Taking alcohol on cruise

[Skybaby]

We are not big drinkers and have never taken alcohol on the cruise. We have always bought the few drinks that we wanted. However, my parents are joining us on our upcoming cruise and they drink frequently. They want to take alcohol with them. On the plane we have to take it in a plastic bottle in our carry on, correct? And are there any issues when taking it on board? Thank you in advance for your help!!

 

[kcashner]

THere are no restrictions on using it in your room. However, a "corking" fee is charged if you want them to serve you from your own bottle in the dining rooms or the bars. Also, bring whatever equipment is needed to open it in your room.

Sorry, I don't know about airline restrictions.

Also, if you don't use it up on the cruise, you will have to have proof that you bought it in this country or it will be subject to the liquor allowance that you are allowed to bring into the US.

 

[mmw73]

Just got back from the cruise (western) yesterday and took alcohol on board. It was quite a lot - mostly beer which we bought in port canaveral near the radisson and took in our day bags onto the boat. No one said anything and I have heard that it is ok with the cruise line. Drinks on board can add up and the few I had were fairly weak, so I definitely recommend bringing your own. Have a great time!

 

[canuk8156]

Glad to see someone bring this subject up. I thought we were not allowed to bring alcohol on board for consumption. Regarding the cruise (not air) a friend suggested we pack some in our luggage but I see here that it is suggested we pack it in our carry on. I am not talking a lot, but it would be nice to have some available in our cabin without paying Disney prices. I never thought of bringing our own wine to dinner. Is it common practice and does anyone know the corkage fee they charge. Please let me know your experiences with bringing your own. Thanks.

 

[jilljill]

The only restriction for carrying alcohol onboard the plane is weight. I brought home a couple of bottles of wine from Australia and they get heavy after a while.
I believe DCL charges $15. to open and serve a bottle of wine at dinner that you bring.

 

[Cruising GrandMa]

The corkage fee, if you bring your own wine to the dinning rooms is, $15.00 per bottle. I brought wine (and liquor) with me, but consumed it in my room. After buying the wine and then paying the corkage fee, the cost is close to what you would pay on the ship, if bought by the bottle.
I also brought a corkscrew with me (in my checked bags) or you can ask your room host/hostess to bring you one for your use. They will also bring glasses, if you ask.
If you fly, so should put any wine or liquor in you carry-on. If you don't fly in, just put it in a large tote bag and carry it on! No problem.
On my trip, a friend even brought a blender, to mix up fancy drinks. It all boils down to how much room you have in your suitecases!
Any wine or liquor that is left unconsumed has to be left on the ship. You are not allowed to bring any opened container off the ship.

 

[lotsofboys]

My inlaws are big wine drinkers and picky too, so we bought a box at Beverages & More for $4.99 that held 12 bottles I think and was basically the same box that wine is transported in. We checked it as a piece of luggage and it worked out beautifully. It is a $15.00 corkage fee if you take it to your table at dinner, which I have read on these boards is and sometimes isn't charged. We had late seating so inlaws would start a bottle before the show and finish it before dinner so bringing it to dinner was never an issue!

 

[canuk8156]

Thanks CruisingGrandma...that answered my question perfectly. Now just another question....If we were to bring a case of beer on board (cans I guess or would you suggest bottles...either way will buy it in Port Canaveral before sailing...to bothersome to bring on the flight) is it taboo to drink it by the pool or is that really frowned upon since they want to see you drinking their alcohol....that same question applys to pop....if we bring a few cans onboard are we allowed to drink them in the public areas. I guess in both cases, if they are in plastic glasses (perhaps buy them onboard) it wouldn't be a big deal....and thanks for the tip about wine with dinner.

 

[rae519]

Put your drink in an insulated cup and take it with you!
Hey, that's the only way I can put the rum in my orange-mango soup in a glass over ice drink! Still haven't given a name to the drink, but it's WONDERFUL!

Goes great with shrimp, by the way!

Rae

 

[dianthus]

Rae~

Do you bring your own rum to the dining room with you in a mug, or do you order a glass of Cruzan "neat" at the table for your soup? How does "Rae's Mango Tango" sound!

The corking fee varies. If you order drinks and buy wine at dinner a few nights in a row, they won't charge you a corking fee if it's once during the cruise. If you don't order drinks, or wine from them, I'm sure they'll charge you if you bring a bottle to the table.

The Serving team gets the tips from the 15% auto gratuity they charge per drink... They want to encourage you to buy wine from the dining room. With the corking fee- the wines on board are comparably priced, so you are not gaining anything by bringing your own, unless you want it for your room.

~ Linda

 

[rae519]

I love that name "Mango Tango"! Thank you for giving it a name other than "orange mango soup on the rocks with rum"!!!!

I bring a small plastic bottle and just pour away! I don't make a big deal about it and no one notices. Mom was a bit taken back when she saw me pour the soup into the glass, but even more so when I pulled out the little bottle from my fanny pack for a little "zip"! I didn't think anything could "shock" a 74 year old woman!

I bring a bottle of champagne to have at embarkation, on the verandah, wine for evening "before bed" on the verandah, and of course, RUM. What pirate would be caught without rum! I had thought of soda, but Michael isn't much of a soda drinker.

We did the wine package once and shared it with our table mates/friends - that was nice. It would have been too much for just me and Tom, but with them, it was perfect! I highly recommend the Piesporter Riesling - excellent, sweet and fruity!

Rae

 

[RellingTwin]

New Rule!
I put my beverages (2 12 pks beer, 2 12pks soda) on a small luggage carts and wheeled it aboard!

However...last year I was stopped at the bottom of the stairs and asked to wrap the beer in a black garbage bag (which the secruity people gave me). I was told that DCL dosn't mind that I bring my own, they just don't want it "in plain sight".Next year I will be better prepared.

 

[DreaminDisney]

If you bring it (beer and soda) onboard, how do you keep it cold?
Thanks

 

[Padre Disney]

We pack our wine bottles and other drinks inside our collapsable cooler with wheels. After we get to our room we ask for extra ice to keep eveything cold .
I bring my mixer and everything I need to mix my own strawberry margaritas.
On the first day we order one drink in the special DCL glasses and then keep them full with our own alcohol. We never leave our stateroom without a glass in hand.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Originally posted by Padre Disney
We pack our wine bottles and other drinks inside our collapsable cooler with wheels. After we get to our room we ask for extra ice to keep eveything cold .
I bring my mixer and everything I need to mix my own strawberry margaritas.
On the first day we order one drink in the special DCL glasses and then keep them full with our own alcohol. We never leave our stateroom without a glass in hand.

Great idea, thanks!

 

[dvarallo]

Another suggestion not mentioned on this thread is to bring enough liquor to hold you over until you get to one the islands. The liquor is much cheaper in the islands and if you drink it all while still on the ship, it doesn't count towards your liquor allowance. Just remember that if you open a bottle (whether you brought it from home or from one of the islands) you have to finishi it before you get off the ship or leave it behind. The same goes for open snacks.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by dvarallo
Just remember that if you open a bottle (whether you brought it from home or from one of the islands) you have to finishi it before you get off the ship or leave it behind.

You mean some people wouldn't finish their bottles! For shame!!
Hey, I'll drink to that!

To my favorite "rummy" - Captain Jack Sparrow!

Rae

 

[bostonlass]

If you buy a bottle of whatever on the Island and bring it to the ship, then drink it all, do you still have to pay a fee to get it onto the ship from the Island?

 

[rae519]

No.

It's just if you bring wine to the table, it's a corking fee then.

Rae

 

[bevL]

We brought a few bottles of wine on board the Wonder last month. My daughter still takes afternoon naps and we had the late dinner seating, so we ordered the cheese platter and some wine glasses and a cork screw from room service and enjoyed a nice afternoon snack while DD was napping. Very pleasant down time.