I have also added this to the Cruise Critic site to gain maximum support but that support will only come is enough people contact the company to sway them into changing their present alcohol policy
In the hope that RCL management read this email and that you the members of the Cruise Critic website give you backing to the scheme I thought that I would try to make their cruises that more enjoyable and lest restricited.
Having recently purchased a package on the IOTS in May 09 it has come as a bit of a disappointment to find out that their drinks policy is so restricted and harsh.
We understand the need for ensuring the safety of both the crew and passengers whilst embarked on a seagoing vessel however restricting passengers from bringing onboard any alcholic drinks in any form, with the threat of disembarkation is too harsh.
As a sensible (So my doctor tells me - as long as i keep taking the tablets) adult and also ex RN I know what is what but this policy is harsher than being onboard a Naval ship.
I am aware that other cruise lines already have a drinks package so I know that this is feasible.
I would have thought that a more sensible approach would be that any person who oversteps the mark would have their drinks rights removed, thus the trouble makers get hit not the other passengers.
I dont know about you but I like to have a drink, either sitting in the cabin or on the verander prior to getting ready for dinner, however this cant be achieved on the IOTS. I think that any passenger who wishes to bring a bottle onboard should be allowed without any recourse.
Failing that option, surely a more possible approach would be to allow a drinks pacakge (Not the dinner type) be sold by the RCL line, that people can pre-pay prior to their cruise. The average passenger is likely to have a couple of drinks a night whilst relaxing around the boat. This would be beneficial to the passenger as they would not have to worry about their bill soaring at every possible turn.
I would therefore ask that RCL at least bring in a new policy removing the restrictions on bringing drinks into their cabin from shoreside for the passengers own enjoyment or install a new drinks package to enable passengers to pre-pay for their drinks £100 or £150 per passenger if necessary
In todays ecomonic climate and with the fact that people are fearing either redundancy or having to clamp back on the expenses surely this is an option for RCL to at least investigate. Maybe we might get a rep from RCL to put forward their case or at least discuss this option.
So what do you think ?
Welcome to the real world!! Norwegian are far stricter in their policing of no drinks to be brought on board policy. There are other lines who have no real restriction e.g. Cunard and P&O who are both part of the Carnival group so it may be that Princess, Carnival and OV are similar. Despite what RCI and Norwegian say, it is not about people safety.....the cruiselines like to make a profit, so you pays your money and you takes your choice!!
The long and the short of it was that they had brought on some very potent alcohol which is banned and all were very drunk. Despite all the investigations and blood in room etc and on the lifeboats no charge was very brought against anyone.
RCI settled the case with his wife for a large undisclosed sum and the mystery remains today. This case was on every TV network in the US and the FBI were involved.
RCI brought a much tighter policy in following this as you used to be able to take in wine and pay corkage in the dining room. Yes you are right they need to make profit from alcohol and so they will only allow you to buy from the mini bar or from the bars on board.
Celebrebrity allow 2 bottles of wine to be brought on board at the beginning of the cruise. I have seen people bring wine on board when returning from Ports. Sometimes this is taken and returned at the end of the cruise others have got away with it.
As Graham says this is a fact of life on most of the cruise ships today and for me it makes no difference as I don't drink other than the odd glass of champagne but I would still abide by the Company rules even if I did drink.
Price of cruises are low and alcohol on board is more expensive although if I recall P&O did used to sell drinks at duty free prices but that was in the good old days back in the 1980's.
Sue
Their rationale for this is that they make NO profit from the cruise fare itself, only from services sold on board- bar/casino/spa/shops etc. Why would they deplete their profits even further by allowing passengers to bring alcohol onboard.
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