What is the best way to save money on alcohol on cruise ship (sip n sail) cards. Cant you take your own?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

All of the cruise lines have a prohibition against guests bringing any alcohol on ship. Some cruise lines even say that they will search your luggage to make sure and confiscate it and even deny boarding. You definitely cannot buy liquor in ports or in duty free shops and carry it on board. Everything you carry on goes through a scanner and they will take it and hold it until the last day of the cruise.

Most cruise lines, except Norwegian, allow each passenger over the age of 21 to bring one bottle of wine or champaign for consumption in the cabin only. If you want to drink it in the dining room they will charge $10 to $20, depending upon the cruise line, as a corkage fee (to open and serve it).

Notwithstanding that, here's what I do. I have a glass flask that I fill and put in a zip bag and then wrap it in my clothes and place in in the middle of the bag so it will not get broken. A pint sized bottle (maybe with the label soaked off) will work as well. Just never try to take it on board in a carryon bag. The other thing you can do is buy some mini's like they have on planes, and pack them with your toiletries in checked luggage.

Since we like wine I generally also order a bottle of wine or two from the cruise line gift menu. Have it delivered to the cabin on sail day and take my own corkscrew. You can generally get a nice bottle of Merlow, or Reisling for about $25-$30 and that's enough for a few glasses per person and is cheaper than buying it after you get on ship because there is no gratuity added (another $15%).

Some cruise lines, like Princess and Holland America, allow you to also order hard liquor from the gift menu for your cabin and some sell drink cards that save just a few dollars.

One thing you should always do when ordering drinks on ships is specify that you want it in a plain glass rather than a souvenir glass. The souvenir glass adds about $2.00 to the cost of the drink.

mellybell143

You sneak it on. Empty your Listerine/ mouthwash. The white bottle works the best dump it out and rinse it good and fill it with your liquor. Also if the liquor is clear buy water and drink it or dump it and reuse the container. Another bit of advice make sure you put it in a zip loc bag in case it leaks it won;t ruin your clothes. Works every time. This will help you save money. Just get a fountain card to make your mixed drinks!!!

Melanie C

unfotunately its hard to save money on alcohol on cruises cause thats where they get there money. someone on my cruise had a $2000 bill for alcohol for her room. but at the ports of call its easier to save money on alcohol. also if you want to stock up on your own bar closer to the last day fo the cruise the stores on the cruise have major sales becasue they want to restock everthign. somethign that would cost me $40 costed $8.50 it was the biggest steal of my lfie .

hope it helps

randall_nd

Most everyone totes a pint or 2 in their luggage. Even if the cabin steward would see it' It's unlikely he'd worry about it. The cruise line wants to be as nice to you as possible, hoping to have you back on a future cruise.
I'm familiar with Carnival's Fountain Club card for sodas, but I don't know of any alcohol card programs.
Purchasing beer by the pool in 4 bottle buckets saves $1.50.
Many passengers go find a watering hole on shore days. Don't be late getting back on board. The ship won't wait around.

All the cruise lines have rules against bringing your own liquor. If you buy it in port, they will take it at security and only give it back at the end of your cruise.

Some people smuggle in alcohol in mouthwash bottles, etc.

You can bring wine. Like in a land-based restaurant they will charge a corkage fee. It's $10/bottle on Carnival, and I think $20 on Royal Caribbean.

Otherwise, my general observations on alcohol are:
- Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Oceania have the highest drink prices. It's regularly $8-10 for a cocktail.
- Carnival, Holland America Line, Princess have more reasonable prices, more like $5-$7 depending on what you drink.
- Beer and regular mixers (e.g., Rum and Coke or 7&7) are cheaper than cocktails.

Hope that helps!

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