That BYOB question...here are some answers!

[Stinasmom]

One of the first questions I had for my fellow DISers when I found this board was this one. Since I have seen many answers, some conflicting, and some even a bit contentious!

For others wondering about what you can or cannot get away with, here are some links to threads where I found great information:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=717742
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=694509
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=709182

Ok, I am not a technical wizard and I don't think those "hyperlinked," sorry. Try copy and paste to your address line? Or, try a forum search under "BYOB" or "Corkage Fee" or related word. There is lots of discussion about this topic here!!

For those wanting some info now...here is what I gleaned...
>yes, you can BYOB, preferably in your carryon so there is no damage to yours or others checked luggage if something breaks (think of stacked bags and those tossed around by porters and handlers)
>yes, you can and should bring a cork screw or opener but in the checked luggage if you are flying...
>yes, you can walk around the ship with your glass of whatever whether you bought it at one of the ships bars or mixed/poured it yourself in your stateroom; you can, in fact, have room service bring you wine glasses
>yes, you can take your beverage to the restaurant...many have brought glasses of wine or a drink with them and some have even brought a carafe of decanted wine from their own stock...the appropriateness of this act is one area DISers seem to disagree...
>yes, it is DCL's policy to charge a $15 corkage fee (+15% gratuity!) if you bring your own wine or champagne by the bottle to dinner...although people report that it is sporatically inforced--more likely than not, I'd bet.
>yes, you can bring a cooler aboard but it should be a softsided one and be brought on as carry on baggage. I read somewhere that you should bring it on initially without ice. Not sure why...People have reported that their room steward will keep it filled with ice through out the trip though!

There are the basic answers I was glad to find in prepartion for our cruise! Hope it helps someone else! Cheers!

 

[jgmklmhem]

Thank you for the information....
I thought the main problem is when you leave the ship...Correct me if I am wrong...but I was pretty sure you cannot bring any alcohol back with you unless you want to pay customs/taxes on them and they would not allow opened bottles back off the ship etc due to customs regulations...so if you bring it aboard you have to finish it or lose it type deal. This was on a different cruiseline and awhile ago.

 

[LiserAnn]

Thanks for posting the information...these were exactly the questions I had. It was interesting reading the second thread; sounds as though the "carrying the glass to dinner" thing offends many...got a few good laughs from the varying opinions....

 

[depomas]

That is right about leaving the ship with opened alcohol. You must consume it all or find a way to dispose of it.

We were several families, and had different bottles to drink on our verandah's and on the last dinner we asked our amazing team of servers if they were allowed to accept this from us. Not only were they allowed, they were thrilled. It seems like they have quite a bit of party life when they are done. Well deserved.

We were on cruise that arrived a day early in the port due to Hurricane Jeanne, and we often laugh and think that they had a pretty good time with our leftovers since the ship went out to safety in the sea for two days without any passengers.

 

[Stinasmom]

Hmmm, it makes sense that open bottles of alcohol can't be brought back through customs, but you are allowed a certain amount of unopened liquor per person (of age) duty free. It varies by the country to which you visited, I think. We have always brought back tequila from our Mexico trips, and have heard DISers talk about bringing back those delicious rums from the Caribbean.
I have also heard that you can keep up to 2 bottles of wine from your wine package (if you purchased one) if you never got to them...this I am not totally sure of, just though I read it somewhere.
Anyone else know for sure?