Topics

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use and US customs

Grassislander — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:21:57 GMT

Hi I persisted and got through to a real person at US Border Protection and the word back is US Customs in Vancouver is a pre clearnace..which means they "check to see that all paperwork is in order" for when we arrive in the US...which means the wine is not being taken into US territory technically as it is going ont the ship..and as long as it stays on the ship and is consumed on the ship then US does not have a say...the duty on wine is around $1-2 a bottle if it were to be taken off the ship onto US ground..hope that helps

If you choose to consume outside your cabin then the worst Holland Amercia can do is ask us to return to our cabin to consume or charge a corkage fee if you insist on drinking it outside your cabin if directed to do so...

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use

Grassislander — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:30:02 GMT

The only thing safe to purchase in port would be what Holland America lists as acceptable...

if you look at the BC pricing you will see spirits pretty close in price of in cabin consumption...Holland does confiscate/hold spirits until end of the cruise even if safely declared and accepted by customs...so for safety only bring what they allow and for same price order spirits from Indulgance ( compare pricing on previous post of BC liquor prices and you will see Holland is very close if not a tad cheaper)

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use

RFDiana — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:28:15 GMT

According to the experts on board (and you know who you are) this is the way to go. Purchase in port city, claim it when boarding, drink it on board, in your room of course LOL

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use

Grassislander — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:22:37 GMT

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product-catalogue

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use

Grassislander — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:20:05 GMT

the price of Smirnoffs vodka is compariable to what liqour store charges here..so we would save the hassle of customs and buy on board "in room consumption bottle"...can discretely carry a drink out om deck...have yet in 4 cruisesboth straight and Olivia, been asked however never was intoxicated or drawing attention to myself..

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use

RFDiana — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:14:56 GMT

We have only purchased liquor in port and it was stored for us and returned when we got off. Never have purchased any liquor on board, but it makes sense that they would not let you take it back to your room to drink it on board. They would rather you buy drinks from them. I agree that for those who are wondering about this topic call Holland. Be sure to let the rest of know the results :)

Post deleted

Joyce.A.1 — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:50:08 GMT

This post has been deleted by the author

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use

sleddog — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:14:50 GMT

That is from an old Cruise Critic review...on all the HAL cruises we have taken...any alcohol purchased in the duty free shops ARE stored for you till the end of the cruise.
But you can buy alcohol packages for "drinking in your stateroom" thru "Indulgences" online...a 1 liter bottle of Absolut will cost you $32.20 & that includes the 15% service charge.

Re: Purchase Alcohol on the ship for ship use

FlaGirl — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:51:08 GMT

Is that policy different for Olivia charters? I found this information on the HAL site:

Hard alcohol purchased on board in the duty free shops or in port will be collected, stored for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.

Colleen

Post deleted

Joyce.A.1 — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 16:40:10 GMT

This post has been deleted by the author