The Grande Caribe small ship wins major points for its unusual drink system.

The 96-passenger Grand Caribe, part of Blount Small Ship Adventures, has a very practical system that worked very well on my recent cruise.

It always irks me when a cruise ship charges extra for fountain soft drinks and the price is usually terribly inflated for a small cup of flat cola.

A shame but many ships will do that, especially the higher-priced cruise lines. On a cruise two months ago, I paid $1.84 for a small can of warm Coke. Gee whiz!

Not on the Grande Caribe. On the ship, Coke products, juices, coffee, hot chocolate and tea are available 24 hours a day from self-serve stations in the dining room and lounge.

The Grande Caribe also has a policy I have never seen on any ship. The Grande Caribe does not sell alcoholic drinks.

Instead, passengers are invited to bring their own bottles, store them in the bar area or the ice chest of the lounge and help themselves whenever they want. The Grande Caribe offers all the mixers and garnishments necessary for most drinks. Cocktail hour is always the hour before lunch and dinner.

That way, the cruise director points out, no one walks off a Blount ship owing a large bar bill. Plus, one or two nights on a Blount cruise are complimentary open bar for passengers.

The Grande Caribe really puts out a spread of appetizers plus bourbon, rum, vodka, gin, beer, wine, liqueurs and cocktails on those free drink evenings.

By Jackie Sheckler Finch