Drinking On Cruise Ships: Should There Be Limits?

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters.

A family is suing Royal Caribbean after a woman fell overboard while intoxicated during a Taylor Swift themed cruise and sadly passed away, sparking a debate over drinking on cruise ships.

Her family, who come from South Florida, is claiming that the crew kept serving her alcohol even when she was clearly intoxicated.

Dulcie White, 66, fell off Allure of the Seas, and had been served seven drinks in six hours. The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean’s drinks package encourages consumption of alcohol to a dangerous extent.

As you might imagine, cruisers have plenty to say. Generally, the cruisers’ view is that safe consumption of alcohol is a personal responsibility, not the fault of the crew who was serving her.

One Reddit user wrote: “I’m sorry for their loss but honestly, it’s idiots like this that ruin things for other people. She was an adult, a very grown adult. Her family should have kept an eye on her if she was wasted drunk. This is just ridiculous.”

Another Redditor suggested seven drinks over six hours not an amount worthy of accusing crew members of overserving.

“7 drinks over 6 hours isn’t a ton. They say most adults can have one drink an hour and be fine, and I mean I can vouch for that.

“It’s a terrible tragedy but it’s not the cruise line’s fault she got black-out drunk.”

Other users echoed this idea, “The article says records indicate crew served her 7 drinks over the course of about 6 and a half hours. Honestly, not that much…. But obviously could be impacted by her age or any medication she took.”

Another user said while limiting drinks per day could be a good idea, like some other lines do, that still wouldn’t have affected this particular scenario.

“She blames the crew for serving too many drinks despite visible intoxication because “that’s how they make their tips” but also she blames the line for selling her mom an unlimited drinks package.

“I do agree with the carnival group policy of limiting drinks per day. Although that limit is 15 and this woman had 7 so I guess that wouldn’t have helped her either. There is a larger discussion to be had about cultural ideas around alcohol and binge drinking but I’m not sure you can blame that culture on a cruise line.”

Aussies had plenty to say about the state of the cruise industry, after it suffered one billion in reduced revenue over the past season.

Vicki Rogers said: “Cruise companies are always trying to lower their bottom line, so if the various states lower the port fees even by 1% the incentive would be greater by these companies to increase the number of ships or extend their time in Australia maybe.”

Janet Bridge said: “Our family have been avid cruisers for many years.

“Unfortunately, the prices cruise lines now charge and the extras that you’re now expected to pay make cruising not as enjoyable.”

David Yeo said: “I love cruising and cruise mainly with Royal carribean. The problem is after eight cruises it is a challenge with Royal Caribbean to go somewhere new or different out of Australia. Other cruise lines have a variety of destinations.”

Other cruisers are keen to try out an adults-only cruise with Carnival, which the line has hinted at expanding.

Jill Botterill said: “I absolutely would – out of NZ or Australia. So much easier than trying to work out when the school holidays are so I can avoid them.”

D Ritchie said: “Most people don’t want to have to put up with other people’s feral kids!

“We usually cruise Azamara or Oceania these days as they have very few children aboard.”

Please keep those comments coming!

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