Taking Booze on Celebrity Cruise

Q: We are booked on a Celebrity cruise out of Civitavecchia in July 2012. On a previous cruise no drinks were allowed to be taken on board and were confiscated for the duration of the cruise and could be collected upon disembarkation at the end of the cruise. I hear that some of the cruise lines have become less rigid and now allow each passenger two bottles at the initial embarkation. Is this true? If so, can they be taken to the main dining room for dinner with a corkage fee? - Colin Townsend

A: While Celebrity Cruises does not allow passengers to bring beer or spirits on board, guests may bring wine onto the vessel at the beginning of the cruise. However, this is limited to two bottles per stateroom (not per person) and there is no corkage charge if this is consumed in your cabin. Bottles consumed in a restaurant, bar or dining venue are subject to a 25 US dollars charge. That's pretty high and not likely to save you too much money. Wine bought from the liner's Bon Voyage Gift selection is not subjected to corkage charges, even when consumed in the dining room or public area. Other alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call or other onboard shops will be stored and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of sailing. For a listing of the alcohol policies on all major cruise lines, go to the www.cruisemates.com website.