No Direct Sales of Liquor In Certain European Ports

[81Zoomie]

Received this from HAL today:

 

[FlorenceItaly]

What!!??

[kirkc]

Local laws rule.

[Navybikermom]

I was just at those ports a couple of weeks ago, so this is very recent. We did not get a letter like that before or during the cruise. 

[TiogaCruiser]

I’m wondering how much of an impact that will really make. I’m guessing for those who enjoy an alcoholic drink during the day AND remain onboard would likely have gotten a drink package, so not affected.

 

If the ship is only in port during the day, come dinner time it’s likely the ship will not be in those ports waters. So those without a package who only order a cocktail or wine with dinner should be fine, right?

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I think it's only when we are docked there.

[Torquer]

I guess I am naturally cynical, but it sure sounds like a scare tactic by HAL to sell beverage packages.  I find it extremely hard to believe that two independent countries, the UK and Belgium, decided to simultaneously institute the same new policy that I am not previously aware of in any other port in the world.  Furthermore, although I distrust most politicians in making laws, this really doesn't make sense; I can see if they totally banned all alcohol consumption while in port like they ban casino play in many ports, but it makes no sense to ban direct purchase but allow indirect purchase via a beverage package.  Are they going to ban me from going to the mini-fridge in my cabin and having a drink...isn't that the same as a direct purchase while in port?  How about getting a drink from the honor bar in the Neptune lounge...is that banned?

 

I will be very interested in hearing what guests say actually happens while in these ports in the upcoming weeks.

[richwmn]

12 minutes ago, Torquer said:

I find it extremely hard to believe that two independent countries, the UK and Belgium, decided to simultaneously institute the same new policy that I am not previously aware of in any other port in the world.

It only mentions 4 ports, not the entire countries. I'm pretty sure there are other ports in the UK, and most likely Belgium and Scotland. It is entirely possible that this is the local jurisdiction that mandated the change.

 

[TiogaCruiser]

Well, apparently Belgium has made some changes to decrease alcohol use 

 

 

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/03/belgium-implements-its-first-ever-alcohol-plan/

[Essiesmom]

2 hours ago, Torquer said:

I guess I am naturally cynical, but it sure sounds like a scare tactic by HAL to sell beverage packages.  I find it extremely hard to believe that two independent countries, the UK and Belgium, decided to simultaneously institute the same new policy that I am not previously aware of in any other port in the world.  Furthermore, although I distrust most politicians in making laws, this really doesn't make sense; I can see if they totally banned all alcohol consumption while in port like they ban casino play in many ports, but it makes no sense to ban direct purchase but allow indirect purchase via a beverage package.  Are they going to ban me from going to the mini-fridge in my cabin and having a drink...isn't that the same as a direct purchase while in port?  How about getting a drink from the honor bar in the Neptune lounge...is that banned?

 

I will be very interested in hearing what guests say actually happens while in these ports in the upcoming weeks.

Other lines have reported this practice for Greece.  EM

[CruiserBruce]

A number of countries now have restrictions on alcohol sales. Canada, as well as a couple Med countries,  limit alcohol sales to one bar per deck, while in port. Alcohol restrictions aren't new.

[VMax1700]

Couple of points:

1/ The notice probably refers to the OP's itinerary, so no need to mention other ports in UK etc.

 

2/ It is standard practice on ferries from Uk to Ireland that the serving of alcohol is not permitted until after the ship sails.  I wonder if there is a connection?

 

3/ The rules have probably been in place for some time, but not enforced.  HAL will be 'home porting' in UK in 2025 for some cruises, and I wonder are there tax implications that are now coming to light?  Perhaps more scrutiny from HM Customs & Excise regarding vat and alcohol duties.

 

4/ I remember a similar notice on a HAL British Isles cruise last year about bar service/taxes/vat or similar so I will try to find what that was about.  I remember posting it, but it had no effect on our consumption that day as we were off ship.

 

5/ What I do find strange is that OP's notice shows Isle of Man which has a separate government to UK.  Stornoway also would have local government and Scottish regulations, but Portland is mainland UK.  

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

6 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Well, apparently Belgium has made some changes to decrease alcohol use 

 

 

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/03/belgium-implements-its-first-ever-alcohol-plan/

Thanks for sharing

[Caribbean Chris]

Local officials set rules. Casinos and shops aboard ships are often closed in port, for example.

[TiogaCruiser]

It’s interesting in that this one affects the SALE of alcohol and not the CONSUMPTION.

[SDARCH]

4 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

What I do find strange is that OP's notice shows Isle of Man which has a separate government to UK. 

I may be misremembering things, but I recall seeing the Shops open while we were docked in the Isle of Man a couple of weeks ago.  

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, SDARCH said:

I may be misremembering things, but I recall seeing the Shops open while we were docked in the Isle of Man a couple of weeks ago.  

August 2023 the shops were closed until 6.30pm and sailaway was scheduled for 6pm.

(I found the daily for the IoM day!)

[Domer81mpc]

2 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

It’s interesting in that this one affects the SALE of alcohol and not the CONSUMPTION.

Which may be why the prepaid plans are not affected. HAL can't be happy about thus. How long before it pre sells one day drink cards for days in those ports?

[ChinaShrek]

1 hour ago, Domer81mpc said:

Which may be why the prepaid plans are not affected. HAL can't be happy about thus. How long before it pre sells one day drink cards for days in those ports?

Actually, I bet a lot of people would buy those instead of a drinks package. $50/day for 15 beverages. That would be a good deal.

[Haljo1935]

17 hours ago, Torquer said:

...sounds like a scare tactic by HAL to sell beverage packages...I can see if they totally banned all alcohol consumption while in port like they ban casino play in many ports, but it makes no sense to ban direct purchase but allow indirect purchase via a beverage package...

On sister CCL older thread, similar policy was discussed and was determined beverage package holders were exempt because those are considered to be previously purchased drinks. It's about the timing / location of the charge.

[81Zoomie]

I posted for awareness because I have not seen this exact situation before.  On Celebrity there was an issue in the Cayman Islands surrounding the payment of liquor taxes by the cruise line, which closed bars in local waters.  There are also some Cruise Critic threads which mention liquor sale restrictions in certain European ports in the past:

 

 

It appears there is something currently restricting HAL from “selling” alcoholic beverages in the ports mentioned in the letter we received. I am wondering if any other cruise lines have similar restrictions?