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Originally posted by WhiteStar:
I can understand the no booze policy but a bottle of water???

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1. To avoid the diversion of onboard sales
2. To maintain some control over excessive alcohol consumption

As usual, it's the dishonest ones who ruin it for the rest of us.

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Originally posted by J.S.S.Normandie:
I havnt't heard about this, but I know they had that policy on planes for a while(which i believed just recently they stopped).

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[ 03-30-2007: Message edited by: Globaliser ]

I can't take bottles of booze, coke or water to my local pub to drink either.

[ 03-30-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I can't take bottles of booze, coke or water to my local pub to drink either. [ 03-30-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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No, but you can take them to your hotel room, and you are able to walk out and replenish stocks whenever you wish. A bit difficult on a ship. Even hotel room service/mini bar prices are becoming 'cheap' compared to the charges on ships once the gratuity is added. I cannot believe they will stop one walking back onboard in a port of call and take your bottle[s] of water off you. Infringement of human rights I would have thought.

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
But I'll wager the majority of money taken in each cruise is for booze.
Frosty 4

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Originally posted by PamM:

I cannot believe they will stop one walking back onboard in a port of call and take your bottle[s] of water off you. Infringement of human rights I would have thought.

Pam

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What about the following:

I allways have a bottle water/softdrink with me when I go ashore. Suppose I bought that one on board and when returning to the ship there is still water in it. Can't I bring the bottle on board ? ? I bought it there

Embarkation is mostly in the afternoon. It's a hot day, so you really need to have a bottle of water with you. It is still not empty (or you refilled it). Not allowed to take it with you ? ?
My goodness, may you take your own toothpaste with you on board ? ?

Stupid rule if it's true.

"From 31 March 2007, European Union airports will be unable to sell any liquid purchases to passengers travelling to Australia. All liquids
will be screened at the last point of call and quantities over 100ml will be confiscated." All in the name of 'security'.. there does not appear to be anyone who wears the hat of "weigher up of inconvenience v security".

The risk of taking a bottle of water purchased airside aboard an aircraft is negligible, but must be deemed a far greater 'risk' than bottles delivered directly to an aircraft. I trust flights to Australia will hand out a bottle of water as soon as one enters the aircraft.

As if a glance can tell if they contain acid etc.

On return from Egypt the 'rule' did not seem to apply, yet it was the same bloody airline. What total nonsense!

It's the overreacting authorities that are restricting my freedom, not terrorists! If the authorities make it too much hassel to fly the terrorists have 'won'.

[ 03-31-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

What is confounding is that CCL still allows you to bring one (1) bottle of wine aboard, but only in the embarkation port, not anywhere enroute. Their published policy now states that any beverages brought to the ship at a port of call will be confiscated and DISCARDED, not even held in bond.

web page

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
What's next ,you can't buy anything ashore because you should buy your items in the on-board shops!

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Well the likes of RCI tell you where to shop shore-side and almost certainly collect a commission on all sales.

During their shopping talks they also try and scare you from shopping in anywhere other than their 'approved' shops. They also give out shopping 'maps' highlighting their suggested shops.

It's difficult to prove carry-on liquor results in disruptive behaviour. I'm sure there is plenty of disruptive behaviour due to on board bar sales.

I'm convinced it's all about maximising on-board revenue.

[ 03-31-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

For many years, Carnival allowed people to bring aboard "a reasonable amount" of soft drinks and/or liquor for consumption in their stateroom(s).

However, many, many have chosen to abuse the policy. People mixing drinks on deck, bringing these beverages into lounges, bars and dining rooms, holding large "cocktail parties" (complete with BLENDERS!!) in their staterooms. Many lines have also seen a large rise in people (many underage) brining alcohol aboard in water bottles, soda bottles, etc.

I've even seen photos of people using saline solution bottles to smuggle alcohol onboard and flasks disguised as cellphones. Albeit very clever, it's also very tacky.

If you ever wander over to an unnamed rival website with message boards, you will see that messages regarding "smuggling" of booze and such proliferate and somewhat dominate the discussions on the boards of many mass-market lines.

Unfortunately, this is the state that mass-market cruising has devolved to and a case where the probable minority has ruined it for the majority of rule-abiding, respectful cruisers.

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Originally posted by Tim in 'Lauderdale:
... you will see that messages regarding "smuggling" of booze and such proliferate and somewhat dominate the discussions on the boards of many mass-market lines.

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So what is the best way to 'smuggle' booze,Tim?

Joking aside, I still believe that if you can afford the cabin fare you can afford to buy the alcohol on board. Mind you here in the UK we don't get $299 cruises.

As for those that smuggle booze, well I partially blame the cruise lines. They wanted cruising to appeal to the masses and this is just one consequence. Not only are cruises cheap, but the ships are "home ported" close to your town so you don't have to pay for air and can drive your pick-up to the port ... filled with booze of course! When you charge $399 for a 7-day cruise there are a great number of people than can afford the cruise itself (simply charge it), but they are not prepared to pay for all the extra charges onboard such as tipping and the expensive drinks. This is one reason cruise lines started auto-tipping. Too much of the staff were getting stiffed by the new "mass-market" cruiser. This hurts morale, service levels, and eventually the bottom line of the cruise company. So these same passengers look for ways to save money and essentially spend as little onboard as possible. One way is to bring their own booze onboard and these days that means sneaking it onboard anyway possible. Again, I feel the cruise lines are partially to blame. They wanted cruising to appeal to the masses and that is exactly what they got. Now they have to deal with it.

As for various cruise lines stating the alcohol policies are implemented for the "safety and security" of the ship and to protect minors .... what a bunch of BS. It's for one reason and one reason only, to stop the dilution of onboard revenue. Plain and simple. The ship is a contained environment and the cruise lines want to force you to purchase everything from them. This is especially true for alcohol which has a massive mark up and is probably the #1 revenue producer onboard. That single mixed drink you just purchased is probably the same price the cruise line paid for the entire bottle, maybe less. Remember, cruise lines have entire departments devoted to onboard revenue ... how to increase it and how to contain it. Minors can easily obtain alcohol and drinks onboard, right from the bartenders themselves. I've seen it a hundred times. Adults also get sh-- faced all the time, again right from the bartenders who are supposedly "monitoring" the alcohol consumption. I certainly don't blame the bartenders. They are under pressure to sell, sell, sell from the cruise line and of course it affects their tips as well. It's a bit hypocritical on the part of the cruise line and I think the bartenders find themselves in an impossible position.

As we already know, there has been a distinct rise in the phenomenon of people jumping (NOT falling) overboard. In most cases alcohol is involved. It still doesn't stop the cruise lines from selling excessive alcohol. So much for "safety and security".

My two cents!