If you take a cruise from Galveston, Texas there's one big difference you should know about on the first day of your cruise.
Galveston is one of the most popular cruise ports, and it is growing quickly in terms of adding new ships.
However, if you've never cruised from Texas, you might be surprised by the limited drink selections.
Some cruise ports have their nuances, and a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston has its own restrictions based on the drinks available.
Limited drinks on embarkation day
The first day of your cruise is always exciting because it signifies your vacation is finally here, and a lot of cruisers like to celebrate with a cocktail or beer.
However, you'll find less drinks on a cruise that departs Galveston on the first day.
Texas has its own set of liquor laws that limit the selection on your ship while you're in port and for the first few hours of the cruise.
The drink menu and liquor brands are limited while in Texas waters dues to rules in place by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
What this means is Royal Caribbean has to buy their liquor from a Texas distributer to be able to serve it on the ship while in Texas waters. Any liquor served has to be served from a bottle which has the Texas tax paid and it carries a sticker to prove that Texas tax has been paid.
As a result, Royal Caribbean purchased a Texas permit so that it can purchase some of its liquor from a Texas distributor allowing them to serve liquor through the drink package while in Texas waters.
They effectively have two liquor cabinets for ships homeported in Galveston, one for liquor and beer they bought from a Texas distributor, and another cabinet for liquor and beer they bought from another distributor / wholesaler. When the ship leaves port and reaches international waters, they lock up all the liquor and beer with Texas stamps and bring out the other liquor and beer.
If this sounds crazy, it's not just Texas that has this kind of a law on the books. Both New York and Alabama have similar laws in place.
The law applies until your ship clears the first 12 nautical miles out to sea. Once the ship has moved into international waters, full bar selection opens up.
There is no restriction on non-alcoholic beverages, including mocktails.
The good news is you can still use your Royal Caribbean drink package on the first day of your cruise.
"In Texas Waters" liquor brands
For the first few hours of your cruise, there is a special menu of beverages you can order from until your ship gets out to sea.
Texas Beverage Menu
SPARKLING WINES
- Chandon, Brut, “Classic” $12
- Ruffino, Prosecco $11
WHITE/ROSÉ
- Beringer, White Zinfandel $8
- Château d'Esclans, Rosé $14
- Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc $12
- Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Sauvignon Blanc $11
- Danzante, Pinot Grigio $10
- Penfolds, Chardonnay, “Koonunga Hill” $10
- Kendall-Jackson, Chardonnay, “Vintner’s Reserve” $11
- Château d'Aussières, Chardonnay “Aussières,” Vin de Pays D’OC $9
- Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Chardonnay $11
- Conundrum $16
RED
- Castle Rock, Pinot Noir, “California Cuvée” $11
- Terrazas de los Andes, Malbec $14
- Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Merlot $12
- Castle Rock, Cabernet Sauvignon $9
- Château d'Aussières, Cabernet Sauvignon “Aussières,” Vin de Pays D’OC $9
- Kendall-Jackson, Cabernet Sauvignon “Vintner’s Reserve $11
- Torres, Ribera del Duero, “Celeste,” Crianza $11
SPIRITS
- Tito’s Handmade $10.99
- Absolut $10.99
- Grey Goose $13.99
- Bacardi $10.99
- Pusser’s Navy $12.99
- Kraken $9.99
- Malibu $9.99
- Captain Morgan $10.99
- Jose Cuervo Gold $9.99
- Avión Silver $11.99
- Jim Beam $10.99
- Buffalo Trace $10.99
- Templeton Rye $10.99
- Balcones Rye $13.99
- Balcones Straight $13.99
- Dewar’s $9.99
- Seagram’s 7 $9.99
- Crown Royal $10.99
- Glenfiddich $11.99
- Henrick’s $12.99
- Beefeater $10.99
- Aperol $10.99
BEER - $7.49
- Budweiser
- Bud Light
- Coors Light
- Corona Extra
- Stella Artois
- Shiner Bock
"BEYOND “BEER” - $7.49
- Truly Wild Berry
- Hard Seltzer
- White Claw Mango
- Hard Seltzer
- Topo Chico Ranch Water
- Hard Seltzer
ADVENTUROUS FLAVORS - $14
- Bloody Mary: Vodka with Bloody Mary Mix
- Cozumel Sunrise: Cuervo Gold Tequila, Mango, Lime Juice and Grenadine
- Sirena del Mar: Rum, Vodka, Gin and Tequila with Sour Mix and Topped with Coke
- Tiki Tai: Rum, Amaretto, Orange and Pineapple Juices with Grenadine
- Batuque Carioca: Malibu Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao and Pineapple Juice
- Passion Exotica: Aperol, Vodka, Passion Fruit Syrup, Lemon Juice and Sparkling Wine
- Queva-Rita: Tequila Blended with Mango and Margarita Mix
- Caribbean Mule: Absolut Vodka, Coconut Rum, Blended with Goslings Ginger Beer
- Painkiller: Malibu Coconut Rum, Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Orange Juice and Pineapple Juice
VIRGIN DRINKS
- Our Complete Selection of Non-Alcoholic Beverages are Available.
An 18% gratuity will be added to your check.
Carnival has a different policy
If you've cruised with Carnival Cruise Line in the past, you should know Royal Caribbean's policy differs.
Just like Royal Caribbean, Carnival has a limited alcohol selection on day one from Galveston. Most importantly, the CHEERS! Package does not work at all until the second day of the cruise.
If there's a silver lining, you don't pay for that first day of the package since it doesn't begin until day two.
Carnival's soda package (Bottomless Bubbles), however, will still work on the first day.
Another Texas tax to be aware of before you cruise
One other important law to be familiar with is if you want to bring liquor home with you.
If you buy duty-free liquor during your cruise, upon returning to Galveston you have to pay the TABC taxes on each bottle. Whether or not you are a resident of Texas, you still have to pay the tax.
There is an area setup right after US Customs in the cruise terminal, and if you declare a bottle of duty-free booze you will be directed to visit the TABC tax collectors.
It's a few bucks per bottle, but everyone pays even if you are flying out of Houston hours after arriving back into Galveston.
