What's closed onboard on port days? UK Itinerary

[oatbagg1]

since our 12 day cruise has 10 port days are the bars, shops & casino closed for the whole time we're in port? I know this is true on Caribbean cruises, it is the same in Europe? Doesn't Princess lose a LOT of money?

[fishywood]

Casino is only ever open when the ship is in international waters. Pretty sure that is true worldwide. And on a British Isles sailing there may be some nights it does not open if the ports are so close together the ship does not leave territorial waters in between (such as Dublin and Liverpool)

If the shops were open while in port they would have to charge VAT. And likely would not be able to sell duty free tobacco or alcohol at all.The reason the shops are a money maker is that the passengers save tax and (possibly) duty, so they only open during the hours that is possible.

There is always a bar open on Princess ships. The Calypso Bar in the pool area nearest the HC is open from breakfast thru late evening even when in port. And I have seen Crooners open all day when in port on several different cruises as well.

 

ETA: missed the obvious--since the IC is open 24/7 the bar next to it will be nearly so. On port days as well as sea days.

 

ETA2: remember that if you purchase a drink while the ship is in port, local taxes may be added to the price. (True at most US turnaround ports as well as many Med ports; not entirely sure if true in the UK). Of course you avoid this if your have the AIBP.

Edited May 17, 2017 by fishywood

[beg3yrs]

MDR is typically not open for lunch on port days.

[pablo222]

Casino is only ever open when the ship is in international waters. Pretty sure that is true worldwide.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/10/04/bermuda-cruise-ship-casino-gambling/2921697/

 

The Bahamas changes their laws to allow shops to open.

I can't remember if it included casinos, or not.

 

They wanted to keep the ships from sailing away at 5:00pm, so

the cruisers had more time to spend money on land.

[easyboy]

Shops onboard were closed on port days in our Med cruise last year.

 

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[oatbagg1]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/10/04/bermuda-cruise-ship-casino-gambling/2921697/

 

The Bahamas changes their laws to allow shops to open.

I can't remember if it included casinos, or not.

 

They wanted to keep the ships from sailing away at 5:00pm, so

the cruisers had more time to spend money on land.

On a HAL cruise last year, they opened the casino after we were delayed waiting for a med-Vac.

[pablo222]

ETA: missed the obvious--since the IC is open 24/7 the bar next to it will be nearly so. On port days as well as sea days.

 

 

My experience:

 

On ships like Emerald, where the international cafe is factory installed...

The coffee machines are in the middle of the lobby bar, so the bar is open 24x7

 

On ships like Caribbean, where the international cafe is aftermarket.

The coffee machines are 'around the corner' from the lobby bar, so the bar

has traditional hours and is closed overnight.

 

On the third hand, Coral has an aftermarket I.C., and I seem to recall the

bar being always open.

 

No one size fits all answer.

[WDWDVC]

We did the British Isles cruise last year and I was surprised that the casino was closed 7 of the 12 days. Other than that nothing particularly stuck out as being unusual as to when things were closed so yes, shops would be closed during port times. Didn't use the bars so can't comment on that.