Thanksgiving cruise question?

[dual]

Im a virgin cruiser and I was reading the last few threads regarding putting alcohol in your checked in luggage - I noted that during holiday seasons RCCL hype up the security checks - is it the same at Thanksgiving as my 1st Cruise is during thanksgiving this year.

 

I like my baileys irish cream and I dont even know if they sell it on RCCL ships and if they do its probably a small fortune per glass so I was hoping to put some in my suitcase.

 

I dont know if I can get Rum Runners here in the UK (somebody may advise me)

 

And does anyone know if you can get baileys on RCCL ships.

 

Also do RCCL do any specific celebrations if sailing during thanksgiving - what should I expect - Ive never been to the US or Caribbean during TG - we dont celebrate it here in the UK.

 

Thanks All

[cb at sea]

They have Bailey's....don't know how much it is. I know there are drink menus posted here somewhere.

[Loretta Marie]

Im a virgin cruiser and I was reading the last few threads regarding putting alcohol in your checked in luggage - I noted that during holiday seasons RCCL hype up the security checks - is it the same at Thanksgiving as my 1st Cruise is during thanksgiving this year.

 

I like my baileys irish cream and I dont even know if they sell it on RCCL ships and if they do its probably a small fortune per glass so I was hoping to put some in my suitcase.

 

I dont know if I can get Rum Runners here in the UK (somebody may advise me)

 

And does anyone know if you can get baileys on RCCL ships.

 

Also do RCCL do any specific celebrations if sailing during thanksgiving - what should I expect - Ive never been to the US or Caribbean during TG - we dont celebrate it here in the UK.

 

Thanks All

 

Do not even try to confiscate Baileys Irish creme they will take it away from you and maybe not allow you to board thinking that you have other things you are hiding.

Yes all cruise ships carry Baileys even RCCL I had one last year.

 

Thanksgiving is not celebrated in other countries, its a traditional celebration for our nation its when the pilgrims came to this great land of ours. Why should the UK celebrate it, its not their traditon. They celebrate Box day its Dec 26 its thier way of having their christmas.

 

RCCL does not celebrate any tradtional celebration except for Christmas and New Years, No special holiday for any other tradtions that US Americans celebrate.

 

I think that is the best time to go when mostly everyone is with their families and you are going to pay a higher price too, holidays are for families and families are there to have fun with their own

Loretta

[dual]

Oh OK - I thought maybe RCCL would have done something for thanksgiving, I was quite looking forward to getting involved never having been involved in thanksgiving celebrations before - never mind - I would just like to know what to have expected if they did.

 

Well its good to know they serve Baileys - but im still gonna try and take some with me - I doubt even if they find it they will kick me off the ship - i'll just swim after it! :)

[momofmeg]

Oh OK - I thought maybe RCCL would have done something for thanksgiving, I was quite looking forward to getting involved never having been involved in thanksgiving celebrations before - never mind - I would just like to know what to have expected if they did.

 

Well its good to know they serve Baileys - but im still gonna try and take some with me - I doubt even if they find it they will kick me off the ship - i'll just swim after it! :)

 

Is your cruise in Europe or the caribbean?

 

I have been on RCI during Thanksgiving. I was on Sovereign of the Seas (99) and we went to Nassau, Co-Co Cay, and key West. We were in Key west Thanksgiving day. It is low key, the celebrations, but you are offered turkey and pumpkin pie and trimmings as a dinner choice. They also offer you other choices. Yes, you will see American families celebrating, but for plenty of others, it will just be a normal week for them.

 

We were also on the NCL Pearl this past Thanksgiving. Same thing, the traditional Thanksgiving foods were offered, but you had other choices. There was also a huge sheet cake in the lido restuarant with a turkey design on it. I didn't get any-I have no idea when they cut it-but I wanted a piece!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

i bring a poney baileys for each nite on a cruise go up to any bar and ask for a glass of ice take out your poney and pour it in

[NolaZach]

From reading, it seems like if you sail Carnival you should have no problems bringing alchohol on board, but RCCL seems to have a national socialist (the shortened version is censored)-like take on the matter.

 

That said, you don't have to bring Bailey's in a Bailey's bottle. You can use a liter listerine bottle, just run it through the dishwasher first.

I would rather be called cheap that spend $400 on drinks for a week.

[Onessa]

Oh OK - I thought maybe RCCL would have done something for thanksgiving, I was quite looking forward to getting involved never having been involved in thanksgiving celebrations before - never mind - I would just like to know what to have expected if they did.

 

Hi Dual

 

We've done two RCCI cruises over Tgiving (Splendour out of Venice two years ago, and Voyager out of Barcelona last year). Four years ago we did the NCLA Hawaii cruise over Tgiving.

 

Our experience on all of our Tgiving cruises is that the cruise line will generally wish everyone a "happy thanksgiving", acknowledge it in printed communication, and when practical they may place out some fairly generic decorations in the buffet area and some of the other public areas.

 

RCCI had a specially printed menu on Tgiving in the MDR with a traditional American-style turkey dinner and a dessert that involved pumpkin. Last year we shared our table with two couples from the UK and a two guys from different places in South America. Our 13YO DD explained Tgiving "traditions" (pretty much the turkey dinner and watching American-style football on TV) and why some of the items on the plate were considered Tgiving food. It was a nice holiday celebration.

 

Most cultures have some sort of "harvest" celebration -- and Thanksgiving is the USA's celebration. Over the years a couple of US presidents have used Tgiving to help the American public deal with some hard times (Lincoln during the civil war, FDR during the Great Depression and WWII for example) - it is a good excuse for families to get together. It is a sentimental favorite holidy of may Americans.

 

Have a great trip -- and if you try the turkey dinner be certain to try a little bit of everything even if it sounds a bit bizzare to you :D

[momofmeg]

Hi Dual

 

We've done two RCCI cruises over Tgiving (Splendour out of Venice two years ago, and Voyager out of Barcelona last year). Four years ago we did the NCLA Hawaii cruise over Tgiving.

 

Our experience on all of our Tgiving cruises is that the cruise line will generally wish everyone a "happy thanksgiving", acknowledge it in printed communication, and when practical they may place out some fairly generic decorations in the buffet area and some of the other public areas.

 

RCCI had a specially printed menu on Tgiving in the MDR with a traditional American-style turkey dinner and a dessert that involved pumpkin. Last year we shared our table with two couples from the UK and a two guys from different places in South America. Our 13YO DD explained Tgiving "traditions" (pretty much the turkey dinner and watching American-style football on TV) and why some of the items on the plate were considered Tgiving food. It was a nice holiday celebration.

 

Most cultures have some sort of "harvest" celebration -- and Thanksgiving is the USA's celebration. Over the years a couple of US presidents have used Tgiving to help the American public deal with some hard times (Lincoln during the civil war, FDR during the Great Depression and WWII for example) - it is a good excuse for families to get together. It is a sentimental favorite holiday of may Americans.

 

Have a great trip -- and if you try the turkey dinner be certain to try a little bit of everything even if it sounds a bit bizarre to you :D

 

Actually I checked his profile. He is sailing on Liberty of the seas out of Miami. I know Loretta Marie assumed he was cruising out of Europe because he was from England, but I thought he probably meant the caribbean. I have met quite a few British people on caribbean cruises and also on trips to Disney/Sea World. Many do a cruise and a FL land trip combo.

[dual]

Thanks for your replies all - well I'll wish those who I know to be from the US a happy Thanksgiving anyway.

 

Yes Im sailing to the Caribbean via Miami - Western Caribbean 7 day cruise.

 

And Im actually female...lol :)

 

Whats a Baileys poney.....Im completely lost on that one?

 

I also agree - its not about me being cheap - the whole trip in itself isnt cheap but the cost of drinks on RCCL cruises is really mind boggling :eek: I respect that they have to make a profit - its a business after all but those prices per drink are through the roof!

 

If they relaxed their drink prices somewhat people wouldn't feel the need to smuggle drinks on board.

[Happy ks]

I suppose it can be regional, where we live drink prices are higher than on cruise ships. We have taken on a small bottle of Jack Daniels, but more and more just buy drinks from the bar. My husband likes to have a drink in the cabin while waiting for me and it is a hassle to walk to the bar and back. But, we'll not bother if we have to fly...a broken bottle or spilled liquids will cost far more in cleaning bills than a few drinks.

 

We've had luck with the Rum Runners in the past, but again have not flown with them, I suppose we worry too much :confused:;)

 

We've been on a couple of cruises for Thanksgiving and about the only thing they do is add a turkey dinner to the menu. I prefer to stay away from poultry on a cruise, it always tastes reheated to me, but my husband says it was decent. You may want to try it if you would like to sample a bit of a traditional US turkey dinner.

 

What we love about cruising on Thanksgiving and Christmas is about the lack of stressing out over the holiday. The older we get, the less we enjoy going through the whole visit the family endurance test.

[momofmeg]

Thanks for your replies all - well I'll wish those who I know to be from the US a happy Thanksgiving anyway.

 

Yes Im sailing to the Caribbean via Miami - Western Caribbean 7 day cruise.

 

And Im actually female...lol :)

 

Whats a Baileys poney.....Im completely lost on that one?

 

I also agree - its not about me being cheap - the whole trip in itself isnt cheap but the cost of drinks on RCCL cruises is really mind boggling :eek: I respect that they have to make a profit - its a business after all but those prices per drink are through the roof!

 

If they relaxed their drink prices somewhat people wouldn't feel the need to smuggle drinks on board.

 

 

Dual, as KS stated, the drink prices are similiar to what you would pay at a lounge or restaurant in the United states. They average about $7 or $8. Some a little higher like martinis, some a little less.

 

If you want to save money, order the drink of the day, and tell your waiter you do not want the souvenir glass. You get the drink for around $3. My husband does that all the time. Many people are unaware that you can request this in a regular glass, and you see those souvenir glasses left all over the place. I am sure they gather them up, wash them and resell them.

[PennyAgain]

I've flown all dozens of times with Rumrunners and never had a problem. I do put them into Zip-Loc bags just to be sure.

 

Not even counting what we've saved on cruise ships, we've saved a fortune in hotels. I don't take Rumrunners to Japan, but pack a regular bottle of liquor. The laws in Japan are very tight on alcohol.

[wayne_trisha]

I was on the Carnival Freedom last year over Thanksgiving and we had the option of traditional turkey dinner. It was okay. Not much else was made of the holiday.

 

You can get rum runners mailed to the UK. From all I have read no one has been denied boarding for bringing alcohol on board. I've used rum runners twice and had success both times. You can read that 100s of people have used them with great success. Very few people get caught and when they have all they did was keep their stash. If you do get caught say you are sorry and walk away.

[Lemonslikethefruit]

We were on the Ruby Princess Thanksgiving 2008. The dining room offered a Thanksgiving selection, along with others, and a couple pumpkin desserts along with others. I brought Thanksgiving napkins for each of our place setting from home ( There were 8 of us)

 

This ship had a large table of colorful carved turkeys and gelatins displayed with various themes.

[Cruisin250]

We were on the Mariner over Thanksgiving a few years back and I recall a turkey dinner being served but not much else to mark the holiday. Having said that... to me Thanksgiving is a time of food, family, fun and gratitude, and so it was a VERY happy Thanksgiving for me;)