Alcohol prices on islands

[mhb]

I don't want to sound like an alcoholic, but does anyone know some prices of the alcohol on the islands. Is it worth it to buy on the islands and haul it back to NJ? On the ship, carry it on the plane, haul it home. Is it worth a backache?

 

[TraSee]

We buy alcohol at about one third of the price in the US. We live in FL, so we don't have to put it on an airplane...that would make me reconsider how much I bought. By the way...we don't even drink...I just stock up for parties and such.

 

[Brooklyn]

I used to live in St Thomas. Most tourists, those on Cruises and flying into the island leave with alcohol. There are limits on how much you can take so you could not go overboard anyway. They will give you a nice carrying case (basically a cardboard box with handles) that holds either 4-6 bottles. You could plan on someone in your party carrying the bottles in this case on the airplane back home. The alcohol is a very good deal.

 

[mmouse37]

We bought a big bottle of Kaluhua (sp) for about $6.00 which was at least $22.00 at home.

We found most liquor to be under $8.00 per bottle. Some brands were higher, some brands were even lower.

MJ

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I found that the prices in the onboard duty-free shop is less expensive than the port prices.

 

[mmouse37]

Wow...I found the opposite...I checked the onboard special that was offered and the island prices I found were lower...

MJ

 

[DVC Kathy]

We were just on the 6/19 Western, so we didn't go to St. Thomas or St. Maarten.

We bought 1 liter bottles of Kahlua in Cozumel. Best price we found was $9.50 per bottle - two for $17. On the ship they were $12 each - still not bad.

We purchased our rum from the duty free shop on the ship.

We don't drink much either, so I don't know why we went home with 4 liters of alcohol.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

My DH is the bargain hunter in the family and he usually makes his purchases in the duty free shop on the ship. He says you have to purchase on the days the items are on sale to get the really good buys.

 

[pth]

I found that the prices on the duty free onboard shop were cheaper than they were in Nassau.

 

[walt4evr]

Wow, I am amazed at the prices! Does anyone have any information about good places on the Eastern cruise for purchasing alcohol? How much can each adult purcase/taKe off the ship etc.? I think I read that you can not take opened bottles off the ship, is this correct? We have a "Magical Gathering" at WDW for a week with over 15 people --all adults, right after our cruise. So I know we will be partying, lol! This could work out great!

 

[MBFergie]

I don't have exact prices but I do remember St. Maarten being cheaper then St. Thomas.

Anybody know about prices in San Juan?

 

[mark & sandra]

If you buy top shelf alcohol then you can really see a savings by buying on the islands. I bought 2 bottles of Johnny Walker Blue label @ 126.00 per bottle, at home they're 192.00 after tax...Mark

 

[dcandmc]

If you buy a bottle of alcohol onboard from the duty free shop, will you be able to consume it while you are on the cruise? Or do they hold it for you until you disembark?

 

[drclaws]

Anything purchased on the ship will be held and delivered to your stateroom on the final night of the cruise. If you open the bottle then, legally you cannot take it off the ship.

 

[drclaws]

OK, packrats that we are, I have the Magic's 6/19 duty free price list in front of me. I believe all are 1 litre bottles..

Scotch:
Glenfiddich $19
Glenlivet $17
Chivas $21
JW Red $14
JW Black $21
Dewars $14

Bourbon:
JD $15
Makers Mark $15
Jim Beam $10.50
Southern Comfort $12

Tequila:
Jose Cuervo 1800 $18
Jose Cuervo Gold $12.95

Gin:
Bombay Sapphire $12
Tanquery $11
Beefeater $10

Whiskey:
Crown Royal $14
Seagrams 7 $8.95
J&B $14.50

 

[drclaws]

Vodka:
Belvedere $18
Ketel One $18
Absolute Citron $10
Absolute $9
Smirnoff $6
Grey Goose $19
Stoli $10
Van Goh 3 flavors $18

Rum (Note that Tortuga can ONLY be purchased onboard):
Malibu $14
Bacardi Limon $11
Parrot Bay $11
Capt. Morgan $10.95
Myers Dark $10.50
Bacardi 151 $8.95
Bacardi Silver $7.95
Tortuga-Banana $10.95
- Gold $12.95
- Coffee Cream $12.95
- Cream Rum $15.95
- Light $10.95
- Orange $10.95

 

[drclaws]

...and finally....

Cognac:
Remy Martin Louis XIII - $950
Hennessy XO $100
Remy Martin XO $96
Remy Martin VSOP $42
Courvoisier VSOP $34

Liqueurs:
Grand Marnier $21
Drambuie $22.95
Chambord $14
Goldschlager $17
Godiva $16
Amaretto $16
Sambuca $14
Frangelico $15.95
Baileys $15
Kahlua $12
Jagermeister $ 14

Every day a two bottle special: One at the above price and 2nd at $2 off.

Enjoy!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

So how many bottles can each adult bring back? 2?

 

[drclaws]

Originally posted by CruisingCA2005
So how many bottles can each adult bring back? 2?

You can pretty much bring back as much as you want....HOWEVER...the duty free limit is 1 liter per adult (on the Western, Eastern may have different customs rules applied).

If you DO go over and the total duty owed is less than $10, it seems that the customs agent will waive the fee. At least that was what I observed on our recent cruise.

 

[mhb]

I thought you were allowed to bring in (5) 5ths. Please correct me, is that about 2-3 liters

I can't believe the prices. That would mean my Bombay Sapphire would be $14.00 for 2 bottles. Less than what I pay for the smallest bottle. Is all this correct.

How about wine? We enjoy that with dinner. How many can we bring back? Is it a combination of the 2?

Sorry for all the questions? Need to make sure I bring enough $.

Thanks,