DIAMOND - Drinks package cancelled for Dec Australian cruise

[Aus Traveller]

I think Princess are lying to you. There are no laws that prevent Princess from doing what they want the moment the ship leaves the Australian immigration zone and transits to international waters. It is not an Australian flagged ship and not subject to Australian laws in international waters. The only time it has to obey Australian laws is when the ship is tied up in an Australian port or transiting Australia without going international.

In principal I agree, although I wouldn't put it that bluntly. The person who gave the information about it being due to Australian laws, was probably just coming up with their own idea.

 

Although a few Princess ships are based in Australia and do a few things differently from the US-based ships, I don't think they are owned or run by a subsidiary. As far as I can see, the different cruiselines owned by Carnival are simply different divisions of the Carnival Corporation - not subsidiary companies. From what I can see, when people buy shares in Carnival, they are in effect buying shares in the whole corporation, i.e. Princess, P&O, Costa, Cunard, Holland America etc. etc. etc. That indicates it is all one company.

[Cruise Junky]

I'm guessing this is the case. If the pricing and ship's onboard currency is $Australian, then the ship is sailing for Princess Australia, not Princess US.

 

Does Diamond change her currency? I thought she stayed in US$

[crochetcruise]

Does Diamond change her currency? I thought she stayed in US$

 

According, from my memory of the brochure as I can't find it right now, Diamond Princess and Golden Princess are to change to $AUD as of 09/27/2015. Am relying on my memory so could have the date wrong.

 

I completely missed the point about travelling in Australian waters so the All Inclusive Drinks Package wouldn't apply to me! Feel a bit of a fool, but thankful someone has prepared a spreadsheet detailing drink prices. I shall do my research, and prepay On Board Credit. The Soda and More package looks to be the option for me then.

 

Crochetcruise :cool::cool:

[cruising kirby]

Does anyone have a link to current wine prices on board?

[SadieN]

Could be a CCL Corporate decision.

Carnival and now Princess doesn't offer an all inclusive alochol package. Wonder if P&O Australia does?

[rkmw]

Does Diamond change her currency? I thought she stayed in US$

 

the Diamond is staying in USD until it comes to Australia late 2015 and then changes to AUD

[Dcshener]

Hello

 

On the Aussies drink a lot subject, according to the ever reliable be Wikipedia (don't forget to donate) Australia is equal 15th on the OECD per capita consumption list with the UK and even lower in the WHO list.

[Iamcruzin]

No we aren't all in a drunken stupor.:) A small proportion of Aussies drink a lot, and these are the ones who are likely to buy a drinks package. We wouldn't because we only drink less than one bottle of wine at dinner each evening.

And it's the same with Americans so I can't believe that this would be the reason for denying a drink package to one region.

[the wombat]

Australian laws also include the concept of "extra-territoriality", meaning that if it is an Australian- based company, even if it is "operating" in international waters or foreign territorial waters. It also has to keep to Australian laws as well as any local laws. The ships operating out of Australia come under the control of the Australian subsidiary of Princess Cruises, which I believe is in Sydney. Therefore, New South Wales alcohol laws.

 

On Princess ships operating out of Australia: no drink packages, no "happy hours", casino shuts near ports where local gambling laws are in effect (e.g Perth Western Australia- they couldn't open until above the Tropic of Capricorn), and no alcohol related promotions.

[Bill B]

Australian laws also include the concept of "extra-territoriality", meaning that if it is an Australian- based company, even if it is "operating" in international waters or foreign territorial waters. It also has to keep to Australian laws as well as any local laws. The ships operating out of Australia come under the control of the Australian subsidiary of Princess Cruises, which I believe is in Sydney. Therefore, New South Wales alcohol laws.

 

On Princess ships operating out of Australia: no drink packages, no "happy hours", casino shuts near ports where local gambling laws are in effect (e.g Perth Western Australia- they couldn't open until above the Tropic of Capricorn), and no alcohol related promotions.

 

Thank you for clarifying that.

 

Princess is not going to voluntarily 'pass' on a chance to make money (and even with a ship full of booze hounds, the drinks package increases on board revenue).

[Mississippian]

Yes, I know about gifting myself On Board Credit, I just don't really want the hassle of keeping a record of EVERY mocktail, soda, juice or cocktail I enjoy to avoid an unpleasant shock with my bill! Even when I do my supermarket shopping, I keep a mental running tally to stay within, unless there's some good specials that will ultimately save me money, my allotted budget for that shopping trip.

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

There is a kiosk to the right of the pursers desk where you can swipe your cruise card and get a complete list of cruise charges. So just stop by every day or two and make sure you are within your budget. Not perfect, but....

[By The Bay]

Could be a CCL Corporate decision.

Carnival and now Princess doesn't offer an all inclusive alochol package. Wonder if P&O Australia does?

P&O Australia does not offer an all inclusive alcohol package. :mad:

[Bill B]

P&O Australia does not offer an all inclusive alcohol package. :mad:

 

But they would if they could.

[crochetcruise]

There is a kiosk to the right of the pursers desk where you can swipe your cruise card and get a complete list of cruise charges. So just stop by every day or two and make sure you are within your budget. Not perfect, but....

 

THANK YOU! That information has been added to the cruise notepad!

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[kenexx]

So I guess 18 year olds can get a drink on the Diamond when it's here for its season.

[the wombat]

So I guess 18 year olds can get a drink on the Diamond when it's here for its season.

 

 

Yes, as they do on Sun Dawn and Sea. The same is actually the case for Princess ships operating out of the UK (Was on Grand in 2012 out of Southampton. 18 year olds served in the bar and allowed to gamble in casino.

[Cruise Junky]

Australian laws also include the concept of "extra-territoriality", meaning that if it is an Australian- based company, even if it is "operating" in international waters or foreign territorial waters. It also has to keep to Australian laws as well as any local laws. The ships operating out of Australia come under the control of the Australian subsidiary of Princess Cruises, which I believe is in Sydney. Therefore, New South Wales alcohol laws.

 

On Princess ships operating out of Australia: no drink packages, no "happy hours", casino shuts near ports where local gambling laws are in effect (e.g Perth Western Australia- they couldn't open until above the Tropic of Capricorn), and no alcohol related promotions.

 

Diamond doesn't operate under Princess AU though. And buy the same law you posted, there should be no reduced prices in the Elite Lounge, no free mini bar set up in rooms. Does that happen on the Australian Ships?

[beg3yrs]

Diamond doesn't operate under Princess AU though. And buy the same law you posted, there should be no reduced prices in the Elite Lounge, no free mini bar set up in rooms. Does that happen on the Australian Ships?

 

Wasn't yet Elite when we were on the Dawn so can't tell you about the mini-bar setup but I can tell you there was no Elite/Platinum Lounge at all, therefore, no discounted drinks.

[Cruise Junky]

Wasn't yet Elite when we were on the Dawn so can't tell you about the mini-bar setup but I can tell you there was no Elite/Platinum Lounge at all, therefore, no discounted drinks.

 

Yeah, wouldn't surprise me on Dawn. I'm curious about Diamond though who to the best of my knowledge does not sail under Princess Australia but is the subject of this thread.

[Christine Frances]

Celebrity offers the 123 Promo with drink packages on their Australian itinerarys:confused:

[Cruise Junky]

Celebrity offers the 123 Promo with drink packages on their Australian itinerarys:confused:

 

Yes, I have a free one :) But they have no AU subsidiary as Princess does. Still doesn't make sense to me why it affects Diamond but I understand Dawn, Sea and Sun.

[rkmw]

Yes, I have a free one :) But they have no AU subsidiary as Princess does. Still doesn't make sense to me why it affects Diamond but I understand Dawn, Sea and Sun.

 

i found this and it must be a Carnival policy for cruises out of Australia

 

All Inclusive Beverage Package†

 

You can now relax and enjoy the convenience of an all inclusive beverage package featuring any drink up to $10 including cocktails, wine, beer, sodas, lattes, cappuccinos, bottled water & more. All for just $49 USD per person per day!

 

†15% gratuity will be included in addition to the price. Package does not include beverages above $10, souvenir items, mini-bar items, in-room service or vending machine items. Package does not apply to Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess or Diamond Princess and Golden Princess voyages departing from and returning to Australia

[icat2000]

i found this and it must be a Carnival policy for cruises out of Australia

 

All Inclusive Beverage Package†

 

You can now relax and enjoy the convenience of an all inclusive beverage package featuring any drink up to $10 including cocktails, wine, beer, sodas, lattes, cappuccinos, bottled water & more. All for just $49 USD per person per day!

 

†15% gratuity will be included in addition to the price. Package does not include beverages above $10, souvenir items, mini-bar items, in-room service or vending machine items. Package does not apply to Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess or Diamond Princess and Golden Princess voyages departing from and returning to Australia

 

Sounds like its the law here that applies to ships departing to and from an Australian port. I wonder whether it applies to the relocation cruises that go for example from Sydney to Singapore or Honolulu to Sydney. Carnival Spirit doesn't do a package either.

[crochetcruise]

i found this and it must be a Carnival policy for cruises out of Australia

 

All Inclusive Beverage Package†

 

You can now relax and enjoy the convenience of an all inclusive beverage package featuring any drink up to $10 including cocktails, wine, beer, sodas, lattes, cappuccinos, bottled water & more. All for just $49 USD per person per day!

 

†15% gratuity will be included in addition to the price. Package does not include beverages above $10, souvenir items, mini-bar items, in-room service or vending machine items. Package does not apply to Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess or Diamond Princess and Golden Princess voyages departing from and returning to Australia

 

Thank You!

 

This confirms I cannot get the All Inclusive Drink Package for my Tester Cruise, so must use On Board Credit and take a notepad and pen with me to keep a running total. At least I have 16 months warning to tweak the budget-easily achievable!:D

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[Loonbeam]

As a rule of thumb, its departure port that sets the rules. That said, there are treaties that can change that as well as sometimes its easier to keep a consistent policy based on the most restrictive departure port.

 

 

Sounds like its the law here that applies to ships departing to and from an Australian port. I wonder whether it applies to the relocation cruises that go for example from Sydney to Singapore or Honolulu to Sydney. Carnival Spirit doesn't do a package either.