Can you get Drinks (Drink and Refresh Pkg) as soon as u are aboard?

[Project-College]

My DW seems to remember you had to wait until the ship sailed to get alcoholic drinks?  Is that right and if so, what about mocktails?

[chiguy67]

You can get alcoholic drinks when you get on board.

[davekathy]

We never had to wait to get a drink (beer, wine or whatever we wanted) when we first boarded the ship pre shut down and post shut down.  

[hazeleyes46]

Was she under age as many years ago at 18 you could drink but only once in International waters?

[firefly333]

Out of Galveston there are some limited brands until it hits international waters, but never bothered me. But not every brand is available. Has to be texas bought for taxes but you can have that frozen margarita right away.

[Project-College]

1 minute ago, hazeleyes46 said:

Was she under age as many years ago at 18 you could drink but only once in International waters?

No... we are in our 60's so might be more a memory issue.  But do NOT tell my wife I said that!

[hazeleyes46]

2 minutes ago, Project-College said:

No... we are in our 60's so might be more a memory issue.  But do NOT tell my wife I said that!

Ha ok lol 🙂

[twangster]

In Texas there is a limited drink menu approved by state regulators so there are limited choices until at sea but alcoholic drinks are available.  

 

Other than that one caveat you can pretty much walk on and on start drinking.  

[OCSC Mike]

13 minutes ago, twangster said:

you can pretty much walk on and on start drinking.  

 

In fact, it's encouraged! 🍹

[JOHN 57]

I remember in Texas on boarding, we always had alcholic drinks.  True, some limitation, until we sailed, and casino was shut down until we sailed.

[LeeW]

Texas will also tax you on any bottles you bring off the ship if they see them as you exit the terminal.  Even if you are flying out same day.  For miniatures they wanted $.50 for the alcohol and $3 for the bottle a few years back.  

[bonsai3s]

And if you don't have your seapass card, the bartender will simply ask for your cabin number.

[George C]

11 minutes ago, LeeW said:

Texas will also tax you on any bottles you bring off the ship if they see them as you exit the terminal.  Even if you are flying out same day.  For miniatures they wanted $.50 for the alcohol and $3 for the bottle a few years back.  

I ignore them , they never check anyone.

[JOHN 57]

never had that problem exiting the ship in Texas

[Tree_skier]

I get a drink at the first bar I see once on board.  

[FPP777]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Out of Galveston there are some limited brands until it hits international waters, but never bothered me. But not every brand is available. Has to be texas bought for taxes but you can have that frozen margarita right away.

Our liquor laws are so outdated 😐

[PSU_Redhead]

3 hours ago, FPP777 said:

Our liquor laws are so outdated 😐

 

Same with ours here in Pennsylvania!

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

7 hours ago, davekathy said:

We never had to wait to get a drink (beer, wine or whatever we wanted) when we first boarded the ship pre shut down and post shut down.  

Do not know about other ports but Florida has the Cruise lines charge sales tax till thy are past the 3 mile limit.

[davekathy]

11 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Do not know about other ports but Florida has the Cruise lines charge sales tax till thy are past the 3 mile limit.

Shhh, don't tell the Florida governor as we never have. 😉 Wouldn't stop us from getting a drink.  

Edited July 26, 2022 by davekathy

[rebeccac]

If you ordered a drink at a bar/restaurant before the ship is 3 miles out, you have paid the Florida tax even if you didn't realize it, it goes right onto your shipboard account.  

[davekathy]

Just now, rebeccac said:

If you ordered a drink at a bar/restaurant before the ship is 3 miles out, you have paid the Florida tax even if you didn't realize it, it goes right onto your shipboard account.  

That how know we didn't as I look at the receipt when signing for our drinks. Pre covid cruises. No biggie if we do get charged. 

[rebeccac]

Not like you have a choice.   🙂

It is usually a fairly small amount.  And it will happen even if you have a drink package.

[davekathy]

Just now, rebeccac said:

Not like you have a choice.   🙂

It is usually a fairly small amount.  And it will happen even if you have a drink package.

I guess I'll have to wait to see when we take our next cruise outta Florida. Just gotta remember to tell the server not to charge against our C&A drinks. 

[cruiselvr04]

17 hours ago, George C said:

I ignore them , they never check anyone.

We just don’t bring any back anymore.  Not worth it with the tax and I can’t lie when asked.  Adding $3 per bottle pretty much eats any savings.

[shipgeeks]

There was a report here a week or two ago that on one of the RC ships, one could not be served until completing the individual muster drill requirement.  Board ship, go to muster station, get checked in, go to bar.