RCI's New Alcohol Policy effective 7/28/06? (merged)

[caviargal]

The alcohol policy is so inconsistent!

So, basically, it seems that it does not matter what the cruise line's policy is or what is on which website because the ship's crew does not seem to know and they are the ones who implement it. You take a gamble.

!

 

Yes, adherence to policy has been inconsistent. If one chooses to bring wine, the bottom line they need to be prepared to have it confiscated and not complain when it happens.

 

RCI has been blatantly lax in enforcing MANY rules. I personally believe that with the hiring of the new Security Officer, we are going to see a lot of changes in this regard, many that I am quite happy about. RCI has taken financial hits and slams on its reputation for lots of different reasons, some justified and some not IMO. But, the bottom line is that they need to make some changes and be consistent about enforcing them.

[Borat]

The TA portion of the site says gambling is 21 for RCI and 18 for X. This is new because we were on the Explorer in March and it was 18 for RCI. We booked a 12 day Baltic cruise for June 2007 because the age was 18, my DD will be 19 at that time. I am seriously considering shopping around to find another cruiseline which would allow gambling at 18. My dd is physically challenged because of a recent stroke and enjoys playing the nickel slots. This decision by RCI will probably not impact a majority of its guests, but it sure will impact us. Enough so that I will look elsewhere.

 

everywhere i look and anyone i talk to says gambling is 18 except for alaska. Why would they change this? doesnt even make sense. Are you sure your info is correct? because nobody has reported this at all.

 

and what about the clubs?

[crzn4fun]

I checked yesterday and today. This is the stated policy on the RCI website that is only for TA's. This is new because when I checked it earlier this year, it said the gambling age was 18 for both RCI and X.

[benebire]

Hi All,

 

I will be sailing this Sunday July 29 on the Adventure of the Seas and I have a 19 year old son. I will post after we get onboard as to whether or not I was asked to sign the waiver as well as whether he is allowed to gamble in the Casino. Cant help with the booze smuggling as we wont be bringing any of that. I do usually stick a 6 pack of coke in my luggage to keep in the room so I will let you know if that is confiscated. It wont ruin his cruise if he cant drink beer and wine but he did enjoy gambling when we were on the Mariner this past December so he will be disappointed if he cant gamble. I do think they should have made an effort to notify passengers that this would affect. But I suppose that is unrealistic on my part. In any case we will have a great time on the cruise and drinking and gambling is only a small part of it. Had a great time on Mariner and expect we will have a blast on Adventure too.

[Autumnrose]

Just got an answer on the casino issue. The minimum age is 18 except for Alaska sailings then it is 21. I told them that they need to update the agent site. Still waiting to get an answer on the alcohol policy. I feel sorry for the agents. It seems as thought they are not very well informed. It must be very frustrating for them. When I first asked about 18-20 year olds not being able to drink beer and wine the res agent said that yes it is true but they haven't been told when it would go into effect just that it hadn't yet gone into effect. When I read what the agent site said she put me on hold. Still holding.....I will post again when I get an answer. :rolleyes:

 

 

I am quoting myself here because I answered the casino question yesterday. Those who wrote the last few post should read the entire thread and your questions would be answered. ;)

[Need2Cruze]

Seems pretty simple to me: If you wish to bring with you up to 2 bottles of wine not offered by the cruise line, GET PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL (as I did myself - email is already printed and ready to go). If you wish to purchase wine for your cabin, CALL THEM AND ORDER IT the same way you would any gift package on their website, and chose which night(s) you wish the purchased wine to be delivered to your room. Very simple...

[Borat]

Seems pretty simple to me: If you wish to bring with you up to 2 bottles of wine not offered by the cruise line, GET PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL (as I did myself - email is already printed and ready to go). If you wish to purchase wine for your cabin, CALL THEM AND ORDER IT the same way you would any gift package on their website, and chose which night(s) you wish the purchased wine to be delivered to your room. Very simple...

 

how would you go about ordering wine or champagne to be delivered to your cabin??

[caviargal]

how would you go about ordering wine or champagne to be delivered to your cabin??

 

Room service.

[donnas902]

When you embark the ship, after you get your seapass and before you check out the pool deck, go to the Lido deck, go aft as far as you can go, enter the last door on the portside. You will see a large room called DISCOUNT WINE, BEER AND LIQUOR. Here you will be able to purchase all the fine wines, warm beers and listerine bottles full of Grey Goose and Chambord or many other fine liquids that have been confiscated at entry for a mere 50% mark up!

:D:D:D:D:D

[Borat]

When you embark the ship, after you get your seapass and before you check out the pool deck, go to the Lido deck, go aft as far as you can go, enter the last door on the portside. You will see a large room called DISCOUNT WINE, BEER AND LIQUOR. Here you will be able to purchase all the fine wines, warm beers and listerine bottles full of Grey Goose and Chambord or many other fine liquids that have been confiscated at entry for a mere 50% mark up!

:D:D:D:D:D

 

this is where you can purchase alcohol to keep in your room? as well as room service?

[Mystaken]

Thanks for the heads up! How is Lee? I have to send him an email soon!

[caviargal]

this is where you can purchase alcohol to keep in your room? as well as room service?

 

Borat, she is pulling your leg:).

 

This is where RCI wish they could go to get fairly priced spirits (or anywhere else on the ship).

 

Room service is one answer. I also have gone to the Champagne Bar and picked up a bottle and some glasses to bring back to the cabin. As you long as you buy aboard, you will not pay a corkage.

[navigator2006]

well, tomorrow is the day of truth for all the rumors. although it looks like it will change, i have had 5 customer service reps tell me that cruising power is wrong and that the new rule (21 to drink) only applies to Celebrity Cruise Line.

[crusinto25]

Well not that this matters but so much, but we are sailin 8/21 and my sis works at a travel agency and they called RCI today and their rep at RCI said the the rules are the same as they have been and nothing is changing.:confused:

[caviargal]

Well not that this matters but so much, but we are sailin 8/21 and my sis works at a travel agency and they called RCI today and their rep at RCI said the the rules are the same as they have been and nothing is changing.:confused:

 

Sorry, but if your sis would check the TA website she would see that it has indeed been published and is a done deal. The CSRs are notorious for not being up to date and if you call three in a row you will often get three different answers to the same question.

 

I am repeating myself but I am sailing 8/18 with a group on SOS and RCI called me to inform me of the change and to notify my clients.

 

This is not rumour.

[navigator2006]

caviargal,

do you mind me asking what travel agency you work at?

[zqvol]

Sorry, but if your sis would check the TA website she would see that it has indeed been published and is a done deal. The CSRs are notorious for not being up to date and if you call three in a row you will often get three different answers to the same question.

 

I am repeating myself but I am sailing 8/18 with a group on SOS and RCI called me to inform me of the change and to notify my clients.

 

This is not rumour.

Don't be so sure. This was published back in January, floated around for 6 months with no one mentioning it then it disappeared from the web site, or at least part of the web site.

 

Clearly there are inconsistencies in what is posted and until people actual report back as to the procedure on the ship it should all be considered rumor.

[Borat]

Don't be so sure. This was published back in January, floated around for 6 months with no one mentioning it then it disappeared from the web site, or at least part of the web site.

 

Clearly there are inconsistencies in what is posted and until people actual report back as to the procedure on the ship it should all be considered rumor.

 

i have to agree...although Caviargal seems to be positive about this...lets all agree that this is not the biggest deal in the world, though. I mean we dont cruise to drink...otherwise we would just stay home.

[caviargal]

caviargal,

do you mind me asking what travel agency you work at?

 

I am a partner in a specialty agency, an incentive and group focused business in FL, and an affiliate of a national consortium, Trava, Inc.

 

I will also post when I return in a few weeks and let you all know how the 18-21s were handled. I will be travelling with two of them who have been talking about CoCoLocos for months now.:)

 

I understand everyones confusion and disappointment but I only report what has been given to me as policy, not as speculation. I pass it along to my clients the same way.

[happy cruzer]

So I am going to assume that the TA site is accurate, it will still always leave us confused unless everyone says exactly what port they are sailing from on RCI. They won't just be able to say what it is RCI's policy. Because Europe and South American have different drinking ages.

 

We will always talk at cross purposes if we are not careful.

[Borat]

I am a partner in a specialty agency, an incentive and group focused business in FL, and an affiliate of a national consortium, Trava, Inc.

 

I will also post when I return in a few weeks and let you all know how the 18-21s were handled. I will be travelling with two of them who have been talking about CoCoLocos for months now.:)

 

I understand everyones confusion and disappointment but I only report what has been given to me as policy, not as speculation. I pass it along to my clients the same way.

 

what are you telling your clients with respect to the gambling age and age at which you can enter the clubs?

[Need2Cruze]

how would you go about ordering wine or champagne to be delivered to your cabin??

 

I was told that you can call RCCL and place an order - go to their website, find the "wine cellar", pick the wine(s) you would like to purchase and what night(s) you would like them delivered to your cabin. And you pay for it over the phone with a credit card. Easy as pie.

[Joie58]

Called last night checking on the 18-20 age question, have 18 year old daughter sailing with us over New Years.

 

When making the reservation had to do the Beverage Wavier for her, called last night, wavier no longer in effect!

 

Persons under 21 not allowed to consume alcohol, people breaking the rules will be disembarked, also people who over indulge and become beligerant, will also be asked to disembark, and travel home will be at their expense. Was told by RCCL that the rules will be sternly followed due to the recent accidents they have had on-board.

 

The casino and the clubs are still open to the 18-20 age group, but drinking is prohibited.

 

 

I followed this thread because of it being 1st time cruise for daughter and a New Years Eve cruise to boot. So wanted to get info straight from the rccl on the rules that were rumored to change on 07/28/06. The rumors are no longer just rumors.

 

Brightside is we never felt you had to drink to have a good time, and with the new rules the heavy partiers will be kept in line.

 

Happy Sailing!!!!

.

[navigator2006]

yeah, royal carribean is FINALLY admitting the change. Isn't it pitiful that people on this board knew about the change early this week but the reps at RCCL didn't get the memo until yesterday evening? AND, it is still not posted on the website for the most important part of their business....the paying customers!

[jab47]

I just got off the Explorer of the Seas. During the 5 days one of the bar tenders told me how the company is changing the drinking policy starting with the next cruise (which starts today, 7/28) to allow only 21 and older to drink. No more 18 to 21 year olds drinking anymore. Did not hear anything about gambling.

You can't buy lighters on board anymore nor can you get a book of matches. I guess a reaction to the Star Princess fire.