Jubilee 2 new zones announced

[AtSeaWithChris]

6 minutes ago, grewton said:

You can't use the Cheers package on embarkation day in Galveston?  

No. Cheers starts the 2nd day. 

[grewton]

Well, that sucks!

[allinwonderland]

It's because of a TX law meant to ban "encouraging overconsumption of alcohol", and so Carnival just decided to take a 0 tolerance approach on "how to get around it" and just starts Cheers on day 2. Which is inconvenient for someone who enjoys having the drink package as part of the cruise experience.

[BrotherCraig]

3 hours ago, allinwonderland said:

It's because of a TX law meant to ban "encouraging overconsumption of alcohol", and so Carnival just decided to take a 0 tolerance approach on "how to get around it" and just starts Cheers on day 2. Which is inconvenient for someone who enjoys having the drink package as part of the cruise experience.

 

 It has more to do with the state laws and how they tax liquor.  Royal Caribbean has their drink packages that start on Day 1 out of Texas but they have limited liquors on Day 1.  

Edited May 1, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[allinwonderland]

Just now, BrotherCraig said:

has zero to do with overconsumption.  It has more to do with the state laws and how they tax liquor.  Royal Caribbean has their drink packages that start on Day 1 out of Texas but they have limited liquors on Day 1.  

 

It is in fact due to both things in TX; same in NY.

https://www.dallasnews.com/food/2016/09/30/your-bottomless-mimosas-are-illegal/#:~:text=Apparently bottomless mimosas are illegal in Texas.&text=That means bragging about your,were given TABC violation warnings.

[BrotherCraig]

7 minutes ago, allinwonderland said:

 

It is in fact due to both things in TX; same in NY.

https://www.dallasnews.com/food/2016/09/30/your-bottomless-mimosas-are-illegal/#:~:text=Apparently bottomless mimosas are illegal in Texas.&text=That means bragging about your,were given TABC violation warnings.

 

Thanks for the clarification and the link.  Always was told it was because Carnival didn't want to pay taxes on the texas liquor on day 1.  Makes sense although they should make exceptions.

Found this from the TABC: 

According to a spokesman for the TABC:

“State law and TABC rules prohibit any practice which could reasonably be interpreted to allow or encourage overconsumption of alcohol. This includes “all you can drink” packages or other promotions which allow unlimited alcohol for a buy-in price. These standards would apply to any alcoholic beverages served or sold within Texas territory, including any waters over which Texas claims jurisdiction. Once a vessel is outside of Texas territory, the state’s laws no longer apply.”

 

The issue to me is that Carnival is not selling unlimited alcohol with the Cheers!  It is max at 15.

Edited May 1, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[BrotherCraig]

Then there is this from the TABC:  

 

“Like any business which holds a Texas permit to sell alcohol, any alcohol sold by the cruise lines while in Texas must comply with the state’s alcohol laws. Sec. 28.07 of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code requires that any holder of a Mixed Beverage Permit (the permit most commonly used by the cruise lines) must obtain their alcohol inventory from the holder of a Local Distributor’s Permit. Again, once the vessel is in international waters, these requirements no longer apply.”

So they have to sell liquor from Texas on Day 1.  That goes for any cruise out of TX.

Edited May 1, 2023 by BrotherCraig

[allinwonderland]

Just now, BrotherCraig said:

 

Thanks for the clarification and the link.  Always was told it was because Carnival didn't want to pay taxes on the texas liquor on day 1.  Makes sense although they should make exceptions.

They have to pay taxes on liquor served outside of international waters regardless; that's why they have a different menu for the first few hours of day 1. TX has weird quirks.

 

It's been speculated (and I believe this to be true, but don't have any concrete proof) that the reason Carnival handles this differently than most other cruise lines is because their drink package isn't truly unlimited booze, there's a 15 drink cap. So the other cruise lines in both TX and NY are just waiting to ring in the drinks till they're out to sea, but Carnival has to ring it in at point of sale or they could end up giving you more than what you're allowed to have.

 

I was reading a review of someone who sailed Princess out of Galveston a few months ago (that line doesn't usually sail from there) and it was a massive cluster**** because the staff didn't know what they were allowed to give out in terms of booze and the passengers (many of whom had a drink package built into their fare cost as an add-on type thing) were irate.

[BlerkOne]

13 minutes ago, BrotherCraig said:

 

 It has more to do with the state laws and how they tax liquor.  Royal Caribbean has their drink packages that start on Day 1 out of Texas but they have limited liquors on Day 1.  

It is because of taxes and not because of false rumors. Mobile also has a limited menu. Carnival pays tax on the booze on the limited menu. They don't want to pay tax on the entire inventory. They certainly could, and just pass the tax on in higher prices including for Cheers.

 

Texas wants to tax everything. One only has to look at liquor cruisers bring back. Texas wants tax liquor even if not for consumption in Texas. Call it what it is. BS.

[AtSeaWithChris]

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

It is because of taxes and not because of false rumors. Mobile also has a limited menu. Carnival pays tax on the booze on the limited menu. They don't want to pay tax on the entire inventory. They certainly could, and just pass the tax on in higher prices including for Cheers.

 

Texas wants to tax everything. One only has to look at liquor cruisers bring back. Texas wants tax liquor even if not for consumption in Texas. Call it what it is. BS.

It doesn’t seem to affect other cruise lines like it does Carnival. They have made a business decision. 

[BlerkOne]

32 minutes ago, AtSeaWithChris said:

It doesn’t seem to affect other cruise lines like it does Carnival. They have made a business decision. 

It applies to all cruise lines. Other states don't have similar bizarre laws. Carnival doesn't make the laws, they just have to deal with them.

[AtSeaWithChris]

3 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

It applies to all cruise lines. Other states don't have similar bizarre laws. Carnival doesn't make the laws, they just have to deal with them.

What I am saying is that other cruise lines in Texas ports work around it. Carnival has made a business decision to not allow the drink package line other cruise lines do allow it. 

[BlerkOne]

1 minute ago, AtSeaWithChris said:

What I am saying is that other cruise lines in Texas ports work around it. Carnival has made a business decision to not allow the drink package line other cruise lines do allow it. 

They also don't charge you for day 1. Seems to me that cuts into their profits. Choice is good, though. Pick a cruise line that works for you. Carnival has chosen to keep costs lower.

 

But really, if you have Drinks on Us, you can start getting hammered as soon as the casino opens.

[grewton]

Thanks for all the explanations concerning the drink passage!

[Illbcruzn4life]

4 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

It is because of taxes and not because of false rumors. Mobile also has a limited menu. Carnival pays tax on the booze on the limited menu. They don't want to pay tax on the entire inventory. They certainly could, and just pass the tax on in higher prices including for Cheers.

 

Texas wants to tax everything. One only has to look at liquor cruisers bring back. Texas wants tax liquor even if not for consumption in Texas. Call it what it is. BS.

Look we agree again 😊

[cmichael1221]

On 5/1/2023 at 4:56 PM, BrotherCraig said:

 

Thanks for the clarification and the link.  Always was told it was because Carnival didn't want to pay taxes on the texas liquor on day 1.  Makes sense although they should make exceptions.

Found this from the TABC: 

According to a spokesman for the TABC:

“State law and TABC rules prohibit any practice which could reasonably be interpreted to allow or encourage overconsumption of alcohol. This includes “all you can drink” packages or other promotions which allow unlimited alcohol for a buy-in price. These standards would apply to any alcoholic beverages served or sold within Texas territory, including any waters over which Texas claims jurisdiction. Once a vessel is outside of Texas territory, the state’s laws no longer apply.”

 

The issue to me is that Carnival is not selling unlimited alcohol with the Cheers!  It is max at 15.

I'd blame Texas' stupid laws long before I blame Carnival.

 

[cmichael1221]

On 5/1/2023 at 5:48 PM, BlerkOne said:

It applies to all cruise lines. Other states don't have similar bizarre laws. Carnival doesn't make the laws, they just have to deal with them.

I 110% blame Texas on this one...

[AtSeaWithChris]

5 minutes ago, cmichael1221 said:

I 110% blame Texas on this one...

The other cruise lines work it out. This is a business decision by Carnival.

[cmichael1221]

16 minutes ago, AtSeaWithChris said:

The other cruise lines work it out. This is a business decision by Carnival.

Yup, a smart one.

 

[txcruiser1234]

On 5/1/2023 at 5:58 PM, BlerkOne said:

But really, if you have Drinks on Us, you can start getting hammered as soon as the casino opens.

Yup!

 

Do you know if that's the same for Drinks Everywhere thru the casino leaving from Texas? Or, still just in the casino?

[BlerkOne]

7 minutes ago, txcruiser1234 said:

Yup!

 

Do you know if that's the same for Drinks Everywhere thru the casino leaving from Texas? Or, still just in the casino?

Dunno

[missholly24]

On 4/28/2023 at 8:31 PM, Illbcruzn4life said:

They took a page out of Royal Caribbean's playbook with their neighborhoods that keep people spread out.

But inside neighborhoods? Royal's look like a huge mall. I love the sight of the ocean around every turn. They put so many balcony cabins on the ships now there is limited ocean view public areas. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

3 hours ago, missholly24 said:

But inside neighborhoods? Royal's look like a huge mall. I love the sight of the ocean around every turn. They put so many balcony cabins on the ships now there is limited ocean view public areas. 

You won't find that on the excel class unless you are on deck 16 or above.

[AtSeaWithChris]

3 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

You won't find that on the excel class unless you are on deck 16 or above.

Deck 8 has the outside seating and bar areas as well as the aft infinity pool. The casino has windows. The central area has the 3 deck windows. There are plenty of opportunities to see the ocean without having to be on the top decks. 

Edited May 10, 2023 by AtSeaWithChris

[missholly24]

59 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

You won't find that on the excel class unless you are on deck 16 or above.

 

tragic. I'm there for the ocean. But to each his own.