Mixed drinks and beer

#1 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2002, 12:21 PM

I'm tired of hearing people complain about the high prices of mixed drinks and beer on cruise lines. In the area I live, a mixed drink at a nice bar or golf course is going to set you back from 5 to 7 dollars. I don't think I have ever paid more then $5 on a ship. And I'm drinking the good stuff.

When some one is paying a lot of money for a cruise, airfare, excursions, and usually throwing their money away in the casino, I can't see why they think their being ripped off for drinks. If they can't afford it, they should bring their own, don't drink at all ( except for the free stuff) or stay home.

From one who also sneaks it on board, cruise till you drop!! Gary.

#2 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2002, 01:48 PM

Hi Gary,

I've been hearing several of the cruise lines aren't allowing passengers to bring alcohol onboard from shore shopping any longer -- has that been your experience these days, also?

And I just read on another board that RCCL still sells liquor from their onboard shops, but is now charging and additional $10 if you want to drink your purchase onboard.

I've always found it the way to go, purchasing a liter onboard for personal consumption, so that you can have a little fun, and keep your costs down to a certain degree.

Dean

#3 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2002, 03:10 PM

Hi, I guess my feelings on this are, If you are on this great vacation cruising........ Well you should be able to afford the drinks from the bars. It is tacky if you ask me. Well guess you didn't ask me. Iam not a big drinker but I like a cocktail and a glass of wine on occasion. I won't sneak any on board but pay the prices in the bars and lounges. The prices are right in the same ball park as a nice cocktail lounge or supper club. Just my opinion guys! Char

Rick · #4 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2002, 03:52 PM

Char.....I agree that the ship price is competative to a nice lounge.....BUT......how many people spend a straight 7 days and nights in that lounge......my point is that it can really add up....so I certainly understand why some bring their own. As always...my best to you and your family.

Jim Bragg · #5 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2002, 07:23 PM

Personal opinion, drinking booze is highly over-rated. I don't need booze to enjoy myself and actually have much more fun when I have complete control over all my senses, which as I get older seems to happen less and less. <

>
Jim

Debbie · #6 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2002, 08:08 AM

I agree with Gary. When figuring the price of a cruise it should not just be the cost of the cabin but also the additional things you enjoy. If you enjoy the bar thing then you have to add that onto your total cost of this cruise, gambling, ect. When you put it all in perspective why go at all if you can not enjoy yourself because of additional costs. If you are one to budget your money and can enjoy yourself then that is the true meaning of a good vacation. It's all a matter of prioritizing.

babe ruth · #7 (**permalink**) April 8th, 2002, 02:08 PM

Rick, that is the best statement of this much-discussed issue that I have ever read. To it, I'd add that many of us drink more on a cruise than other times. Actually, the first "heyday" of cruising (as opposed to ocean travel) came during prohibition in the 20's and 30's. The ship lines discovered they could simply float out some old ship beyond US waters and have an original "booze cruise". These were very popular then, and I think a bit of the tradition remains (or that's the excuse I use, anyway!).

Kuki · #8 (**permalink**) April 8th, 2002, 03:00 PM

I think a great deal of the tighter restrictions on bringing "personal" alcohol onboard has to do with the growing numbers of passengers who bring their own booze into public areas, rather than using it for strictly for in cabin consumption.

I know some lines are charging a surcharge to allow you to take the alcohol from their onboard shop to your cabin. Even with the extra $10 charge, a bottle may cost you $20 or so.
With 26 OZ of liquor in a bottle, it's still costing you less than $1/shot.

babe ruth · #9 (**permalink**) April 8th, 2002, 07:30 PM

Kuki: The surcharge for bottles purchased on the ship for onboard consumption isn't really a bad deal. For people like me, it would add up to only a $10 or $20 increase per cruise, and so is no issue. More troubling are the reports that guests have been denied this service at some times on some cruises, even though the line's official policy is that this can be done. So I suggest that confusion and inconsistency are the real problems, not the small surcharge.