Q & A: Carnival Bans Bringing Bottled Water OnBoard

[Jan115]

Carnival has just announced a ban on carrying on bottled water. I've just posted up the news article which you'll find here:

Carnival Bans Bottled Water

Carnival has also provided questions and answers to the media to help explain the changes, and here it is in it's entirety:

Q & A From Carnival

What is the rationale behind this decision?

Guests bringing bottled beverages on board are proving to be a source of multiple issues. The first issue is the impact on the boarding process. Bottled beverages are the most common means by which guests attempt to smuggle alcohol on board which necessitates that bottles be individually examined by security personnel. This bogs down the embarkation process and requires security resources dedicated to checking bottled beverages.

Most importantly, when behavioral issues occur onboard and are ultimately investigated, smuggled alcohol often appears to be a factor. Hence, to ensure an enjoyable experience for all guests and crew, we are modifying our beverage policy.

We will continue to allow up to 12 unopened cans or cartons of water, sodas and non-alcoholic beverages per person to be brought on board during embarkation. Guests can now purchase a 12-pack of bottled water from Carnival at a price of $2.99 plus tax online prior to their cruise or $4.99 plus gratuities once on board.

We sincerely apologize for any disappointment these changes may cause. However, we firmly believe these changes will ultimately benefit all guests.

Is this just a ploy to generate increased revenue onboard?

No. In fact, we do not anticipate any increase in revenue as a result of this policy change, particularly given the significant reduction in price we have instituted for 12 packs of bottled water.

You’ve allowed guests to take on bottled water for years. Why change now?

We are concerned over the potential for behavioral issues associated with the unmonitored consumption of alcohol that results from alcohol that has been smuggled onboard as well as the excessive amount of beverages we are having to individually examine during embarkation and the associated impact it has on the embarkation process and our security resources.

Why punish everyone for the actions of a few people?

The volume of bottled beverages being brought onboard by guests is excessive and is causing multiple issues. To ensure our guests are able to enjoy their favorite non-alcoholic beverages, we will continue to allow those to be brought onboard in cans or cartons in a quantity of 12 per person.

So that our guests can enjoy bottled water at reasonable cost, we have reduced the price for a 12-pack of bottled water to $2.99 plus tax if ordered online prior to the voyage and $4.99 plus gratuities if ordered once onboard.

Is this new policy permanent or just something you’re testing?

We have been evaluating this new policy for many months and believe we have found a reasonable approach that will help foster our goal of providing an enjoyable vacation experience for all guests while still allowing guests to bring their preferred non-alcoholic beverages on board and to obtain bottled water at very reasonable cost.

Why allow cans and cartons but not bottles?

Bottled beverages are the most common source of attempted transport of alcohol onboard.

Does this apply to bringing bottled beverages onboard in ports of call too?

Yes.

Do you allow any alcohol to be brought on board?

Each adult guest age 21 and over is allowed to bring one bottle of fine wine or champagne on board during embarkation.