Wine By The Glass -Limited choices, even with Premium Package

As many cruise lines have eliminated the sommelier position, I am thankful for Celebrity retaining staff and continuing the wine tastings experiences. We have not been disappointed in the wine selections on the S class ships.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

You'll have weeks and weeks to thoroughly test your opinion on that upcoming B-2-B-2-B you're doing on the Eclipse. Have a wonderful time and do come back and let us know if you feel the same way about the wine selection.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I drink Moscato and could not believe there wasnt one bottle on board. I know its not the connoisseur's wine but I love it. Royal has a great Moscato available....why cant Celebrity? They dont even have a nice German Spatlase either. Yes, I like sweet wine;p I only drink these wines...no liquor and no other wines. My drink package was pretty useless.

Oh no! I only love sweet wine too, and especially Moscato. Did you find any wine that you liked? We sail May 5 and have the premium package.

I am not a moscato drinker, but I recall on my Summit sailing in October that there certainly was moscato onboard because they had it out for a wine pairing event. My fiance was surprised at how much the wine changed with lemon!

We are on Equinox in a few weeks and I hope the wine selection will at least be reasonable.

Didn't think X would still do that...I should have asked! Assuming I could get a nice bottle, at a reasonable price with the 20% bottle-purchase discount, this is a great idea. Four glasses of Foley cost me about $40 over my premium package which could have gone to the bottle price.

 

I have three questions about this idea, if anyone knows. Could I take remaining wine (bottle) with me, after purchase, to enjoy on my veranda or to another dining venue the next day? Could I buy from Cellar Masters and have it opened and enjoyed in MDR? Is the 18% gratuity added to bottle purchases?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Once you have purchased a bottle of wine, the remainder is yours to either take back to your cabin or to leave with your sommelier (or waiter if the sommelier is not around when your get up from the table) and enjoy the following evening in any restaurant on board.

Good news from the Reflection (8. April - 15. April 2017) : Some very nice options included in the Premium package:

i.e.

Sancerre, Redde winery

Pouilly-fume, Lebrun winery

Chardonnay, mersoleil

and unbelieveable but true:

Real Champagne, Montaudon brut (Cellarmaster, Passportbar, Main dininig room, Bar at the Theatre)

Good news from the Reflection (8. April - 15. April 2017) : Some very nice options included in the Premium package:

 

i.e.

Sancerre, Redde winery

Pouilly-fume, Lebrun winery

Chardonnay, mersoleil

 

and unbelieveable but true:

 

Real Champagne, Montaudon brut (Cellarmaster, Passportbar, Main dininig room, Bar at the Theatre)

That is good news, we will be on the Reflection TA this Saturday and when we drink whites we enjoy French Whites such as the Sancerre or the Pouilly-fume. However, we are also big fans of all the Wagner family wines including Mersoleil, but especially enjoy Caymus Special Select.

Did you find any notable red wines on the Premium package?

Doug

Cabernet sauvignon, Decoy (good but not outstanding)

Malbec Terazzas reserva Mendoza Argentina (good structure, with depth, meaty)

Pinot noir tart, Cherry pie, California (mild charactere, cherry, strawberry aroma, a lot of alcohol but not fat, very pleasant)

And not to forget the sweet Wine Oremus Tokay late harvest, much better than the oxidized, simple Sauternes.

TA with Premium! Enjoy it!

Cabernet sauvignon, Decoy (good but not outstanding)

Malbec Terazzas reserva Mendoza Argentina (good structure, with depth, meaty)

Pinot noir tart, Cherry pie, California (mild charactere, cherry, strawberry aroma, a lot of alcohol but not fat, very pleasant)

 

And not to forget the sweet Wine Oremus Tokay late harvest, much better than the oxidized, simple Sauternes.

 

TA with Premium! Enjoy it!

Great, thanks Buffetcutter! I have enjoyed Decoy in the past from Duckhorn, and a good Argentina Malbec we will also enjoy. I prefer Oregon Pinot's other than Sea Smoke(which would be way out of the price range) as we prefer less cherry and more of the farmyard flavor and smell.

And, I have not tried Oremus, but will definitely try it. We do enjoy our 2005 Sauternes(including one Chateau d'yquem that I have laying down).

Doug

I thought they had some nice reds with the Premium package but the problem was they ran out of them within 2-3 days. One of the Pinot Noirs we wanted they were out of from the start. So we were down to two choices and another of those was gone within 2-3 days. If you found a bartender who was good they would go try and hunt down a bottle. It really bothered me since I drink Pinot Noir 99% of the time. I am upgrading to Premium again on my cruise coming up, hoping they have their wine stocked.

Does Celebrity change their wines depending on where they are cruising? We will be cruising from Rome and were hoping they had some Italian Reds on board such as Chianti.

I am not a moscato drinker, but I recall on my Summit sailing in October that there certainly was moscato onboard because they had it out for a wine pairing event. My fiance was surprised at how much the wine changed with lemon!

 

We are on Equinox in a few weeks and I hope the wine selection will at least be reasonable.

Thanks SusieV! :)

Does Celebrity change their wines depending on where they are cruising? We will be cruising from Rome and were hoping they had some Italian Reds on board such as Chianti.

The short answer is 'NO!" They do not normally modify their wine list because of an itinerary. That being said, they do have some Italian wines on their wine list. But these are wines you normally need to purchase by the bottle.

Hank

The short answer is 'NO!" They do not normally modify their wine list because of an itinerary. That being said, they do have some Italian wines on their wine list. But these are wines you normally need to purchase by the bottle.

 

Hank

I got quite a few Italian wines by the glass last week on the solstice. I did have the premium package, but I am a wine lover and was impressed by the selection of wines in both packages. Actually, the sommeliers told me last week that they do have some different wine selections based on itinerary. For example, on our repositioning cruise I. Hawaii last week, he told me had switched over to a lot more US based wines for the Alaska sailings vs a lot more Australian wines that were on the menu the week before for the Sydney based sailings. It depends on where they purchase them, but they still had a wide international selection. They use some of the wines not currently on the menu for some of the wine around the world tastings.

The premium package has the Nozzole chianti Classico reserve last week which I really like.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

So well I be disappointed in my wine selections? I have only the classic beverage package and will sail on the Eclipse in December. I enjoy mostly white dry wines, prefer French, New Zealand or even Chilean. Even though I live in California, I'm not a huge fan of their wines. I also enjoy fruit forward reds, Pinot Noir. So will I have trouble finding wines by the glass in my beverage package? How does this work?

We last sailed Celebrity about 3 years ago and were very happy with the selections, but now it seems things have changes? We were on Oceania last year and were spoiled with the wonderful French wines!

So well I be disappointed in my wine selections? I have only the classic beverage package and will sail on the Eclipse in December. I enjoy mostly white dry wines, prefer French, New Zealand or even Chilean. Even though I live in California, I'm not a huge fan of their wines. I also enjoy fruit forward reds, Pinot Noir. So will I have trouble finding wines by the glass in my beverage package? How does this work?

 

We last sailed Celebrity about 3 years ago and were very happy with the selections, but now it seems things have changes? We were on Oceania last year and were spoiled with the wonderful French wines!

We upgraded to the premium pkg specifically for the wines on our Reflection cruise and were very disappointed. We are not wine snobs, but enjoy a nice wine with dinner. Sometimes there was only one wine selection above classic but under the limit in the dining room. One bar had decent selections, but the pool and casino bars only stocked the house red, white, rose. We have the classic pkg on our next cruise and anticipate low quality wine. We will drink more spirits and water. That said, once onboard, if it looks like there really are better wine options this cruise we may upgrade to premium.

DW and I are true Oenophiles and have previously expressed our frustration with the available "wines by the glass" on Celebrity. After reading through much of this thread and contemplating the situation we can only conclude that Celebrity is essentially running a "con" or "scam" when it comes to wine and the drink packages. Consider that most places that sell wine by the glass will price a single glass at about 20% of the bottle price (based on the concept that you can get about 5 pours from a bottle of wine). If I ask a Celebrity wine steward for a decent wine (perhaps an item that is priced $80 a bottle on the wine list) by the glass they will tell me that they are not permitted to open a bottle of that wine to sell by the glass. If I then ask why, they will tell me that they would then have the remaining wine...which would likely not get sold. But then if I say to the wine steward, "No problem....we will buy 5 glasses of that wine and pay the per glass difference (from the premium allowance to the cost per glass). they will again balk..but no longer have an excuse. Lets assume that the Premium Package allows wines up to $12 per glass. So if I guy 5 glasses that would mean we should be able to get any wine up to $60 a bottle with no additional charge. That $80 bottle I want should be available to me at $4 per glass (overage). But the wine steward will only offer to sell me the bottle for $80 (less the small discount given to Premium package holders) which is far more money then buying it buy the glass.

And there lies the scam! What good are putting on a per glass limit (such as $12) when there are few wines offered that actually cost more then $12 a glass (or even $10 a glass). I seem to recall one poster who mentioned having a wine steward in Luminaie who was willing to sell good bottle by the glass...with the promise that the buyer would buy 5 glasses. But this seems to be a rare exception...as we have rebuffed every time we made this offer in Blu or the MDR.

Hank

DW and I are true Oenophiles and have previously expressed our frustration with the available "wines by the glass" on Celebrity. After reading through much of this thread and contemplating the situation we can only conclude that Celebrity is essentially running a "con" or "scam" when it comes to wine and the drink packages. Consider that most places that sell wine by the glass will price a single glass at about 20% of the bottle price (based on the concept that you can get about 5 pours from a bottle of wine). If I ask a Celebrity wine steward for a decent wine (perhaps an item that is priced $80 a bottle on the wine list) by the glass they will tell me that they are not permitted to open a bottle of that wine to sell by the glass. If I then ask why, they will tell me that they would then have the remaining wine...which would likely not get sold. But then if I say to the wine steward, "No problem....we will buy 5 glasses of that wine and pay the per glass difference (from the premium allowance to the cost per glass). they will again balk..but no longer have an excuse. Lets assume that the Premium Package allows wines up to $12 per glass. So if I guy 5 glasses that would mean we should be able to get any wine up to $60 a bottle with no additional charge. That $80 bottle I want should be available to me at $4 per glass (overage). But the wine steward will only offer to sell me the bottle for $80 (less the small discount given to Premium package holders) which is far more money then buying it buy the glass.

 

And there lies the scam! What good are putting on a per glass limit (such as $12) when there are few wines offered that actually cost more then $12 a glass (or even $10 a glass). I seem to recall one poster who mentioned having a wine steward in Luminaie who was willing to sell good bottle by the glass...with the promise that the buyer would buy 5 glasses. But this seems to be a rare exception...as we have rebuffed every time we made this offer in Blu or the MDR.

 

Hank

Hank, I enjoy wines also but I think the characterization of the X premium policy as a "scam" is unfair.

While I can see the logic of being able to buy a bottle if you 'guarantee' consumption, no other mainstream cruise line allows this and I can see where it would be problematic for them. The reality is that you don't have to purchase the premium upgrade (or any drink package). I think everyone would like an expanded wine list by the glass but it apparently does differ between ship and itinerary. Many good restaurants don't have an exemplary wine by the glass menu.

I usually can find something palatable on the premium list and I enjoy that I don't have to worry about the cost of drinks and can only be charged for the 'overage'.

Now a "scam" IMHO is NCL charging gratuities on their 'free' drink package that doesn't include bottled water.

Happy cruising.

We are, admittedly, not total wine snobs, but do know decent wines from bad..We were recently on the Constellation and had no issues with the selection in Blu, on the Premium Package. Frankly, we were surprised, since the ship was due to go into dry dock at the end of our cruise.

The sommelier was happy to suggest wines and to open bottles for us to sample.

Perhaps, it is just luck of the draw...

by the way...chisoxfan! We are too!

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Hank, I enjoy wines also but I think the characterization of the X premium policy as a "scam" is unfair.

While I can see the logic of being able to buy a bottle if you 'guarantee' consumption, no other mainstream cruise line allows this and I can see where it would be problematic for them. The reality is that you don't have to purchase the premium upgrade (or any drink package). I think everyone would like an expanded wine list by the glass but it apparently does differ between ship and itinerary. Many good restaurants don't have an exemplary wine by the glass menu.

I usually can find something palatable on the premium list and I enjoy that I don't have to worry about the cost of drinks and can only be charged for the 'overage'.

 

Now a "scam" IMHO is NCL charging gratuities on their 'free' drink package that doesn't include bottled water.

 

Happy cruising.

So now we cry foul (or is it fowl). Comparing a good restaurant, where they do not sell drink packages, to a cruise line that actively promotes drink packages is comparing apples to kumquats. One of the selling points of the Premium Drink package are the included higher cost items. But if one eats in the MDR and there are no (or only one or two) wines available in the Premium range.....then it is indeed a scam. What good is a $12 or $13 per glass max....if there are few to no wines available above the $10 range. We are often willing to pay the extra cost (over the Premium limit) for a decent choice. While there are often some decent choices in Murano....they do not generally exist in the other venues. It does take away some of the incentive to upgrade from Classic to Premium....if promised Premium products are not even offered.

Hank

That is good news, we will be on the Reflection TA this Saturday and when we drink whites we enjoy French Whites such as the Sancerre or the Pouilly-fume. However, we are also big fans of all the Wagner family wines including Mersoleil, but especially enjoy Caymus Special Select.

 

Did you find any notable red wines on the Premium package?

 

Doug

From your experience on the Reflection TA, did they have Mer Soleil as an option within the premium package like is stated on Celebrity's website?

Listed at the end:

Premium Package

$65 USD/per night*

Just $10 per night more than Classic Package

Enjoy all the spirits listed in the Classic Package PLUS elevate your experience with the additional brands listed below. Includes beverages up to $13.

VODKA

• 42 Below
  
• Absolut 100 & Elyx
  
• Belvedere & Intense
  
• Bombora
  
• Charbay
  
• Christiania
  
• Ciroc & Flavors
  
• Chopin
  
• Effen
  
• Grey Goose
  
• Hangar
  
• Imperia Ketel
  
• One
  
• Pearl
  
• Rain
  
• Reyka
  
• Stoli Elite
  
• Voli
  

GIN

• Bombay Sapphire & East
  
• Hendrick’s
  
• Plymouth
  
• ar of Bombay
  
• Tanqueray & Ten
  

TEQUILA

• Cazadores Reposado
  
• Don Julio Reposado
  
• Gran Centenario Reposado
  
• Milagro Select Barrel Reposado
  
• Patron Citrónge
  
• Patron Silver & Reposado
  
• Patron XO Café
  

WHISKEY (BOURBON, CANADIAN, IRISH, AND SCOTCH)

• Aberfeldy 12
  
• Bulleit & Rye
  
• Chivas 12
  
• Crown Royal
  
• Dewar’s 12
  
• Dimple
  
• Glenfiddich Rsv Cask
  
• Glenfiddich Select
  
• Glenlivet
  
• Haig
  
• Highland Park
  
• Jack Daniels
  
• Black Jack Daniels Honey J
  
• ack Daniels Sgl Brl
  
• Johnnie Walker Black
  
• Lagavulin
  
• Laphroaig
  
• Macallan
  
• Maker’s Mark
  
• Woodford Reserve
  

RUM

• Bacardi 8
  
• Barbancourt
  
• Brugal
  
• Flor de Caña
  
• Mount Gay
  
• Pyrat XO
  
• Ron Zacapa 23
  

CORDIALS & COGNACS

• Bailey’s Irish Cream
  
• Chambord
  
• Courvoisier VSOP
  
• Disaronno Amaretto
  
• Drambuie
  
• Frangelico
  
• Godiva
  
• Grand Marnier
  
• Hennsessy VSOP
  
• Remy Martin VSOP
  
• St. Germain
  
• Tuaca
  

BEERS

• Anchor Steam
  
• Blue Moon
  
• Brooklyn Brown Ale
  
• Delirium Tremens
  
• Dogfish Head 90 min
  
• Estrella Damm (GF)
  
• Fuller’s ESB
  
• Fuller’s London Pride
  
• Goose Island 312
  
• Grolsch
  
• Guinness Stout
  
• Highland Stout
  
• Kingfisher Lager
  
• Kronenburg 1664
  
• La Fin du Monde
  
• Labatt
  
• Lagunitas Pils
  
• Lagunitas Lil Sumpin
  
• Leffe Blonde
  
• Magners Cider
  
• Murphy’s Stout
  
• O’Haura’s Irish Red
  
• Ommegang Abbey Ale
  
• Orion Lager
  
• Paulaner Doppelbock
  
• Peroni
  
• Rogue Dead Guy Ale
  
• Sapporo
  
• Sierra Nevada
  
• Stella Artois
  
• Stone IPA
  
• Woodchuck Ciders (Apple & Pear)
  

WINES

Enjoy Champagne by the glass and an assortment of name brand wines. Examples include:

• Decoy Cabernet
  
• Mer Soleil Chardonnay
  
• Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc.
  

(Availability subject to change by itinerary).

NON-ALCOHOLIC

• Can soda selections
  
• Fresh and bottled juices
  
• Premium coffees and teas
  
• Premium bottled water
  
• Vitamin Water
  
• Red Bull
  

We are currently sailing Infinity and have the Premium package. Our sommelier in Luminae has been pouring us Mer Soleil (which we love), although it is not listed on the by-the-glass menu, and there's no surcharge over the $13 limit. On the other hand, we like the La Crema (Willamette) Pinot Noir which sells for $16 by the glass, but, unfortunately, it's not currently in stock here in Infinity. We enjoyed a glass of Foley Pinot Noir in Cellar Masters and happily paid the $6 or $7 upcharge. Later, in Luminae, when we found out the La Crema Willamette wasn't in stock, we asked for Foley, which is not on the by-the-glass menu. Our sommelier initially said "no", but then offered to get it for us in Cellar Masters where it IS sold by the glass!

So it's a bit rough to know exactly what's available and in stock and what they will (and won't) serve/sell by the glass. And we have more than indicated to the sommelier we're all too willing to pay surcharges over $13 a glass for a more premium wine experience.

As the cruise continues, I think I'll try our luck that Hank described (the 5 glasses per bottle theory guarantee) on higher-priced wines if our Sommelier will agree on the per glass surcharge.

From your experience on the Reflection TA, did they have Mer Soleil as an option within the premium package like is stated on Celebrity's website?

 

Listed at the end:

Premium Package

 

$65 USD/per night*

Just $10 per night more than Classic Package

Enjoy all the spirits listed in the Classic Package PLUS elevate your experience with the additional brands listed below. Includes beverages up to $13.

VODKA

• 42 Below
  
• Absolut 100 & Elyx
  
• Belvedere & Intense
  
• Bombora
  
• Charbay
  
• Christiania
  
• Ciroc & Flavors
  
• Chopin
  
• Effen
  
• Grey Goose
  
• Hangar
  
• Imperia Ketel
  
• One
  
• Pearl
  
• Rain
  
• Reyka
  
• Stoli Elite
  
• Voli
  

GIN

• Bombay Sapphire & East
  
• Hendrick’s
  
• Plymouth
  
• ar of Bombay
  
• Tanqueray & Ten
  

TEQUILA

• Cazadores Reposado
  
• Don Julio Reposado
  
• Gran Centenario Reposado
  
• Milagro Select Barrel Reposado
  
• Patron Citrónge
  
• Patron Silver & Reposado
  
• Patron XO Café
  

WHISKEY (BOURBON, CANADIAN, IRISH, AND SCOTCH)

• Aberfeldy 12
  
• Bulleit & Rye
  
• Chivas 12
  
• Crown Royal
  
• Dewar’s 12
  
• Dimple
  
• Glenfiddich Rsv Cask
  
• Glenfiddich Select
  
• Glenlivet
  
• Haig
  
• Highland Park
  
• Jack Daniels
  
• Black Jack Daniels Honey J
  
• ack Daniels Sgl Brl
  
• Johnnie Walker Black
  
• Lagavulin
  
• Laphroaig
  
• Macallan
  
• Maker’s Mark
  
• Woodford Reserve
  

RUM

• Bacardi 8
  
• Barbancourt
  
• Brugal
  
• Flor de Caña
  
• Mount Gay
  
• Pyrat XO
  
• Ron Zacapa 23
  

CORDIALS & COGNACS

• Bailey’s Irish Cream
  
• Chambord
  
• Courvoisier VSOP
  
• Disaronno Amaretto
  
• Drambuie
  
• Frangelico
  
• Godiva
  
• Grand Marnier
  
• Hennsessy VSOP
  
• Remy Martin VSOP
  
• St. Germain
  
• Tuaca
  

BEERS

• Anchor Steam
  
• Blue Moon
  
• Brooklyn Brown Ale
  
• Delirium Tremens
  
• Dogfish Head 90 min
  
• Estrella Damm (GF)
  
• Fuller’s ESB
  
• Fuller’s London Pride
  
• Goose Island 312
  
• Grolsch
  
• Guinness Stout
  
• Highland Stout
  
• Kingfisher Lager
  
• Kronenburg 1664
  
• La Fin du Monde
  
• Labatt
  
• Lagunitas Pils
  
• Lagunitas Lil Sumpin
  
• Leffe Blonde
  
• Magners Cider
  
• Murphy’s Stout
  
• O’Haura’s Irish Red
  
• Ommegang Abbey Ale
  
• Orion Lager
  
• Paulaner Doppelbock
  
• Peroni
  
• Rogue Dead Guy Ale
  
• Sapporo
  
• Sierra Nevada
  
• Stella Artois
  
• Stone IPA
  
• Woodchuck Ciders (Apple & Pear)
  

WINES

Enjoy Champagne by the glass and an assortment of name brand wines. Examples include:

• Decoy Cabernet
  
• Mer Soleil Chardonnay
  
• Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc.
  

(Availability subject to change by itinerary).

NON-ALCOHOLIC

• Can soda selections
  
• Fresh and bottled juices
  
• Premium coffees and teas
  
• Premium bottled water
  
• Vitamin Water
  
• Red Bull
  

We were on Equinox in April and had the premium beverage package. I was surprised that the wine list was not provided when we were given dinner menus in the MDR. The menu itself included a (very) short list of wines. The sommeliers assigned to our tables were less than helpful the first few nights so I was getting pretty frustrated with the beverage package situation. As we had Select Dining we asked to be seated in a different section on the second and third nights, hoping that the "new" sommelier would be better than the one the night before. Nope!

By the fourth night, I decided I would have to ask for the wine list if I wanted to find the better wines. We also decideD that we would enter the MDR on the other side. We asked to be seated in a quieter section of the MDR, away from the loud area near the railing overlooking the deck 3 dining room. Luckily, we were shown to the back "private section" of the dining room. We loved our new spot in the MDR and returned to it each of the subsequent nights. Our waiter, Reymond, who happened to be our waiter in Blu on Reflection last September, remembered us. The fact that he remembered my husband's drink preferences impressed us so much. Reymond is the best waiter we have encountered on our cruises and we will be seeking him out on our future cruises.

Jelena, the sommelier assigned to our section, was much more helpful and communicative than the first two sommeliers who simply carried bottles of Elegance from table to table. They didn't seem to be interested in making suggestions or finding better wines than the ones listed in the dinner menu. She made sure my glass was full throughout dinner and provided good suggestions based on the wines "by the glass" listed on the wine list.

With the wine list in front of me each evening, I was able to choose from a reasonable range of wines by the glass that were covered under the premium package (but which were not offered before I asked for the wine list). I had both Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon and Mer Soleil Chardonnay throughout the rest of the cruise.

I can say that I was not happy with the way our dining and wine experiences began but found a way to get to a "happy place". NOTE TO SELF: Ask for the wine list beginning on day 1 of every cruise!

DW and I are true Oenophiles and have previously expressed our frustration with the available "wines by the glass" on Celebrity. After reading through much of this thread and contemplating the situation we can only conclude that Celebrity is essentially running a "con" or "scam" when it comes to wine and the drink packages.

 

we will buy 5 glasses of that wine and pay the per glass difference (from the premium allowance to the cost per glass). they will again balk..but no longer have an excuse. Lets assume that the Premium Package allows wines up to $12 per glass. So if I guy 5 glasses that would mean we should be able to get any wine up to $60 a bottle with no additional charge. That $80 bottle I want should be available to me at $4 per glass (overage). But the wine steward will only offer to sell me the bottle for $80 (less the small discount given to Premium package holders) which is far more money then buying it buy the glass.

Hank

So now we cry foul (or is it fowl). Comparing a good restaurant, where they do not sell drink packages, to a cruise line that actively promotes drink packages is comparing apples to kumquats. One of the selling points of the Premium Drink package are the included higher cost items. But if one eats in the MDR and there are no (or only one or two) wines available in the Premium range.....then it is indeed a scam. What good is a $12 or $13 per glass max....if there are few to no wines available above the $10 range. We are often willing to pay the extra cost (over the Premium limit) for a decent choice. While there are often some decent choices in Murano....they do not generally exist in the other venues. It does take away some of the incentive to upgrade from Classic to Premium....if promised Premium products are not even offered.

 

Hank

This was our experience. And the so called "sommeliers" in the MDR could have cared less what we asked for. There does appear to be a difference in the level of service in Blu and Luminea. That is to be expected, but the MDR beverage service needs to provide what the guests paid for. Thank you Cruisn Lady for your suggestions. We will come prepared with wine list in hand. Who did you get yours from?

So now we cry foul (or is it fowl). Comparing a good restaurant, where they do not sell drink packages, to a cruise line that actively promotes drink packages is comparing apples to kumquats. One of the selling points of the Premium Drink package are the included higher cost items. But if one eats in the MDR and there are no (or only one or two) wines available in the Premium range.....then it is indeed a scam. What good is a $12 or $13 per glass max....if there are few to no wines available above the $10 range. We are often willing to pay the extra cost (over the Premium limit) for a decent choice. While there are often some decent choices in Murano....they do not generally exist in the other venues. It does take away some of the incentive to upgrade from Classic to Premium....if promised Premium products are not even offered.

 

Hank

I understand your points but the premium package is an option- I am not sure where the broken promises and scam come in. If they promised Jordan and Penfold's Grange BTG and said they were out OK. Again different ships and dining venues apparently have variety of premium wines so it is difficult to make an across the fleet judgement. I am clearly not that focused on it but I always have been able to find some OK premium wines at every venue. Additionally, there are many who buy it (premium package) to enjoy higher end hard liquors and cordials. I don't fully understand the angst of not having more exclusive by the glass wines on a cruise- kind of like banging the food because it is not really high end. It is what it is and while I would personally enjoy better wine selections, I am happy living in the world of mid level food and wines since I am paying for a mid level cruise experience on a mainstream cruise line. JMHO