Enforcement of 2 bottle cabin limit

[Beanb41]

Original OP here. Just to add some info, the cost of the Premium beverage package would be 50% more than what I paid for the cruise. On one hand it seems crazy to spend that relative to the cruise. On the other hand, I think since I got the cruise so cheap, spend the money on the drink package. The first point seems to resonate more with me.

 

Were you not offered a "perk" when you booked the cruise. One of the perks is a Classic package for two with an $11.00 plus tips per day increase to premium. We have found that in most instances the Classic package is fine but we pay the couple of dollars extra for something outside the package. Re wine at dinner I wouldn't have a clue what is premium or what is classic when a bottle is presented to me for tasting. If it tastes good fine, if there is something wrong with the wine I reject it. Wine that has gone off is not an uncommon occurrence on Celebrity ships in my experience. After a couple of nights the sommelier generally knows what you like and thus I haven't been disappointed.

 

As a side issue I visited a cruise expo earlier today and a brochure I picked up indicated "fountain" soft drinks only in the Classic package but the website still includes "Can" and "Fountain" soft drinks in the Classic package

[cruising cockroach]

On a recent cruise, my wife boarded first while I went to exchange some currency. She SMS'd me that no one was checking for wine so I bought another couple of bottles. One Champagne was for my wife's missing birthday. It'd appear the port''s 3rd party security is told what to watch for and/or report it (or not).

 

The Premium wife package, even at the discount offered, would have cost the per diem of our basic cruise fare, and the gratuity the taxes and fees. Classic would have only cost a little less.

[Mynki]

Will for sure check out some Trappist beers. I have been drinking a lot of ales, pale ales, IPA's, bitters, stouts, porters and will branch out under my 'included' package. I typically drink ales vs lagers, but not on our upcoming cruise. For sure too, will have to note the ABV's! I like 5-7 in general so that I can enjoy more beer. Many times at a local bar, the 8% plus beers get served in smaller glasses :(, so more alcohol and less beer to drink.

 

Do you have any favorites?

 

One or two. :D

 

I prefer what us Brits refer to as 'Continental beers'. Beers brewed in mainland Europe, particularly those from Belgium and Germany. I really like German 'purity' laws, and whilst Belgium might be the most boring country on the planet, they do chocolate and beer brilliantly!

 

I like golden ales such as Duvel, I think that's available onboard, if so you should try it, you just need to ensure the bartender can pour it correctly. Delerium Tremens is one you should really try too. If memory serves me correctly this was banned in the US because of name! Michael Jackson (of Beer Hunter fame, not the pop star) and others have nominated this as the worlds greatest beer.

 

Dark beers too such as Erdinger Dunkel, Erdinger Pikantus and definitely Chimay Blue.

 

If they have any beers from Scottish brewers Brewddog, try them. These are a bunch of creative young lads that produce some interesting and tasty brews. They produced an 18 (eighteen) percent stout called Toyko a few years ago which caused a lot of criticism from the Scottish government as alcoholism is pretty bad in Scotland. They responded a few fays later by releasng a 1% beer and called it Nanny State! That made me laugh anyway....

 

I've seen Orval onboard too. Try that, it's another trappist beer and very unique in a good way taste.

 

Enjoy and let me know what you find onboard and what you think about it.

[gold1953]

On a recent cruise, my wife boarded first while I went to exchange some currency. She SMS'd me that no one was checking for wine so I bought another couple of bottles. One Champagne was for my wife's missing birthday. It'd appear the port''s 3rd party security is told what to watch for and/or report it (or not).

 

The Premium wife package, even at the discount offered, would have cost the per diem of our basic cruise fare, and the gratuity the taxes and fees. Classic would have only cost a little less.

 

When your carry on goes through the scanner they see your 2 bottles . No reason for them to discuss it with you at all. It is allowed . It is allowed.

If it was shaped differently from a wine bottle you need to open your bag.

[michaeljc70]

Were you not offered a "perk" when you booked the cruise. One of the perks is a Classic package for two with an $11.00 plus tips per day increase to premium. We have found that in most instances the Classic package is fine but we pay the couple of dollars extra for something outside the package. Re wine at dinner I wouldn't have a clue what is premium or what is classic when a bottle is presented to me for tasting. If it tastes good fine, if there is something wrong with the wine I reject it. Wine that has gone off is not an uncommon occurrence on Celebrity ships in my experience. After a couple of nights the sommelier generally knows what you like and thus I haven't been disappointed.

 

As a side issue I visited a cruise expo earlier today and a brochure I picked up indicated "fountain" soft drinks only in the Classic package but the website still includes "Can" and "Fountain" soft drinks in the Classic package

 

No. This was a last minute deal and we got a $175 OBC but no other perks. As I said, the cruise was $570 for a 10 day on the Reflection (inside) and the Premium drink package with gratuity is around $800.

 

One thing I found is these last minute deals, if you drink, aren't always that great of a deal. I found the same sailing in the spring on the Reflection with an outside + classic drink package for around $1200, so about the same really with a window.

[Zoedokey]

We are traveling with our grown kids next year. Our daughter will be a month shy of 21 so she can't get served a wine at a bar even though she has the classic drink package. We will bring two bottles of prosecco for her to have for our cabin and she can carry a glass from our cabin to dinner. Will they check her ID upon boarding if she also has two bottles for her own cabin?

 

 

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[korryp]

It really depends on the scanner they use upon boarding for your luggage. I was informed my bag need further scanning and to show up to pick it up in security. Very nice people but they saw my two bottles of wine and a small container of Listerine. They asked permission to open my bag and upon inspection they said it was okay. While there I looked around and saw quite a about 20 bottles that were confiscated with room and name tags on them. I understand they return them upon you leaving the ship.

[Mynki]

We are traveling with our grown kids next year. Our daughter will be a month shy of 21 so she can't get served a wine at a bar even though she has the classic drink package. We will bring two bottles of prosecco for her to have for our cabin and she can carry a glass from our cabin to dinner. Will they check her ID upon boarding if she also has two bottles for her own cabin?

 

 

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If the legal age for drinking is 18 plus at your departure port you can. If it's in the US she's on the soft stuff.

 

It's bizarre really, a twenty year old can vote and have a say in who runs the country, get married, raise kids with all of the responsibilities that goes with that. Buy enough shotguns and rifles to declare war on and take over a small country or France. Smoke themselves to the point of contracting lung cancer. Go to war, fight for your country and pay the ultimate sacrifice.

 

But try and buy and drink one bottle of bud light and you're a criminal!

[korryp]

We are traveling with our grown kids next year. Our daughter will be a month shy of 21 so she can't get served a wine at a bar even though she has the classic drink package. We will bring two bottles of prosecco for her to have for our cabin and she can carry a glass from our cabin to dinner. Will they check her ID upon boarding if she also has two bottles for her own cabin?

 

 

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Upon checking in they will have her birthdate. Not sure it’s worth the agony you’d go through if she fur sone reason is caught drinking. I guess if this is a drinking vacation go fir it if not think twice before doing it.

[bEwAbG]

Original OP here. Just to add some info, the cost of the Premium beverage package would be 50% more than what I paid for the cruise. On one hand it seems crazy to spend that relative to the cruise. On the other hand, I think since I got the cruise so cheap, spend the money on the drink package. The first point seems to resonate more with me.

 

No. This was a last minute deal and we got a $175 OBC but no other perks. As I said, the cruise was $570 for a 10 day on the Reflection (inside) and the Premium drink package with gratuity is around $800.

 

One thing I found is these last minute deals, if you drink, aren't always that great of a deal. I found the same sailing in the spring on the Reflection with an outside + classic drink package for around $1200, so about the same really with a window.

 

With all due respect, the cruise price you paid factors in your adherence to their stated policies, including not smuggling on booze. You also have the option of buying by the drink, and they count on that to a degree when offering last-minute fares.

[bEwAbG]

We are traveling with our grown kids next year. Our daughter will be a month shy of 21 so she can't get served a wine at a bar even though she has the classic drink package. We will bring two bottles of prosecco for her to have for our cabin and she can carry a glass from our cabin to dinner. Will they check her ID upon boarding if she also has two bottles for her own cabin?

 

 

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They check everyone's bags upon boarding, and you do show your ID several times, though not necessarily to the security screeners. It would be a port-specific process, and they always have the option of asking for your ID if they think you're underage. Also, if you're caught giving her alcohol during the cruise, they can put you all off the ship. This is for cruises that depart from North American ports; it may be a different policy if departing from somewhere where the drinking age is 18.

 

 

If her being unable to drink is going to be a big deal, why not go a month later after she's turned 21?

[Zoedokey]

They check everyone's bags upon boarding, and you do show your ID several times, though not necessarily to the security screeners. It would be a port-specific process, and they always have the option of asking for your ID if they think you're underage. Also, if you're caught giving her alcohol during the cruise, they can put you all off the ship. This is for cruises that depart from North American ports; it may be a different policy if departing from somewhere where the drinking age is 18.

 

 

 

 

 

If her being unable to drink is going to be a big deal, why not go a month later after she's turned 21?

 

 

 

She will be back at College at that time. We will probably just bring two bottles to our room that she can choose. I have never seen anyone checking IDs of folks walking into shows with a glass in hand.

 

 

 

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[Beanb41]

She will be back at College at that time. We will probably just bring two bottles to our room that she can choose. I have never seen anyone checking IDs of folks walking into shows with a glass in hand.

 

 

 

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It would be a brave crew member to challenge the age of someone on board a cruise ship. If they are right fine but if they are wrong and the person is offended and complains .......... Not worth on their behalf, let someone further up the chain invite trouble

[TFLG]

My daughters were served alcohol many times on cruises when they were well under 21 (and one was well under 18) but we were always with them. They would order, often times the waiter would look at me or my wife and we would give an approving nod. I don't know if they would have served them had we not been there but with us it was never an issue. It was usually wine at dinner but we never had an issue anywhere on the ship.

[fleckle]

It would be a brave crew member to challenge the age of someone on board a cruise ship. If they are right fine but if they are wrong and the person is offended and complains .......... Not worth on their behalf, let someone further up the chain invite trouble

Most Celebrity passengers would be flattered, not offended, if asked for proof that we are old enough to drink.

 

It has been a very long time since I was last asked to show ID for this purpose.

[TFLG]

Most Celebrity passengers would be flattered, not offended, if asked for proof that we are old enough to drink.

 

It has been a very long time since I was last asked to show ID for this purpose.

 

 

Last year I was asked if I was a senior at the local golf club (what the hell I said yes and it saved me $15). Later that evening I was carded in TGI Fridays. :') :rolleyes:. Yea cuz I totally look under 21......

[bEwAbG]

Last year I was asked if I was a senior at the local golf club (what the hell I said yes and it saved me $15). Later that evening I was carded in TGI Fridays. :') :rolleyes:. Yea cuz I totally look under 21......

 

If a place has gotten busted by the local authority for serving underage drinkers, part of keeping their license can be a requirement to card everyone. Other companies have a set policy as a matter of course to card everyone. The grocery store I use won't let you buy beer and wine until the cashier takes your ID and enters your birthday (and they don't just look at you and put in a fake one).

 

I'm not sure what pressure Celebrity may have to make sure everyone they serve is over 21. Their alcohol policy makes a point of saying that they establish everyone's age before boarding so it's not out of the question that they could find out pretty easily. My one experience with this was at a resort and not on a cruise, but there was a very upset family that were being escorted off the property by security because they had been letting their 20-year-old drink even after receiving a warning.

[shipshape sam]

One or two. :D

 

I prefer what us Brits refer to as 'Continental beers'. Beers brewed in mainland Europe, particularly those from Belgium and Germany. I really like German 'purity' laws, and whilst Belgium might be the most boring country on the planet, they do chocolate and beer brilliantly!

 

I like golden ales such as Duvel, I think that's available onboard, if so you should try it, you just need to ensure the bartender can pour it correctly. Delerium Tremens is one you should really try too. If memory serves me correctly this was banned in the US because of name! Michael Jackson (of Beer Hunter fame, not the pop star) and others have nominated this as the worlds greatest beer.

 

Dark beers too such as Erdinger Dunkel, Erdinger Pikantus and definitely Chimay Blue.

 

If they have any beers from Scottish brewers Brewddog, try them. These are a bunch of creative young lads that produce some interesting and tasty brews. They produced an 18 (eighteen) percent stout called Toyko a few years ago which caused a lot of criticism from the Scottish government as alcoholism is pretty bad in Scotland. They responded a few fays later by releasng a 1% beer and called it Nanny State! That made me laugh anyway....

 

I've seen Orval onboard too. Try that, it's another trappist beer and very unique in a good way taste.

 

Enjoy and let me know what you find onboard and what you think about it.

 

Thanks for some thoughts on beers to try. Will post back late January 2018.

[mmsJack]

She will be back at College at that time. We will probably just bring two bottles to our room that she can choose. I have never seen anyone checking IDs of folks walking into shows with a glass in hand.

 

 

 

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You may be all over this but just in case (I want your girl to be super happy on her cruise after all...!) If you plan to bring sparkling wine and won't finish the bottle the day it's opened, don't forget the sparkling wine stopper or the bottle will be flat after the first night.

 

If you don't have one, my fav is made by Metrokane (called Champagne and wine sealer) available on amazon for about $8 US. Keeps bubbles fresh for a few days (if you keep the bottle in the fridge - not that they would last that long in my house.. ;))

 

Took my 'almost' legal girls to an all inclusive resort few years ago, realize that's not a cruise but we were pretty discreet, & never had a problem getting them the occasional pina colada. We always take our insulated, vacuum sealed water bottles (no sweating on the outside of the bottle in the hot sun, no melting ice) so they used those and no one was the wiser. We didn't push it and would have used the bottles no matter what - they are AWESOME but just saying, it also didn't hurt that you couldn't see what was inside... They're not so ideal for carbonated beverages or a fancy glass of pre-dinner wine but they are great for poolside drinks ('spiked' or not) and to have cold water on shore excursions. Amazon has tons of options at various prices.

 

Hope you and your family have a great trip!

[Beanb41]

I am aware that children have stars all over their seapass card obviously to indicate that they are children. At what age this stops I don't know

[TFLG]

I am aware that children have stars all over their seapass card obviously to indicate that they are children. At what age this stops I don't know

 

my18 yr old had nothing on her card last June to indicate she was "underage" that I could see. It looked like a regular seapass card.

[Mynki]

my18 yr old had nothing on her card last June to indicate she was "underage" that I could see. It looked like a regular seapass card.

 

Did you depart from Europe? If so there's no issue with 18 year olds and booze onboard.

[TFLG]

Did you depart from Europe? If so there's no issue with 18 year olds and booze onboard.

 

Nope Miami. She had a non-alc beverage package but her card looked just like her sisters who had the premium. Only difference was the printing for the bev packages

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

I am new to Celebrity, so I am to assume that you can bring two bottles of wine for consumption in your stateroom when you board the ship.

Am I correct in assuming you carry these bottles in a separate carry bag or in your carry on luggage?

Thank you very much for any info you can give me.

[Beanb41]

I am new to Celebrity, so I am to assume that you can bring two bottles of wine for consumption in your stateroom when you board the ship.

Am I correct in assuming you carry these bottles in a separate carry bag or in your carry on luggage?

Thank you very much for any info you can give me.

 

There have been many comments about how best to bring one's two bottles on board. We have put the wine in our checked bags with no issues and we have also brought our two bottles on in hand baggage. There are some however who have had to go and get their bags and have them checked for the wine after boarding. This is becoming less of an issue as over 87% of passengers have some form of drinks package on Celebrity ships so smuggling booze on board is now less of an issue.

 

If you don't have a drinks package and have a particular type of wine that you enjoy on your balcony I would do the following: Put one bottle well wrapped up in each checked bag. I would also bring two bottles on in carry on baggage. Generally Celebrity use shore based security companies for embarkation and these guys are less concerned about strict booze requirements. Besides checked luggage comes no where near hand luggage. Sure it is possible that you may have to go and uplift your checked bags from Guest relations but it is unlikely.

 

Now there are those that are going to say that I am preaching heresy by suggesting bring on 4 bottles of wine, in which case I am a heretic.