What's with the booze??

[hummer88]

We are looking to go on our first cruise, having stayed at several all inclusives before, the biggest difference in our opinion is the liquor, and getting a bill at the end of the vacation rather than having it all prepaid. We are looking to go on the Emerald Princess or Sapphire Princess.

 

Does the ship matter when it comes to prices and availability of drinks or it is most varied from cruise line to cruise line?

 

Can you bring on any of your own liquor? Either at the beginning of a trip or after leaving a port?

 

I have seen there are wine packages available, are there packages for anything else?

 

What is an average amount expected to be owed at the end of the trip?

 

Are there certain types of drinks that are cheaper than others??

 

We are not huge drinkers, but we do like to enjoy some cocktail while on vacation and do not want to be surprised by anything outrageous at the end of our vacation. Is this a big fear of most first time cruisers??

[cb at sea]

Check with the Princess boards for alcohol-related issues....some lines allow it, some don't. Generally, anything you bring onboard will be held until the end of the cruise. They want you to buy "by the drink", for the most part.

Figure tips at about $10-12 per night PER PERSON.....depending on cruiseline and type of stateroom/suite. Check your cruise brochure for the exact recommended amount. Don't forget about tips for porters, room service, cabs.....those tips are expected at time of service--the other's are paid at the end of the cruise, or put on your shipboard account, depending on cruiseline.

Most ship's have a "drink of the day" that is a reduced price....not a bargain, tho, if you don't like that drink! We find regular cocktails and beer to give the most "bang" for your buck. Wine is very over-priced, IMO. Most drinks are about what a land-based bar in a city would charge.

Sodas are extra on almost every line. Some lines will offer a "soda card" with unlimited soda...that only "pays off" if you guzzle soda all day long. You can buy a can of soda when you want without a soda card, and most lines will allow you to bring your own soda.

Plan on spending about 1/2 of the total cost of the cruise....most 1st timers do. There are pictures, souveniers and "bargains" that the cruiseline will make you feel like you can't live without, and 1st timers usually buy!

Bring more money than you think you'll need (especially if you use the casino!!) and if you don't spend it, take it home and put it back in the bank!

[satxdiver]

Cruise lines are competitive so that the same itinerary or nearly the same from the same port on different cruise lines will be about the same price but that is not always the case so check it out ahead of time. Also think about the kind of pax that will likely be on board the ship and the amenities of the ship. Carnival tends to attract the budget pax and the party pax. HAL tends to attract an older more sedate group (IMO next to dead!).

 

No cruise lines allow most forms of alcohol to be brought aboard but some will allow wine. RCCL does not allow any alcohol. You can check these boards for ways to bring it aboard anyway. However there is a small chance you will be caught and the alcohol confiscated. That is the only risk when sneaking it aboard (personal experience).

 

When ordering drinks of any kind, remember that they will automatically add 15% tip to the price. So an advertised $5 drink will cost $5.75. The drink of the day is a gimmick IMO and I stay away from them. They are usually expensive and weak.

 

For the two of us, I have spent anywhere from $200 (I was close fisted on that one) to $600. These sums include the automatic tips for the stateroom attendent and dining room staff (around $10/day/pax).

 

There are wine packages on RCCL and maybe some others. They can be a good buy if you like the wine selection and were going to buy that many anyway. Some have a coffee card for special blended coffee. Most have a soda card that will get you unlimited fountain soda pop from any bar or dining area on the ship. A can of Coke for example usually will cost you $2 with tip (remember 15%). So if you drink three or more per day, the soda card can be a good deal.

 

An important tip is to keep a copy of all the receipts that you sign and add them up daily. Also in the middle of the cruise, go down to the bursar and ask for a printout of your charges. Some ships (RCCL) have that information on the TV in your stateroom. That way there will be no surprises at the end of the cruise. Treat the seapass card the same as a credit card and monitor how often you use it.

[kitty9]

If you purchase alcohol in a port or in the duty free shop on board the ship, they will take and keep the bottles and only return them the last night of the cruise. Also remember, if you purchase booze, they will have to be packed in your checked luggage because you cannot carry it on the plane with you.

[hummer88]

I was looking on the princess website and they show that you can buy 375mL for about $20. That's about 12 ounces for $20. I am assuming those bottles are for use in your room. So I was thinking that you just buy a couple of those bottles and get a soda card and then make your owns drinks. Does this work and is it worth while.

[trish1c]

Does the ship matter when it comes to prices and availability of drinks or it is most varied from cruise line to cruise line?

 

I don't really know about much difference between even cruise lines. I suppose there may be some differences on really high end stuff. Last cruise we sat by a guy who was complaining that he couldn't get any Remy Martin Louis XIV cognac for $600 a glass even though they sold it by the bottle in the duty free shop. Most lines & most ships have well stocked bars.

 

Can you bring on any of your own liquor? Either at the beginning of a trip or after leaving a port?

 

Not officially. See all the threads about sneaking / smuggling. You can usually bring a bottle or two of wine & pay corkage fees.

 

I have seen there are wine packages available, are there packages for anything else?

 

Not really but some lines sell buckets or helmets of beer -- you buy 5 & they give you 6.

 

What is an average amount expected to be owed at the end of the trip?

 

That varies from person to person & your own choices. We budget $100 per day per person for extras including tips. We've sailed with gamblers who drop thousands of dollars at the casino. I've heard about people with $2,000 bar bills & others who don't pay a cent more.

 

Are there certain types of drinks that are cheaper than others??

 

Beer & well drinks are cheaper. Some lines have a drink of the day. I have always found the various tastings to be bargains but you do get tipsy. Avoid the souvenier glasses; they charge you for the stupid plastic cup.

 

We are not huge drinkers, but we do like to enjoy some cocktail while on vacation and do not want to be surprised by anything outrageous at the end of our vacation. Is this a big fear of most first time cruisers??

 

I think a lot of people fear the unknown. Just be sensible. keep your receipts & have a sense of how much you spent. The only time I was really shocked on a cruise was the morning after the night we got engaged. When I saw our bar bill from the receipts I thought "whoops!" but hey it was a once in a lifetime event.

[Arwenmark]

remember that you can get a copy of your total bill to date any time you like from the front desk. So you can certainly keep track of you spending

[miraed77]

I'll be going on a cruise next month with a few friends on a bachelor party.....so the booze question has been discussed amoung us quite often. I found the solution last week when I called Carnival and ordered (2) 1L bottles of Capt. Morgan for $80. Little steep, but I think our tab will be much lower in the end. Just call the cruise line your going on and order in advance. Bottles should be waiting in the room when you arrive.

[cruisemom42]

Princess is less strict than some lines regarding carrying on alcohol. They allow you to bring wine and champagne on board for your consumption. However, if you want to bring that wine to the dining room to have with dinner, you will pay a $15 corkage fee. You are free to enjoy it in your cabin at no charge. :D

 

Some have reported on Princess that they are less "aggressive" at searching out hidden liquor, e.g., in your suitcase. Some lines will actively search for and remove any booze you bring with you. I only drink wine, and have never tried to bring more than a couple of bottles with me.

 

Also, drink prices on board ships tend to be the same across that cruise line. Some cruiselines are more expensive. Princess and HAL have pretty moderate prices, all things considered.

[smileyone]

I buy my spouse some of the bar coupons. I get him 4 per day. If he drinks more than that he will just use the room charge but that is rare so it keeps our bill low.