Celebrity - New Alcohol Policy?

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medja

Guest
My spouse and I are taking a Mexican Riviera cruise on Celebrity's 'Mercury' departing February 3rd from San Diego. While browsing Celebrity's website recently, I noticed that no alcohol was permitted to be brought onboard for personal consumption. Is this a new policy? On previous Celebrity cruises, we've hand-carried a couple bottles of champagne to enjoy prior to sailing, as well as wines to enjoy (paying the corkage fee) in the dining room. Thanks for any information.
 
T

Ted_D

Guest
Medja,

Welcome to these boards.

No, this is not a new liquor policy for Celebrity. You will find that they, like most lines, have a written policy that prohibits you from bringing liquor of any type aboard. But, they also do have a corkage fee in the dining room for those who bring wine aboard to drink with dinner, so they clearly know it will occur. As long as you bring a small amount on board (3-4 bottles) you will not have a problem.

Ted
 
B

BSeabob

Guest
The "No Alcoholic Beverages" has been in the brochures for many years. Wine is not treated as such and we have had no problems taking bottles of wine aboard. On on one occasion even a case.. This we arranged to give to our wine Steward and he served from the case as we required at meal times. You can of course keep it in your room. As Ted D says above there is a corkage fee in the restaurants.
 
M

medja

Guest
Thanks very much for both responses to my inquiry. I realize that Celebrity must have a policy in place to deal with flagrant violations. My intent was only to bring a couple bottles of champagne on board to enjoy with our group prior to sailing, and a few bottles of wine for dinner. Thanks again and stay well.
 
G

GloBug

Guest
When we went on our 11 night Alaska cruise, we brought about a case of wine, a bottle of scotch and a bottle of port, plus 8 juice boxes of OJ and a case of water. Not a problem to walk on board with it!
 
B

BSeabob

Guest
There seems to be someting happening onboard the ships recently from what I have read.

The brochures and on line rules clearly state: "No alcohol" may be brought on board. Some persons apparently have found this to include wine at embarcation points recently and their bottles have been held until the end of the cruise.

This is contrary to our experience but times change. Please be cautioned.
 
E

Einstein

Guest
Good point Bsea as it seems like cruises these days are varying week to week instead of year to year. =shrug

.
 
M

miken

Guest
Please can you advise what the corkage cost is.
Do you think this is a better option than buying the wine on board??
 
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Ted_D

Guest
Miken,

I don't specifically know the corkage fee. It has changed a couple of time in the past two years, but the last time a saw it was something like $15 (US). Personally, I don't want to be bothered with bringing wine on board, so it isn't an issue for us. Wine on board -- both bottles and by the glass -- is fairly reasonably priced, at about the same amount as you would experience in a decent shore restaurant. And, there is a fairly good wine list that satisfies most people.

The one reason to bring wine aboard that can save a fair amount of money is for consumption in your room or on your balcony, rather than in the dining room. Then, there is no corkage fee at all. Just bring your wine and a corkscrew. Your room will have an ice bucket, if you're doing white.

Ted
 
B

BSeabob

Guest
I agree with Ted on the purchase of wine to save money. I guess you can... but the hassel of getting it to the port/ship/room/diningroom is not worth the cost savings. We take it to share our great BC wines with our table mates and others.
 
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PaulaS

Guest
Hello all,

I've found that when it comes to bringing alcohol onto the ship, discretion is the key. Yes, you can bring your own alcohol but keep it under wraps until you get to your cabin. There's no issue with taking a bottle of wine to dinner but keep the corkage fee in mind. I don't usually have wine with dinner since it's tradition for my husband and I to relax at the martini bar beforehand, but if I were to have wine, I'd purchase a bottle since that's usually more economical that buying individual glasses each night. The sommalier is kind enough to re-cork whatever you don't finish for the next night! Enjoy your trip!

Paula S.
Next cruise - Zenith to Bermuda Sept '06
 
P

PaulaS

Guest
Hello all,

I've found that when it comes to bringing alcohol onto the ship, discretion is the key. Yes, you can bring your own alcohol but keep it under wraps until you get to your cabin. There's no issue with taking a bottle of wine to dinner but keep the corkage fee in mind. I don't usually have wine with dinner since it's tradition for my husband and I to relax at the martini bar beforehand, but if I were to have wine, I'd purchase a bottle since that's usually more economical that buying individual glasses each night. The sommalier is kind enough to re-cork whatever you don't finish for the next night! Enjoy your trip!

Paula S.
Next cruise - Zenith to Bermuda Sept '06
 
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