Would you travel on a cruise ship that didn't serve alcohol?

[ilikeanswers]

I notice there are lots of posts about alcoholic drinks on cruises whether it is about consumption of drinks or what is the best deals and drink packages and it got me wondering:confused: is alcohol an integral part of the cruising experience? Do you have to have that glass of wine:wine-glass: with dinner and the cocktails:cocktail: by the pool to really enjoy a cruise? Or would a cruise be just as enjoyable if alcohol was not even an option:o?

[pris993]

We have one drink and wine with dinner a day... so would not go on a ship where this was not possible. We do the same at home or on other trips.

[fishywood]

Two issues with such a cruise off the top of my head:

 

I would be worried that much of the passengers would not just be sober non-drinkers but from a group booking of a Temperance Society taking advantage to preach to (in their eyes) a like-minded captive audience.

 

And the cost of such a cruise would undoubtedly be significantly higher due to the lost revenue from drink sales. I know all the bargain last minute fares I have taken advantage of over the years have certainly be subsidized by the handful of heavy drinkers lured by them. Not to mention the heavy gamblers who unquestionably would be less inclined to choose a dry casino.

 

So to answer your question, yes I would forego adult beverages--in exchange for a great rate on a great itinerary. The likelihood of such an offer being more or less zero.

[Shmoo here]

I notice there are lots of posts about alcoholic drinks on cruises whether it is about consumption of drinks or what is the best deals and drink packages and it got me wondering:confused: is alcohol an integral part of the cruising experience? Do you have to have that glass of wine:wine-glass: with dinner and the cocktails:cocktail: by the pool to really enjoy a cruise? Or would a cruise be just as enjoyable if alcohol was not even an option:o?

We would sail, even without alcoholic beverages being available. That said, we typically have, maybe, one alcoholic drink on a cruise. Yes, there are people who don't have a glass of wine (or a bottle) with every dinner, or see if they can hit the max number of allowed drinks on their beverage package per day.

[OzKiwiJJ]

No. We enjoy wine with our meals at home and therefore would want that option on a cruise. Pre-dinner cocktails aren't something we typically have at home so they are a special treat when cruising.

[Ashland]

I could care less.

[GUT2407]

Gave up drinking over 40 years ago, so yep no worries

[sloopsailor]

If alcohol is available, I'll have a few during a cruise. If it wasn't, it wouldn't bother me at all. I have never been, and never will be, dependent on alcohol to have a good time.

[lasekeye]

If it was the same cruise, same price...we wouldn’t care. We don’t drink often at home and don’t drink at all on a cruise.

[John Bull]

 

I would be worried that much of the passengers would not just be sober non-drinkers but from a group booking of a Temperance Society taking advantage to preach to (in their eyes) a like-minded captive audience.

 

.

 

I was thinking along the same lines.

I could happily live without alcohol, but there'd be way too many fellow-passengers for whom temperance was a crusade.

 

JB :)

[ditmar2007]

I could care less.

 

I couldn't care less. I drink like 1-2 units of alcohol a month. At most.

[thinfool]

From a business/profit/loss standpoint, this is never going to be a choice you will have.

[Host Hattie]

No, I wouldn't.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We do not drink a lot, but do like to have a cocktail each day. We also like to have a bottle of wine at dinner once in a while.

[Friend100]

We don't drink so no alcohol on a cruise is just fine.

[paul929207]

Alcohol is a major revenue source for cruises. If it was dropped from the offerings, there would be a significant increase in the cost of the cruise unless they could find a replacement for that money.

 

If you look at the booze packages that ships sell today, They run about $70 to nearly $100 per person per day. I realize that many do not purchase these, but many do. For a 7 day cruise, it is easily to see the fare being raised $100 to $150 if all that revenue was lost.

[Capt_BJ]

From a business/profit/loss standpoint, this is never going to be a choice you will have.

 

agree

 

remember when Carn' tried a smoke free ship

 

they couldn't keep in cost effective .....

[cruzeluver]

Husband does not drink at all and I can take or leave it. However, my concern would be the overall demographic on board. Methinks a lot of the passengers would be judgmental and morally superior about issues unrelated to alcohol consumption, so no thanks.

[Nebr.cruiser]

We drink rarely--maybe a glass of wine at holiday dinners-- so it wouldn't make any difference to us. In fact, I've never bought a drink on board, just don't need it or want it.

 

Do others really think people who don't drink are judgemental and 'temperance'? I suppose some are, but not us.

 

It might make a cruise more expensive though, without the revenue from alcohol.

[navybankerteacher]

I was thinking along the same lines.

I could happily live without alcohol, but there'd be way too many fellow-passengers for whom temperance was a crusade.

 

JB :)

 

Precisely! While we enjoy wine with dinner most evenings, we could do without it if the itinerary and other aspects were attractive. However, because liquor sales seem to be an integral part of the business from the lines' point of view, it would seem probable that there would be a super-abundance of "drys", for the line to consider such an approach.

[Aquahound]

I typically have 2 or 3 drinks/day on a cruise. That's 1 or 2 during the day and 1 as a nightcap. So at those numbers, yes, I would cruise a dry ship if the itinerary was worth it.

 

Reading other boards on this site, I'm astonished how many people have serious problems with the 15 drink limit on other lines. :eek:

[Nic6318]

Hi

 

Apart from the likely increased cost to have a cruise without an alcohol sales, I can't see enough demand for it to even be considered.

 

Of course, if such a cruise did happen, there would still be people smuggling alcohol, just as they do now.

 

If the intent of the question was to ask how many people would not consider going on any type of vacation if alcohol was not available, then I believe the answer would be that it would be overwhelmingly unpopular. Even people who consider themselves very moderate drinkers, still seem to enjoy a drink or two every day. There was the comment about how some people consider a 15 drink a day limit (for some lines) unfair. Even with the drink packages in place, people discuss how to get around (or cheat) the system in place. For me what is remarkable is that in all those discussions I think I have never seen the word alcoholic mentioned. I can't believe that there are so many people who can discuss having 15 drinks a day and not be alcoholics. I just want to throw out the thought that alcoholism isn't good, for anyone.

[Husky61]

We wouldn't cruise on a ship with no alcohol anymore than we would cruise on a ship without a casino. A cruise ship has to have both for us.

 

Evey one has their personal preferences.:)

[Joebucks]

I typically have 2 or 3 drinks/day on a cruise. That's 1 or 2 during the day and 1 as a nightcap. So at those numbers, yes, I would cruise a dry ship if the itinerary was worth it.

 

Reading other boards on this site, I'm astonished how many people have serious problems with the 15 drink limit on other lines. :eek:

 

This is me too. I would drink more, but I'm too full from all of the food. I may grab a drink or two while at port.

 

The complaining about the 15 drink limit is annoying. Few hit that once. No one hits it everyday. Most don't even come close. I don't need a mimosa at breakfast, wine at dinner, shot in my coffee. A few beers, rum/coke, and cocktails during relaxation and entertainment is plenty for me.

 

And as previously said, this would hurt cruise fare prices. I sat in a seminar once that said their biggest money maker was the casino. Perhaps that is partially why Disney cruises are so costly. Then I think was drinks. Then excursions.

[SmoothFlying]

For those here who think along the lines of, 'Cutting alcohol would increase cruise revenues' wouldn't that mean IF dear OLD Uncle Sam completely stopped ALL sales of cigarettes and related items, i.e.-snuff, Redman. Would that mean WE non users be 'on the hook' (so to speak) for ANY lost federal revenue ? Of course we know what the outcome was when they TRIED to outlaw alcoholic beverages !;p Just some curious thoughts from one who is both an NON drinker and has NEVER smoked.

 

Mac