Btw, how much are we looking at for a bottle of wine or a beer onboard a Royal Caribbean ship? Are prices really high?

Depends on your definition of high. I found this link with pictures of some of the beer/wine lists for different venues on one Royal Caribbean ship (it's either Oasis or Allure). But prices can vary between venues (and between ships depending on where in the world it is sailing) so I would only use this as estimates.

For me, compared to my local area once the local liquor tax is included, the prices onboard are no higher than a drink at a local bar. The wine list markup though is fairly high.

Just remember that when you buy a drink they will automatically add 15% gratuity to the bill and then there will be a line to add more tip if you feel like it. Do not think that you have to add more tip at any point.

Also you can now carry onboard two bottles of wine per cabin at embarkation.

Are the all-inclusive packages worth getting? I see that wine could be an issue as it's only given by the glass for these package deals? Which kind of makes paying for bottles seem strange if you go for one of these packages anyway, especially the one with premium wines already included (adequately-named "Premium" package), albeit by the glass.

When they mention beer as being included do they mean all beers onboard, for instance from that pub menu where there seem to be a few dozen types offered? :)

I'm not a heavy drinker so the all inclusive packages aren't worth it to me (note I also have access to free alcohol in the evenings so my value proposition is going to be quite different than for someone without that access). If you drink a fair amount and don't have to have a specific alcohol, the packages can be a value.

No not all alcohols, wines, beers are included in the various all inclusive packages, even the premium packages. You would need to check out the specific details onboard that should list what is included.

This is one reason I really like Disney. Carrying a 24 pack of beer on does not raise the first eyelash.

Gonna try DIY powdered vodka and rum next trip.

I heard about that, has it been officially released yet?

Checking a whole case of wine onboard Princess
 

On the last couple of cruises, we've checked a whole case of wine with our extra bags. On one cruise they notified us that we needed to pay a corkage fee of $15/bottle for the first 10, 2 were not charged. Since it was a 14 day cruise, we didn't mind since the bottles were stamped and we were able to bring them into the dining room without paying any additional charges. On the next cruise, the entire case was delivered to our room, and we only paid the corkage fee when we brought the bottles to the dining room.

On Windstar Cruises, you are allowed two bottles of wine per boarding (each time you board, even from a shore excursion, IME); there is a corkage fee of $17.50 if you decide to consume the wine in the dining room (AmphorA), but it seems not to be so rigidly enforced in Candles.

They distinctly do frown on non-wine alcoholic beverages - it's a profit maker for them, so they prefer you not bring your 16 Y.O. Lagavulin on board (they will keep it for you and return it at the end of the cruise).

Soon, it appears. Palcohol.

This blogger mentions a way for alochol storage on cruises. Along with some other tips for cheap cruisers: http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/cheap-cruises/

Literally LOL! Very funny stuff! I wonder whether that guy has ever actually been on a cruise as he claims. In the beginning, he states you could go to southeast Asia for a month for $800 – you could do that, with lots of frequent flyer miles and hotel points, but what he doesn't seem to realize is that with cruises you can literally cross an ocean over a couple weeks for $500! And, if we're talking about using miles or points, well then the comparable figure for an $800 month-long trip to Southeast Asia should be zero dollars using Chase ultimate rewards or Barclaycard arrival to get a free cruise.

Very funny stuff.

In all seriousness though, he is right that you should not pay $15 per snapshot at the photo gallery. He has figured that one out!

We live in Napa and prefer our own selection of wine and champagne. Is it two bottles per person or per cabin?

Any logic at all to why the higher end Candles tends not to enforce corkage?

Thanks

cork your own to bottles of "wine" and bring the 2 that are allowed . 2 wine bottles of whiskey make the week better

Just thought of this. Holland Am allows 2 bottles to be brought aboard with out corkage chges etc. Soooo bring 1.5 ltrs, not 750ml! Maybe bigger if your back pack can hold it. This works if you live near port, or can buy near port (ie not off a flight)