The plot thickens on bringing wine onboard

[sonomaphil]

Follow me on this:

 

On 7/21/2006, I downloaded from the Princess web site the 2006 Cruise Answer Book. It is dated 12/05 as stated on the final page. This copy states that there is a $10 corkage fee and does NOT mention any limits on bringing wine onboard.

 

On 8/1/2006 I receive my pre cruise documents at it contained the 2006 Cruise Answer Book dated 05/06 and it states a $15 corkage fee and has a LIMIT of one bottle per person. Also I noticed that the Alcohol policy section is smudged, like it was a last minute change.

 

Today, 8/20/2006, I went back to the Princess site to look again at the 2006 Cruise Answer Book. It is still dated 12/05 but it now states a $15 corkage fee and still mentions NO limit on bringing wine onboard.

 

So now we have three differing versions! Princess obviously changed the version online but did NOT put the 05/06 version that they are sending out online.

 

You can actually tell the difference between the 12/05 book and the 05/06 book by the different pictures.

[sixbirches]

We were on the Aug 7 Crown sailing. We brought 3 bottles of wine, one bottle of rum, one bottle of tequila and two bottles of margarita mix on the ship when we boarded in NY. We also brought a corkscrew with us.

 

I noticed that they actually sell corkscrews in the gift shop.

 

We also bought liquor in St. Thomas and brought that back to our rooms.

 

No one ever said a word to us.

 

I don't think you should worry too much.

[jlp20]

I will ask the obvious, despite what you read on the Princess web site, will it change what you were planning on bringing onboard.

[daisy cruiser]

Did you carry your liquor on with your carry on, or did you check it with your luggage?

[cruise fairy]

Follow me on this:

 

On 7/21/2006, I downloaded from the Princess web site the 2006 Cruise Answer Book. It is dated 12/05 as stated on the final page. This copy states that there is a $10 corkage fee and does NOT mention any limits on bringing wine onboard.

 

On 8/1/2006 I receive my pre cruise documents at it contained the 2006 Cruise Answer Book dated 05/06 and it states a $15 corkage fee and has a LIMIT of one bottle per person. Also I noticed that the Alcohol policy section is smudged, like it was a last minute change.

 

Today, 8/20/2006, I went back to the Princess site to look again at the 2006 Cruise Answer Book. It is still dated 12/05 but it now states a $15 corkage fee and still mentions NO limit on bringing wine onboard.

 

So now we have three differing versions! Princess obviously changed the version online but did NOT put the 05/06 version that they are sending out online.

 

You can actually tell the difference between the 12/05 book and the 05/06 book by the different pictures.

We were on the Star in March 06 and brought 1 bottle of champagne. The corkage fee only applies if your waiter uncorks your bottle, especially in the dining room. But our experiences have been that the fee is really up to the waiter, ours never charged us a corkage fee.

[prarie cruiser]

On CB this past week they checked all the liquor brought on board at the ports until we got to Cozumel. Then lots of people were able to get their bottles on board.

[SingerEsq]

Follow me on this:

 

On 7/21/2006, I downloaded from the Princess web site the 2006 Cruise Answer Book. It is dated 12/05 as stated on the final page. This copy states that there is a $10 corkage fee and does NOT mention any limits on bringing wine onboard.

 

On 8/1/2006 I receive my pre cruise documents at it contained the 2006 Cruise Answer Book dated 05/06 and it states a $15 corkage fee and has a LIMIT of one bottle per person. Also I noticed that the Alcohol policy section is smudged, like it was a last minute change.

 

Today, 8/20/2006, I went back to the Princess site to look again at the 2006 Cruise Answer Book. It is still dated 12/05 but it now states a $15 corkage fee and still mentions NO limit on bringing wine onboard.

 

So now we have three differing versions! Princess obviously changed the version online but did NOT put the 05/06 version that they are sending out online.

 

You can actually tell the difference between the 12/05 book and the 05/06 book by the different pictures.

 

The "Cruise Answer Book" is not the contract. Only the contract binds you and the company. My contract states no limit on wine and only "suggests" that people not bring on spirits. Until they change the contract, they can put anything in the answer book they want. It's not a binding cruise document.

[LILynn]

One more complication...

 

I just got my tickets and here is what it says under the Passage Contract:

 

"Carrier kindly requests that You do not bring alcoholic beverages of any kind (except wine and champagne) on board for consumption. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship gift shop or at ports of call will be collected by Carrier personnel for safekeeping and deilvered to Your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.... A corkage fee of $10.00 per bottle will be applied to wine and champagne consumed in the ship's restaurants."

 

I just got these tickets a couple of days ago.

 

So doess that mean there is no limit on how much wine I can bring and they can only charge me a $10 fee?????

[SingerEsq]

One more complication...

 

I just got my tickets and here is what it says under the Passage Contract:

 

"Carrier kindly requests that You do not bring alcoholic beverages of any kind (except wine and champagne) on board for consumption. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship gift shop or at ports of call will be collected by Carrier personnel for safekeeping and deilvered to Your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.... A corkage fee of $10.00 per bottle will be applied to wine and champagne consumed in the ship's restaurants."

 

I just got these tickets a couple of days ago.

 

So doess that mean there is no limit on how much wine I can bring and they can only charge me a $10 fee?????

 

The Passage Contract governs your voyage. Carry it with you if you're planning on carrying on wine, etc. Also, check at the end where it states that the Passage Contract is the complete agreement. From my reading, the Answer Book is not incorporated into the agreement.

[sonomaphil]

The Passage Contract governs your voyage. Carry it with you if you're planning on carrying on wine, etc. Also, check at the end where it states that the Passage Contract is the complete agreement. From my reading, the Answer Book is not incorporated into the agreement.

 

That's the real problem, so much misinformation. If you call Princess you'll get 3 more different answers.

[SingerEsq]

That's the real problem, so much misinformation. If you call Princess you'll get 3 more different answers.

 

True, but always rely on your Contract b/c believe me, Princess will, if for any reason you have a dispute with the company.

 

Policies (i.e., the Answer Book) or just that ... policies. The obligations of both the cruise line and the passenger are contained in the Contract. It's a pretty easy read, and everyone should read it and keep it with you or in your cabin safe.

[sonomaphil]

True, but always rely on your Contract b/c believe me, Princess will, if for any reason you have a dispute with the company.

 

Policies (i.e., the Answer Book) or just that ... policies. The obligations of both the cruise line and the passenger are contained in the Contract. It's a pretty easy read, and everyone should read it and keep it with you or in your cabin safe.

 

How often do they update the Contract? Online you can download one and it is dated 01/05. And yes, that says no limits and $10 corkage.

[LARGIN]

The problem with the contract is that it is old. My contract that I received for my upcoming October cruise was revised October 2005. The contract that you can download on princess.com was revised January 2006.

 

Here is the last paragraph of the contract.

 

Nothing contained in this Passage Contract shall limit or deprive Carrier of the benefit of the applicable statutes or laws of the United States of America or any other country or any international conventions providing for release from or limitation

of liability. This Passage Contract constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between You and Carrier and supersedes any prior oral, or implied or other agreements between You and Carrier and this Passage Contract can only be modified by a writing signed by Carrier. You may not sell, assign or transfer the Passage Ticket, and no other person may use the Passage Ticket. Any portion or provision of this Passage Contract which is invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting in any way the remaining

provisions of the Passage Contract which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Wondering if that means that Princess can modify the contract at anytime by amending a paragraph or two whenever they wish with no input on concurrance by the passenger.

[wwinfl91]

I'll ask a slightly different take on this issue.

 

We are going to be on a transatlantic this fall and plan on getting wine at the various ports, Rome, Livorno, Cannes, Barcelona, Cartegena, Gibralter and Maderia. Even under the new rules of bringing only 1 bottle per person (2 per port) that means 14 bottles of wine which should keep us in wine for the 17 day cruise.

 

We have done this on previous cruises by bringing the wine back in our backpack and never had a problem bringing wine back on board.

 

Does this still sound do-able under the new rules???

 

Thanks and have a great next cruise.

[SingerEsq]

The problem with the contract is that it is old. My contract that I received for my upcoming October cruise was revised October 2005. The contract that you can download on princess.com was revised January 2006.

 

Here is the last paragraph of the contract.

 

Nothing contained in this Passage Contract shall limit or deprive Carrier of the benefit of the applicable statutes or laws of the United States of America or any other country or any international conventions providing for release from or limitation

of liability. This Passage Contract constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between You and Carrier and supersedes any prior oral, or implied or other agreements between You and Carrier and this Passage Contract can only be modified by a writing signed by Carrier. You may not sell, assign or transfer the Passage Ticket, and no other person may use the Passage Ticket. Any portion or provision of this Passage Contract which is invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting in any way the remaining

provisions of the Passage Contract which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Wondering if that means that Princess can modify the contract at anytime by amending a paragraph or two whenever they wish with no input on concurrance by the passenger.

 

IMO, they would have to present you (i.e., give notice) to you by a "writing signed by the Carrier" (obviously open to interpretation) that states it is an amendment to the Contract. Without getting into too much, it's basically a contract of adhesion (take it or leave it). IMO, the Answer Book does not state anywhere that it supercedes or modifies the Contract.

 

I have only looked at the Contract I received, not the online. Does the online version still contain the same language about wine and spirits? If they modified the Contract in Jan 2006 and are still passing out 2005 Contracts, that's a bit sloppy (again IMO).

 

EDIT: LARGIN, I just looked under MY Princess and Cruise Personalizer .... the .pdf link on mine still shows the 1/05 Contract (the one I rec'd for my next cruise) which only "suggests" that passengers not bring spirits aboard, no limit on wine or champagne, and a $10 corkage fee. Do you have a different link to the 1/06 Contract? thanks.

[LARGIN]

Singer.. I looked at the website again.. I guess my computer glasses need cleaning. It said 1/05 not 1/06

[SingerEsq]

Singer.. I looked at the website again.. I guess my computer glasses need cleaning. It said 1/05 not 1/06

 

LOL .... I had to enlarge it to read it too! It's all I can do to see around the white out my screen. :)

[Wittonian]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'contract'. Having booked in the UK our contract appears to be the one in Princess Cruise brochure which does not appear to make any mention of alcohol. Do you receive a separate contract with your tickets (we have not)?

[SingerEsq]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'contract'. Having booked in the UK our contract appears to be the one in Princess Cruise brochure which does not appear to make any mention of alcohol. Do you receive a separate contract with your tickets (we have not)?

 

Sorry, do not know about the UK ... but I would assume you have or will receive a "Passage Contract" with your cruise papers. Here, we usually receive them with the first mailing (immigration papers, etc.), not the tickets. Here, it is a separate 6 page document: https://book.princess.com/pdf/cp/Passage_Contract.pdf

 

The UK contract may (probably is?) different. You should also be able to access it under your "Cruise Personalizer" under "Downloads" under "Download Forms and Documents"

[Wittonian]

Thanks for your help.

[pamssanity]

just returnbed from island princess-actually in vancouver airport waiting flight home-- no problem bringing wine on board-- no fee if you open it in your room and drink it there or on your varanda-- they charge a $15 corkage fee if you bring it to the dining room-- doesn't pay!! if you need to drink it with dinner buy a package!!

[AZUDO]

What a bunch of drunks we all are! :p Most of us enjoy a drink before dinner, which is what we would do if at home and going out, hence why so many people like to have some favored wines on board. We still buy at all other times of the day. This is such a hot topic. My thoughts are take on what you think is acceptable. If they do take it, you get it back at the end of the cruise anyway so you don't really loose out. You just might need some help to disembark!:D

[victravellers]

What a bunch of drunks we all are! :p Most of us enjoy a drink before dinner, which is what we would do if at home and going out, hence why so many people like to have some favored wines on board. We still buy at all other times of the day. This is such a hot topic. My thoughts are take on what you think is acceptable. If they do take it, you get it back at the end of the cruise anyway so you don't really loose out. You just might need some help to disembark!:D

 

Sorry to butt in AZUDO, just reading the boards and I noticed your from Somerville. Small world, I have lived in Somerville most of my life, now in Mount Eliza. You are the first Victorian I have come across. Okay back to the thread.:)

[Wittonian]

What a bunch of drunks we all are! :p Most of us enjoy a drink before dinner, which is what we would do if at home and going out, hence why so many people like to have some favored wines on board. We still buy at all other times of the day. This is such a hot topic. My thoughts are take on what you think is acceptable. If they do take it, you get it back at the end of the cruise anyway so you don't really loose out. You just might need some help to disembark!:D

 

If you had to fly back to Oz from the USA it might cause you a problem.

[AZUDO]

Hi there Neighbour!

We have only been on P & O ships so looking forward to something a bit classier! Can you give me any Aussie tips on tipping. Haven't been to the US so not sure on the right way to go about things! What ships have you been on?

Dorinda