RCI's New Alcohol Policy effective 7/28/06? (merged)

[FPP777]

That is wonderful. Maybe they won't have to carry as many people back to their room now. It might even lower the cruise price because they can make some more money on drinks now.

 

A typical evening on my last cruise I would consume a cocktail before dinner. I then would have wine with dinner because I bought a package. The I would go out for the evening and buy a few more drinks. The only thing that will change on my next cruise is that I will not have that cocktail in my room before dinner. So there really wont be making alot more money as most people who brought their own on board consumed it in their room, but still purchased while away from their room. And the booze I consumed in my room was purchased in the duty free shop on the first night. So the money they made from the upcharge is what they are not making now.

 

RCL made 1.4 billion dollars over the last 3 years. If they make more because of this, the stockholders will reap those benefits.

[Dockman123]

It's been several years since we've cruised on RCI. We usually bring a couple of bottles of champagne on board with us and purchase lots of cocktails, wine and beer on board. We are not cheapos when it comes to spending money during our cruises. We also purchase shore excursions and things in the gift shops, etc... Why would they want prevent folks from embarking for bringing a bottle or two of bubbly to celebrate in your room with your honey? I think that if hotels had this policy, many folks would simply go elsewhere. If I do hear of people being denied boarding for something like this, then I certainly will not bring anything on board with me. I think it's ridiculous to treat full-fare paying adults like children. Are you still able to purchase alcohol for consumption in your cabin from the store on board with a service fee? (I think RCI did this.)

 

Go ahead and flame me if you wish... I simply cannot believe the micro-management of the passengers by RCI.

 

Wow.

 

Taters

 

Unfortunately a handfull of irresponsible individuals have ruined things for everyone. As with many things because a few can not take responsibility for themselves it has forced the Cruise line to make changes that effects everyone.:mad:

[candigirl41]

I just printed my SetSail pass today and the waiver section for my 18 year old to drink beer and wine is on the paperwork. We do not sail until October 16, 2006. If they do decide to not let her drink, they will just forfeit that cash. She will wait until we port where it is legal. She may also bum a glass of wine off mom in the room. Either way RCI is out the bucks. U.S. is the only country in the world that has a 21 year old drinking age. If you are going to say you can't drink until you are 21 than you are not responsible to be an adult until you are 21. You should not be able to enlist in any service or be held accountable for you actions as an adult until that milestone. I know 40 year olds that should not be allowed to drink. I also must say the last time we went on RCI my daughter was 16 and never got kicked out of the disco and was served one foo foo drink that a friend ordered for her. I know this because she is honest and responsible and told me. Getting off my soap box now.

 

Candi

[pcur]

She may also bum a glass of wine off mom in the room.Candi

 

That's assuming you can get the wine INTO your cabin. Based on this new policy, that might be difficult to do.

[time4u2go]

Realizing this may or may not be the gospel truth, here's another piece to the puzzle::rolleyes:

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/14948035.htm

[pcur]

Unfortunately a handfull of irresponsible individuals have ruined things for everyone. As with many things because a few can not take responsibility for themselves it has forced the Cruise line to make changes that effects everyone.:mad:

 

This is not the result of just a few people's actions, IMO. It's the result of thousands of underage drinkers on the RCCL fleet, and thousands more legal aged drinkers bringing alcohol on board in their luggage. It's been a long time coming, and brought on by years of abuse.

 

I was surprised when RCCL started the 18 - 20 beer and wine policy. I didn't think back then that it would work out for long.

[angelpug]

THANK YOU, Cindi!!

 

If anyone knows the answer, it's you!!

 

I'll call this "OFFICIAL!!"

 

Tried to see you on the 7th, but was having fun at check in myself.....but will be back on October 8th with Jim. Hope we can see each other then.

 

The port was AWESOME!! Y'all are doing a GREAT job there!

 

Take Care,

Jaime

[DMillerss]

My "SetSail Pass" (RCCL must be saving a bundle having me do all the paperwork) has a waiver I can sign to allow my 18-year old to consume "beer and wine only" on our 8-4-2006 cruise (I'm so happy, LOL). But like other posters I like to bring a bottle of wine or two on board to enjoy on the balcony: are they going to search my luggage? Or what I carry on-board after a port stop?

 

 

 

Recieved this official information today:

 

-Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverage consumption, on all RCI ships will be 21.

 

-An individuals age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.

 

-Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's Guest Vacation Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.

 

-Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense in accordance with the Guest Vacation Policies.

 

-Royal Caribbean reserves the right to revoke or otherwise restrict drinking privileges of any guest, regardless of age.

 

FYI, Baltimore/Grandeur, as of July 21st, has begun confiscating any wine, beer or alcohol bring brought onboard ship at embarkation.

[Dockman123]

I just printed my SetSail pass today and the waiver section for my 18 year old to drink beer and wine is on the paperwork. We do not sail until October 16, 2006.

 

RCI has been known to be very slow at updating their web site. Just as slow as updating their customer service people to new policies.

[navigator2006]

I just talked to royal carribean and they continue to deny that this is true. the lady i talked to said that a change like that would be so big that she would be aware of it if it was happening sometime this week. i guess we will have to wait and see.....

[pcur]

This is what was posted on another thread today. Thread link is below the quoted text. This is the new RCCL policy:

 

"-Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverage consumption, on all RCI ships will be 21.

 

-An individuals age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.

 

-Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's Guest Vacation Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.

 

-Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense in accordance with the Guest Vacation Policies.

 

-Royal Caribbean reserves the right to revoke or otherwise restrict drinking privileges of any guest, regardless of age."

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=384830

[Borat]

does this mean people under 21 cannot get into the club and cannot gamble?

[Valentine's Mom]

My "SetSail Pass" (RCCL must be saving a bundle having me do all the paperwork) has a waiver I can sign to allow my 18-year old to consume "beer and wine only" on our 8-4-2006 cruise (I'm so happy, LOL). But like other posters I like to bring a bottle of wine or two on board to enjoy on the balcony: are they going to search my luggage? Or what I carry on-board after a port stop?

 

I don't think your print out will be in effect if the policy has recently been discontinued as was stated in The Mimai Herald.

[Borat]

does this mean that people under 21 cannot go into the club and cannot gamble?

[pcur]

But like other posters I like to bring a bottle of wine or two on board to enjoy on the balcony: are they going to search my luggage? Or what I carry on-board after a port stop?

 

"Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage, etc) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Royal Caribbean's Guest Vacation Policy may be enforced, up to and including disembarkation, if a guest violates any alcohol policy. Guests under the age of 21 will not have alcohol returned to them.

 

-Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense in accordance with the Guest Vacation Policies."

 

Sounds chancey to me. Is it worth taking the risk of getting booted off the ship?

[time4u2go]

For what it's worth...

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/14948035.htm

[FPP777]

My predictions are this...

 

1. RCL will not deny boarding to anyone. It would be bad publicity.

2. People will still try to smuggle booze onboard.

3. Expect updates here of the above attempts.

4. Those under the age of 21 will still be drinking on cruise ships. RCL will not be able to get their arms around this well enough to stop it.

5. The big time party people who were considering switching over to RCL from other un-named cruise lines will now just stay with those lines.

 

IMHO:D

[Cruising89143]

Well it looks like RCI has officially changed their policy. I guess for the ones that do not like it then they will have to make a decision if they want to cruise RCI. I know that NCL still shows on their website that 18-20 year old guests can drink beer and wine with a signed consent form. My bet is NCL will now change the policy to match all of the other cruise lines. I just hope that RCI enforces and sets a few examples so word gets out that they're serious about this.

[Wallaroos]

So if they did not have a good bourbon that I liked, or if it was over priced, would it then be ok if I brought my own on board.:confused:

You can almost always bring a bottle of wine into a restaurant to have with your dinner, which we have done a number of times. You then pay a corkage fee, which is reasonable. You cannot bring a bottle of Bourbon into a restaurant.

[pcur]

does this mean people under 21 cannot get into the club and cannot gamble?

 

The casino has always allowed pax 18 and over into the casino. I doubt that this policy will change. The wording on the alcohol policy is really specific, so if it was going to include gambling, it would say so.

 

I don't know about the club, but I'll venture a semi-educated guess that yes, 18 -20's can go in. The bartenders are probably going to be extra careful about checking Seapass cards. I've already read that they are already using the machines to check Seapass cards against the photos at the entrance to the clubs.

[pcur]

My predictions are this...

 

1. RCL will not deny boarding to anyone. It would be bad publicity.

 

I think they will deny boarding to pax that argue about it when caught. It's the loud and obnoxious ones that get the boot for breaking the "behavior" policy.

4. Those under the age of 21 will still be drinking on cruise ships. RCL will not be able to get their arms around this well enough to stop it.

 

Agreed, but they will make a dent in it. I think the new policy is intended for the 18 - 20's to do #5 below: they will go to other lines where the policy isn't enforced as much. RCCL has just had too much negative press about excessive drinking. They gotta reverse that spin.

5. The big time party people who were considering switching over to RCL from other un-named cruise lines will now just stay with those lines.

 

IMHO:D

 

IMHO to your HO :D :D

[Taters]

Alright... So the Miami Herald article stated that the new policy would affect those cruises departing from the US... My next cruise on RCI is a Transatlantic that departs from Barcelona... Will my champagne be safe in my luggage?

 

Taters

[angelpug]

My daughter's friend wasn't allowed to drink on the ship with us (I wasn't her legal guardian), but she could go into the disco and casino to gamble.

 

By the way, we only ordered 3 froo froo drinks on the ship over 9 days...we're HUGE drinkers as you can see! The girls only "shared" drinks with me. I don't thing RCCL would ever throw a parent off a ship for letting a 18 year old take a drink out of a parents glass, and this is what we were basically doing. NEVER at any point in time did either girl, including my own daughter who did have a beverage waiver signed, ever have a drink to themselves (on the ship), or even buy one!

 

For what it's worth, the only time 18-20 year olds can't drink is on the ship, or in US ports. The rest of the world is mostly 18 (Caribbean is all 18), so they can still drink anything there. The girls each had one margarita with their lunch in Mexico, and didn't finish them.

 

Don't jump on me, but I have no problem with my kids under 21 having a drink with dinner with me...they're legal adults. I have a 20 year old son that really thinks it stinks that he can drink once his ship leaves the port (he's in the Navy), and while he's deployed in other countries, but once he returns to the country he's fighting for, he can't have a legal drink in a bar or restaurant!

 

I don't like to hear young adults griping about being able to serve their country and vote, so they should be able to drink. If you're going to use that arguement, then get the active duty military ID, and then I'll listen to you! For what it's worth, I think any young American carrying an active duty military ID card should be able to order a drink...not just anyone 18 because they COULD be in the military!

 

I have two sons serving in the US Navy right now...(one in the Persian Gulf, the other headed there in 6 weeks), and it just irks me when young adults use this arguement with never having an intention to actually serve, but want drinks served to them.:mad: You can use this if they want to draft you.

 

I apologize now for having upset anyone, but it's been a long day here, and getting my older son's care package together to mail off. I usually don't vent, but this is a major subject in our house, but thank goodness it will be a mute when my younger son returns from his deployment...he'll be 21 then.

 

Once again, I apologize for affending anyone!

 

Take Care,

Jaime

[TPKeller]

You can almost always bring a bottle of wine into a restaurant to have with your dinner, which we have done a number of times. You then pay a corkage fee, which is reasonable. You cannot bring a bottle of Bourbon into a restaurant.

The telling tale will be what they do with the corkage fee. If they enforce this policy as stated, then they need to completely eliminate any mention of a corkage fee, because there are no circumstances under which it can apply.

 

The existence of the corkage fee has always indicated that there were either loopholes in the policy, or sufficiently lax enforcement as to inform passengers they could count on getting away with at least some alcohol in their luggage.

 

Theron

[mkg]

So, let me get this straight, you arrive at the port and you send your luggage off with the porters to bring your luggage on board. Do you mean to tell me that RCCL is going to open every piece of luggage to see if you have liquor stored in it?? That seems a bit farfetched don't you think?? We are talking 4,000 - 6,000 pieces of luggage right??? And, even if they did, they could just confiscate the bottle and you be on your merry way, why threaten to throw us off the ship? I know your carryon they will take any liquor..