Would you travel on a cruise ship that didn't serve alcohol?

[OD2]

We have sailed HAL, Celebrity, MSC, Seabourn, etc. We have noticed some people like to drink a bit too much, but it doesn't bother us usually, and if they know they have to pay at the end usually they are more moderate. We ourselves like a drink of wine with dinner usually, although not always. Mind you we have avoided Carnival (Ahem)..I hope I haven't offended anyone .

However, I must say that Seabourn ships are lovely, more pricey. and they include all liquor and any drinks you want in the price. It was on Seabourn where I noticed people heading straight to the bar on embarkation and staying there. Every morning when I got up they were at their favourite bars, and stayed all day, and some all night until close! Some didn't even bother to go for meals, just had fast food brought to them where they sat. It was so sad. And it set a tone I was uncomfortable with.

[ray8905]

No.

[OCruisers]

No for us!

[cmdchiefthom]

No Way!!!!!!!:rolleyes:

[squick64]

Nope. It's part of the fun and the experience. Also, I've basically sworn off drinking at home for calorie reasons now, so trips are my one excuse to misbehave. :-)

 

As for whether it "trumps" all other considerations, no, it's not the most important thing there is--if it were, I wouldn't even go on the cruise. I can drink at home for a lot less money. And I'd be willing to visit a country where alcohol was not (officially, at least) sold and consumed, assuming I was interested in visiting the country in general.

 

It's the principle of the thing, really. I don't want to go on a ship that's going to dictate what I can eat and drink, even if I don't care about it myself. Heck, I don't even care that they have a smoking section on ships, even though I don't smoke (anymore). I wouldn't go on a vegetarian cruise, either, even though I don't object to eating a vegetarian meal and it obviously wouldn't kill me to go without meat for a week.

[iancal]

In a word. NO. We would not even consider it.

 

Why would we when we could book on another ship that did serve alcohol.

 

It seems like the question addresses a moot point. I suspect that not serving alcohol would cause the fares to increase. Too much profit would be lost by selling that $8. bottle of wine for $35. Same with cocktails, etc.

 

Mass market cruise lines/ships are geared to the mass market.

[Velvetwater]

If a 20 night cruise around your ideal continent/area cost $1000 for 2 and was no drinks surely most would still book it?

[drsel]

If a 20 night cruise around your ideal continent/area cost $1000 for 2 and was no drinks surely most would still book it?

I would, definitely. Even $2000 for 2 for a 20 night cruise in my ideal area. But that price is just a fantasy.

In fact, without drinks to make a profit, the cruise fares would be inflated, not discounted.

The average cruiser spends over $400 on board. Only because of these spends, can the cruise line make a profit of around $126 per person

Edited August 1, 2018 by drsel

[thinfool]

If a 20 night cruise around your ideal continent/area cost $1000 for 2 and was no drinks surely most would still book it?

 

 

 

Wow. A cruise like that would put the CEO and Board of Directors in the unemployment line.

 

 

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[Velvetwater]

Just proving a point with an extreme example.

 

Although I have seen 14 night repos for $650 or so pp.

[drsel]

Wow. A cruise like that would put the CEO and Board of Directors in the unemployment line.

 

 

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Not just 1 discounted cruise. Because they make millions from the other regular price cruises.

[jimdalva]

No , I wouldn't. I can have fun without drinking, but have More fun when drinking.

[jimdalva]

Interesting number of alcohol-dependents for whom that one absolute essential seems to trump all else: itinerary, accommodations, cost.

 

Kind of sad.

 

I'm Not sad, booze makes me Happy!

[Hlitner]

Must admit to enjoying the philosophy of the OP :). DW and I would not think of "alcohol" as essential, but would be very unhappy to be on a cruise (especially a longer cruise) without wine. For us, drinking wine is not even about the alcohol, but rather the inter-relation between wine and cuisine. For that reason we would likely not book that cheap cruise without alcohol unless it at least allowed wine at dinner ::).

 

Hank

confirmed Oenophile

[iancal]

We would book a no alcohol cruise IF the price was very good. And I suspect that it would VERY good-especially after the final payment window.

 

But alas, we do not think that this will happen given the economics of mass market cruise ships. So it is not very much of a hypothetical question. I guess it could happen on some sort of charter by a faith based group who could not sell out the ship. We definitely pass on that cruise.

[sykimball1498]

Must admit to enjoying the philosophy of the OP :). DW and I would not think of "alcohol" as essential, but would be very unhappy to be on a cruise (especially a longer cruise) without wine. For us, drinking wine is not even about the alcohol, but rather the inter-relation between wine and cuisine. For that reason we would likely not book that cheap cruise without alcohol unless it at least allowed wine at dinner ::).

 

Hank

confirmed Oenophile

 

I'm with you! I have the sommelier pair each course with a nice wine on all our cruises. I don't do it every night at home, but do when we go out or are on vacation. I believe if paired properly, they enhance each other. That is what I am looking for. Not the "buzz" that some people think people that drink are after. Not that there is anything wrong with getting a buzz either...LOL. At first my post sounded really snotty and I didn't mean it that way. You just never know how things can be taken in print. We like to drink on vacation so I would not book a cruise that "outlawed" it. Everything in moderation is acceptable.

Edited August 1, 2018 by sykimball1498

[sverigecruiser]

If a 20 night cruise around your ideal continent/area cost $1000 for 2 and was no drinks surely most would still book it?

 

I might book that cruise if everything, including airline tickets, was included and I had unlimited vacation.

 

Since I can afford to pay more I rather book a cruise where I can drink if I want to.

[drsel]

Just proving a point with an extreme example.

 

Although I have seen 14 night repos for $650 or so pp.

That's $46.43 per person per night, not $25 as you mentioned (hoped for) earlier.

[cruisemom42]

The average cruiser spends over $400 on board. Only because of these spends, can the cruise line make a profit of around $126 per person

 

My goodness, what in the world do they spend it on?

 

I suspect I am probably a very undesirable cruise passenger since I don't buy photos, go to the spa or use the ship's shore excursions. Nor do I contribute to the casino.

 

In fact, ironically, probably the one thing that I DO reliably spend money on is -- alcohol.

[Velvetwater]

That's $46.43 per person per night, not $25 as you mentioned (hoped for) earlier.

 

If you read my post first one it was a fantasy example to make a point to the no people.

 

The second amount was a real life figure given because it was quite close to the first amount (all things considered).

 

I don't think one needs to whip a calculator out.

[newbietraveler101]

We drink rarely--maybe a glass of wine at holiday dinners-- so it wouldn't make any difference to us. In fact, I've never bought a drink on board, just don't need it or want it.

 

Do others really think people who don't drink are judgemental and 'temperance'? I suppose some are, but not us.

 

It might make a cruise more expensive though, without the revenue from alcohol.

 

Absolutely, one of my thoughts too. The fare could get more expensive due to the absence of those but I also think, on the other hand, that the cruise fare could get cheaper as well since the cruise won't be that luxurious without those alcoholic drinks and etc.

[drsel]

It would be bad marketing strategy to have no sale of alcoholic beverages, especially when it costs them so little. They buy tax free alcohol at wholesale prices. Eg. Less than $30 for 1 liter of Black Label

[Slugsta]

At home I drink alcohol a couple of times a week. More on cruises, although never enough to make it worth buying a drinks package.

 

Earlier this year, for medical reasons, I had several months alcohol free - and I will admit that I missed it.

 

So I think it highly unlikely that I would take an alcohol-free cruise unless there was something else that made it too good to miss.

[navybankerteacher]

At home I drink alcohol a couple of times a week. More on cruises, although never enough to make it worth buying a drinks package.

 

Earlier this year, for medical reasons, I had several months alcohol free - and I will admit that I missed it.

 

So I think it highly unlikely that I would take an alcohol-free cruise unless there was something else that made it too good to miss.

 

One of the few replies which addressed the question put by OP. Discussions of cruise economics were off the point, as were dissertations about pairings and preferences.

 

I would miss the occasional drink as well as wine with dinner - but, with enough counter-balancing enticements - say: itinerary, accommodations, entertainment, pricing - of course I would consider it.

 

To absolutely refuse to consider it, regardless of everything else, does indicate a kind of dependence.

[lisiamc]

One of the few replies which addressed the question put by OP. Discussions of cruise economics were off the point, as were dissertations about pairings and preferences.

 

I would miss the occasional drink as well as wine with dinner - but, with enough counter-balancing enticements - say: itinerary, accommodations, entertainment, pricing - of course I would consider it.

 

To absolutely refuse to consider it, regardless of everything else, does indicate a kind of dependence.

 

If it was free, I absolutely would do it. But if I’m paying, I’d rather be able to have a drink if I want one, even if I have to pay a bit more. Especially since I’m not driving anywhere.