NCL CONFISCATING ALCOHOL ON DOCK SIDE

[carolmacey]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gardencat:
You should keep your eye on the 'sky Panama Canal review' thread. We don't have all the details yet but I think it says that those on the ship who identified themselves as CC members got the soda package ( through Jim Deering ?) but nobody else on the ship could buy it.Seems like maybe these special programs are only available at the discretion of who ever is in charge for your particular cruise and you can't depend on them.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gardencat,
What other details would you like to know?

We did not ask to get free soda cards, they were a totally unsolicited gift.

Norwegian Sky Back-to-back
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;04;18;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[This message was edited by carolmacey on 05-25-04 at 11:15 PM.]

[gardencat]

At the point when I posted that comment, I had heard that the CC members got the cards for free but was unsure if the cards were later made available for purchase to other cruisers.

Since then I think it has been established that the CC members were the only ones on the cruise who were able to get the soda program at all, on that particular cruise.

Putting that together with leslyfb's posting on this thread, that she was told that the wine package was not available on the cruise she was on, it seems to me that future cruisers should be aware that they should not depend on the drink cards, packages or whatever being available on their particular cruise.
I'm sure to some people that would not be very important but to others it might be.
On the Panama Canal Sky Review thread, I beleive, that one of the CC member couples felt that having the soda package made a big difference to them.
Quoye from CruiseDuo1 :
"About the Soda cards. It was Ruth Ann and I that asked about them becuase we are diet coke addicts and it would cost us more for soda then the cruise if the cards were'nt there. I was surprised when we got our stickers we just wanted to buy the things. But was pleased we got the perk. Ruth Ann and I used good old Wal-Mart 44oz mugs and we never stopped using them."
Just thought people should be aware so they won't be too upset if they can't get them when they go.

[insidecabin]

Been keeping a keen eye on the cruise pricing and NCL had the latest 12n baltic on the Dream down to £499 so have been having trouble filling the ships in europe.
Now NCL new they were pulling out of europe next year so pising off a few passangers with the policy would probably effect next season in america and mayby they are trying to give the new US flaged ships a chance.

I note that Princess are expanding there capacity in europe so they think they can make a go of it.

[clemmie5]

Hi Phil, Lesley and everyone else,
Being the number one smuggling culprits on our cruise it really amused me to find this thread still going on when I just had a peep tonight. We had a great time on our cruise - it was pretty special for us given the health thing we were/are faced with - part of the fun was the elation of getting through with our iced tea - several times!!!! We needed that fun.The company of our fellow cc's too was pretty fantastic - even though we couldn't be budged from the Casino! Maybe some of the posters on here should just stop and think before they deliver sanctimonious lectures, which are patronising to say the least. We have no argument with NCL - as many have said it is their policy - however annoying it may be, but please don't talk down to intelligent, lovely people whose company ( without them really knowing it) got us through the worst nightmare of our lives. I spend much of my spare time flitting betweeen the Prostate Cancer and Cruisecritic boards and talk to people in hellish situations - We are so lucky to be able to continue cruising for the time being, I shall continue to take my Iced Tea and if I'm found out -then Hey it's not life and death is it?(Although it's not fair)
Sorry for this but needed to put things in perspective.
Nice to talk to you Lesley and Phil - We're booked for Caribbean Princess in Sept. Lesley which one are you on? Hope we're not impounded again.
Hope to meet again one day
Sue

[lesleyfb]

We are on the Dawn Princess on 4th October and I can't wait. I was just thinking about our meal in the basement of that French restaurant when it was peeing with rain outside and how I had a crafty ciggie. That was a good day eh. Richard is still slogging himself going back and forward to London every day but we are looking forward to a nice long weekend this weekend - we are off to my sister's to park ourselves in her hot tub with a glass of bubbly. Ah yes, I can see it all now! At least we won't have to smuggle on Princess as they allow you to walk on with wine so I'll be OK. You might need to watch out for the hard stuff though. Still, keeps you on your toes. Right, back to work.

[dosi]

I have never "smuggled" liquor on board and do not intend to start now. I boldly put the booze in its original bottle in my suitcase. I don't wrap it in bubble wrap but I do put a couple of grocery bags around it in case of leakage. If the baggage people find it and take it away that is fine, if they don't that is fine too. If they find the $20 I carelessly left next to the bottle of booze and leave the bottle alone well then that is really really fine!!!

doris

"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"--Caskie Stinnett

Elation 10/20/02
Paradise 9/21/03
Pride of Aloha 6/07/04
Star Princess 10/24/04

[Guest]

Too bad you are not cruising Queen Mary 2.
Every passenger is allowed 2 btls. of wine vodka whatever to consume in cabin.

At any port you can bring anything on such as Grey Goose Duty free etc...The crew were bringing on cases of Heinekin beer

Next time cruise on an ocean liner and reap the rewards .
Free O.J. and grapefruit juice to boot
Not bad !!!!!

[shoreguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pema:
Too bad you are not cruising Queen Mary 2.
Every passenger is allowed 2 btls. of wine vodka whatever to consume in cabin.

At any port you can bring anything on such as Grey Goose Duty free etc...The crew were bringing on cases of Heinekin beer

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think you pay for those bottles. I could have room service bring the most expensive botttle on the Dawn to my mini site every night and still not spend the difference in price.

In all fairness two diffferent cruise experiences


Seaward 1/89,Southward II 1/91,Windward 10/93,
Norway 3/94,4/96
Dreamward 4/97
Dream 12/99
QE2 4/02
Carnival Spirit 7/02
NCL Sun 10/03
NCL Dawn 2/03,7/03,2/04

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2004;8;22;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]  Alaska Sun

[mariakitty]

I realize you cannot take alcohol on the ship, but what about non-alcoholic wine? I have reviewed NCL's online wine list, along with bar menus that others have scanned and I don't see any availability for NA wine or champagne. Since I am pregnant and we cruise next week on our anniversary I would like to have a glass of NA wine - has anyone tried to take this onboard? I have no problem paying for this if they offered it on their menus, but I do feel I should be able to have the drink of my choice while onboard as well.

Maria

Carnival Celebration 12/22/90
RCCL Monarch of the Seas 9/92
Carival Ecstasy 9/2002
NCL Spirit 6/12/2004

[Oppgaard]

I have taken a bottle of scotch and a bottle of vodka in their original plastic containers, wrapped them in bubble wrap and then a large plastic bag and placed them in my checked luggage. I have sailed on Carnival, RCI and Celebrity doing this and have never had any problems. I will be sailing on NCL in a penthouse suite in a few months and plan on doing the same. Are you telling me that my liquor is going to be confiscated or will it be maybe yes and maybe no?

DesertCruiser

[shoreguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Oppgaard:
Are you telling me that my liquor is going to be confiscated or will it be maybe yes and maybe no?

DesertCruiser<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Maybe yes maybe no. Luck of the draw. The rule is yes but alot makes it through [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

Seaward 1/89,Southward II 1/91,Windward 10/93,
Norway 3/94,4/96
Dreamward 4/97
Dream 12/99
QE2 4/02
Carnival Spirit 7/02
NCL Sun 10/03
NCL Dawn 2/03,7/03,2/04

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2004;8;22;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]  Alaska Sun

[insidecabin]

"penthouse suite" don't you get three bottles of your choice anyway?

[trish1c]

Mariakitty --

By definition your non-alcholic champagne should be fine. I'd put it in my carry on, show it to security & explain that it's non-alcholic. They should let you through.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Trish

[lesleyfb]

Go for it. Take your non alcoholic wine. If they confiscate that their policy stinks. Surely to goodness though common sense would prevail and they'll let you take it onboard. Lets hope so. Congratulations.

[bigsweeps]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by insidecabin:
"penthouse suite" don't you get three bottles of your choice anyway?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No - only the owner's suite gets the liquor.

July 10th NCL Spirit
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;7;10;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[vespagirl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>No - only the owner's suite gets the liquor.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hmmm, makes me wonder what those staying in the Garden Villa get, maybe a full stocked bar!

Never drive faster than your angel can fly.

[bigsweeps]

Oops - forgot about the garden villa....they get 6 bottles. (But I've been told if you pay for that suite, you can pretty much ask for anything you want within reason....so I'm sure that if you used all 6 bottles they would bring a few more)

July 10th NCL Spirit
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;7;10;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[lesleyfb]

From what I understand after the initial complimentary bottles are consumed you can request more but it gets added to your account. That would be fine by me.

[TheNightDawg]

This is even more odd!

On the NCL Sea last Fall, I took one bottle of Bailey's (love it!) and one bottle of Berringer Zinfindel. I got the note to come down to Deck 3 and open my luggage for the crew (they don't break your locks, just don't deliver it to your room...you get a note instead).

They took away my bottle of Bailey's, but said I could keep the bottle of Zinfindel for my cabin. Go figure! They sent me on my way and returned the Bailey's to me on the final night of my cruise (I guess with the thought I could re-pack it in my things that evening before putting it out).

That was my experience, and I was FAAAAAAR from being the only luggage there waiting for other passengers to come down.

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] Frank [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

June 2004 - Norwegian Pride of Aloha - 12 day Repositioning cruise San Francisco to Honolulu
Dec. 2003 - Norwegian Dawn - Florida/Bahamas
Oct. 2003 - Norwegian Sea - Caribbean Repositioning (named Miss Norwegian Sea!)
Dec. 2002 - Norwegian Wind - Hawaiian Islands
Oct. 2002 - Norwegian Sky - Eastern Caribbean Repositioning
March 2002 - Norwegian Sky - Western Caribbean
March 2001 - Renaissance; Tahiti
Feb. 1998 - Renaissance; Portugal/Spain
Fall 1996 - Norwegian Windward - Panama Canal Repositioning
Fall 1994 - Crown Odyssey (now Norwegian Crown) - Greece & Eastern Med.
May 1987 - Stardancer - Admiral Cruise Line - Mexico
Summer 1984 - Private Charter; Channel Islands, CA

[lesleyfb]

The Cruise Critic email newsletter has an article on the major cruise lines and their alcohol policy. It looks like P&O for me from now on.

[mary4165]

We brought wine, vodka, and Baileys on our NCL Spirit cruise in May. We even bought a bottle of vodka in Skagway. none of it was confiscated but that might be due to the fact that the Norwegian Spirit use to be the SuperStar Leo and their policies are different. In any case go on Princess they allow wine and champagne. I've even taken on vodka and rum.

And you are right it is clearly stated that they don't allow personal alcohol so if you bring it on you are rolling the dice.

Good Luck.
Mary

[lesleyfb]

No Mary, it states that Princess DO NOT ALLOW wine or champagne to be brought onboard. It's bloomin confusing because I've sailed with RCI, Princess, Celebrity, NCL but only this last time was anything taken. It seems every cruise line is clamping down for some reason.

[shoreguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lesleyfb:
No Mary, it states that Princess DO NOT ALLOW wine or champagne to be brought onboard. It's bloomin confusing because I've sailed with RCI, Princess, Celebrity, NCL but only this last time was anything taken. It seems every cruise line is clamping down for some reason.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Reason: Because they can. Prior to 911 they had no way to stop anyone from packing a bottle or two so why have a rule they could not control.

Now that every bag is screened at considerable cost to the cruise line they can control the flow and use the extra margin to offset the cost.

Just my $.02

Seaward 1/89,Southward II 1/91,Windward 10/93,
Norway 3/94,4/96
Dreamward 4/97
Dream 12/99
QE2 4/02
Carnival Spirit 7/02
NCL Sun 10/03
NCL Dawn 2/03,7/03,2/04

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2004;8;22;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]  Alaska Sun

[gardencat]

Hmmm? Got to pay for that equipment somehow I guess. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]