auldlassie

Haha, Retired and Travel! Philipponnat in 2004. Lovely stuff! My first cruise was on Seabourn in 2011, so that's a bit before my time there. Reading this, I wish it wasn't! I currently buy this Philipponnat from the Champagne Company in the UK for £39 a bottle for their standard non vintage or slightly more for the rose. Utterly lovely in its white or rose versions and a beautiful, big and fulsome champagne to treasure. Way better than the usual main line houses. I also currently have both the blanc de blancs and blanc de noirs vintage versions in the cellar at home. Is a truly a favourite of mine. Shame they decided to cut the price to less than half since then, with dross. Some savings are just not worth the degrade in customer experiences, in my opinion. I'd happily pay the extra in, for example, a normal Seabourn 14 day cruise cost) to drink this than the dross they now serve, as overall it would be a pittance.... and so much more fun! But that won't happen, so I just spring for a champagne that doesn't make my stomach ache. That's still more fun in the end. 🙄 Plus, it is a holiday cruise, not a wine tour! Just a shame they compromised beyond the point of decent quality.

I agree the quality of champagne and of caviar have detetoriated over the years, but it is the same across all these supposed luxury lines. Don't let these current champagne differences put you off. They are all dross , although the Pommery is the best of this bunch - but only just. 🙄 Who would base their overall cruise on what champagne is served from such a low grade list anyway? Just spring for better from the wine lists. Or drink something else.🙂