Booze on a cruise

[Brewmasher]

I guess my point is if you can't afford to get the leather, maybe you shouldn't be buying the Benz. Maybe a nice cloth-seated Toyota is more your speed.

Likewise if an add'l $55 a day for unlimited booze (Carnival) breaks you, maybe you can't afford to go on a Cruise or that cruises (and their beverage program) aren't for you.

Tried this my last cruise with Carnival. Everyone in your stateroom of drinking age must buy the package, which you must get every day of the cruse. Kind of unfair if your cabin mate(s) don't drink that much, or if you are going to be off the ship in port all day. Prices are equivalent to an upscale bar or restaurant. Beer (not much in the line of craft, but had some imports like Heineken and Stella) were $4-$7 each, + 15% tip automatically added. Top shelf spirits and specialty drinks were not included, but you would get a whopping 25% discount if you had the card. You only had to pay the 15% on the $55 a day charge, and I don't know how much of that actually makes it to the servers because it would take up to an hour to get a drink at times.

 

[agrazela]

As I mentioned on page one, it is for a wedding (and not my wedding) and I'm not missing it because I don't want to pay for over priced drinks lol. I didn't know they had an unlimited drink program, and still there has to be some sort of catch for only $55. I'm sure it's not really unlimited. It's not that it breaks my bank, it's just I'm also not irresponsible with my money I do have and I'd rather not blow it all on booze if I don't have to. If I can smuggle my own alcohol like 98% of everyone else on the cruise I am going to.

I have no say in any of this cruise other than showing up. I have never been on a cruise before so I have no idea how anything works. Thanks for all the input so far though.

You said it's a wedding in the Caymans...so is the wedding on an island, or on the boat?

If on an island, is there no other way to get there than by cruise ship?

If on the boat, why are you paying for it?

Carry on...

 

[dkwolf]

not getting my hopes too high, but how's the beer selection on SilverSeas? guessing it's all macro lagers?

If I remember correctly, it varies depending on their last ports of call. To be honest, I don't know that I saw a bud light can on board. But I can't remember for sure.

 

[passedpawn]

Carnival had a pretty good IPA onboard. I can't recall what it was. Goose Island IPA I think.

 

[treacheroustexan]

You said it's a wedding in the Caymans...so is the wedding on an island, or on the boat?

If on an island, is there no other way to get there than by cruise ship?

If on the boat, why are you paying for it?

Carry on...

Does it matter? Lol. It's on the island.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

I just got smashed at every port and gritted my teeth for $8 buds on the ship. I mean you're already paying a decent amount for the cruise, might as well just bear with it IMO

Geting lit on the islands isn't that cheap either anymore, but still cheaper than on the boat.

First night on the boat, three of us spent almost a $1,000 partying (total). Shots add up fast. After that, it was smuggling time! Lol!

OP: Don't even bother trying to get anything on when you initially board. Wait until the next day and do the water bottle trick. Hop on the ship when there's a decent size line waiting to board.

Most of the island liquor stores will let you use their bathroom so you can transfer to water bottlles without spilling too!

 

[k1ngl1ves]

This is like buying a Mercedes but ordering it without leather so you can do the upholstery yourself for cheap.

I hate leather. I always stick to it. I get sweaty...

A google image search shows a hairbrush that is hollowed out to hold liquor, and also a bra that has liquor pouches built in.

Lots of options. One of these might even be kind of fun to pull off.

Check out the beer belly! It's amazing!

 

[PlexVector]

Went on a cruise back in the 80's to Mexico and at one of the ports got a couple of 6-packs and brought on board and kept them iced in the sink. When they cleaned the room each day they re-iced my beer! I guess they don't do that any more...

 

[Inkleg]

I've had great luck seeking out a bar that's open when I first get on the ship and ordering Anejo Tequila neat (I like my sipping Tequila), saying Thank You and leaving a minimum $10 cash tip on the bar. As most bar tenders work the same bar at the same time they get to know you. It was not unusual to get 3 oz pours. Treat them well and most will pour heavy. Like @dkwolf said, by the time I'd step up to the bar the drink was there.

 

[Rockn_M]

Went on a cruise back in the 80's to Mexico and at one of the ports got a couple of 6-packs and brought on board and kept them iced in the sink. When they cleaned the room each day they re-iced my beer! I guess they don't do that any more...

I wish...but they don't do that anymore.

 

[Rockn_M]

I was a cruise with Royal Caribbean earlier this year and they have come out with different drink packages. I did the beer and wine package for $40ish dollars a day. So if you like to drink all day (like me) then it's probably worth it. If you only have a few a day or with dinner then it's not really worth it. I think the beer prices ranged from $6-$9 a beer.

 

[JPicasso]

You can get a quality powderhorn for about $25. Should be waterproof for as long as you need it to be. I mean, if you're brave enough.