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

[Elizanessie]

caviargal :D

 

Can you please tell me if the new policy says it only applies to ships leaving from the USA....does it say anything about ships in Europe ?

 

Thanks

Liz

WYWH Cruiser

[CaesarsNcruisin4me]

I find that the majority of people that whine about people smuggling alchol are non-drinkers or don't drink much. What always makes me laugh however is how some of these people say that by smuggling alchol people are taking away from RCI's profits yet these same people think nothing of bringing their water or soda onboard! It seems to me like this would also be taking profits away from RCI. As far as I'm concerned the majority of people that may want to bring a bottle or two on board also purchase alot more drinks on board than the people who complain about smugglers!

 

It seems to me that alot of the "incidents" that have occurred on board have affected various ages so why single out the 18-21 year olds. A number of people travelling reside outside of the US and are able to drink legally in their hometown at 18 or 19. Since the ships are registered and sail outside of the US it does not make sense to me that the drinking age for the US is enforced for the entire cruise.

 

Just my 2cents. Zipping up my flame-retardant suit now!:p

 

Sandie

[Cruising89143]

I find that the majority of people that whine about people smuggling alchol are non-drinkers or don't drink much. What always makes me laugh however is how some of these people say that by smuggling alchol people are taking away from RCI's profits yet these same people think nothing of bringing their water or soda onboard! It seems to me like this would also be taking profits away from RCI. As far as I'm concerned the majority of people that may want to bring a bottle or two on board also purchase alot more drinks on board than the people who complain about smugglers!

 

It seems to me that alot of the "incidents" that have occurred on board have affected various ages so why single out the 18-21 year olds. A number of people travelling reside outside of the US and are able to drink legally in their hometown at 18 or 19. Since the ships are registered and sail outside of the US it does not make sense to me that the drinking age for the US is enforced for the entire cruise.

 

Just my 2cents. Zipping up my flame-retardant suit now!:p

 

Sandie

 

I also drink myself but I will not go to the trouble of bringing the stuff on. Too much work to wrap and pack IMHO. I did like it when RCI allowed us to buy the alcohol on board and pay the in room consumption fee but now I just go down and get a drink in place of having one on my balcony. Not a big deal.

[SomeBeach]

respectfully disagree :-)

 

ok lets apply your reasoning to some on-board policies off the top of my head (I can come up with more in time):

 

first RCI needs to hire a lot more security guards because if there are no grey areas allowed then I expect to see the following enforced:

 

1.) Security stopping folks from reserving chairs at shows and in the pool area.

 

2.) zero tolerance (a la Carnival) of non-smoking policy in certain ship areas.

 

3.) patrols to make sure children are not in the solarium at any time

 

4.) Jeans patrol in the dinning room during dinner semi and full formal nights

 

5.) patrol to make sure passengers do not take the pool towels into their staterooms.

 

No one can tell me alls these policies above are stictly enforced with no grey areas... if seen them ignored repeadedly

 

The Admiral.... seems like you are trying to justify wanting to bring wine onboard!

You bring up 5 points that do not cause pax to get drunk and fall/jump off a ship.

Cruise pax asked for gov't intervention to make cruising safer. RCI looked at it's policy and has decided to tighten it. Reminds me of that saying.... be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!

[CaesarsNcruisin4me]

I also drink myself but I will not go to the trouble of bringing the stuff on. Too much work to wrap and pack IMHO. I did like it when RCI allowed us to buy the alcohol on board and pay the in room consumption fee but now I just go down and get a drink in place of having one on my balcony. Not a big deal.

 

I agree with you to a point. When I booked my cruise I was told that I would still be able to bring my two bottles of wine on as long as they were not on RCI's wine list. Now it seems like you are not able to do this anymore. Here in the Okanagan we have some great local wines and I do enjoy a good glass of wine with dinner. I do not mind paying a fee for bringing my own wine aboard but I really do not like to pay way too much for a bad glass of wine with dinner. I guess that I will have to go the liquor store armed with my RCI wine list and start from the top and work my way down until I find the wines that are worth the money! :D

 

Sandie

[Love Bassets]

All,

I've seen a lot of chatter and speculation what happens, but no real stories.

Can we hear from 3 adult people that have been caught smuggling booze in water bottles or regular bottles and describe what RCCL did?

Thanks

Russ

[Cruising89143]

I agree with you to a point. When I booked my cruise I was told that I would still be able to bring my two bottles of wine on as long as they were not on RCI's wine list. Now it seems like you are not able to do this anymore. Here in the Okanagan we have some great local wines and I do enjoy a good glass of wine with dinner. I do not mind paying a fee for bringing my own wine aboard but I really do not like to pay way too much for a bad glass of wine with dinner.

 

Sandie

 

Well it may be that they still allow you to bring the wine on but will take it and allow you to have it in the dining room with paying the corkage fee.

[CaesarsNcruisin4me]

Well it may be that they still allow you to bring the wine on but will take it and allow you to have it in the dining room with paying the corkage fee.

Oh, good. I misunderstood parts of this thread. Thanks for the info! I edited my post above to include: I guess that I will have to go the liquor store armed with my RCI wine list and start from the top and work my way down until I find the wines that are worth the money!:D

 

Sandie

[LONESTAR 101]

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.

 

This is due to The New Chief Security Chief, Gary Bald Ex FBI! Should I say more,should be interesting what other Security measures have been added!;)

[Cruising89143]

This is due to The New Chief Security Chief, Gary Bald Ex FBI! Should I say more,should be interesting what other Security measures have been added!;)

 

You know I forgot about this guy but I did read it somewhere. I will look for the post.

[Need2Cruze]

I just got off the phone with customer support at RCCL. I had two questions regarding "smuggling".

I inquired as to whether I would be able to bring a bottle or two of wine which is not on their list (Kendal-Jackson) even if I were charged a corkage fee. No. RCCL does not allow any beverages of any kind on board: juice, soda, wine, water. Not even to use in the dining room even if it is held onto by RCCL? No. What if after putting kids to bed we want to hang on balcony with a bottle of wine? She told me to scroll thru their list, select a bottle, call them up and order it to be delivered to the cabin on a particular night. So apparently you can get wine in your cabin, you just have to order it ahead of time.

My second question was about juice. My son has an "unhealthy addiction" (lol) to grape juice. He's 3. Loves the stuff, although he doesnt know that it's watered down more than 50%. Anyway, I was going to purchase the soda/juice card for him, but upon viewing the choices realized that they do not have grape juice. :eek: (we are so dead!) They are limited to orange juice, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice and cranberry juice. Not even apple juice!

So I asked if I could bring a reasonable number of small bottles of grape juice onboard. No. So I told her how miserable he would be and make us for 9 days, and after putting me on hold for quite a while, came back with the follwoing email address to send a special request to: CCARRIER@RCCL.COM Email was sent. Hope this helps.

[Magic Man]

I have brought wine on every cruise, I don't mind paying the $15 or $20 they charge for corkage fee. Are you still allowed to bring wine on aboard if you drink it in the restaurant.

[dateacher]

Still on the phone with customer service. They are planning on doing it but no date yet. She has no idea where the July 28th date came from. She actually got onto this site and was reading the posts with me.

[caviargal]

Still on the phone with customer service. They are planning on doing it but no date yet. She has no idea where the July 28th date came from. She actually got onto this site and was reading the posts with me.

 

This is incorrect and she is misinformed. You can certainly take your chances but do not be surprised when these rules are enforced.

 

The July 28th date is from RCI and has been communicated to the travel agent community, at least to those of us who actively book with RCI.

 

Sorry, but many of these folks are uniformed and I have far more regard for the information RCI provides through their management team directly than from someone on the 800 number.

[dateacher]

Caviagirl, not sure where YOU got your information but I just called two different nationwide TAs (sure you will have a comment about that) and they have not heard anything.

 

BTW, the person I spoke with was in customer service, not a vacation planner.

[caviargal]

Caviagirl, not sure where YOU got your information but I just called two different nationwide TAs (sure you will have a comment about that) and they have not heard anything.

 

BTW, the person I spoke with was in customer service, not a vacation planner.

 

From the District Manger of RCI when she called to let me know the changes would affect my group of 126 on Sovereign next month.

 

Perhaps the TAs you spoke with were not affected or are not in regular communication with their RCI team.

 

I will make sure my clients are aware of the new policies before they set sail so there are no surprises.

[Cruising89143]

From the District Manger of RCI when she called to let me know the changes would affect my group of 126 on Sovereign next month.

 

Perhaps the TAs you spoke with were not affected or are not in regular communication with their RCI team.

 

I will make sure my clients are aware of the new policies before they set sail so there are no surprises.

 

You might as well give up. There are those that are going to fight this until RCI drops a bomb on their head. I would just let them take their chances at the pier and then we will see what happens.

[Catnip]

Cruise pax asked for gov't intervention to make cruising safer.

 

Oh, that's great..........more government intervention.....just what we need.....I feel safer already.....:cool: :cool:

[caviargal]

You might as well give up. There are those that are going to fight this until RCI drops a bomb on their head. I would just let them take their chances at the pier and then we will see what happens.

 

Thanks and you are right.

[Autumnrose]

This is what Royal Caribbean's Official TA site currently has under quick reference pages. I also looked at the casino info because someone mentioned that as well. This is what it had to say just a minute ago. :)

 

Alcoholic Beverages

We apologize for any inconvenience but due to recent regulatory and licensing requirements guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty-free from the Shops On Board or at ports of call will be stored by Royal Caribbean and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the voyage. A member of our staff will be at the gangway to assist with the storage of any purchases.

For guests who wish to bring "fine" wine aboard, and Royal Caribbean is unable to accommodate their selection, we will, with prior approval from Royal Caribbean, allow a maximum of two bottles of wine to be brought by the guest or group. A corkage fee in the amount of $12.00 per bottle will be charged. This policy may not apply to every ship or itinerary depending on local laws, customs, or license requirements but Royal Caribbean will try and accommodate requests. Royal Caribbean is not responsible for fines imposed or items confiscated by local authorities.

Alcohol Policy

While a ship is at sea, Royal Caribbean International will not serve alcoholic beverages to guests under 21 years of age.

Note: An individual's age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.

 

Quick Reference

Casino

Guests must be 21 years to play.

The minimum bets are: 5¢ slots; $5 tables; $2 roulette.

Roulette, blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, craps, slot machines and poker machines are available.

The casino is normally closed while the ship is in port overnight. Exceptions include Nassau, CocoCay, Labadee and St. Croix on certain itineraries.

[SharkCruiser24]

I just sent RCI an email to find out straight from the source.;)

[Joaniers]

I just got off the phone with customer support at RCCL. I had two questions regarding "smuggling".

I inquired as to whether I would be able to bring a bottle or two of wine which is not on their list (Kendal-Jackson) even if I were charged a corkage fee. No. RCCL does not allow any beverages of any kind on board: juice, soda, wine, water. Not even to use in the dining room even if it is held onto by RCCL? No. What if after putting kids to bed we want to hang on balcony with a bottle of wine? She told me to scroll thru their list, select a bottle, call them up and order it to be delivered to the cabin on a particular night. So apparently you can get wine in your cabin, you just have to order it ahead of time.

My second question was about juice. My son has an "unhealthy addiction" (lol) to grape juice. He's 3. Loves the stuff, although he doesnt know that it's watered down more than 50%. Anyway, I was going to purchase the soda/juice card for him, but upon viewing the choices realized that they do not have grape juice. :eek: (we are so dead!) They are limited to orange juice, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice and cranberry juice. Not even apple juice!

So I asked if I could bring a reasonable number of small bottles of grape juice onboard. No. So I told her how miserable he would be and make us for 9 days, and after putting me on hold for quite a while, came back with the follwoing email address to send a special request to: CCARRIER@RCCL.COM Email was sent. Hope this helps.

 

 

Does this mean that we can no longer bring our own water bottles onboard? We always fill a cooler with bottled water and have never had a problem. We're leaving Sunday on the Mariner. Has anyone had any experience with this?

[Cruising89143]

I just sent RCI an email to find out straight from the source.;)

 

Good luck My guess is you could send the same email five times to the same email address and five different people will answer it differently. That has been my luck with the cruise lines customer service department.

[LONESTAR 101]

Good luck My guess is you could send the same email five times to the same email address and five different people will answer it differently. That has been my luck with the cruise lines customer service department.

Amen cruisingator2,

did you find that post about their new security chief? He will probably start bearing down harder now on checked luggage and run it like a FBI Sting! Laughing! But serious things could get harsher now since hes a Retired Upper echelon FBI Executive in the Agency and more straight laced!

[Cruising89143]

Amen cruisingator2,

did you find that post about their new security chief? He will probably start bearing down harder now on checked luggage and run it like a FBI Sting! Laughing! But serious things could get harsher now since hes a Retired Upper echelon FBI Executive in the Agency and more straight laced![/quote

 

 

I did find the press release and he was a long time FBI guy but it really did not say much else. I guess the best thing for everyone to do is play the wait and see game. Time will tell if or what changes RCI has made to their policy and how strict are they going to be in enforcing it. If they enforce it as hard as they do the chair saving and smoking issues then it will be business as usual.:)