Corkage Fee

[Podie]

This is the first cruise line I've been on that warns of a $15 corkage fee if we bring wine on board with us. Is this really enforced when we arrive at the pier? Or only if we bring wine to the dining room? Thanks!

[ColeThornton]

Some people manage to get bottles on board without being charged, but that's the minority of NCL passengers.

 

Wine & Champagne Policy

Guests may bring bottles of wine and champagne on board. When bottles are brought on board and served or consumed in any restaurant, public room area or in their stateroom, a corkage fee will be charged according to bottle sizes noted below.
750 ml Bottle: $15.00 USD
1,500 ml Magnum: $30.00 USD

Wine or champagne sent directly to the ship by travel agents, friends, family, etc. or from another retail source, are subject to the same fees. Box wines are not allowed on board.

Edited December 1, 2019 by ColeThornton

[ggTexasGal]

1 minute ago, Podie said:

This is the first cruise line I've been on that warns of a $15 corkage fee if we bring wine on board with us. Is this really enforced when we arrive at the pier? Or only if we bring wine to the dining room? Thanks!

A few people actually make it onto the ship without paying the corkage fee.  Most are escorted to a table where you sign for each bottle being tagged and charged!

However, to directly answer your question, NCL charges the $15 fee regardless of where you intend to drink your wine!

 

[Two Wheels Only]

You pay it before boarding. 

Once paid, you can drink it pretty much anywhere on the ship (no bottles in the hot-tub, for ex.).

[KeithJenner]

34 minutes ago, Podie said:

This is the first cruise line I've been on that warns of a $15 corkage fee if we bring wine on board with us. Is this really enforced when we arrive at the pier? Or only if we bring wine to the dining room? Thanks!

 

The corkage fee is paid as you board (or at least charged to your account).

 

When you pay it, they have no idea where you will be drinking it. The charge is the same whether you drink it in a dining room or your cabin.

 

As has been stated, sometimes people don't get charged, but that is due to staff missing them or deciding not to bother charging them, but the policy is that every bottle is charged for when boarding.

[fastpitchdad]

Just pay it. It is definitely the best way to have decent wine on the cruise. 

[kruizeking]

Just got off the Bliss today, I told security at checkin that I had 2 bottles of wine in my carryon and they just waved me through. We enjoyed the wine in our cabin and balcony.

[tymike]

FWIW I think paying $15 fee per bottle is way more economical than paying for the upcharge for bottles in the restaurant...

or paying for the bottles of wine through the "Gifts and More" section of the website.  I bring the wines/champagnes I want for the room without feeling fleeced and  I use the drinks package for the rest.

 

Whatever anyone decides to do with respect to the drinks on board....have a great cruise!!

[esm54687]

4 hours ago, kruizeking said:

Just got off the Bliss today, I told security at checkin that I had 2 bottles of wine in my carryon and they just waved me through. We enjoyed the wine in our cabin and balcony.

you are the minority that was referenced in #2

[BirdTravels]

13 hours ago, Podie said:

This is the first cruise line I've been on that warns of a $15 corkage fee if we bring wine on board with us. Is this really enforced when we arrive at the pier? Or only if we bring wine to the dining room? Thanks!

The corkage is charged to bring the wine onboard. It must be in your hand carry at boarding. If it is your checked luggage, your bag will be confiscated and you’ll spend time on embarkation evening in a [long] line at the naughty room. 

[newmexicoNita]

14 hours ago, Podie said:

This is the first cruise line I've been on that warns of a $15 corkage fee if we bring wine on board with us. Is this really enforced when we arrive at the pier? Or only if we bring wine to the dining room? Thanks!

Yes it is very much enforced . We don't bother anymore and haven't years. We used to buy the wine package as soon as we boarded, now we just stick with the free at sea perk. 

[fshagan]

As everyone said, NCL charges the $15 on every bottle you bring on board. What is a bit unique is that they don't limit the number of bottles you can bring (most lines limit you to two bottles per cabin). If you favor a particular wine it's not a bad deal.

 

You can take the bottle to dinner, and if you don't finish it, they will store it for you and bring it to your next dinner no matter where you eat.

[billslowsky]

I have not been charged more often than being charged.  The wine is in my carry-on and they don't always direct you to the table where you get charged.  If you ask "where do I pay the corkage fee" ...  

 

And it is a better deal than paying the ship's prices, plus it's the wine you actually want.

[miataman19]

On Getaway we brought on a case. On the last night we had 3 bottled we didn't drink. I went down to guest service with the full bottles and they issued a $45 credit to my account.

[Casey2828]

This is our first time cruising on NCL and it has been many years since we last cruised. We would like to bring a case of our favorite wine.  We don't mind corkage fees.  It's only fair.  Getting it on board might be challenging.  We will likely need a porter and is a case of wine counted as one of the two suitcases allowed?  Can one bring 2 cases? Cruise is the Gem for 19 days.

[mjkacmom]

17 minutes ago, Casey2828 said:

This is our first time cruising on NCL and it has been many years since we last cruised. We would like to bring a case of our favorite wine.  We don't mind corkage fees.  It's only fair.  Getting it on board might be challenging.  We will likely need a porter and is a case of wine counted as one of the two suitcases allowed?  Can one bring 2 cases? Cruise is the Gem for 19 days.

I don’t think there is a limit on suitcases.  You should carry in on yourself.

[NLH Arizona]

21 minutes ago, Casey2828 said:

This is our first time cruising on NCL and it has been many years since we last cruised. We would like to bring a case of our favorite wine.  We don't mind corkage fees.  It's only fair.  Getting it on board might be challenging.  We will likely need a porter and is a case of wine counted as one of the two suitcases allowed?  Can one bring 2 cases? Cruise is the Gem for 19 days.

I once saw four cases in front of a cabin.  Maybe get one of those old luggage carts.

Edited December 3, 2019 by NLH Arizona

[Greek Boss]

I must be in the minority. We had a bottle of wine for each of us in our carry-on bags when sailing on the Breakaway back in 2017. They scanned our bags at the security checkpoint like everyone else and didn't say or do anything. Maybe their policy has changed since then? Haven't done it again since.

[luv2kroooz]

38 minutes ago, Greek Boss said:

I must be in the minority. We had a bottle of wine for each of us in our carry-on bags when sailing on the Breakaway back in 2017. They scanned our bags at the security checkpoint like everyone else and didn't say or do anything. Maybe their policy has changed since then? Haven't done it again since.

Might be worth trying it. I can get decent 1.5 litre bottles here on sale. If I bring them through and am asked to pay $30 corkage fee, $15 for 750ml, no big deal. I'm still way ahead of the game price wise and I can drink the wine I enjoy. Plus, on a seven day cruise it is a lot cheaper than to pay $140 of service charges for the free at sea. I don't know if I'd want to deal with lugging that wine along in my carry on baggage though. 

[GA Dave]

So, would the corkage fee for a 5-liter box be $100??  (5000ml/750ml) X $15/750ml???

[ColeThornton]

1 minute ago, GA Dave said:

So, would the corkage fee for a 5-liter box be $100??  (5000ml/750ml) X $15/750ml???

 

 

Ah, but boxes aren't allowed.   😉

[jdvmd]

The corkage fee has been in place for several years. I have NEVER gotten away with even getting one bottle on board without paying the fee.

[Casey2828]

Thanks everyone for the advice on bringing wine on board.