Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board the ship in the port of embarkation with the exception of wine and/or champagne. You may want a glass of wine in your stateroom or on your balcony as you watch the ship glide out of beautiful Port Everglades. If so, wrap your wine in bubble wrap and put the bottle(s) in your carry-ons. Bring some of those plastic wine glasses.
You cannot buy wine in the ship's shop and bring it up to your cabin during the week. If you buy a bottle or two, they will be held for you till the last night. Nor can you purchase alcoholic beverages in any port to bring back to the ship. All beverages will be taken at the gangplank and delivered to your cabin the night before disembarkation.
Here's a good trick.......if you wish, you can order wine on the order form (page 28) in the cruise answer book you have in your packet. Look at the wine list on the previous page and make your choices. Phone or fax in your order. Have the wine delivered to your own cabin as a sailing-away gift, hah. Order as soon as you get your cabin number. You can even write yourself a "bon voyage" note, LOL. The wine order will be waiting for you in your cabin when you arrive. This is a good idea if you don't want the trouble of lugging wine bottles in your carry-ons. Don't forget to pack a wine bottle opener.
If you bring bottled wine to the Dining Room at night, you will incur a $15 corking fee whether it's open already or the wine steward opens it. You cannot bring your own wine into any other public ares on the ship.
The prices of mixed drinks at the ship's bars are pretty much the same as at good hotels, ranging from $4-something and up. Beer and wine are a little pricey. Tap beer is about $3.50 up and bottled beer about $3.75 up (depends on brand requested). I don't know the price of wine by the glass. You'll have to stop in a bar lounge and check out prices ahead of time.
Some cruisers bring pack a 6-pack of 7-Up or tonic in their carry-ons with "you-know-what" substituted for the mix in a bottle or two. Make sure every bottle is sealed tight.
Make sure you check the price list for the beverages you'll find in your fridge upon boarding and before grabbing some to drink. If you don't want them, tell the room steward to clear them out. You may want some fridge room for stuff you snitch from the buffet...a dish of strawberry shortcake, an apple or other things to midnight snack on.
If you're a soda-lover, you can buy an unlimited soda card for about $22. You do not get this soda in cans....it's in a cup with ice from the various indoor and outdoor bars. They sell an insulated mug which you can pour the soda into. This is undoubtedly a good idea, as it stays cold very well in the mug as you wander around the ship or take the sun out on the deck. Or bring your own larger-size mugs with you.
Many times, I grab two free iced teas from wherever they have them and bring them up to my cabin, drinking one, and putting the other in the fridge. Ice cubes, of course, are always available for your room.
The cost for the soda card is added to your shipboard running account. It's good anywhere on the ship. It's not good on Princess Cay. At the Cay, you'll get free beverages with your buffet lunch. On the beach, you buy drinks from the nearest Tiki bar. Or you can buy from the tanned Studley Dudleys driving little mini-bar carts bringing you the best ice-cold pina coladas and fresh strawberry frozen daquiris in the world. Soda is also available.
You must use your ship's card for all purchases at Pricess Cay Beach. No cash changes hands except for purchases from the tables of the natives who sell crafts there. I will bring some small bills with in case I want to buy a trinket or two....... or if I need some for tips.
TIP: IF THERE ARE TWO OF YOU, BUY JUST ONE SODA CARD TO BEGIN WITH. (Actually, I believe you get not a card but a soda sticker to attach to your ship's card which you carry around with you at all times). JUST FLASH THE CARD TO THE BARKEEP AND TELL HIM YOU WANT TWO CUPS OF SODA. YOU WILL USUALLY GET THE TWO WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM AT ALL. THESE GUYS USUALLY COULDN'T CARE LESS. IF HE DOES GET PERSNICKETY ABOUT IT, WELL.....AT LEAST YOU TRIED.
Bahama Mama
Also, Bahama Mama will briefly expound on some tips on how to take a week's cruise on the cheap and have as much fun as anybody.
No, I've not finished my IRS yet. Oh, I wish I were on Cinnamon Beach right now, sigh.
Bahama Mama