Alcohol on Oceania

[wally_bushy]

On our last cruise (Nautica Baltic cruise in Aug 2012) we were able to bring a bottle of scotch aboard for in-cabin use.

I gather this has changed since then:(

If so, is there provision for buying a bottle on board (even at inflated prices).

[sitraveler]

No change yet. Bring what you want

[airheadfan]

We were on the Marina for a B2B2B in October and brought on Lemoncello, Cava, Prosecco, Brandy, and Gin - did they change the rules just for Scotch? We had no problems with the others - they were always in a carry on that went through the X-ray. I am sure that I saw crew doing the same. So, you should not have a problem unless things are different now.

[wally_bushy]

Thanks for your responses.. I feel better:)

(Scotch is just referred to as it is my favourite drop)

[Mura]

Wally,

 

It sounds like you are assuming that NCL will change the alcohol rules to those that govern NCL ships today (as opposed to Oceania ships). I admit that I'm concerned that this may be the case down the road, but so far nothing has been announced.

 

We are due to sail on MARINA in April and I'm assuming we will be able to bring on our own liquor then ... unless an announcement is made before then.

 

Mura

[wally_bushy]

I based my post on some research I did previously where forums listed the cruise lines which allow a BYO on board.

I checked again and Oceania was not on the list this time. I assumed it had changed its policy.

At this stage I am happy with what I am hearing and hope they do not change the rules.

 

As an aside I am fairly new to posting on this site and appreciate the quick replies and enjoy reading the threads (most of them anyway :))

[greydog]

I based my post on some research I did previously where forums listed the cruise lines which allow a BYO on board.

I checked again and Oceania was not on the list this time. I assumed it had changed its policy.

At this stage I am happy with what I am hearing and hope they do not change the rules.

 

 

Current FAQ on Oceania website says private alcohol will be confiscated, including purchases at ports. I'm not surprised at that being the official policy - the reports on this board may just indicate a general laxity of enforcement. Couple bottles of wine may be exception since they apparently do corkage fee in restaurants.

 

We have booked our 1st O cruise (TransAtl May'16) after 25 Celebrity. I saw Preisman's recent Riviera dailies and glad to see, besides the daily 2-4-1 Happy Hour 5-6pm, that the rotating 3 drinks-of-day are $5.50 before gratuity. These provide a reasonable option versus the $60-a-day beverage package - may find other cocktails I enjoy. Happy Cruising

[StanandJim]

We haven't heard anything from the people who are sailing now about any changes in the onboard policy, and Oceania has allowed their passengers alcoholic carte blanche from their inception, even though the FAQ was written to give them confiscation authority -should they so choose...

 

As of this present moment, I'm hoping for the best.

[DrHemlock]

greydog:

 

The 5-6 p.m. happy hour works perfectly if, like us, you're an early diner. Head down or up to your favorite bar at about 5:45. Order your two-for-one choice, slurp and schmooze until 6:25 and then it's off to dinner when doors open at 6:30.

 

Or some variation thereof. Highly recommended!

[DermNurse]

Just got back from cruise on O. Took scotch & wine on board with no problem. We were evacuated due to engine fire. They packed and shipped clothes including spirits back home to us

[ORV]

We haven't heard anything from the people who are sailing now about any changes in the onboard policy, and Oceania has allowed their passengers alcoholic carte blanche from their inception, even though the FAQ was written to give them confiscation authority -should they so choose...

 

As of this present moment, I'm hoping for the best.

 

No problem at embarkation or ports on recent Dec 1st trip. Business as usual.

[PaulMCO]

No problem at embarkation or ports on recent Dec 1st trip. Business as usual.

 

Same here on 23 Dec Riviera cruise. 3 bottles of wine and 1 of Gin in our Carry-on.

Edited December 26, 2014 by PaulMCO

[greydog]

greydog:

 

The 5-6 p.m. happy hour works perfectly if, like us, you're an early diner. Head down or up to your favorite bar at about 5:45. Order your two-for-one choice, slurp and schmooze until 6:25 and then it's off to dinner when doors open at 6:30.

 

Or some variation thereof. Highly recommended!

 

Thanks - We always eat early so H-hour pre-dinner strategy will be feasible. However, I believe from reading that only Martinis and Horizons bars do the 2-4-1 H-hour. Happy Holidays

[LHT28]

Thanks - We always eat early so H-hour pre-dinner strategy will be feasible. However, I believe from reading that only Martinis and Horizons bars do the 2-4-1 H-hour. Happy Holidays

 

Grand Bar also has HH on the O class ships & probably the casino bar ...I hate the purple lights so do not go there

[SellaVee]

We sailed on Windstar some years ago. We read their policy as stating that alcohol would be confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise. We bought some duty free vodka and rum in the Caribbean (planning to take it home) and carried it on board in the plastic bag from the store fully expecting to hand it over. To our surprise it wasn't even mentioned so we clinked our way to the cabin and stowed it in the wardrobe.

 

The point is I think cruise lines look at the passengers they have on board and use their common sense about whether to confiscate alcohol. If it's a stated policy they always they always have the option.

[Floridiana]

 

The point is I think cruise lines look at the passengers they have on board and use their common sense about whether to confiscate alcohol. If it's a stated policy they always they always have the option.

 

I agree.

[hondorner]

I based my post on some research I did previously where forums listed the cruise lines which allow a BYO on board.

I checked again and Oceania was not on the list this time. I assumed it had changed its policy.

At this stage I am happy with what I am hearing and hope they do not change the rules.

 

As an aside I am fairly new to posting on this site and appreciate the quick replies and enjoy reading the threads (most of them anyway :))

Welcome to the site. I read that same report with the list and saw that Oceania was not listed. I think it actually has to do with the fact that Oceania is off the radar to most of those summaries that deal with the mainstream cruise lines. It isn't that Oceania changed, it's the list maker who was clueless.

 

...The point is I think cruise lines look at the passengers they have on board and use their common sense about whether to confiscate alcohol. If it's a stated policy they always they always have the option.

You're absolutely correct. I like to say that Oceania (and by your report, WindStar) treats their guests like responsible adults unless and until they act otherwise -- thus the legal right to do something about it. I really think it's the potential rowdiness on mainstream lines that prods those cruise companies to be so restrictive -- they can't trust their passengers to be responsible, thus force them to buy from a bar where they can be turned down. My opinion is that's more the reason than any profit motive, although that doesn't hurt ;).

[ORV]

Grand Bar also has HH on the O class ships & probably the casino bar ...I hate the purple lights so do not go there

 

I don't think they're always purple. Either that or I had a lot to drink that night.;)

[CintiPam]

I don't think they're always purple. Either that or I had a lot to drink that night.;)

 

Always purple when I have visited but perhaps the Picasso prints on the walls distracted you! :)

[Baybear]

Can you carry a glass of your own wine that you pour in your stateroom into the dining venues at night without paying the corkage fee since there is no bottle involved? (Of course that limits you to one glass for the meal...)

[orchestrapal]

Can you carry a glass of your own wine that you pour in your stateroom into the dining venues at night without paying the corkage fee since there is no bottle involved? (Of course that limits you to one glass for the meal...)

 

I doubt you would be stopped but it surely would be tacky.....

Edited December 27, 2014 by orchestrapal

[Mura]

Always purple when I have visited but perhaps the Picasso prints on the walls distracted you! :)

 

 

Seemed purple to me as well ... but for us it doesn't matter since we don't generally go into the bars. I would, but DH usually doesn't drink anything harder than orange juice, no ice, usually, so there's no need.

 

Yes, on rare occasion we meet friends for drinks before dinner, but usually that is in Horizons which is NOT purple.

 

Mura

[LHT28]

The Casino bar had the purple lights on both ships when we were on but we usually sit in the Grand Bar hallway for the quartet

[LHT28]

Can you carry a glass of your own wine that you pour in your stateroom into the dining venues at night without paying the corkage fee since there is no bottle involved? (Of course that limits you to one glass for the meal...)

 

I am sure people do but that is what ruins it for others that obey the rules

 

Soon they may get like NCL & charge a corkage just to bring wine onboard no matter where you drink it

 

JMO

 

Lyn

[hondorner]

Always purple when I have visited but perhaps the Picasso prints on the walls distracted you! :)

Riviera launched with shifting color lights in the casino bar; Marina has probably been retrofitted with them by now. Riviera also has shifting color lights on the ceiling in Horizons.