Buying Alcohol on Board

[Gatorshill]

Hello all,

I'm booked on the Navigator of the Seas, doing the W. Carib. on 12/11/04. I'm looking forward to doing that class of ship to compare it to the Century, which I did two years ago.

I have a quick question about buying alcohol on board though. I thought I remember reading somewhere that you could buy several bottles of alcohol on the first day on the ship, and have them delivered to your room, for a single surcharge of something like $10. If thats true, it would be about the same as bringing in a bottle or two of my own in my luggage, which is what I did before. Is this actually true? I'd rather save myself the trouble of packing it with my stuff if I could. Thanks!

 

[Deb Mumaw]

I have heard the charge is per bottle but also heard that if you buy it the first day it is one charge. Can't say for sure which is true. I do know that even with the extra charge it is cheaper than you can buy it at home. You can buy 4 bottles of rum for $24.95. I wouldn't even waste my time lugging alcohol in my suitcases anymore.

 

[defritz]

The charge is per bottle. I haven't heard of them charging once for the first day. But, as Deb mentioned, the alcohol is so cheap on board it would be worth it. We bought two one-litre bottles of Bailey's for $30... tax free (YUM!)

 

[gkrebs]

I have heard the same thing that Deb has. If you buy it on the first day its a one time charge

 

[bookish]

We were on the Rhapsody this July and they charged us per bottle on the first day.

 

[Deb Mumaw]

I wish they would have the same policy on all ships. It is very confusing hearing different stories. Maybe you just have to be extra nice on the first day and see if you can get more than one bottle back to your room for the $9.50. We never tried it on the first day and I know the booze is incredibly cheap onboard. We also have never needed more than one bottle for the cruise since dh doesn't drink. I would be carrying open bottles off the ship and I am sure that is not allowed. It is so much easier though when you don't have to pack all those bottles and smuggle them onboard. No matter what you hear on these boards, it is not allowed by the cruise line so you take the risk of getting it taken away anyway. Our girls had all theirs make it thru fine but we did talk to several people who had theirs taken. Just luck of the draw I guess!

 

[Gatorshill]

Thanks for the replies. I guess even if I end up with a surcharge on every bottle, and I'm probably only going to buy two as I like scotch and my girlfriend mixes vodka, it still probably wont be more expensive than buying onshore. So I guess I might as well buy it on the ship. Maybe I'll get lucky and will only pay the one surcharge, who knows.

 

[Tabitha]

Bookish--you mentioned you were on the Rhapsody in July--we are going in October. Did they have wine in the onboard liquor store or just the 'hard' stuff?

Thanks!

 

[Chi-TownNancy]

Flavored Rum (i.e. Banana Rum) is only like $11-$13... so the $9-10 extra charge makes it more expensive...
.. just my 2cents