Now the dust has settled - what alternatives to wine

[sail7seas]

There are many (maybe majority) of Hal cruisers that are on fixed incomes and finding a wine they enjoy at $60.00 dollars a bottle or even twenty or below is not in their budgets.

 

We are blessed that we can afford some higher priced wines but when we are drinking a $15.00 dollar bottle that has been bruised and cooked in a truck, warehouse and ramp the quality is noticed and it cost +$60.00 or more, well!:eek:

 

Not everyone is as fortunate as us but they also are smart enough to see a bad deal when faced with it.

 

We have had many excellent Hal offered wines but are not happy with new policy.

 

In our opinion Hal needs to improve wine package offerings that are not Boone Farms Quality and also needs to address that when passengers are cruising vintage wine areas, with wine tour excursions one should be able to bring back a favorite wine tasting wine.

 

Immediately upon embarkation, after going through security, a wine steward swipes my card for bringing on a couple of bottles for cover charge would be acceptable. To not have choice is unacceptable.

 

We enjoy fine wines and even though we live in Florida DW's home office is in Napa. Our favorite wineries will not ship in summer months due to cooked wine syndrome. They do offer refrigerated delivery but the Fed Ex/UPS local delivery no.

 

 

Massachusetts does not permit residents to either order for shipment or send wine out of state. :(

 

Seems a rather antiquated old law that could stand to be changed. :)

 

[Wakepatrol]

Well it's like this:

 

1. We pay anywhere from $200 to $400 per person per day

2. Dinners in MDR are multi course, delicious and served by an attentive and professional staff

3. There is a perceived "upscale" ambiance with fresh OJ, hot breakfast ensuite for everyone, towels in the washroom, service to the max and of course formal nights.

 

So after all this "elegance" we get this wine list with selections I can get at a Olive Garden or Chili's and at mark ups that would make those chain restaurants blush.

 

Can I drink that crap? Yes at Chili's. Will I pay for it when l get served lobster in the MDR? NO! See the difference now? No, didn't think you would but consider that many in the world fine wine an essential part of a meal.

 

HAL should just chuck the "premium line" stuff and admit they are mass market in a pretty dress.

 

 

I couldn't agree more. The thing that's confusing is, the crap rotgut at chilis is the same crap people are taking cabs to Publix to buy. That's what's so baffling.

[Windsailer]

HAL simply does not offer decent wines at a reasonable price..

I was looking at the Wine List for in cabin purchases from my Prinsendam cruise. While I found a few that I might buy, I won't now because the prices are excessive.

The Navigator's 5 wine package. I priced it out with HALs "list of wines you might be able to select from". HAL package is $186.25. Retail prices add up to only $60.00 at most. And that's retail, not wholesale.

 

Nine Hats Syrah. Retail is $21.99, HAL price is $86.25.

 

Mondavi Private Select Merlot (bottle of the barrel - pun intended - to me) Retail is $6.47 HAL price is $ 52.50

 

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut - Retail is $29.99; HAL is $80.96.

 

Last cruise I bought an Alice White Shiraz in the MDR. Drinkable. Cost me around $36 with the 15% service fee. Total Wines price $5.47.

 

While I can afford HALs wine prices, I won't pay them. Perhaps other people will.

[sail7seas]

I couldn't agree more. The thing that's confusing is, the crap rotgut at chilis is the same crap people are taking cabs to Publix to buy. That's what's so baffling.

 

Well it's like this:

 

1. We pay anywhere from $200 to $400 per person per day

2. Dinners in MDR are multi course, delicious and served by an attentive and professional staff

3. There is a perceived "upscale" ambiance with fresh OJ, hot breakfast ensuite for everyone, towels in the washroom, service to the max and of course formal nights.

 

So after all this "elegance" we get this wine list with selections I can get at a Olive Garden or Chili's and at mark ups that would make those chain restaurants blush.

 

Can I drink that crap? Yes at Chili's. Will I pay for it when l get served lobster in the MDR? NO! See the difference now? No, didn't think you would but consider that many in the world fine wine an essential part of a meal.

 

HAL should just chuck the "premium line" stuff and admit they are mass market in a pretty dress.

 

 

I've never been to a Chili's so I'll take your word for it.

We don't eat in any of those chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Applebee's or the like so I haven't a clue their wine menu or dinner menu for that matter.

 

For that matter, we don't eat the lobster in MDR on the ships. We're from New England and know

good lobster so we pass on those frozen pieces.

 

Oh well.......

 

[antique sailor]

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

I CAN SCRIMP AND SAVE ENOUGH TO CRUISE ON HAL but don't have the bank account for their markup on the wine I pay $3.99 for Beringer white zin. at Publix super market . Same thing is $26. on the ship. It's not the selection that's the problem for me It's the PRICE and I don't mind admitting it.

[Wastegirl]

I must admit there are some drinkable wines on HAL's list but as others have said the mark ups are outrageous. My DH and I both like the Villa Maria Sav Blanc but can get it for $14.99 AUD a bottle and Cloudy Bay is a common wine here as well, very nice, but we can drink it any old time at a reasonable price.

 

Maybe we are spoilt living on the doorstep of a premium wine growing region where we have easy access to outstanding wines. But when you see a wine that's value back home is under $10 per bottle being sold for over $60, there is a point where you think that you are being used as a cash cow.

 

On the other hand we found their spirits, cocktails, beers etc to be very reasonably priced with plenty of choice, why can't they do the same with their wines. Though my DH still can't understand why a US based ship does not have his favourite Jack Daniels on board :)

[OlsSalt]

I think things have changed a bit in the last 50 years or so.

 

Yes, Europeans are now drinking California wines. :cool: But it is still "red or white".

[OlsSalt]

I've never found a wine I like or that is reasonably priced - and I'm not that fussy.

 

What is a reasonable price, under the circumstances?

[PirateShark]

I've never been to a Chili's so I'll take your word for it.

We don't eat in any of those chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Applebee's or the like so I haven't a clue their wine menu or dinner menu for that matter.

 

For that matter, we don't eat the lobster in MDR on the ships. We're from New England and know

good lobster so we pass on those frozen pieces.

 

Oh well.......

 

 

My point exactly Sail. My point exactly.

[OlsSalt]

There are many (maybe majority) of Hal cruisers that are on fixed incomes and finding a wine they enjoy at $60.00 dollars a bottle or even twenty or below is not in their budgets......

 

The wine packages can drop this down to approx $30 per bottle; $6 a glass - closer to per glass charges in many restaurants.

[George C]

DH enjoyed the HAL offerings of Silverado Cabernet, Souverein Cabernet, and for me the Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label (Valentine's surprise). He agrees the wine packages overall could be improved, but the ships have never been devoid of perfectly good choices. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc ranks right up there with the best of the best according to book "Judgement at Paris" which recommended many regional wines to treasure from around the world; no longer just from France.

 

I agree with you on the Silverado Cabernet, but in general I dislilke there wine list, we will try RCCL wine list next spring, I will be able to save quite a bit in airfare since I can leave from Texas, will use that money towards getting some really nice wine. We have met some really nice people on last 4 cruises on Hal, but time for a change, the byob was main thing keeping me with Hal since ships in general are not that special. Also dislike that they stoped cruising out of NYC which is my favorite port and city. Also Rccl has mini suite for 1299 which same size as Hals SS suites

[cruisemom42]

 

For that matter, we don't eat the lobster in MDR on the ships. We're from New England and know

good lobster so we pass on those frozen pieces.

 

Oh well.......

 

 

Do you really not see that you are saying exactly the same thing as those who "know good wine" and pass on what HAL offers?

[erewhon]

 

Contrary to the dismal reports we've read here these last days, there are some perfectly decent wines on HAL's lists. I hope you find wines you can enjoy. We always manage with minimal effort. :)

 

 

Which red wines on the HAL list would you recommend?

[OlsSalt]

Well it's like this:

 

1. We pay anywhere from $200 to $400 per person per day

.....

 

Lets' break it down like this:

 

1. $100 for the basic hotel room

3. $60 for the transportation

2. $10 for breakfast

4. $20 for lunch

5. $10 for ice-cream and snacks

6. $30 for dinner

7. $15 for the entertainment

 

Total: $245/day

[OlsSalt]

Which red wines on the HAL list would you recommend?

 

DH has enjoyed the Ravenswood selections, the Silverado Cabernet and the Italian Chianti from the wine packages.

[CruiseMissives]

Well it's like this:

 

1. We pay anywhere from $200 to $400 per person per day

2. Dinners in MDR are multi course, delicious and served by an attentive and professional staff

3. There is a perceived "upscale" ambiance with fresh OJ, hot breakfast ensuite for everyone, towels in the washroom, service to the max and of course formal nights.

 

So after all this "elegance" we get this wine list with selections I can get at a Olive Garden or Chili's and at mark ups that would make those chain restaurants blush.

 

Can I drink that crap? Yes at Chili's. Will I pay for it when l get served lobster in the MDR? NO! See the difference now? No, didn't think you would but consider that many in the world fine wine an essential part of a meal.

 

HAL should just chuck the "premium line" stuff and admit they are mass market in a pretty dress.

 

 

 

I so totally agree with you and if we continue as four star Mariners with HAL, will continue to refuse to purchase such mediocre, dull and overpriced plonk. Looking at Rosemont Shiraz priced from $9.00 or so to $55.00 and Three Blind Moose (are they serious?) at $33.00, this is a complete gouge of their "guests". We would have continued to bring our own preferences, yes, bought at a reasonable price onshore, cheerfully paid the corkage, and thoroughly enjoyed them either on our balcony or at dining. Certainly we did not bring them aboard by the case. And we definitely upped their bottom line with our other purchases and indulgences such as cocktails, spas, casino, speciality restaurants, Happy Hours, etc. so our spending a few dollars on outside wine was minimal. That wine policy was the only thing that differentiated HAL from any of the other mainstream lines. And to have no allowances for long cruises, is insane. We don't take any cruises under at least 14-21 days, and mostly 30+ days. Two bottles and none allowed from ports for 30 days??

They have taken an adult, fairly generous and civilized wine policy and trashed it. I also believe that they will find the consequences of this draconian and arrogant change not to their liking or expectations in the long run.

I also know that in the future we will certainly be looking at other options either on land or sea for our travelling dollars.

[sail7seas]

If everyone was spending as much as they say in the lounges, paying the corkage fee or drinking their wine in the cabins/verandahs, not bringing their glasses/bottles of wine out and about and drinking in the dining room but not paying corkage, not bringing cases as some have reported seeing being loaded aboard,,,,,

 

I wonder why HAL would have changed the policy at all? Sounds like it was responsible guests acting in a reasonable way and not doing anything to excess?

 

Any idea why they would 'shake the boat' and change the policy if everyone was

behaving in the way described in these multiple posts on the subject of wine policy?

[sail7seas]

DH has enjoyed the Ravenswood selections, the Silverado Cabernet and the Italian Chianti from the wine packages.

 

 

erewhon

 

Which red wines on the HAL list would you recommend?

 

We also like the Silverado Cabernet and have been drinking that for years.

L'ecole....... I don't recall if it is the cabernet or merlot we order.

We also had a Rioja we enjoyed on our last cruise.

 

 

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

It has been an interesting few days to say the least. Our New Zealand trip is saved, DH can now bring his purchases on from the Ports, he is a happy chappy. However there is our South Pacific cruise in March/April 2014, under the new policy (if it is not amended again).

 

DH is not so concerned about this one, tropical weather and all means wine is a lesser issue though he still has concerns because of the abysmal HAL wine list.

 

What suggestions are there for alternatives. For instance my DH loves beer in the hot weather, but tends to enjoy that in the middle of the day - that's lunch taken care of. He enjoys Brandy & Dry Ginger, Gin & Tonic, Scotch & Soda - that's pre dinner taken care of. None of these things he likes to drink with his dinner whether at the Lido or MDR.

 

So this leaves our 2 wine allocation for our Pinnacle Grill Dinners and the need to purchase wine for all the others. Or are there alternatives, for instance Champagne Cocktails or Sangria (anyone tried it).

 

I did suggest he go non alcoholic but let us say the dirty look I got was answer enough. I am not concerned about myself, I will just work my way through the cocktail list:)

 

Any of you have other 'alcoholic' suggestions as alternatives to wine?

 

 

We are not big wine drinkers.

Many evenings we do like having Grey Goose on the rocks with our dinners -- works for us. We are not into all those mixed, fuzzy drinks.

We used to have a restaurant where they had great Sangria -- home made. Sadly we lost that restaurant.

We have found a few good wines on HAL lists.

Hope your DH finds a couple he likes on your spring 2014 cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We also do not eat at chain restaurants.

And like sail -- we do not get the lobster on the ship -- much better at a couple of restaurants at home.

That is just us.

[tooalto]

SO many here, including myself, have asked why HAL changed its policy when there have already been cuts and additions to their revenue stream like charges for specialty coffees, Canaletto etc. My answer is becasue HAL wants to fall in with other mainstream lines instead of keeping one of the things that set it apart.

 

I work for a large, national retail firm. We, at our store, know our customer base and could market what we know would sell and attract new customers nut we have to make our store look like everyone else's. Another case of homogenizing everything.

[sail7seas]

SO many here, including myself, have asked why HAL changed its policy when there have already been cuts and additions to their revenue stream like charges for specialty coffees, Canaletto etc. My answer is becasue HAL wants to fall in with other mainstream lines instead of keeping one of the things that set it apart.

 

I work for a large, national retail firm. We, at our store, know our customer base and could market what we know would sell and attract new customers nut we have to make our store look like everyone else's. Another case of homogenizing everything.

 

Sad and frustrating.

 

[Hlitner]

It amazes me that wine drinkers/wine lovers cannot find a single wine, not one, they can order off HAL's wine list.

 

DH and I have had some very good wines on HAL ships. It is quite remarkable to me there is not a single red or white wine that is acceptable or adequate for so many on this forum. :eek:

 

For a white, have you tried Cloudy Bay or Villa Maria sauvignon blanc? There is always a decent pinot grigio offered, as well.

Have you tried the Silverados? L'ecole? Really...... read the list and you may surprise yourself you can enjoy something other than your usual 'preferred'. Broaden your horizons. Isn't that some of what we gain from travel?

 

 

Geez, not surprised to see the usual "Cheerleader" mentality but you need to understand that the world is full of Oenophiles that take their wine very seriously! HA does indeed have a few decent wines on their wine list (which may or may not actually be in stock) at the usual huge mark-ups. But many of us who take cruises to places where they have wonderful wine (i.e. France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and even Korcula) and like to purchase local and regional wines (not on any cruise ship wine list) and bring them back to be enjoyed with dinner. For wine lovers this is just an important part of travel. In fact, we often have shared our wine discoveries with the wine staff onboard the ship. In fact, HA even has their own excursions that visit various wineries (who hope that the visitors will purchase some of their wine).

 

We do hope that HA carefully reconsiders their new policy in light of the many wine areas visited by their ships. While limiting the amount of wine brought aboard might be a reasonable policy, a total prohibition on allowing passengers to take advantage of the local wine offerings does not make a lot of sense.

 

Hank

P.S. When HA decides to start charging for all the food served in their dining rooms we will look forward to you defending this decision too :)

[Windsailer]

And when HAL startes charging for room service.

[pris993]

I've never found a wine I like or that is reasonably priced - and I'm not that fussy.

 

We find it hard too, not just on HAL, also on Princess, Celebrity, Cunard... we have tried. Consequently we either skip it, drink beer, or bring our own and pay corking.