Barcelona-alcohol purchase after security in port.

[bob&france]

Sailing coming up in Oct/2017 and on past cruises out of Barcelona we cleared security and were heading to board ship where we saw 8 to 10 shops of which 1 sold alcohol. We purchased a bottle of rum and proceeded directly onto the ship with no further security check point. We asked the saleslady if we could purchase the bottle and simply proceed on-board, she confirmed we could and it worked just fine.This was a couple years ago and we wonder if anyone has recently sailed out of Barcelona and had a recent similar experience ?

[Clarea]

There are no more port security checkpoints after the duty free store.

 

However, your ship might implement a security check on their own. This happened on our Vision of the Seas cruise from Barcelona a couple of years ago. They had an x-ray scanner set up as we boarded the ship.

[bob&france]

Thanks for the info.:)

[DJ Cruisers]

On a Princess cruise out of Barcelona 2 years ago, a table with Princess crew was set up near the shops for people to claim their liquor purchase but the I didn't see anyone stop at the table nor did I see the crew stopping anyone.

[oufpat]

I'm going on a Disney Cruise out of Barcelona next month and we can bring a certain amount of beer and wine in carry-on. Are you saying I can purchase it at terminal before boarding ship?

[CruiseIreland]

I'm going on a Disney Cruise out of Barcelona next month and we can bring a certain amount of beer and wine in carry-on. Are you saying I can purchase it at terminal before boarding ship?

Yes, there is a shop in the terminal after security. Higher prices and poorer selection than in the city but you don't have to lug it all the way to the port!. ken

[CHK]

Yes, there is a shop in the terminal after security. Higher prices and poorer selection than in the city but you don't have to lug it all the way to the port!. ken

Has anyone recently bought booze at the duty free shops after security check at the Barcelona port? Wondering if bags are being checked by cruise ships upon boarding.

[JimmyTheSaint]

We did a cruise from Barcelona in May and the duty free shop was picked clean. It was funny to watch, like a plague of locust. Everyone carried on at least one bag from the duty free shop, some had a lot more. Nothing was taken away when boarding the shi.

[CHK]

We did a cruise from Barcelona in May and the duty free shop was picked clean. It was funny to watch, like a plague of locust. Everyone carried on at least one bag from the duty free shop, some had a lot more. Nothing was taken away when boarding the shi.

Thanks for the information. I guess if we do want to buy something we'll board as early as possible!

[Cruzer Two]

I have sailed out of Barcelona with Princess, Holland America, and NCL. All of the terminals have duty free shopping after the security checkpoint and I've never had anyone from the ship check my purchases. However, the duty free stores have a limited supplies of booze and sell out quickly with larger ships in port. This is one of the few ports left in the world that offers such a service. Enjoy!

[mattim]

Can you still buy alcohol and bring on board at Barcelona port?

[canderson]

On 9/9/2022 at 4:47 PM, mattim said:

Can you still buy alcohol and bring on board at Barcelona port?

Depends entirely upon whether your cruise line permits it.  You'll have to deal with the x-ray scanners at the top of the gangway for inspection of carry-on items.

 

[little britain]

On 9/9/2022 at 11:47 PM, mattim said:

Can you still buy alcohol and bring on board at Barcelona port?

Yes. A good selection at the cruise terminal -  Wines about €10.

Edited October 8, 2022 by little britain

[KeroTravel]

On 10/8/2022 at 9:08 AM, little britain said:

Yes. A good selection at the cruise terminal -  Wines about €10.

Are people carrying on other beverages besides the permitted wine?  Like rum and vodka?  Find it strange they would be so adamant about not brining liquor on board and then sell it right before you board.

[Maria63]

On 8/7/2017 at 4:30 PM, bob&france said:

Sailing coming up in Oct/2017 and on past cruises out of Barcelona we cleared security and were heading to board ship where we saw 8 to 10 shops of which 1 sold alcohol. We purchased a bottle of rum and proceeded directly onto the ship with no further security check point. We asked the saleslady if we could purchase the bottle and simply proceed on-board, she confirmed we could and it worked just fine.This was a couple years ago and we wonder if anyone has recently sailed out of Barcelona and had a recent similar experience ?

 

Boarded today in Barcelona, terminal B. Yes, you can still buy alcohol, both wine and spirits, after the security check and then board without any further scanning of your carryons. The security-scan is immediately when you enter the terminal building. This is port-security, and they are presumably not very concerned with policing cruise-line alcohol restrictions. After that is the check-in/control of documents, and when you afterwards proceed to the ship there is indeed a duty-free. No further scanning of carry-ons is done on the ship itself on embarkation day, which means that they do not check what you may have bought in the duty-free. 

[SWANOZ]

On 10/15/2022 at 12:23 AM, Maria63 said:

 

Boarded today in Barcelona, terminal B. Yes, you can still buy alcohol, both wine and spirits, after the security check and then board without any further scanning of your carryons. The security-scan is immediately when you enter the terminal building. This is port-security, and they are presumably not very concerned with policing cruise-line alcohol restrictions. After that is the check-in/control of documents, and when you afterwards proceed to the ship there is indeed a duty-free. No further scanning of carry-ons is done on the ship itself on embarkation day, which means that they do not check what you may have bought in the duty-free. 

Did any of the people who bought the alcohol sailed Holland America?

[susi_q]

Curious about current status .. sailing RCL. Any recent reported?

[eurojockboy]

Would love to hear an update about the current situation in Barcelona

 

[Hlitner]

The current situation remains unchanged.  In the various cruise terminals (assuming you are docked at one of the usual terminals) there is a so-called Duty Free shop (past port security).  Prices in these shops may, or may not be as good as the deals you can get in town.  "Duty Free" does not mean "profit free" so let the buyer beware.  

 

As far as taking booze on your ship, that is entirely up to your particular cruise line and the ship's security folks.  Many lines will take any booze you bring aboard, store it, and return it the night before you disembark.  There are also lines (mostly premium and luxury lines) that have no problem with folks bringing aboard their own booze.  Even if you buy wine or booze outside the port, the port security folks have no problem.  It is all about your cruise line.

 

Speaking of wine, wine lovers can find a lot to like at many wine shops around Barcelona.  

 

Hank

[Harters]

19 hours ago, Hlitner said:

here is a so-called Duty Free shop

Bear in mind Spain levies one of the lowest alcohol duty in Europe. So, even if they are actually duty free, any saving is likely to be minimal and, as Hank suggests, may still cost more than available in retail outlets. Regard the port duty free shop as a tourist trap outlet and you'll be on the right side, IMO. 

Edited June 27 by Harters

[alserrod]

Hi all

 

I have just done a cruise from Barcelona.

 

There's duty free shop (at least in Terminal A)

 

I would not buy alcohol there. I am sure it will be cheaper in a supermarket and the bottle is the same.

 

 

About Spanish wines I wrote here something

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2988317-customs-in-spain-money-and-cards-tips-telephone-languages-documentation-business-hours/?do=findComment&comment=66875307

[ownercarry]

we got off the oasis in early june and when we boarded we waited until we could get to our rooms, store our stuff and then went back to the duty free in term b. bought 9 bottles of wine (3 per person), walked right back on to the ship. there is no security at ship, just check in with your card. we had done this 2 years before as well. prices were not bad either. and i'd have to say if any line were going to take it from you, it would be rccl and the oasis on a summer cruise. but not a problem and lots of people were doing it.

[kootz]

On 6/30/2024 at 6:36 PM, ownercarry said:

we got off the oasis in early june and when we boarded we waited until we could get to our rooms, store our stuff and then went back to the duty free in term b. bought 9 bottles of wine (3 per person), walked right back on to the ship. there is no security at ship, just check in with your card. we had done this 2 years before as well. prices were not bad either. and i'd have to say if any line were going to take it from you, it would be rccl and the oasis on a summer cruise. but not a problem and lots of people were doing it.

Interesting. Hope that works in November 

[Monochrome]

Anyone know if Perrier or Pellegrino is available for sale in the Barcelona terminals?

thx

[Maria63]

19 hours ago, Monochrome said:

Anyone know if Perrier or Pellegrino is available for sale in the Barcelona terminals?

thx

I can´t say for sure about Perrier or Pellegrino, but if unavailable I would recommend the local brand "Vichy Catalan". Last October they had it in 6-packs of 1 liter bottles. Tastes are subjective of course, but we found it to be at least as good as Pellegrino.