Why so much Alcohol???

[LemurCat]

So many threads on this board talk about smuggling alcohol on to the ships. I am curious, being that I am a non drinker, why would everyone bring so much alcohol? Is it because you don't want to pay the incredible high prices of the drinks on the ship? (which I totally understand) Is it that you like drinking a lot on your vacation? Do you drink to get drunk? Buzzed? or just to relax? When do you have that first drink? My last roommate smuggled on vodka in water bottles. She started drinking first thing in the morning with OJ. By the time I got back to the room at night, she was already passed out sleeping, and nothing woke her up. LOL

 

I am only curious to know why?

 

This is my first cruise on Carnival, I have avoided Carnival because it had a reputation as being a PARTY cruise line. But nowadays, the price is too good to pass up.

 

 

Seriously (and not meanly or defensively)? Why do you care? Is it that you fear there is something you're missing out on, being a non-drinker yourself? Why is it that you don't drink? Religious reasons? Fear? Bad genetic history of alcoholism? Never cared for the taste?

 

Personally, I drink because I enjoy it. I like the taste of a perfectly mixed rum and cola or hurricane. I also enjoy getting drunk and remaining drunk. It's relaxing and fun, if you know how to not take it too far.

 

And I don't smuggle booze. I don't care if others do. That's their concern and they'll face the consequences (or not) as the situation dictates.

[nrdsb4]

I'm not a smuggler, but it matters ZERO to me if others do.

 

I'm betting the farm that of all these "Rules are rules" people, NOT ONE of them can say they never break rules. Go 1 mile over the speed limit when you're late to work? Save a chair by the pool? Take 5 minutes extra for lunch at work? Call in sick EVER just because you didn't feel like going to work? Take 16 items into the 15 and under express lane at the grocery store? I got 99% of them with the speeding one.

 

There is no such thing as a person who never breaks the rules, which means that none of the holier than thous has a leg to stand on.

 

"Compromising their integrity", give me a break.

 

My Mom used to say "You worry about you, and trust me, that'll keep you plenty busy." SAGE advice.:rolleyes:

[goodtoglow]

I won't speak for K -- but for me, it comes down to this: I tend to ignore rules that I find capricious and/or without merit.

 

I don't believe that I am doing anything ILLEGAL or UNETHICAL by taking my own alcohol onboard. I'm not hurting anyone else nor causing trouble for anyone else.

 

I understand that Carnival would prefer that I don't bring my own booze, in order to increase their profit margins.

 

I would prefer not to increase their profit margin (any more than I already have) and thus I bring a small quantity of my own booze. And it doesn't bother my conscience one little bit. (Perhaps the fact that I know I'll purchase plenty of drinks on my Sail & Sign card helps me avoid the guilty feelings!)

 

Very well said!!

[jonbgd]

How many of the "honest, non- rule breaking" people are sitting at work using their company computer to read and post messages here?

Since Im the boss I make the rules:D

[lhanson38]

HAHAHA. You're an arrogant fool aren't you? We happen to live IN A RESORT TOWN in northern Michigan and even at most of out most upscale resorts beer prices are nothing like the prices on board. Also, mixed drink prices are cheaper. If I wanted to order a strawberry daquari at the resort's restaurant, I would probably pay about 4 dollars for house liquor and 6 for top shelf liquor. If I bought those same drinks at our favorite local establishment (Which you would probably consider a "dive") it would be about the same, but because we tip our bartender very well, they'd be twice as strong. Beer is considerably cheaper. It's a little hard for me to compare because typically the boys will get a pitcher of draft beer for between 6 and 8 dollars. That usually about 3.5 pints. So while mixed drinks aren't astronomical on ships (a little high, but I think that's within reason) the beer is REDICULOUS. Trying to charge 6 dollars or more for 16 oz of beer is a huge ripoff. Like my DH said in a different thread. Because of those prices he won't be drinking carnival's beer on the upcoming cruise in April. (I won't be drinking Carnival's booze because I'll be 21 weeks pregnant by then. )

 

Well I'm in FL and your going to oay 6-7 dollars for a mixed drink

and 10 for a good martini. dom beerin the bottle is going to run 3

all these inports are running between 4-7 frozen drinks 7-10

unless your in a dump and drinking rotgut.

[Mike981]

Wowza, what a thread.

 

Why do I hear the theme from "Harper Valley PTA" in my head?

 

The only reason I can see why someone would ask the first OP question is if they were concerned of being on a cruise with a bunch crazy drunks. I am sure they would never want to stick their nose where it shouldn't be, or just ask it to see how many fish they could get to bite.

 

Me?

I do and will continue to smuggle.

I do and will continue to smoke large cigars.

I do and will continue to Purchase/rent a large balcony so I can drink my smuggled liquor and smoke my cigars in the nude. I am sure you will not notice since I can't imagine why anyone would want to look at me in my drunken naked state (heck I don't even look good sober and naked).

 

Let's see what else can I say I do, OH, I start my drunk right after I reserve 12 lounge chairs by the pool (I am sure the people who do this don't realize that it is a rule of international waters to not do it...joke people, joke).

 

Oh yeah, I also purchase a pop card to help with my mix for my smuggled booze. And on occasion I have been known to use said card to purchase a soda for a severely parched non-drinking friend. Now hold the tomatoes, I don't share all of it, I normally take some to top off my mug.

 

Happy sailing kids to all Gods children.

[lhanson38]

Maybe you can explain to us how, using your logic how the friends of Bill W would be allowed on the ship as they do not buy booze on the ship. They as a group are surely costing the cruise industry countless millions of lost dollars in booze sales. Or the long list of people that never pull a handle on a slot machine, how about the slim balls that never buy pictures or shore trips. theses dead beats are all costing the cruise line big bucks.

 

Makes me wonder why and how the cruise company's keep building new ships if they are being so badly ripped off by all the dead beat passengers.

 

Friends of Bill W more than make up the booze lose in coffee sales..Trust me My DH coffee bills is always higher than my drink bill..:)

[LemurCat]

I would happily blow smoke on your balcony or offer you a fine cigar. You know you want it!

 

 

Bill? Is that you? I thought you weren't supposed to get all worked up like that after heart surgery? Does Hilary know you're out here doing this?

[sunseeker09]

Not disdain. I'm Canadian. We prefer explanations to excuses.

 

No not do that. Do not lump all Canadians in to one bucket like we are all the same. I am NOTHING like you with your holier than thou attitude. Don't hurt yourself when you fall off that high horse of yours.

[cawagner]

Wowza, what a thread.

 

Why do I hear the theme from "Harper Valley PTA" in my head?

 

The only reason I can see why someone would ask the first OP question is if they were concerned of being on a cruise with a bunch crazy drunks. I am sure they would never want to stick their nose where it shouldn't be, or just ask it to see how many fish they could get to bite.

 

Me?

I do and will continue to smuggle.

I do and will continue to smoke large cigars.

I do and will continue to Purchase/rent a large balcony so I can drink my smuggled liquor and smoke my cigars in the nude. I am sure you will not notice since I can't imagine why anyone would want to look at me in my drunken naked state (heck I don't even look good sober and naked).

 

Let's see what else can I say I do, OH, I start my drunk right after I reserve 12 lounge chairs by the pool (I am sure the people who do this don't realize that it is a rule of international waters to not do it...joke people, joke).

 

Oh yeah, I also purchase a pop card to help with my mix for my smuggled booze. And on occasion I have been known to use said card to purchase a soda for a severely parched non-drinking friend. Now hold the tomatoes, I don't share all of it, I normally take some to top off my mug.

 

Happy sailing kids to all Gods children.

 

[John&John]

Oh nooooo, booze and smoking in the same thread! :eek:

[nrdsb4]

Do not do that. Do not lump all Canadians in to one bucket like we are all the same. I am NOTHING like you with your holier than thou attitude. Don't hurt yourself when you fall off that high horse of yours.

 

Thank you. You just reaffirmed my impression of Canadaians as some of the nicest people I've ever met.:)

[nrdsb4]

bill? Is that you? I thought you weren't supposed to get all worked up like that after heart surgery? Does hilary know you're out here doing this?

 

rotflmao!:d:d:d

 

He's not supposed to be smoking, either.:).

[arush5268d]

Wowza, what a thread.

 

Why do I hear the theme from "Harper Valley PTA" in my head?

 

The only reason I can see why someone would ask the first OP question is if they were concerned of being on a cruise with a bunch crazy drunks. I am sure they would never want to stick their nose where it shouldn't be, or just ask it to see how many fish they could get to bite.

 

Me?

I do and will continue to smuggle.

I do and will continue to smoke large cigars.

I do and will continue to Purchase/rent a large balcony so I can drink my smuggled liquor and smoke my cigars in the nude. I am sure you will not notice since I can't imagine why anyone would want to look at me in my drunken naked state (heck I don't even look good sober and naked).

 

Let's see what else can I say I do, OH, I start my drunk right after I reserve 12 lounge chairs by the pool (I am sure the people who do this don't realize that it is a rule of international waters to not do it...joke people, joke).

 

Oh yeah, I also purchase a pop card to help with my mix for my smuggled booze. And on occasion I have been known to use said card to purchase a soda for a severely parched non-drinking friend. Now hold the tomatoes, I don't share all of it, I normally take some to top off my mug.

 

Happy sailing kids to all Gods children.

 

 

That's awesome.

[arush5268d]

Oh nooooo, booze and smoking in the same thread! :eek:

 

 

And sharing of soda card.

[sunseeker09]

My response to the non-drinkers: Why so much food?

 

I know! What about all those people who eat so much food... plate after plate of appies and entrees and desserts. Then there are the wasters who leave all that excess food on their plates. What a waste when there are people starving in the world. Then those non-drinkers who consume all that lemonaid and water... what about all that wasted water in half finished glasses? Then there's the people who bring snacks and pop on board, when they should be paying all their money to the cruise line instead. All these rude people are making cruise prices go up!

 

(I'm kidding, really... just being facetious and making a point. This thread is ridiculous and petty. I don't care how much people gorge themselves on free food any more than I care about alcohol brought on board)

[Kevin Hort]

My wife and I always "smuggle" a bottle or two of alcohol on the ship when we cruise. It isn't because we start drinking at the crack of dawn and drink until sundown and it isn't because we don't want to buy any alcohol on the ship. The fact is that it is nice to have an occasional drink on our balcony without having to order room service or always purchasing the high priced drinks.

 

Actually, I think those that smuggle a little booze onto the ship are apt to spend MORE on their bar bill. I know we do. Think about it. You have a drink or two in your room while getting ready for dinner. You now have a nice little buzz going. When you get to dinner you would like to keep it going but you aren't going back to your room to get another drink. Thus, we get drinks (a couple each, likely) at dinner. From there we may head to the disco, the casino or some other lounge on the ship. Again, you don't want to lose your enjoyable buzz and you aren't going to go back and forth to your cabin to keep it going. So what do you do? Buy some drinks in the lounge/club you happen to be patroning at the time.

 

Now, if I had gone to dinner without any drinks before hand it is possible I wouldn't get any drinks at dinner or after. I think most people that have the occasional drink know that once you have one or two you are more likely to have three or four. And most people simply are not going to run back and forth to the cabin for a quick shot. So to those of you that think the smugglers are "stealing money from the cruise line" I think your are likely wrong and, in fact, think it works in the opposite direction.

 

Our bar bill on our last cruise was $600. It is likely that it would have been less had we not brought some of our own on board with us. In fact, we always find it amazing that our bar bill is so high at the end of the cruise considering we brought some of our own stuff with us! But as we look back through our charges we often see martinis and wine at dinner, drinks at the show, rum and cokes at the disco, etc.

 

For those of you asking about tipping the drink servers: do you not know they charge an automatic 15% gratuity to every drink you purchase? This is so you DON'T have to carry cash on the ship. The tip is automatically included.

 

As for those of you that enjoy the AI experience, what is the likelihood that some cruise line will eventually offer an "all inclusive" price? Man, that seems to make so much sense it is amazing it hasn't been tried yet (well, at least to my knowledge).

[sunseeker09]

Thank you. You just reaffirmed my impression of Canadaians as some of the nicest people I've ever met.:)

 

Aww... thanks :) ...and likewise! On our cruise in Jan. we met the nicest Americans. Group hug! :D

 

People shouldn't judge people by their country... or whether or not they smuggle alcohol. ;) LOL

[LemurCat]

Aww... thanks :) ...and likewise! On our cruise in Jan. we met the nicest Americans. Group hug! :D

 

People shouldn't judge people by their country... or whether or not they smuggle alcohol. ;) LOL

 

Can I judge you by whether you say "zee" or "zed"? :D

[sunseeker09]

Can I judge you by whether you say "zee" or "zed"? :D

 

No, that's not nice, eh?

[nrdsb4]

I prefer to judge people by whether or not they say "abowt" or ""aboat.":)

 

And rest assured, it's "Y'all" NOT "Youse guys.";)

[MrPete]

And rest assured, it's "Y'all" NOT "Youse guys.";)

 

Not in deez parts. :p

[arush5268d]

[sunseeker09]

I prefer to judge people by whether or not they say "abowt" or ""aboat.":)

 

And rest assured, it's "Y'all" NOT "Youse guys.";)

 

Hey... youse guys me nice to me! ...or I'll jump off the aboat....

I thought y'all say that we say "aboot" ...but "aboat" is good... I like boats ;)

[sunseeker09]

 

OMG! Serious cat is seriously funny!

Actually... he looks a bit like a polar bear ??