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

[BearySweet2Cruise]

Recieved this official information today:

 

-Effective as of all sailings commencing on or after July 28, 2006, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverage consumption, on all RCI ships will be 21.

 

 

 

Well we board on July 27th So we should be safe as according to above date, if it is in fact correct:D

 

We are leaving in the AM for Ft Lauderdale and my alcohol is already packed :)

 

I will have to post back upon return and let you know if this is really a valid change or not

[kchesneylover]

I don't understand. Do y'all not pack this stuff in your checked luggage????

 

Who packs alcohol in their carry-ons? If you pack alcohol in your carry-ons, then you DESERVE to have it taken away for being so foolish!

[Irish Mist]

The number of law suits associated with alcohol related deaths aboard ships have prompted the intense search of cruisers luggage. It has always been a rule that no alcohol could be taken on board. The cruise line can now justify how much alcohol a person has consumed when looking at their portfolio. Bad press & law suits always make a business re-examine the areas that make them vuneral to loss. You would do the same thing if the crazy teenager next door kept doing back flips in your pool, cracking his head on your pool, going to the emergency room, and your homeowners insurance kept going up or possibly being cancelled. If you live in Florida, you may not get homeowners insurance again, or pay through the nose for it!

[TPKeller]

Well we board on July 27th So we should be safe as according to above date, if it is in fact correct:D

 

We are leaving in the AM for Ft Lauderdale and my alcohol is already packed :)

 

I will have to post back upon return and let you know if this is really a valid change or not

I don't particularly subscribe to conspiracy theories, but it has been pointed out on these boards before, if you register for the Meet & Mingle, RCCL knows your user name and who you really are. So... be careful what you tell the whole world you are planning to do! :eek:

 

Theron

[seamama1]

I never understood why RCL has duty free stores at their embarkation piers. Particularly San Juan. I used to work in the duty free industry years ago. Duty free Stores are in airports, borders and piers to purchase items free of duty and taxes that are intended to be taken out and consumed out of the United States territory. When I worked in the duty frees stores at JFK it was illegal to bring back merchandise purchased at a duty free store in the US back into the US.

 

That is why I don't understand why RCL wants to confiscate your duty free liquor and give it back to you after you completed your cruise. It seems they are violating the United States Custom rules by doing this.

 

You are being deliberately obtuse....:cool:

[teacher13]

My travel agent had a bottle of nice wine sent to our cabin. We didn't have a problem with that. Hubby doesn't drink at all and I usually only have wine. Personally it isn't a big deal for us, but I can see how it could be for others.

[salty dingo]

The cruise line wants to protect themselves from liability and keep drink revenues up... and that is understandable.

 

However, just like I would not bring my own drink into a hotel bar, I would never stay at a hotel which prohibited me from drinking my liquor in the privacy of my cabin, as long as I do not bother anyone else.

 

It is the very same situation on a cruise. Your cabin is your private space and you are free to drink your own liquor there (in moderation.) The first time a passenger is disembarked for simply doing that, I will certainly never patronize that line again.

 

Of course, I cannot imagine being disembarked for simply smuggling... a bottle - it would require some bad behavior or other evidence of a problem.

[allpoints]

Just so you know, all luggage that is dropped off in the luggage bins does go through a screening process. By screening, I mean that they are x-rayed by the port security. Those pieces of luggage that are suspect are segregated and turned over the the ship's security for further scrutiny.

 

Just an FYI!

[Borat]

This is what Royal Caribbean's Official TA site currently has under quick reference pages. I also looked at the casino info because someone mentioned that as well. This is what it had to say just a minute ago. :)

 

Alcoholic Beverages

We apologize for any inconvenience but due to recent regulatory and licensing requirements guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty-free from the Shops On Board or at ports of call will be stored by Royal Caribbean and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the voyage. A member of our staff will be at the gangway to assist with the storage of any purchases.

For guests who wish to bring "fine" wine aboard, and Royal Caribbean is unable to accommodate their selection, we will, with prior approval from Royal Caribbean, allow a maximum of two bottles of wine to be brought by the guest or group. A corkage fee in the amount of $12.00 per bottle will be charged. This policy may not apply to every ship or itinerary depending on local laws, customs, or license requirements but Royal Caribbean will try and accommodate requests. Royal Caribbean is not responsible for fines imposed or items confiscated by local authorities.

Alcohol Policy

While a ship is at sea, Royal Caribbean International will not serve alcoholic beverages to guests under 21 years of age.

Note: An individual's age on the date of sailing determines his or her status for the entire cruise vacation.

 

Quick Reference

Casino

Guests must be 21 years to play.

The minimum bets are: 5¢ slots; $5 tables; $2 roulette.

Roulette, blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, craps, slot machines and poker machines are available.

The casino is normally closed while the ship is in port overnight. Exceptions include Nassau, CocoCay, Labadee and St. Croix on certain itineraries.

 

why in the world would it be 21 to gamble??

[seamama1]

Why is it that TAs have different information than what is on the general company website? That says that gambling is 18 and the same beer/wine age as always. We know that could change at any point but where did this casino thing come from.

 

Most cruise bookings are through brick and mortar travel agencies, therefore it is imperative that they be notified immediately of any pertinent information.

 

The agency and cruise line have a professional working relationship and the TA receives updated information everyday. The TA has a sort of contractual relationship with the cruiseline and must follow the cruise line policy to a "T". It is the agents responsibility to inform their customers and clients of the latest information concerning their travel.

 

Strolling around online to a website is not a professional relationship. Eventually, information will be posted on the websites and the rest of internet travel will catch up. Meanwhile, one should only book with a website if they know what they are doing and are aware that the risk they may be taking sits square on their own shoulders. It is the responsibility of the website user to make him/herself aware of all the policies.

[seamama1]

I totally agree. Their wine list is pedestrian, the waitstaff are untrained in how to properly serve wines and the mark ups are ludicrous.

 

And to charge for what is consumed in one's cabin is laughable. Alas, I do not make the rules.

 

I have no problem in paying a corkage fee and much prefer to bring wines of my own choosing. I will buy a few bottles aboard as well over the course of a week but I do like to bring a few special bottles to enjoy.

 

In the old days of cruising RCI, the markups were fair but this has changed radically over the years.

 

I think it is pure BS that it has anything to do with safety and that the one and only reason for these changes is profit.

 

A wine policy actually does influence my decision in which lines I cruise personally as $50-60 per bottle adds up quickly and that is what it costs on RCI for what I consider to be a wine worth drinking with a nice meal.

 

Well, la-de-da, Mrs. Astor!:cool:

[pcur]

Well, la-de-da, Mrs. Astor!:cool:

 

I really hope for caviargirl that you are kidding here. I am really, really, really tired of the textual beatings she takes on this board.

 

We are all entitled to our opinions without being ridiculed.

 

If you are in jest, then I'm relieved, and apologize.

[pediatric-rnp]

why in the world would it be 21 to gamble??

 

We just returned on 7/23 from our FOS cruise. Both of our sons, ages 18 & 20, gambled in the casino. I was with them twice when they played the tables, and both times my 18 yr old had to show both his seapass and driver's license, to prove he was 18. We were told you had to be 18 to gamble in the casino.

 

We signed the drinking waiver for our 20 yr old, but not for the 18 yr old. When we were doing this, we were asked TWICE if we were sure we didn't want to also sign the waiver for the 18 yr old, so he wouldn't feel "left out"!!! We had been told the 20 yr old could only order beer and wine - one night at a show he asked for the drink of the day. The crewmember looked at us and said - oh, he can have it - you just need to be the one to order it for him! So......obviously not everyone is on the same page with the drinking policy!!

[happy cruzer]

Well, la-de-da, Mrs. Astor!:cool:

 

Hello seamama

 

Do you have a point to make? I read your three posts and I can't tell how you feel about the original topic? Would you like to discuss this topic? Right now I don't think anyone can make sense of what you are posting.

 

Caviargal has always introduced herself and let us know her perspective. She has alway provided useful information when we have had questions.

 

As I have said before, Please keep on keeping on - Caviargal and Peggy!

[critterchick]

actually been three time on Brilliance and they did have wine in the liquor shop...mind you not a huge selection just 1 or 2 brands but anyways...

 

I stand corrected, then.

 

We're not trying to justify why we sneak wine onboard, in fact, we DON'T sneak it. In Vancouver, RCI doesn't care, so we get a couple of bottles of a wonderful Italian red that I can't find in California, put it in our carryon and bring it onboard. If they take it, we get it back on the last night and I can bring it home to enjoy there - hasn't happened so far.

 

And leave Caviargal alone! She's spot on with her comments - the wine list is an overpriced collection of mediocre offerings, and no amount of making fun of her is going to change that.

 

Teacher 13, the TA is purchasing the wine from RCI. We had a bottle of house white (it's awful, BTW, although DH drink it) from our TA, and our headwaiter had me sign a chit for it, presumably so they could bill him for it (thanks, Bob! we'll have red next time!:D ). You can order wine ahead of time on the "gifts & gear" part of the RCI website.

[Borat]

We just returned on 7/23 from our FOS cruise. Both of our sons, ages 18 & 20, gambled in the casino. I was with them twice when they played the tables, and both times my 18 yr old had to show both his seapass and driver's license, to prove he was 18. We were told you had to be 18 to gamble in the casino.

 

We signed the drinking waiver for our 20 yr old, but not for the 18 yr old. When we were doing this, we were asked TWICE if we were sure we didn't want to also sign the waiver for the 18 yr old, so he wouldn't feel "left out"!!! We had been told the 20 yr old could only order beer and wine - one night at a show he asked for the drink of the day. The crewmember looked at us and said - oh, he can have it - you just need to be the one to order it for him! So......obviously not everyone is on the same page with the drinking policy!!

 

thanks for your post...yeah i would have to believe you considering its from actual experience. I dont know why there is such confusion about this, but thanks for clearing up what is going on currently.

[cage keeper]

Did the online check in a couple of weeks ago and the under age waiver is still there. Just picked up docs today but did not look for this. I will have to do this. We sail Aug 6th. I'll let you all know how it goes.

[PhoenixCruiser]

I really hope for caviargirl that you are kidding here. I am really, really, really tired of the textual beatings she takes on this board.

 

We are all entitled to our opinions without being ridiculed.

 

If you are in jest, then I'm relieved, and apologize.

 

Must you ALWAYS be right ;) ;) :D It's a GOOD thing that she has THICK skin!

 

Even if we don't always agree with the "dress code" which is why we haven't set foot in the MDR during our last two cruises <<<big grin>>>

 

Thanks Peggy!

 

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[BearySweet2Cruise]

I don't particularly subscribe to conspiracy theories, but it has been pointed out on these boards before, if you register for the Meet & Mingle, RCCL knows your user name and who you really are. So... be careful what you tell the whole world you are planning to do! :eek:

 

Theron

True but there is no M & M on a 4 day sailing.. we will be safe there..:)

Thanks for the post :)

[FitzLA]

Just my opinion, but I think that if they are going to ban us from bringing any onboard, they need to let us purchase bottles onboard and drink them in our stateroom. How about ordering bottle from room service to be brought to the room? Most of us only smuggle onboard cause we want a bottle or two in the room with us. We (or at least I) still spend a ton of money at bars onboard, but would like to have some in the room as well. I would gladly BUY bottles from RCI if they would let me have it in the room.

[Merion_Mom]

Just my opinion, but I think that if they are going to ban us from bringing any onboard, they need to let us purchase bottles onboard and drink them in our stateroom. How about ordering bottle from room service to be brought to the room? Most of us only smuggle onboard cause we want a bottle or two in the room with us. We (or at least I) still spend a ton of money at bars onboard, but would like to have some in the room as well. I would gladly BUY bottles from RCI if they would let me have it in the room.

But, Fitz, I agree with caviargal...........there is almost nothing on RC's wine list that's worth buying! (and certainly not at the 4x + markup that some of them carry!)

[beachchick]

The Admiral.... seems like you are trying to justify wanting to bring wine onboard!

You bring up 5 points that do not cause pax to get drunk and fall/jump off a ship.

Cruise pax asked for gov't intervention to make cruising safer. RCI looked at it's policy and has decided to tighten it. Reminds me of that saying.... be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!

 

That may be true, but all these things are supposed to be rules and they do affect the cruise experience of pax. Smoking in the non-smoking areas affect others (for the record, most smokers seem to be very respectful of the non-smoking areas). Kids running around in the Solarium and its pools or hottubs affect how adults enjoy their time in the "adults only" area. And so forth. Just because these rules are unlikely to affect whether someone gets drunk and maybe causes problems or falls overboard doesn't mean the rules don't matter.

 

beachchick

[beachchick]

But, Fitz, I agree with caviargal...........there is almost nothing on RC's wine list that's worth buying! (and certainly not at the 4x + markup that some of them carry!)

 

 

Right on the money, as usual.

 

I guess I must be another "Mrs. Astor" as I don't care to drink wines I don't like while paying a 400% markup to do so. Oh wait a moment...that's right, I am a self-confessed wine snob who lives in one of CA's premier wine regions.:D

 

beachchick

[Merion_Mom]

And by the way, that's LADY Astor. HHAAAARRRRUUUUMMMPPPPPHHHHH.

[beachchick]

Oh, goodness gracious...so sorry, my dear, to have made such a dreadful mistake (LOL). You are correct (no surprise there)! (Love the "harumph!")

 

beachchick