Cheap Alcohol Hacks on Board

[barbiecruiser27]

Hi There! Looking into doing a quick 3-4 night cruise, but without the drink package. I have always had a drink package so I have never paid attention to drink prices and specials very much. Since this cruise is short and we plan to spend more time in Nassau we decided that the package won't be worth the price, if anything we'd break even.We will of course bring on the allotted wine (2 per cabin?), but are there places on board that offer "happy hours" or specials? I remember I saw on a compass once that there were $1 mimosas in the casino from 12-1pm or something one day. I'm looking for things like this. Also, what are current drink prices like? We are looking at the Mariner for April 2019.

 

 

Thanks!!

[Clarea]

Basic well drinks around $9.  Fancy (upper shelf, blender, frozen) cocktails around $12.  Add 18% for gratuity.

[HOSKI]

$2 mimosas in the casino on our Navigator cruise and buckets of beer specials but that was it for specials.

 

[mets123]

The mimosas are only two dollars in the  casino has IF the ship is at sea. But only for one hour. I don't remember it its 11-12 or 12-1.

[Thorben-Hendrik]

7 hours ago, barbiecruiser27 said:

Hi There! Looking into doing a quick 3-4 night cruise, but without the drink package. I have always had a drink package so I have never paid attention to drink prices and specials very much. Since this cruise is short and we plan to spend more time in Nassau we decided that the package won't be worth the price, if anything we'd break even.We will of course bring on the allotted wine (2 per cabin?), but are there places on board that offer "happy hours" or specials? I remember I saw on a compass once that there were $1 mimosas in the casino from 12-1pm or something one day. I'm looking for things like this. Also, what are current drink prices like? We are looking at the Mariner for April 2019.

 

 

Thanks!!

You can bring 2 bottles of wine per person if you split up before the security line.... 👍🤘

[mugtech]

52 minutes ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

You can bring 2 bottles of wine per person if you split up before the security line.... 👍🤘

You can also bring alcoholic fluids in mouthwash bottles.

[dmdicato]

38 minutes ago, mugtech said:

You can also bring alcoholic fluids in mouthwash bottles.

My husband's luggage was once sent to the "naughty room" because of a mouthwash bottle....which they thought was booze!

[Bee Guy]

Do I see the privilege of bring wine on board going away because of abuse?

[oddly excitered]

There used to be a drink of the day on the cruise compass most days, do ships still do this? saved me a couple of bucks and found some new selections. I also remember a few happy hours at boleros for margaritas. Might not be your choice of what you would usually drink but diversity can be fun! Some fun involved in just finding the deals on a daily basis, I have always wanted to get the bev package but my wife aint havin it! We always do end up with less of a bill than the package would have cost though.

[hannibal54]

Go to the art auction for free champagne, if your Diamond and up or in a suite you could go to the Diamond Lounge, the welcome back party has free drinks or the Captain's welcome back normally has champagne.

[mugtech]

51 minutes ago, dmdicato said:

My husband's luggage was once sent to the "naughty room" because of a mouthwash bottle....which they thought was booze!

There is a lot of alcohol in Listerine, but the taste says "If you're drinking me, you might be an alcoholic."

[Ourusualbeach]

Jello shots at the pool bars were $2.00.

 

Each had 2/3 of an oz. Of alcohol. 

[vacationlover_mn]

37 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Jello shots at the pool bars were $2.00.

 

Each had 2/3 of an oz. Of alcohol. 

Oooo- I’ve never seen Jell-O shots at the pool on any ship.  We’re they at the bar, or at a little “pop up stand”?  Has anyone seen this on Symphony?  Can I use my drink package for them?

[vacationlover_mn]

In the app, I see my upcoming symphony cruise is advertising happy hour at Hooked and Wonderland in the evening.  I can’t remember seeing this on other ships...

[Ourusualbeach]

19 minutes ago, vacationlover_mn said:

In the app, I see my upcoming symphony cruise is advertising happy hour at Hooked and Wonderland in the evening.  I can’t remember seeing this on other ships...

At all the bars on the pool deck and the bar by the Flowrider. 

[Clarea]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Jello shots at the pool bars were $2.00.

 

Each had 2/3 of an oz. Of alcohol. 

 

That's a very good deal!

[gatour]

As other's have said

Casino offers mimosa's once or twice

Art auction has a champagn auction.

 

I found a Cruise compass from our 3 day Enchantment Nov cruise.  It has a drink of the day.  Mai Tai for $8 plus 18% gratuity.  I don't drink Mai Tai's so don't know if this a special price or not.

 

[George C]

10 hours ago, HOSKI said:

$2 mimosas in the casino on our Navigator cruise and buckets of beer specials but that was it for specials.

 

Same on oasis a few weeks ago, we had drink package but were at casino bar , large crowd and people ordering 4 or 5 at a time, we went to another bar. 

[cruisegirl1]

2 hours ago, Bee Guy said:

Do I see the privilege of bring wine on board going away because of abuse?

I hope not!  I  hate to see folks posting ways to break the rules.  I don't care if they break the rules, just don't post about it and ruin a privilege for others! 

 

M

[payitforward]

Instead of spending your vacation chasing cheap alcohol around the ship, do what you would normally do. Order your favorite drink when you want to, and don't obsess about it. Odds are you'll still pay less than you would have for the drink package, and you'll enjoy your vacation a whole lot more.

[gatour]

I was looking at our cruise compasses from May on the Harmony (for something).  I saw that Sabor had a happy hour one afternoon.

[vacationlover_mn]

4 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

At all the bars on the pool deck and the bar by the Flowrider. 

I can’t believe I’ve missed this for so many years!  Has anyone seen this on Oasis class ships??!!

[F27TW]

6 hours ago, hannibal54 said:

Go to the art auction for free champagne, if your Diamond and up or in a suite you could go to the Diamond Lounge, the welcome back party has free drinks or the Captain's welcome back normally has champagne.

Noooo that's not anything you could call "champagne" .. its the cheapest crap they can get away with.

[F27TW]

Rum Runner flasks in your checked luggage..  work like a charm every time.   I have never once been caught. 

 

(Cue all the RC revenue defender outrage . . . . .)

 

 

Edited December 28, 2018 by F27TW

[HBE4]

6 hours ago, Bee Guy said:

Do I see the privilege of bring wine on board going away because of abuse?

 

Nah, if anything Royal will eliminate their wine cellar and convert it into a revenue  producing stateroom(s).