Buying wine in port

[HookedOnDCL1]

So, I know I can bring 2 bottles of wine on at each port. I'm wondering what the selection is like in port and where to buy near the ports? We are stopping in Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Falmouth. Trying to decide whether to buy the wine package or buy wine in port and pay the corkage fee.

 

[Sytrace]

Each of those ports have tax/duty free liquor stores close to the ship. Of course, you will tender off the ship in Cayman Islands, but after that, there are stores right there to go to.
In your cabin the night before you make port, you will have a shopping guide placed in your cabin so you can get an idea of where to go to find things. Also, there are shopping guides you can ask on Deck 4 for assistance if you need it.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I remember my husband purchased Rum in the Grand Cayman port, which was small. Cozumel has a large "mall" where you may prob find anything but it was expensive.

 

[LAX]

Not sure if one has time to do this, but are you allowed to buy liquor outside of duty/tax free shops and carry them onboard?

LAX

 

[NS8VN]

Not sure if one has time to do this, but are you allowed to buy liquor outside of duty/tax free shops and carry them onboard?

LAX

Any beer or wine past the 2 bottle/6 can limit and ALL liquor you try to bring aboard will be taken and stored for you until you disembark. This includes liquor purchased in the duty free shop on board, they won't let you consume it during the cruise.

 

[abuck75]

Having not been on a cruise since 2001, I remember bringing some mini-bottles on board from ports that I would simply put in my pockets. Is it safe to assume that the security practices have evolved and this would be caught today?

 

[belac]

you can buy the wine bottles (per the allotted amount [(2) 750 ml/per persons over 21] and bring them with you on board. Anything over that or any Hard Liquor(rum, vodka, Scotch...) (in any amount) will be checked at security where you board the ship.

The rules for alcohol have changed please refer to DCL rules.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I remember my husband purchased Rum in the Grand Cayman port, which was small. Cozumel has a large "mall" where you may prob find anything but it was expensive.

I find that interesting. I've always read that Grand Cayman doesn't allow cruise passengers to actually take alcoholic purchases from store to ship directly, they must be delivered. And, as DCL doesn't accept private deliveries in foreign ports, such deliveries are not accepted.

 

[belac]

We never bought wine in GC but I do remember seeing the signs that "duty free" wasn't allowed to be carried on. I wonder if you buy directly and pay the tax if you can walk on? I have bought Ginger ale and seltzer in GC and walked that on though.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We never bought wine in GC but I do remember seeing the signs that "duty free" wasn't allowed to be carried on. I wonder if you buy directly and pay the tax if you can walk on? I have bought Ginger ale and seltzer in GC and walked that on though.

As I noted, I'm pretty sure that any alcoholic beverages cannot be carried on directly. I believe it's the law that such purchases must be delivered (from store to ship).

Now, I've read reports where some of the close by liquor shops would have a clerk hand carry the item to the gate and hand it through the fence to a passenger once they've cleared the security access to the tender area on the dock, but I've never see that.

 

[belac]

I was of the mind that it was just the TAX issue, since the sign I saw said duty free .... But best left to those who actually went through the process.
I did buy in Cozumel, PR, KW USVI and never had an issue - with allotted kind and amounts.

 

[lanejudy]

Having not been on a cruise since 2001, I remember bringing some mini-bottles on board from ports that I would simply put in my pockets. Is it safe to assume that the security practices have evolved and this would be caught today?

Maximum 2 bottles (up to 750ml each) per guest -- each mini bottle will count as one, anything more will be confiscated. I don't know how security was done in 2001, but it's very similar to airline security - put your belongings on a conveyor (or in a basket) to go through x-ray and walk through a detector. Pockets must be emptied. (DD had a tiny stuffed animal shoved in a pocket and they called her back to remove it, she was only 7 at the time.)

Enjoy your cruise!