Info on new Texas Liquor Law

[jst]

On the 11/11/11 cruise from Galveston there was a problem in the Concierge Lounge regarding the dispensing of the free alcohol. The brand new concierge had to tell everyone that drinks could not be served until we were outside the 12 mile (then it changed to 50 mile)limit, due to Texas Liqour Law.

As most had not come across this before and as they were selling drinks as usual in the other bars people were not happy, and although we were in "Ellington's Lounge (Viking Crown)where there is a regular bar, the bartenders could not serve anyone even if it was charged to their on-board account.

Wishing to clarify this and wanting to pass on to others assuming this will always be the case for every sailing from Texas, I wrote to the TABC and the following is their answer

 

State law prohibits permitted retailers from serving more than one free drink per person per day. Once the cruise line entered international waters, they were allowed to provide free alcohol because state law no longer applied. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Thomas Graham

 

TABC--Marketing Practices

 

512-206-3411

[nonna5]

Gotta love those TABC laws.:rolleyes:

 

But I do believe it is 12 miles and not 50 miles.

[BecciBoo]

Disregard

Edited November 28, 2011 by BecciBoo

[TEXASMUNK]

If Mariner sails on time....the lounge would normally open after the 12 mile limit has been passed. It is days when the ship is stuck due to weather or some outside impact that would cause the lounge to open later.

You can buy a limited variety of beers and hard liquors...they are procured from a Texas distributor. The vast amount of booze is secured through a contract with a Miami distributor and that is what cannot be sold until outside the 12 mile limit.

[BecciBoo]

Thanks Munk I was looking for that info but couldn't find it.:D

[M Pierce]

When we boarded the Mariner in Galveston this past week, drinks were being served but only certain varieties.

 

Domestic beer and wine. Some varieties of spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey were also available.

 

All were charged to my account.

[Darkwolfe]

When we boarded the Mariner in Galveston this past week, drinks were being served but only certain varieties.

 

Domestic beer and wine. Some varieties of spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey were also available.

 

All were charged to my account.

 

That would make me wonder if they figured up a way to get a Texas supplier for at least part of the bar inventory.

 

As for the law, it seems like it has been that way for years already. But, the old memory might have a skip in it too.

[jonbgd]

So this a law or just an agreement with the port and Carnival, so some Tx supplier can make money.

I bet that same supplier is a big contibuter to certain Political leaders campaign

[scanditaly]

I'd love to hear firsthand experience on timing, venue, or brand/type of liquor served on the first afternoon/evening of embarcation day from Galveston.

 

What is the approximate time frame from sailaway until reaching the approved international water border?

 

I'm most interested in wine, and wonder if Texas wine is offered for sale.

 

And, lastly, would also like to know about the Diamond and/or Concierge venues and what restrictions or substitutions might be available if sail-away is delayed.

 

Thank you

[Merion_Mom]

I'd love to hear firsthand experience on timing, venue, or brand/type of liquor served on the first afternoon/evening of embarcation day from Galveston.

 

What is the approximate time frame from sailaway until reaching the approved international water border?

 

I'm most interested in wine, and wonder if Texas wine is offered for sale.

 

And, lastly, would also like to know about the Diamond and/or Concierge venues and what restrictions or substitutions might be available if sail-away is delayed.

 

Thank you

 

Try this thread:

 

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2151424

[boscobeans]

So this a law or just an agreement with the port and Carnival, so some Tx supplier can make money.

I bet that same supplier is a big contibuter to certain Political leaders campaign

 

Not sure about Texas but in NY bars and restaurants must only serve alcohol bought from licensed wholesalers, even if their prices are higher than at a retail dealer.

 

The wholesaler's records show the amount of beer, wine or liquor purchased and from these records the Department of Taxation can estimate the amount of sales tax that should be turned over to the State.

 

I imagine that all sales of liquor made within the limits of what is considered Texas (12 miles?) must pay any appropriate sales taxes.

 

OMO

 

bosco

Edited February 17, 2015 by boscobeans

[scanditaly]

I swear I tried multiple key words, phrases, and even the regular internet, but could not find the answer on my own.

 

thanks to you both.

[spookwife]

I'd love to hear firsthand experience on timing, venue, or brand/type of liquor served on the first afternoon/evening of embarcation day from Galveston.

 

What is the approximate time frame from sailaway until reaching the approved international water border?

 

I'm most interested in wine, and wonder if Texas wine is offered for sale.

 

And, lastly, would also like to know about the Diamond and/or Concierge venues and what restrictions or substitutions might be available if sail-away is delayed.

 

Thank you

 

 

LIMITED selections for sale or free in the lounges. for instance, no Jack Daniels in the Concierge Lounge the first night, only Jim Beam. DH suffered mightily. IIRC only 2 reds and one white available across the board until the 1 2mile limit was reached. there is a list available at all bars that says exactly what you can get.

 

no idea if the staff was informed when they were released from the restrictions or if they know how long it takes to get 13 NM out.

[RocketMan275]

So this a law or just an agreement with the port and Carnival, so some Tx supplier can make money.

I bet that same supplier is a big contibuter to certain Political leaders campaign

 

Texas laws are essentially the same as they were when I was a 2Lt at Fort Hood in 1973. Basically, the only booze you can dispense in Texas must be bought through a Texas wholesailer who pays a tax on the purchase.

 

Using a supplier for booze dispensed once you leave Texas means the booze doesn't have a very large Texas sized tax on it. Cheaper for you and the cruise.

 

Not at all about political campaigns. It's about maximizing tax revenue for Texas.

[George C]

4 year old tread??

[LetsGetWet!]

4 year old tread??

Not sure about 4 year old treads, but it is a thread from a bit over 3 years ago.

 

And your problem with someone posting on a relevant older thread and asking for "any updates?" is what, exactly? :rolleyes:

[kathyfreer]

We sailed out of Galveston on Princess and we couldn't get a drink from our drink package for at least 1 hour after leaving the port and we were on the ship for about 4 hours ahead.  We could purchase a drink for $11 and a coke for $4.50.  It makes no sense that there was a restriction on non alcoholic beverage.  I will never sail out of Galveston again.  The port was so unorganized for embarkation and the line was over 1 hour long to get on the ship.  It didn't matter what time you got in line.  The people in our group started at different times and the story was the same.

Edited December 12, 2023 by kathyfreer
To explain that waiting an hour wouldn't be bad, but to wait 5 to 6 hours to start the vacation

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, kathyfreer said:

  It makes no sense that there was a restriction on non alcoholic beverage.

RCI doesn’t have that restriction. 

[1025cruise]

At least you weren't on Carnival, they don't start their package until the next day.

[not-enough-cruising]

19 hours ago, kathyfreer said:

We sailed out of Galveston on Princess and we couldn't get a drink from our drink package for at least 1 hour after leaving the port and we were on the ship for about 4 hours ahead.  We could purchase a drink for $11 and a coke for $4.50.  It makes no sense that there was a restriction on non alcoholic beverage.  I will never sail out of Galveston again.  The port was so unorganized for embarkation and the line was over 1 hour long to get on the ship.  It didn't matter what time you got in line.  The people in our group started at different times and the story was the same.

That’s a Princess restriction, not a Texas restriction. 

[nelblu]

I sailed on Harmony last Sunday and was surprised as my bottle of complementary wines were not ready in my cabin when I arrived.  I was told by my cabin attendant that due to the Texas liquor law I wasn't getting them until after sailing time.  Very educational and I also recently found out that Casino gambling is illegal in the state.

[Liljo22]

23 hours ago, kathyfreer said:

We sailed out of Galveston on Princess and we couldn't get a drink from our drink package for at least 1 hour after leaving the port and we were on the ship for about 4 hours ahead.  We could purchase a drink for $11 and a coke for $4.50.  It makes no sense that there was a restriction on non alcoholic beverage.  I will never sail out of Galveston again.  The port was so unorganized for embarkation and the line was over 1 hour long to get on the ship.  It didn't matter what time you got in line.  The people in our group started at different times and the story was the same.

The TABC requires cruise lines to use only liquor purchased from Texas distributors to be used while in their waters.  That means they can't buy the liquor in bulk with the rest of the ships they are purchasing for.  Princess it seems is not going to take the hit on the extra costs of drinks that Royal has taken on by allowing the package.  Like someone else said, Carnival doesn't even allow the package on the first day.  I am sailing on the NCL Prima Friday so I will see how they are handling it.  The test cruise last year for the Prima allowed use of the package.  

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

No liquor sales on Sunday before noon in Texas.  If you sail on a Sunday I'm sure that applies.  We sailed from Galveston a few years ago and the only draft beer was a local TX brew while we were in port.  

[firefly333]

On 12/12/2023 at 5:36 PM, kathyfreer said:

We sailed out of Galveston on Princess and we couldn't get a drink from our drink package for at least 1 hour after leaving the port and we were on the ship for about 4 hours ahead.  We could purchase a drink for $11 and a coke for $4.50.  It makes no sense that there was a restriction on non alcoholic beverage.  I will never sail out of Galveston again.  The port was so unorganized for embarkation and the line was over 1 hour long to get on the ship.  It didn't matter what time you got in line.  The people in our group started at different times and the story was the same.

Why post this on a royal Caribbean thread when rcl allows you to purchase a drink as soon as you hit the fist bar onboard. Post on princess if you have a gripe with them. As a Texan who has sailed out of this port 20 years I can tell you as many above have this is a princess specific gripe. Rcl does limit the liquor to texas stamped liquor. Pay those texas taxes carnival lines, princess carnival ... dont be so cheap.  .. clearly posted in the wrong forum. 

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

No liquor sales on Sunday before noon in Texas.  If you sail on a Sunday I'm sure that applies.  We sailed from Galveston a few years ago and the only draft beer was a local TX brew while we were in port.  

Not true anymore. I'm assuming you dont live here. 

 

I tried google as I'm sure people on rcl are drinking asap when boarding. 

 

Can you buy alcohol before noon on Sunday Texas?

 

 

Texas amended the the law that dictates when you can buy beer and wine in stores in Texas in 2021, adjusting the legal purchase time down to 10 a.m. on Sundays from noon. Liquor stores are closed on Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.Jul 28, 2023