Port of Livorno regulations - Only beer and wine allowed????

[isopalms]

[gregluk]

I don't understand what's the big deal with spirts not being allowed. 

 

And is this going to be the case from now on then for the rest of the year? 

[hawkeyetlse]

29 minutes ago, isopalms said:

Yep. Docked in Livorno now on the NCL Edge and this is true. Guests are upset that there was no notification, especially since we are docked here overnight. 

Breakaway left Livorno at 8pm last Friday, but the “port of Livorno” rules stayed in effect all night long until the bars closed. So don’t expect things to necessarily get better even hours after sailaway.

 

Please keep us posted. 

[gregluk]

The fact it says cigarettes as well, it's definitely some tax thing, and Norwegian just don't want to pay it, and save themselves some money. Probably higher tax on spirits.

 

I guess it might change, if Norwegian is able to negotiate and come to some sort of deal with the port authorities?

Edited May 9, 2023 by gregluk
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[Krydstosser]

Norweigian should inform it´s guests about this, we have just upgraded to the "Plus" drink package and have our last evening in Livorno! 😞 

 

Man I feel so stupid! But thanks for the information... 

[DCGuy64]

16 minutes ago, Krydstosser said:

Norweigian should inform it´s guests about this, we have just upgraded to the "Plus" drink package and have our last evening in Livorno! 😞 

 

Man I feel so stupid! But thanks for the information... 

There are several posts in this thread showing NCL IS informing its guests with signage. What more would you have them do?

[gregluk]

1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said:

There are several posts in this thread showing NCL IS informing its guests with signage. What more would you have them do?

I think it's more you only get the information on the day. It would be better if it was possible to view all the ports on norwegian's website, and the relevant restrictions (if any) and port taxes associated with each one. But this isn't published.

[DCGuy64]

5 minutes ago, gregluk said:

I think it's more you only get the information on the day. It would be better if it was possible to view all the ports on norwegian's website, and the relevant restrictions (if any) and port taxes associated with each one. But this isn't published.

When we were on board the Oceania Nautica last month, there was a blurb in the daily newsletter saying that, due to Japanese regulations, the casino could only open a limited number of days. Fine by us, we don't gamble, but I guess I'd give the cruise lines a break. Regulations can and do change at a moment's notice (viz the reports of Norway suddenly disallowing some ships). Then again, if NCL bypassed Livorno altogether to find a port without the booze restrictions, they'd get an earful over that, too!

[Krydstosser]

19 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

There are several posts in this thread showing NCL IS informing its guests with signage. What more would you have them do?

I wouldn't have pre-purchased the Premium PLUS Package if I had known this!  

Edited May 9, 2023 by Krydstosser

[DCGuy64]

Just now, Krydstosser said:

I wouldn't have pre-purchased the Premium PLUS Package if I had known this!  

Wow. OK.

[Krydstosser]

24 minutes ago, gregluk said:

I think it's more you only get the information on the day. It would be better if it was possible to view all the ports on norwegian's website, and the relevant restrictions (if any) and port taxes associated with each one. But this isn't published.

I agree! Then you could decide if you would upgrade or buy the drink package (plus) 

[isopalms]

4 hours ago, hawkeyetlse said:

Breakaway left Livorno at 8pm last Friday, but the “port of Livorno” rules stayed in effect all night long until the bars closed. So don’t expect things to necessarily get better even hours after sailaway.

 

Please keep us posted. 

Thanks for the warning. Next port is Cittavechia and it looks like no alcohol can be sold while on that port either. Those who purchased packages ($109 per day onboard) and received no warning at Tim elf purchase are fuming. I’m flexible and I’ll be fine with beer and wine in Livorno and we actually took the option to disembark in Citaveccia so it’s not too bad for me, but some passengers paid extra to have their favorite liquor or paid outright without being given notice of this. I would be upset too if I paid full price for the package or upgraded and did not drink beer or wine. We only booked our cruise two weeks ago and received no notice. If it was a recent change I feel NCL could have notified it’s passengers who bought the package. 

[gregluk]

5 minutes ago, isopalms said:

Thanks for the warning. Next port is Cittavechia and it looks like no alcohol can be sold while on that port either. Those who purchased packages ($109 per day onboard) and received no warning at Tim elf purchase are fuming. I’m flexible and I’ll be fine with beer and wine in Livorno and we actually took the option to disembark in Citaveccia so it’s not too bad for me, but some passengers paid extra to have their favorite liquor or paid outright without being given notice of this. I would be upset too if I paid full price for the package or upgraded and did not drink beer or wine. We only booked our cruise two weeks ago and received no notice. If it was a recent change I feel NCL could have notified it’s passengers who bought the package. 

Someone posted that in Civitavecchia you are allowed all alcohol if you have the drink package. If you don't then no alcohol.

 

Let us know if it's the same when you arrive in civitavecchia.

 

Also would be good to know if spirits are allowed again as soon as you start sailing from livorno, or if it wasn't allowed for the rest of the evening like someone else mentioned

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by gregluk
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[Krydstosser]

1 minute ago, gregluk said:

Someone posted that in Civitavecchia you are allowed all alcohol if you have the drink package. If you don't then no alcohol.

 

Let us know if it's the same when you arrive in civitavecchia.

 

But NOT in Livorno! 

[Krydstosser]

INCLUDING BEVERAGE PACKAGE 😱

 

[cruiseny4life]

There should definitely be a section on NCL's site where these type of restrictions are listed. Perhaps it could be called the, "NCL is too cheap to apply for a liquor license" section. 

[DCGuy64]

26 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

There should definitely be a section on NCL's site where these type of restrictions are listed. Perhaps it could be called the, "NCL is too cheap to apply for a liquor license" section. 

LOL 😂, IKR? Is this affecting other lines, too? I'd truly be interested in knowing the reasoning behind it. I'm not sure expecting the cruise line to update all passengers on a constant basis of the ever-changing port regulations for all of the ports they sail worldwide is a reasonable expectation. That's certainly not a job I'd want. For me, I'd just go with the flow (of wine and beer, that is) and resolve to have a good time. 🤷‍♂️

[DCGuy64]

I forgot to add: I'm grateful for this thread, we're booked on the Breakaway in November and the itinerary includes Livorno and Civitavecchia, so at least we know for later. (But we're not shelling out for Premium+)

[cruiseny4life]

12 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

LOL 😂, IKR? Is this affecting other lines, too? I'd truly be interested in knowing the reasoning behind it. I'm not sure expecting the cruise line to update all passengers on a constant basis of the ever-changing port regulations for all of the ports they sail worldwide is a reasonable expectation. That's certainly not a job I'd want. For me, I'd just go with the flow (of wine and beer, that is) and resolve to have a good time. 🤷‍♂️

I do think it's a realistic expectation, hehe

 

But really, if I'm supposed to go back and see all the I-9 documentation from the last three years thanks to the ridiculousness of the federal government, then NCL could update the alcohol regulations in each port. It would be a monster of a job at first to collect it all, but then they just need to keep abreast of the situation. Hmmm, since this impacts every cruise line sailing, I bet some organization like CLIA could do this for them. 

[DCGuy64]

Maybe, but I see this as opening a huge Pandora's box. For one thing, I doubt it'd be restricted to just alcohol policy. What about casino operations, gift shops, health warnings, cancelled excursions, etc. Just a propos our other conversation about what passengers expect the cruise line to inform them of? Hmmm..... I dunno.

[Krydstosser]

10 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I do think it's a realistic expectation, hehe

 

But really, if I'm supposed to go back and see all the I-9 documentation from the last three years thanks to the ridiculousness of the federal government, then NCL could update the alcohol regulations in each port. It would be a monster of a job at first to collect it all, but then they just need to keep abreast of the situation. Hmmm, since this impacts every cruise line sailing, I bet some organization like CLIA could do this for them. 

I dont´t think this issue counts for MSC Cruises their ships are flagged in Genoa (I think) Italy and pay taxes here. 

Edited May 9, 2023 by Krydstosser

[cruiseny4life]

2 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Maybe, but I see this as opening a huge Pandora's box. For one thing, I doubt it'd be restricted to just alcohol policy. What about casino operations, gift shops, health warnings, cancelled excursions, etc. Just a propos our other conversation about what passengers expect the cruise line to inform them of? Hmmm..... I dunno.

I think it's different than the other items you mentioned. The reason? Folks purchase the beverage package, or I suppose pay the gratuities for it expecting to be able to use it all the time. 

 

I am all for NCL passing on the cost of taxes, VAT's, whatever, but I do feel that consumers should know ahead of time. As you mentioned, you're visiting two ports where you only be able to drink beer and wine. Personally, I don't drink either, because of the carbs. I love beer, but alas, my beer drinking, pizza eating days have caught up with me. Now it's vodka (don't get me started on Grey Goose bumping up to Premium Plus) and club soda, maybe with a splash of juice. 

 

There's not a lot included in the Free at Sea beverage package that I could drink, if liquor isn't allowed. I'm not going to suffer. I rarely drink more than two or three a day when on a cruise. I'll revert back to my iced tea and water, but no alcohol for an entire day seems a waste of gratuities/upgrade cost. 

 

That's why I think knowing if the package is/isn't useable is helpful for the consumer prior to purchasing/paying gratuities. 

[DCGuy64]

11 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

There's not a lot included in the Free at Sea beverage package that I could drink, if liquor isn't allowed. I'm not going to suffer. I rarely drink more than two or three a day when on a cruise. I'll revert back to my iced tea and water, but no alcohol for an entire day seems a waste of gratuities/upgrade cost. 

Beer and wine aren't alcohol? 😉 JK. (I know, you don't drink them)

Well, while not ideal, you *could* get off the ship and have your tipple at a local bar. AFAIK they're not saying liquor sales IN Livorno are prohibited, only that NCL won't serve hard liquor that day. So if you're really into getting your drink on, leave the ship and shop local. 🙂

[Krydstosser]

2 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Beer and wine aren't alcohol? 😉 JK. (I know, you don't drink them)

Well, while not ideal, you *could* get off the ship and have your tipple at a local bar. AFAIK they're not saying liquor sales IN Livorno are prohibited, only that NCL won't serve hard liquor that day. So if you're really into getting your drink on, leave the ship and shop local. 🙂

Italy have their right to do what they do, but it is not okay to sell us an upgrade that is not available to us. Why should we buy it if we can not get the premium brands? 

[DCGuy64]

1 minute ago, Krydstosser said:

Italy have their right to do what they do, but it is not okay to sell us an upgrade that is not available to us. Why should we buy it if we can not get the premium brands? 

IIRC, you only bought the Premium+ package at the end of the cruise, right? And only for Livorno? Personally, I would not buy an upgrade for just one port. It sounds to me like Livorno was the only port where you couldn't get hard liquor, is that right? Or were there others? At any rate, your reply implies that NCL knowingly took your money for the upgrade with full knowledge they couldn't deliver a portion of it (remember, Premium+ includes high end wines, too, not just the hard stuff). Different strokes for different folks, I don't upgrade because it's too expensive and because (apart from the fancy champagne) the selections aren't worth it for me.