Hi Cestmeme - I can't send you an inbox message for some reason so please see below...

"We chatting about giving you and your g/f a ride to buy wine.  If you are still interested in meeting up, please let me know.  You said you should get to the Hyatt about 6 and that is probably around when we will get there too.  So I was thinking we could meet in the lobby at 6 and make the booze run!  My name is Candi and my number is 415-823-4895.  Please either call or text me so we can coordinate because I'm not sure how much more time I will have to get on the forums as I haven't even packed!!!!!!!

BTW, What is your name?

2 more darks and we will be in Florida!"

My partner and I are from the San Francisco area and arrive at around 4:30.  This is why we are NOT planning on going to buy our champagne in the am - 3 hour difference and all.  This vacation is going to be all about relaxing and celebrating with wonderful people!!!!!  Plus it is also my girlfriends' 40th birthday on 2/10 which is why I booked this cruise!  

We are planning on arriving on 2/2 and going to purchase our wine and champagne the next morning before we head to the ship.  We are renting a car so would be able to give other travelers a ride to the store that Sleddog listed (thanks lady!) if anyone is interested.  

Traveler cups are the best for all us cheap-*** - um, I mean frugal...actually I mean GENIUS lesbians!   

Not that I ever heard of!!!   How would they know?   Mixed drinks (if case you are very clever and get alcohol thru when boarding -other than wine, which IS allowed) AND wine are all the same color, whether you make it or the bartender does!!!!  

Just do not take a wine bottle other than the HAL-sold brands around with you or to the dining room to avoid "problems." and especially do not take a wine bottle to the dining room since there IS a $15 fee.

The thing to do is to put whatever the "beverage" you bring on board into a glass or travel mug before you leave your room, to avoid the $15 corkage fee for your wine and to avoid having to take any your beverages and leave a pubicc venue!!!

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line regarding bringing beverages on board your February 3, 2013 ms Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. Beverages such as soda, juice, and water may be brought on board as long as the guest carries it themselves for in-room consumption.

Please note that if you are drinking a beverage carried on board in a public venue you will be asked to return it to your stateroom.

SWEET!! 

Last I checked Holland America still allowed you to bring on as much wine & champagne…water & soda as you want (it's always good to check with Holland America before hand…as you never know when they might change their policies)

No alcohol or beer is allowed to be brought on

We package our stuff in either a 6 bottle or 12 bottle case…making sure it's well packed and hand it off to the guys at the port with the rest of our luggage (along with a tip) just make sure it's ID'd with name & cabin # (we use a ship luggage tag)

Never have carried any of it on…and it always makes it to our cabin safe and sound!

But just remember if you bring the whole bottle with you to dinner…they will charge you a corkage fee…so I fill my glass up in the room and take the glass to dinner 

Also…here's a great place near the port to get your wine and champagne  http://www.totalwine.com/eng/storeLocator/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/storeLocator/storeDetails.cfm&storeid=1&locationId=17771