Houston - All Inclusive Beverage Package

[R&S]

Hi!

We just returned from a cruise out of Galveston with Carnival and for embarkation day they would not allow the use of their Beverage Package (Cheers). It was a pay as you go for that day. Does Princess now do that as well on embarkation day? When we cruised from Houston on the Emerald we were able to use the AIBP as soon as we boarded.

 

Just curious since we are booked on the Caribbean Princess in April.

 

Thanks,

[Cindy]

Hi!

We just returned from a cruise out of Galveston with Carnival and for embarkation day they would not allow the use of their Beverage Package (Cheers). It was a pay as you go for that day. Does Princess now do that as well on embarkation day? When we cruised from Houston on the Emerald we were able to use the AIBP as soon as we boarded.

 

Just curious since we are booked on the Caribbean Princess in April.

 

Thanks,

 

We were able to use it immediately, however the drink selection is VERY limited and few bars are open. Unfortunately, our sailing was one that returned early to avoid possible weather complications on Sunday. That meant from 4:00 on Saturday our AIBP was more or less worthless.:(

[WISH84]

Texas liquor laws prohibit the sale of any alcohol not purchased in the state of Texas therefore the ship can only sell alcohol drinks made with Texas bought bottles or cans. This is why they have a very limited selection while the ship is still in Texas waters. Normally after leaving Galveston, about 30 minutes to an hour of exiting the channel, all the bars are open and with full options. Not sure why Carnival wouldn't allow you to use your Cheers package while in port, they simply only needed to limit your options to those Texas options but that could be a company decision to avoid any issues someone might have after buying the package and then not being able to purchase a certain brand they like because that brand won't be available until after they get into international waters.

[Colo Cruiser]

Hi!

We just returned from a cruise out of Galveston with Carnival and for embarkation day they would not allow the use of their Beverage Package (Cheers). It was a pay as you go for that day. Does Princess now do that as well on embarkation day? When we cruised from Houston on the Emerald we were able to use the AIBP as soon as we boarded.

 

Just curious since we are booked on the Caribbean Princess in April.

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

We were able to use it on embarkation day from Houston.

[satxdiver]

Another "feature" of being in Texas waters is that they must collect state sales tax on everything bought and consumed. That would include drinks, alcohol or other, have to have sales tax paid. I sounds like carnival decided to just not allow pax to use their beverage packages while in Texas waters. Don't you just love our money grubbing worthless gov!

[babygrljaz]

I called Princess a few weeks ago to ask about it. They said we will be able to you AIBP immediately upon embarkation. But drinks would be limited to whatever they already have open...wonderful TABC laws