Alcohol-Free Cruise Ships: A Breeze Or A Bust?

Carnival Breeze is a cruise ship by Carnival Cruise Line. The cruise line has a strict alcohol policy that prohibits guests from bringing beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use. However, on embarkation day, guests over 21 years of age are allowed to bring one 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage. A $15 corkage fee is charged if guests wish to consume their own wine or champagne in certain areas. Carnival Cruise Line also offers drink packages that include alcoholic beverages, with bartenders trained to monitor guests' alcohol consumption and discontinue serving intoxicated guests.

Alcohol limits on Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line has several policies in place to limit alcohol consumption on its ships. Firstly, guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board, with one exception: on embarkation day, guests aged 21 and above may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage. A $15 corkage fee per bottle will be charged if guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, steakhouse, or bar.

Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line offers the CHEERS! Beverage Program, which allows guests to purchase up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period (6:00 am - 6:00 am or 9:00 am - 3:00 am). This program must be purchased by each adult (21 years or older) assigned to the same stateroom, and it is non-transferable. The program includes a variety of beverages, such as beer, wine, mixed drinks, and specialty cocktails. It is important to note that only one drink at a time may be ordered, with a 5-minute wait time between orders, and sharing is not permitted.

For those who do not wish to purchase the CHEERS! Beverage Program, individual drinks can be purchased on board. Beer starts at $6.50, wine by the glass starts at $9.50, mixed drinks range from $7.50 to $20.00, and specialty cocktails start at $10.50. Soft drinks are also available for $2.75, and energy drinks for $4.95.

To promote responsible drinking, Carnival Cruise Line has procedures in place to monitor guests' alcohol consumption. Bartenders are trained to look for signs of intoxication and will discontinue serving guests who appear intoxicated.

Bringing your own alcohol

Carnival Cruise Line has a strict policy on bringing alcoholic beverages on board. Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board, with one exception: on embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage. A $15 USD corkage fee per 750 ml bottle will be charged if guests wish to consume their wine or champagne in the main dining room, steakhouse, or bar.

Guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages packaged in bottles. A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (such as sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought on board on embarkation day and must be in the guest's carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces (approximately 350 ml) or less per person.

For those who wish to consume more than the allowed amount of alcohol on board, several options are available. Firstly, Carnival Cruise Line offers a flat-fee drink package called CHEERS!, which allows guests to order up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period (9 AM - 3 AM) for a fixed price. This package is designed to save money for those who regularly order multiple alcoholic drinks per day.

Another option is to purchase alcohol through The Fun Shops, either via telephone order or online, for in-stateroom entertainment. Alcohol purchased through this method cannot be taken to public areas and must remain in the stateroom. Any alcohol purchased through The Fun Shops will be stored safely until the end of the voyage and can be collected in a designated lounge on the morning of debarkation.

It is worth noting that beverage packages are available on most cruise lines, and their prices can vary. Some lines offer basic packages that include only sodas and bottled water, while others provide more comprehensive packages with alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, wine, beer, and specialty coffee drinks. Additionally, some cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, allow guests to bring one bottle of wine without charging a corkage fee to drink in their stateroom.

Before planning a trip, it is advisable to review the specific cruise line's rules regarding beverage policies and packages to make an informed decision.

Drink packages

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line offers a range of drink packages to suit different preferences and budgets. The CHEERS! program, for instance, allows guests to enjoy up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24-hour period for a flat fee. This package is designed to encourage responsible drinking and is only available to guests aged 21 and above. Carnival also offers the Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda program, which provides guests with fountain soda and juice for a fixed price. Additionally, the line has capped the number of free juice servings per day in certain dining spaces.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers a Deluxe Beverage Package, priced between $65 and $85 per day, with slight variations based on the cruise itinerary. They also provide coffee cards, allowing guests to purchase a fixed number of specialty coffee drinks at a discounted price.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line has a premium package with a maximum daily price of $138. They also allow guests to bring one bottle of wine without charging a corkage fee for in-room consumption.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers a Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package for those who do not consume alcohol. They also provide drink vouchers as loyalty benefits, allowing guests to enjoy free drinks and food.

Other Options

Some cruise lines, such as Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages, do not offer flat-fee drink packages but provide alternative ways to save on beverage purchases. It is worth noting that some lines have multiple tiers of drink packages, with basic tiers including sodas and bottled water, while more expensive tiers add alcoholic drinks, cocktails, and specialty coffee drinks. Additionally, some lines offer discounts on drink packages when purchased online before sailing or during periodic sales.

Drink vouchers

While some cruise ships offer free water, juice, tea, and coffee, alcoholic drinks are often excluded from the complimentary drinks list. Cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line allow guests to bring their own alcohol on embarkation day, but only charge a corkage fee if consumed in public areas like the main dining room, steakhouse, or bar.

If you're looking to save money on alcoholic drinks, flat-fee drink packages are a great option. MSC Cruises offers drink vouchers as loyalty benefits, allowing guests to enjoy free alcoholic drinks and food in venues. Carnival's Cheers! program offers a 25% discount on wine bottles and alcoholic drinks over $20. Basic drink packages often include non-alcoholic beverages like sodas and bottled water, while more expensive tiers include alcoholic drinks. Drink packages can be purchased for the entire cruise and are usually non-refundable.

The cost of alcoholic drinks on cruise ships can be high, especially cocktails, so it's worth considering a drink package if you plan to consume multiple drinks daily. Prices for drink packages vary, with Royal Caribbean charging between $65 and $85 per day, and Norwegian Cruise Line offering a premium package for up to $138 daily. Carnival Cruise Line's drink packages, including alcoholic drinks, typically range from $60 to $90 per person, per day.

It's important to note that some cruise lines limit the number of alcoholic drinks that can be ordered per day, with Carnival Cruise Line capping it at 15 drinks. Additionally, drink packages may have restrictions on where they can be used, such as excluding room service and cabin minibars. Before purchasing a drink package, it's advisable to review the specific cruise line's rules and restrictions.

Corkage fees

Carnival Cruise Line allows guests to bring one 750 ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne per person in their carry-on luggage. However, a $15 USD corkage fee per 750 ml bottle will be charged if guests wish to consume their own alcohol in the main dining room, steakhouse, or bar. Corkage fees at other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises, range from $15 to $20 per bottle.

Norwegian Cruise Line allows guests to bring one bottle of wine without charging a corkage fee to drink in their stateroom. However, a charge exists for consuming personal alcohol in open spaces. Carnival Cruise Line also allows guests to purchase alcohol through The Fun Shops before or during the cruise for in-stateroom entertainment only. Guests cannot take liquor bottles to public areas, and any alcohol purchased on board must be stored until the end of the voyage and collected during debarkation.

Beverage packages are a popular option for guests who regularly consume multiple alcoholic drinks per day. These packages offer unlimited drinks for a flat fee, typically ranging from $60 to $90 per person, per day, depending on the cruise line and package tier. Basic tiers may include only sodas and bottled water, while more expensive tiers add alcoholic beverages, cocktails, wine, beer, and specialty coffee drinks. Some cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, limit the number of alcoholic drinks that can be ordered with a package to 15 per day.

To save money, guests can bring their own reusable water bottles and refill them at designated water points on the ship. Most cruise lines offer free tea and coffee, and some provide free water and juice at breakfast. It is essential to review the specific cruise line's rules and regulations regarding beverage packages and corkage fees before planning your trip.

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