it up.

 

You can bring a small metal flask and fill it with hot water from the Windjammer cafe.

[Jolimont]

Same here in the UK you can get a decnt bottle of wine in the supermarket for the equivalent of €5 (especially with the poor exchange rate for GBP to Euro at the moment!).

 

Unfortunately, I doubt RCI are going to give $10 pitchers of house wine when the cheapest glass is $7 plus VAT plus gratuity = $8.54 which is nearly €7.

 

They have had ships in the Med for years with Spanish, English and Italian clientele onboard and they are moving more ships up there so somebody must be spending at the bars.

 

BTW when you refer to an apéritif, what type of drink is that normally?

Pastis is the classic that most men drink (licorice taste), women prefer a sweet wine or port usually. I shock my friends and family when I propose anything like a White Russian or Margharitta for apéritif, but some of them try it anyway.

 

You're right, RCI makes so much money on wine, they probably won't get reasonable, but I'll tell them they should in the comment card.

[Lobbylin]

In fairness, RCI do give quite good discounts on balcony cabins for Diamond members, so I guess like everything, it's a trade off, but I do think they are mean in not allowing you to take a bottle of wine on board for drinking on your balcony.

 

It would appear, they have also removed the coupon that gave you 20% off your second bottle of wine. What a shame!

 

I am hoping to have a nice lunch with wine ashore from Toulon port, so I try and drink ashore rather than on the ship. I will be more wary in Ibiza following Pete's quote for drink prices there!

 

Getting back to Barcelona, I am always puzzled why they sell alcohol in the cruise terminal, after they have x-rayed your baggage... How do RCI ensure people do not buy wine there???!!:D

 

 

Linda

[Jolimont]

Getting back to Barcelona, I am always puzzled why they sell alcohol in the cruise terminal, after they have x-rayed your baggage... How do RCI ensure people do not buy wine there???!!:D

Linda

One more reason for me to cruise from Barcelona next!

[peteukmcr]

It would appear, they have also removed the coupon that gave you 20% off your second bottle of wine. What a shame!

 

Getting back to Barcelona, I am always puzzled why they sell alcohol in the cruise terminal, after they have x-rayed your baggage... How do RCI ensure people do not buy wine there???!!:D

 

Linda

Hi Linda, apologies, you have reminded me what the voucher in the Diamond book was for discount off $50 wine. It is 20% off the second bottle as long as they both priced over $50. We did this for a special occasion on our Freedom cruise last year. Had one bottle in Chops and the other in Portofino, but that still meant two $55 bottles with discount and gratuity cost nearly $114, I must have been mad!

 

There is nothing really stopping you carrying on wine or alcohol, but there are very, very large notices telling you of the RCI onboard policy before you get to the duty free shops in the terminal. I can only suspect that if they caught you, and if they decided to search you on boarding that they could deny you the right to board as per their policy. Not worth trying to get a couple of bottles of wine onboard IMHO.

[Lobbylin]

Hi Linda, apologies, you have reminded me what the voucher in the Diamond book was for discount off $50 wine. It is 20% off the second bottle as long as they both priced over $50. We did this for a special occasion on our Freedom cruise last year. Had one bottle in Chops and the other in Portofino, but that still meant two $55 bottles with discount and gratuity cost nearly $114, I must have been mad!

 

There is nothing really stopping you carrying on wine or alcohol, but there are very, very large notices telling you of the RCI onboard policy before you get to the duty free shops in the terminal. I can only suspect that if they caught you, and if they decided to search you on boarding that they could deny you the right to board as per their policy. Not worth trying to get a couple of bottles of wine onboard IMHO.

 

No need to apologise Pete - the deal has changed as previously it was 20% off your second bottle of wine with no price restrictions, so you could buy cheap wine too with the coupon.;)

 

Re wine at Barcelona cruise terminal - I do agree that I would be terribly worried about getting caught so I won't be chancing it.:(

 

Linda :)

[cinnamon]

I am a little confused as to whether it is possible to bring non-acoholic drinks onboard. On the main RCCL board this question was asked and there was a difference of opinion, with quotes from the 'rules' to back up both sides. DH likes to drink Caffeine Free Diet Coke, which is not available on the ship and we usually bring a couple of the 2 litre bottles with us.

 

As I drink what we call 'Squash' in the UK, I have learnt to buy packets of sugar free fruit flavoured powders, called Crystal Light, which I buy in the US when I am there. They addd flavour and make ship's tap water palatable to me.

 

Corinne

[Lobbylin]

I am a little confused as to whether it is possible to bring non-acoholic drinks onboard. On the main RCCL board this question was asked and there was a difference of opinion, with quotes from the 'rules' to back up both sides. DH likes to drink Caffeine Free Diet Coke, which is not available on the ship and we usually bring a couple of the 2 litre bottles with us.

 

As I drink what we call 'Squash' in the UK, I have learnt to buy packets of sugar free fruit flavoured powders, called Crystal Light, which I buy in the US when I am there. They addd flavour and make ship's tap water palatable to me.

 

Corinne

 

I did just post a message to say that you could, but I can now see that RCI appear to have changed the rules on that and you cannot.

 

You may want to try with some CANS in your hand-luggage as they cannot be tampered with in the sense that staff will know you have not added "hidden" alcohol to them, but be prepared that they may be confiscated.

 

You can bring crystal light powders, no problem.

[Discovery141]

when we boarded in france after a few hours ashore we had soft drink eg fizzy orange large bottle of water (sealed) and a small bottle ??? the security man asked to look at the large bot of water, cracked the seal smelt it and asked if he could taste it to which he did, says allot for American security then said i could go, yep! he forgot the small bot. so yes soft drink is ok. Oh yes at disembarkation I saw the same man and told him he forgot the small bot, opps not a happy bunny. Have a nice day!!