Free Cocktails?
 

I am planning a bachelorette party on a cruise line in the Carribean.

Do any of the cruise lines have free cocktails?

I've heard that your beverage tab is usually one of the most expensive parts of the cruise.

I'm sure it's wishful thinking, but I thought I would check.

At the repeater's party and capt's cocktail party. Carnival has mixed drinks available, HAL and Princess didn't the last time I went- wine, champagne.

I have no idea - but would you really want to be on an entire cruise with free alcohol? Just imagine some of the behavior you would have to deal with - maybe for an evening or 2, but not an entire cruise!

Radisson comes pretty close. You may want to look into their 2 for 1 pricing promotions on the Diamond. We just returned and had a blast in the Caribbean. Another really fun thing about this ship is the Marina they have. It can be lowered for water sports and there is complimentary jet skiing, water skiing, snorkling etc. (they provide any equiptment you'd need). This was the first ship I had cruised on that offered all this.

There is a 2 bottle liquor set up in your cabin (you choose what type you want...whiskey, gin, wine, champagne etc) and they provide beer, soft drinks, bottled water. There are several pre dinner parties during the week that offer complimentary drinks. (parties like AmEx cardholders, Virtuoso bookings, Repeat Radisson passengers etc.) At dinner (as long as it's ordered at the table) there is also complimentary cocktails, wine and after dinner cordials.

If you order liquor at a bar after dinner or during the day, you will pay for it. Most passengers come away with a very minimal bar bill, if at all because of the liquor set up in the cabin.

There was a bachlorette party of about 12 to board the day we disembarked in San Juan. Inspite of the free flowing liquor, I didn't notice anyone out of control. Happy Wedding!!

Seabourn has all drinks and everything included, but since they are "extremely" expensive you are better off paying the bar bill.

Yes, drink tend to be the biggest expense onboard since everything else is included.

I have only cruised 5 times so I have less experience than most of these posters but my favorite cruise was on the Radisson Navigator. It is such a great ship and our bar bill was under $100. for 2 people for a one week cruise. We found that by the pool, we'd pay for 1 drink but then wouldn't be charged sometimes for the 2nd one.

Thanks for your help everyone! And after further thought - perhaps you are right - free alochol through the entire cruise may be a bit much...

Thanks again for your ideas!

I agree with Newyorkgolfer, I have seen more drunken behavior on ships where they do charge for liquor than those where the liquor is included in the cruise fare....go figure!

Alcoholic beverage sales are the NUMBER ONE revenue generator for cruise ships and even when they charge people there are inevitably a few folks who can't remain in control.
Figure that drinks are going to cost you and plan accordingly.