Please explain the fuss over X's alcohol policy

[caviargal]

I have a question. On the Century 5 day cruies, are you able to buy bottles of booze on board at the duty free shop, and if so can you take those back to your room? I sailed on the RCCCL Mariner and we were able to do that (after we paid an extra $9 a bottle).

 

No, you are not, although some posters on this board have said they found a way.

 

This also is no longer the case on RCI and the bottles are delivered to your stateroom on the last night of your cruise.

[newmexicoNita]

I have a question. On the Century 5 day cruies, are you able to buy bottles of booze on board at the duty free shop, and if so can you take those back to your room? I sailed on the RCCCL Mariner and we were able to do that (after we paid an extra $9 a bottle).

the answer: No, RCI/Celebrity changed this policy about 18 months ago. NMNita

[jmkoilers]

My God, from reading these posts about an increase in corkage fees and whether you can or can't bring your own liquor on board a cruise ship is utterly childish. It seems that we have some people who like children, want to play Mom against Dad (Cruise reps, etc.) with the "But Dad said it was Ok", or "Mom let's me do it." Quit trying to ask the same question until you get an answer you like. Look at the rules and accept them - if you don't like it then PLEASE go somewhere else. When you calculate how much you totally spend on a cruise, does this really even rate being an issue? How long are you on the cruise that you couldn't adjust your drinking patterns. My reason for cruising is to RELAX and ENJOY, not to nitpick every little thing. Life isn't fair, nor is the world perfect, so get on with your lives. Sorry, that's my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

[PAISANO]

Travel Doc, thanks for the wine list.

 

Just for fun I picked a bottle of wine off the list just to see how much gouging X really does. Let's do the math.

 

Cabernet Sauvignon Far Niente Napa Valley 1999 ( off the list)....$135.00

 

Found it on the internet for $114.99 http://www.mountcarmelwines.com/sku9597.html

 

$114.99 + 8.75% tax ( $10.06 ) = $125.05.

 

There's only a $9.95 difference.

 

Now when I read some of these threads stating there's a markup of 500%

and all the gouging the cruiselines are doing, I just don't see it.

 

Sure their making a profit, and that's why they are in buiseness.

Let us all not forget.

1. Someone has to order it.

2. Someone has to deliver it.

3. someone has to stock it.

4. Disposal, and the list goes on and on.

 

I'm from a family owned transportation business, if anyone thinks gas prices are high try buying diesel.

 

For me I'll pay the $9.95 difference and not have to go to the liquor store to buy it, wrap it up, stuff it in the suitcase and have to carry it.

I don't know to each their own I guess. ( JMO )

[Bisous3]

"It is a gross generalization to label all X cruises as bargains as some are and some are not."

 

I am comparing apples to apples, meaning paying for say, your average hotel room in a vacation resort vs. your average cabin, in my case usually an outside- not a suite. For LESS money I also get all my meals on a cruise.

 

Even paying $250 per day (I am assuming you are in a better than oceanview cabin) is a steal considering you can't get a regular room for that much per night and have all your meals at your average hotel in the Caribbean.

 

Cruising is still a bargain to me.

[caviargal]

Travel Doc, thanks for the wine list.

 

Just for fun I picked a bottle of wine off the list just to see how much gouging X really does. Let's do the math.

 

Cabernet Sauvignon Far Niente Napa Valley 1999 ( off the list)....$135.00

 

Found it on the internet for $114.99 http://www.mountcarmelwines.com/sku9597.html

 

$114.99 + 8.75% tax ( $10.06 ) = $125.05.

 

There's only a $9.95 difference.

 

Now when I read some of these threads stating there's a markup of 500%

and all the gouging the cruiselines are doing, I just don't see it.

 

I'm from a family owned transportation business, if anyone thinks gas prices are high try buying diesel.

 

For me I'll pay the $9.95 difference and not have to go to the liquor store to buy it, wrap it up, stuff it in the suitcase and have to carry it.

I don't know to each their own I guess. ( JMO )

 

Great choice of a wine and I buy it from my local wine wholesaler for $68 or so give or take a few bucks depending on his cost, for the same vintage. I agree that on these high end bottles, the mark up is not excessive. However, I doubt that lots of folks are spending the money to buy Far Niene.

 

Now let's take Beringer White Zin, a popular choice, though not one of mine. I buy it as Costco for 4.99 a bottle and find it to be a great cooking wine. X sells it for 5.75 a glass and 22.00 a bottle plus 15% so that is $25.30, a 5x mark up.

[l929]

Cabernet Sauvignon Far Niente Napa Valley 1999 ( off the list)....$135.00

 

Found it on the internet for $114.99 http://www.mountcarmelwines.com/sku9597.html

 

$114.99 + 8.75% tax ( $10.06 ) = $125.05.

 

There's only a $9.95 difference.

 

 

( JMO )

 

Actually, if you plan on bringing your wine to the dining room, you have to include the $25 corkage fee on the internet bottle so its $150.05, but also the 15% gratuity on the ship's bottle so that's $20.25 which becomes $145.30, so with the new corkage fee, it is actually $4.75 CHEAPER to buy the ship's bottle (of that particular wine from that internet company). When I made my comparisons, I forgot about tax!

[caviargal]

"It is a gross generalization to label all X cruises as bargains as some are and some are not."

 

I am comparing apples to apples, meaning paying for say, your average hotel room in a vacation resort vs. your average cabin, in my case usually an outside- not a suite. For LESS money I also get all my meals on a cruise.

 

Even paying $250 per day (I am assuming you are in a better than oceanview cabin) is a steal considering you can't get a regular room for that much per night and have all your meals at your average hotel in the Caribbean.

 

Cruising is still a bargain to me.

 

We must buy different apples:).

 

I can stay in a top notch AI for the $500 (for two) any time of year and everything is included. A large room on the water, food in a variety of restaurants, all of my activities, drinks, etc.

 

And I am not sure where you stay but I can always find a really nice hotel in the Caribbean for $250 a night with very little effort. In fact, I can have a great vacation in virtually any city in the world for less than $500.

 

JME.

[Drew B]

My God, from reading these posts about an increase in corkage fees and whether you can or can't bring your own liquor on board a cruise ship is utterly childish. It seems that we have some people who like children, want to play Mom against Dad (Cruise reps, etc.) with the "But Dad said it was Ok", or "Mom let's me do it." Quit trying to ask the same question until you get an answer you like. Look at the rules and accept them - if you don't like it then PLEASE go somewhere else.

 

Well, if Mom and Dad are doing a good job parenting, they will present a united front, give consistent answers, and therefore their kids won't be able to play one against the other. The same is true of representatives of a corporation. NO WONDER people keep asking the question when they get a different answer every time!

 

And for some of us, it's not about the money. It's a matter of principle. Knowing that I'm paying good money to a company that insults me and condescends to me makes it much harder for me to "RELAX" and "ENJOY" my cruise...

[PAISANO]

Great choice of a wine and I buy it from my local wine wholesaler for $68 or so give or take a few bucks depending on his cost, for the same vintage. I agree that on these high end bottles, the mark up is not excessive. However, I doubt that lots of folks are spending the money to buy Far Niene.

 

Now let's take Beringer White Zin, a popular choice, though not one of mine. I buy it as Costco for 4.99 a bottle and find it to be a great cooking wine. X sells it for 5.75 a glass and 22.00 a bottle plus 15% so that is $25.30, a 5x mark up.

 

 

I agree the White Zin is a pretty good cooking wine and I also buy it from Costco but It's the 2005, not the 2003.

 

Because I have not bought the 2003 I did some research on the net and I had a little trouble finding it . Here's what I came up with.

http://www.bauerwines.com/144980

 

At $12.99 a bottle + $1.14 tax = $14.13

 

There's a $7.87 difference.

 

The 15% gratuity is really a wash because weather you buy it from the cruiseline or buy it and bring it to the diningroom you will be charged the 15%.

 

So that $8.00 let's say goes to the delivery, etc. etc. that I mentioned before.

 

So the markup now becomes 1.5.

[l929]

I

The 15% gratuity is really a wash because weather you buy it from the cruiseline or buy it and bring it to the diningroom you will be charged the 15%.

 

 

 

I'm confused.... You get charged the corkage for wine you bring, there is no service charge on top of that. But if you buy wine from them in the dining room there is a 15% gratuity. Or am I missing something? I am very tired today....

[caviargal]

I agree the White Zin is a pretty good cooking wine and I also buy it from Costco but It's the 2005, not the 2003.

 

Because I have not bought the 2003 I did some research on the net and I had a little trouble finding it . Here's what I came up with.

http://www.bauerwines.com/144980

 

At $12.99 a bottle + $1.14 tax = $14.13

 

There's a $7.87 difference.

 

The 15% gratuity is really a wash because weather you buy it from the cruiseline or buy it and bring it to the diningroom you will be charged the 15%.

 

So that $8.00 let's say goes to the delivery, etc. etc. that I mentioned before.

 

So the markup now becomes 1.5.

 

Nice that we agree on something, namely that white zin is good for cooking:).

 

Just looked at the bottle in my frig and its a 2004 that I bought last week in a 3 pack.

 

This is cut and pasted from the list posted:

 

White Zinfandel, Beringer, Napa Valley $ 5.75

Moderately sweet, refreshing crisp, simply packed with fruit.

 

No mention of a vintage that I can see by the glass, only the bottle.

 

I truly have never paid more than 6 bucks for a White Zin as this is simply not an expensive wine at all but I have paid as little as 3.99.

 

Bottom line is that the issue with X's policy is that it is (1) so inconsitent they themselves cannot explain it, (2) not in keeping with a "premium" cruise line, (3) the corkage fee is the highest in the industry, which I find silly.

 

While there are a lot of folks who could care less, there are also a good number that do and that find the new policy - such that it is - an insult.

 

And the solution, should X not see the light, is simply for those that are fine with it (and the other existing issues with X) to continue to cruise and enjoy, and those that think it is a real issue to go elsewhere and spend our vacation dollar as makes us happy.:)

[Cruise Junky]

Friends don't let friends drink White Zin... :)

[lysolqn]

When someone says, "It's not the money; it's the principle," you can bet your bottom dollar...it's the money!

[cruisinelsewhere]

Time for my two cents worth.....my final tab when I disembark is usually more than the cruise fare that the majority of cruisers pay to start with (my penchant for fine champagne before dinner precedes me). That being said, I occasionally like to have a vodka in my room (be it while dressing for dinner or whenever). Celebrity has nothing to lose by my little old $20 bottle of Stoli that I bring aboard and I certainly hope they recognize that. Sometimes I have never even touched it and carried it off with me but that is not really the point...if I am willing to pay an average "bill" of $200/day they know that what is hanging around my cabin is not going to impact them in any way and it is insulting that they would not allow me the luxury of having the option. We have cruised many times, have also done many all-inclusive destinations but when we cruise (because of the champagne demon:rolleyes: ) we always laugh while booking and say that it is like cruising for 4! I will be cruising Millenium in a few weeks and if they choose to keep my Stoli it will not be a problem for me, but these actions will surely be a problem for them in the long run.:cool:

[cechase]

Before saying my piece, let me just say that we believe that Celebrity is making a very big mistake. Actually mistakes - (1.) Not allowing pax to bring alcohol for consumption solely in their cabins or suites; (2.) changing the pricing for the bon voyage liquor packages, and (3.) increasing the corkage from $12.00 to $25.00. If I were CEO, I would have fired the idiot who made those changes [the prohibition against booze is not new, but not enforced in our experience.]

 

For our last four cruises we have purchased bon voyage liquor packages, yet our SeaPass account at the end runs at $1,000 to $1,500. So the fact that we consume cocktails in our suite, does not mean that we do not heartily spend at the bars on the vessel. That is a myth which Celebrity has apparently been sold. And it is not just us, it is the same with all the people around us.

 

However - getting your hackles up about paying a markup on whine :D - come on. One poster mentioned all inclusive resorts. We have stayed at Sandals Grand Bahama with an ocean front one bedroom suite, and the cost per day is not much less than what we pay for a Royal Suite on Celebrity. The difference is the Sandal's charge is for 7 nights, and our celebrity cruises have been 10 and 11 nights. A similar suite at Mirage in Las Vegas is $475.00 per night, and you pay for your own meals and drinks, and their restaurants are expensive. I can go on and on with upscale resorts and provide the same comparisions.

 

So people get real. The prices for individual drinks and glasses of wines is literally the same that we pay at the casino hotels in Reno, Nevada.

[Bisous3]

"I can stay in a top notch AI for the $500 (for two) any time of year and everything is included. A large room on the water, food in a variety of restaurants, all of my activities, drinks, etc."

 

Which one? For how long? $500 for two bought me 2 1/2 days at Club Med. It bought me 6 nights on the Century this spring.

 

"And I am not sure where you stay but I can always find a really nice hotel in the Caribbean for $250 a night with very little effort."

 

Including meals? We stayed at the Meridian in Cancun for my 40th. We went through WAY more than $250 between the room and the meals per day.

 

"In fact, I can have a great vacation in virtually any city in the world for less than $500."

Again - for how long? And is that including all your meals?

 

I guess what I am trying to say is what another poster already did , its normal that the cruise line wants you to buy their wine. Hey- I love Celebrity and want to continue to cruise with them for many years into the future. If their alcohol policy helps them to generate revenue to put back into the company (lets hope it in training their customer service reps! LOL!) then so be it.

[HAVANA]

Has Anyone Been Forced To Cruise With Celebrity? If You Don't Like Their Policies Speak With Your Loudest Voice (your Money) And Don't Book With Them. If You Have Already Booked You Should Have Read Their Policies Before You Booked And If You Booked Before They Changed Their Policy, Don't Book With Them Again.

 

I Will Now Put On My Asbestos Suit.

 

Get Over It.

[Drew B]

When someone says, "It's not the money; it's the principle," you can bet your bottom dollar...it's the money!

 

It was me who said it, and I can ASSURE you that you're wrong. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself willingly paying MORE because I didn't want to do business with a person or a company that had "done me wrong". It's sometimes known as "cutting off your nose to spite your face", and it may not be the smartest or most practical thing to do, but I'm ALL ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE!

[Spender Nui]

Please don't run me out of town, but I'm having trouble understanding all the fuss over Celebrity's onboard alcohol policy and the seemingly never-ending threads about is/isn't it enforced and how to beat X at it's own game by sneaking booze onto a ship. From what I've seen, drink prices on X are comparable to those at good restaurants, yet no one would attempt to "smuggle" beer, liquor or wine into a restaurant to avoid a bar tab; and, if you bring your own bottle to a restaurant that isn't BYO, you'll certainly be charged a corkage fee. Why should it be any different on a ship?

 

I would never consider bringing my own to a fine restaurant. Also, I never stay at a fine restaurant for 2 weeks at a time. I'm happy to choose wine at dinner every night from their unimaginative wine list but I do enjoy a cocktail in our cabin while readying for dinner. I've tried room service ... it's cumbersome. I don't always have the time to wait. Also, it's impractical to schlep to a bar, get my drink and schlep back to the cabin to prepare for dinner. I don't think any of this unreasonable.

[caviargal]

"I can stay in a top notch AI for the $500 (for two) any time of year and everything is included. A large room on the water, food in a variety of restaurants, all of my activities, drinks, etc."

 

Which one? For how long? $500 for two bought me 2 1/2 days at Club Med. It bought me 6 nights on the Century this spring.

 

"And I am not sure where you stay but I can always find a really nice hotel in the Caribbean for $250 a night with very little effort."

 

Including meals? We stayed at the Meridian in Cancun for my 40th. We went through WAY more than $250 between the room and the meals per day.

 

"In fact, I can have a great vacation in virtually any city in the world for less than $500."

Again - for how long? And is that including all your meals?

.

 

250 is per person per day. Not sure how you book you travel but I am careful to research and find a great deal.

 

Last year I did a 9 night trip to Paris, Munich and Salzburg for about 2k, including air, great hotels (Le Meridien in 2 cities and a small inn in Salzburg rated 4 stars). My chain hotels were booked on PL for 100 per night, and I travelled by train. I was there for the Christmas markets with 3 other women, had my own room half the time and did not scimp on anything.

 

I stay at a Grand Lido resort for $420 per couple per night on a special in late 2005 and paid 218 for my R/T air on Spirit. Couples often has the same type of specials. I do not care for Club Med or Sandals.

 

Since Vegas and Reno are not my idea of vacation spots, I cannot compare.

 

I am off to NYC for a three day weekend after Century and got the Grand Hyatt for 165 /nt taxes included for a double, got my air for $232 10 months ago, have two Broadway shows booked and can dine easily as well as on X for under 100 per day. Did the same last year in NYC, SFO and Chicago.

 

Your Cancun comparison did not consider the cost for 2 people and my 250 per day on X next week is per person.

 

IMO, to cruise can be a bargain if you are willing to settle for a minimal cabin and few expenditures. I simply am not, therefore the bargains are few, except for ships I have no interest in.

 

There are many very good vacations to be had for 500 a day for two people, it just depends how much effort you are willing to commit. I love to travel and do it often so I work hard to find good deals.

[Bisous3]

"IMO, to cruise can be a bargain if you are willing to settle for a minimal cabin and few expenditures."

 

I guess then thats where the difference lies. I never book anything higher than an outside cabin, and I am not a big drinker or gambler. The most I drink is maybe a martini before dinner and one glass of wine at dinner. Any more than that and I cannot keep my eyes open.

 

 

Well , I guess you can look at the wine dilemma this way: when you are spending THAT much on things like upgraded cabins plus expenditures, why sweat the wine upcharge?

[caviargal]

 

Well , I guess you can look at the wine dilemma this way: when you are spending THAT much on things like upgraded cabins plus expenditures, why sweat the wine upcharge?

 

You can certainly choose to look at the wine dilemna that way, but as a wine drinker who prefers to bring some and buy some, I have a different POV;).

 

I like to choose where I spend my money and inflated wine prices, restrictive rules and regulations and excessive corkage fees are an annoyance I choose to do without.

 

It's a personal decision.