Taking wine on board NCL Epic in Barcelona

[Emmaizzy]

I have posted previously so sorry again but just wanted to explore this further.

 

UK NCL States:

 

 

Can I bring my own alcoholic drinks aboard?

Sorry, but we do not allow guests to bring their own alcohol to drink on board. If you purchase alcohol ashore to take home with you, this should be given to the ship’s crew when you get back on board and it will be returned to you at the end of the cruise.

 

 

And at NCL.EU

May I bring alcohol on board?

Guests 21 years and older are allowed to bring bottle(s) of wine aboard. When consumed on board, there will be a US $ 15,- corkage fee per bottle (750 ml) added to your onboard account. Other alcoholic beverages and liquors are not allowed to be brought aboard for consumption. Any liquor purchased in a port of call will be stored for safekeeping and available for pickup at a designated location on the last evening of the cruise. The Freestyle Daily newsletter will list the location and time for pickup.

 

 

So how can they enforce the no alcohol on the UK passengers and if you don't live in the UK or EU (which I don't) what rules do I come under?

 

Confused?

 

BTW: Anyone know if NCL check hand luggage after security and the subsequent duty free shop prior to boarding?

 

Cheers

Emma

[KandJCruising]

It sounds like the UK website just fails to include the wine info. The EU and US info matches up, so I'd assume the corkage fee for wine applies regardless of nationality.

We just wrapped up the 4-day Med cruise. They didn't search bags again after the initial security screening, but I also don't recall seeing any alcohol for sale in the terminal.

[Emmaizzy]

Thanks for replying to my query - can I just ask, once you had gone through initial screening do you mean that once you had checked in you didn't have any more bag searches - even when you boarded the ship?

 

Hope you enjoyed your cruise!

 

Emma

[April7901]

I departed Barcelona back in October. If I understand correctly, NCL doesn't allow liquor or beer (i.e. vodka, rum, bourbon, etc) - but does allow wine, presuming you pay the $15 corkage fee, per bottle.

 

There were plenty of shops along the corridor between checking in with NCL and boarding the ship - almost all of which sold wine. I purchased two bottles and placed them in my carry-on bag, and was fully prepared to pay the corkage fee.

 

My carry-on was placed on the x-ray machine when boarding the ship - wine clearly visible. I was not directed to a desk to pay the corkage fee - nor, frankly, did I see a desk to go to. Figuring that one of two things would happen - either my wine would be confiscated later or I'd have to pay the corkage later - I went about my merry way.

 

We drank the wine in our cabin, on the balcony - and never did I pay a corkage fee.

 

There was no attempt to smuggle, on my part - it was out there in the open. That said - I didn't seek out an opportunity to pay corkage, either.

[labmonkeys]

I emailed NCL about this (I am a UK based cruiser due to go on the Epic later this year) and pointed out the differences between the two statements. This is the reply I received:

 

Good Morning

Thank you for booking with Norwegian Cruise Line.

The information we have is the below

Wine & Champagne Policy

Guests are allowed to bring wine or champagne onboard. These will be subject to a $15 corkage fee regardless of size.

Wines that are not featured on NCL's wine lists are subject to the corkage fee including wine sent directly to the ship by Travel Agents, friends, family, from another retail source, etc.

The bottle will have a sticker or stamp placed on it showing that the fee was paid, and that the guest will be allowed to have the product onboard.

This fee will be charged to the guest’s onboard account. Wines that come in boxes are not allowed onboard.

 

Also please note if you buy any alcohol while you are at port on during your cruise will be held until the last night of you cruise.

 

Many thanks

Abigail

Abigail Hammerton Documentation /Guest Services Admin Assistant

 

Direct Line: 020 8834 9091 | Switchboard: 020 8834 9000 | Fax: 020 8834 9140

[quercus alba]

I hesitate to report this, but we brought on 2 bottles of wine in Barcelona and were never asked about them and never told to pay the corkage--though I was prepared for it. We also bought a bottle of meloncello in Positano, and carried it right onto the ship without comment by staff. Your mileage may vary!

[Fishbait17]

We have also never been charged for wine while boarding in Barcelona - three times. Once we had 12 bottles (Garden Villa New Year's Eve Party - don't worry, our bar bill for the cruise was over $2000 anyway). We told our butlers, who escorted us on each time, and were told no problem. Last week in Venice, we were escorted on, and at the x- ray there was a sign to "declare all wine and liquor now". Our butler put the bag on the x-ray, and it just went through, again no problem (2 bottles). YMMV, but it seems to not be a big deal on European sailings.

 

Robin

[RollTideRollRich]

So, what it sounds like is if it's on the ship, then no corkage fee will apply?

[mthayer295]

We have brought full cases of wine on nil for years but we have always declared and paid corkage. They put stickers on each showing we paid corkage. We bring the bottle to dinner and the waiter takes the sticker. I believe this is how they get their tip

[RollTideRollRich]

We have brought full cases of wine on nil for years but we have always declared and paid corkage. They put stickers on each showing we paid corkage. We bring the bottle to dinner and the waiter takes the sticker. I believe this is how they get their tip

 

Full cases huh? Wine is flowing on your cruises! :D

[garycarla]

Full cases huh? Wine is flowing on your cruises! :D

 

We often have a bottle of wine at lunch. And one at dinner. And maybe a few drinks later. Or maybe a bottle watching the afternoon band.

 

Could we go through a case?

 

No problem.

[Fishbait17]

So, what it sounds like is if it's on the ship, then no corkage fee will apply?

 

That's a good question.. Since we have never brought our "carry-on" wine to dinner, we have never run into this issue.. Ours is simply for cabin consumption, although occasionally we will take a poured glass with us when we leave the cabin, usually we buy a bottle with dinner at the restaurant. I did notice this week on the Jade, when we bought a bottle of sake that we didn't finish (another story altogether) that they put a sticker on it when we took it back to the room... I am thinking that if you DON'T pay the corkage fee, you probably shouldn't bring the bottle to a restaurant..

 

Robin

[Emmaizzy]

For everyone for posting their experiences here!

 

Really helpful - especially with my budgeting!

 

Still happy to run up a bar bill too!

 

Emma