Buy wine before the cruise before you board

[Sunbeam]

Is it cheaper to buy your wine before you board or while on the ship?

I had read this comment in a review on Voyageur of the Seas:

Since all our stops were within the European Union we were charged tax on all ship board purchases. We were given the opportunity to receive a refund of part of our tax on items purchased to bring home, but not on services or items consumed during the cruise.

Would that tax be added to the price of the wine, plus 15% gratuity. Would anyone know the percentage of that tax?

[JoeyandDavid]

Is it cheaper to buy your wine before you board or while on the ship?

I had read this comment in a review on Voyageur of the Seas:

Since all our stops were within the European Union we were charged tax on all ship board purchases. We were given the opportunity to receive a refund of part of our tax on items purchased to bring home, but not on services or items consumed during the cruise.

Would that tax be added to the price of the wine, plus 15% gratuity. Would anyone know the percentage of that tax?

Depending on the cruiseline .. Celebrity for example allows guests to board with two bottles per stateroom.... ..... Princess allows wine to be brought aboard....while Royal Carribean allows no wine to be brought on board by guests..

[RNSANE]

Sunbeam,

Are you talking about purchasing wine and then bringing it to the ship which I know is against RCI policy? At one time you could bring wine and pay an $8 corkage fee...which I did...as I often could find excellent wines, for less, living in the San Francisco area - but I certainly wouldn't transport them to Europe. I think the markup on wines is far too much and, even their "fine" wine packages don't offer really good wines for the prices.

[Sunbeam]

Sunbeam,

Are you talking about purchasing wine and then bringing it to the ship which I know is against RCI policy? At one time you could bring wine and pay an $8 corkage fee...which I did...as I often could find excellent wines, for less, living in the San Francisco area - but I certainly wouldn't transport them to Europe. I think the markup on wines is far too much and, even their "fine" wine packages don't offer really good wines for the prices.

I am thinking of purchasing wine through RCI on their website.

[RNSANE]

I haven't looked at the website choices but I think there is a much more extensive wine list on board...some pretty good selections in the more extensive choices...at least, I know there is a Stag's Leap merlot which is very nice.

[RNSANE]

I meant to say, in the more "expensive" choices.

[zebra]

We generally cruise with Princess and Celebrity. with both of these cruiselines we have never had a problem of taking wine onboard with us. We love sitting on our balcony with a glass of wine in the evenings..... yeah baby!!!!

[RNSANE]

That would be wonderful.....I do love Royal Caribbean but that is not an option with them...though I do frequently get wine and champagne sent to me which is a good thing.

[zebra]

Carmen I think one way around the RCCL problem, would be to ask your TA to send you a couple of bottles of wine as a boarding gift. We've had that done many, many times too.

[JoeyandDavid]

I am thinking of purchasing wine through RCI on their website.

that is the same as buying it on board... unless you have it delivered to your cabin and take a cork screw....