Celebrity Self-Serve Wine?? Mechanics/Details?

[TLCOhio]

From USA Today yesterday, they have this headline: "Cruises go self-serve with wine, beer" with these highlights: "At home, you want a beer or a glass of wine you help yourself. Cruise lines are increasingly adapting a similar style. Self-serve is becoming the rage. Celebrity Cruises started the trend in a rather elegant way, with Italian-made 'enomatic' wine dispensers installed in the Cellar Masters wine bar on CelebritySolstice, featuring fine wines from around the world. The idea was that cruise passengers can try a sampling whenever they want – just a 1-ounce taste in up to a 5-ounce glass – by swiping their shipboard spending card at the fancy dispensary machines. Only cards coded for those 21 and older will work on the self-serve machines. The machines can now be found on nearly every Celebrity ship. Recently, Norwegian quietly added wine dispensers to its fleet, starting with the Norwegian Breakaway, which debuted in the spring. They will also be found on the Norwegian Getaway, which debuts from Miami in January."

 

Don't know how much in this story is . . . reality . . . versus . . . media hype?? When last on the Solstice in June 2011, the did not have the Cellar Masters feature. We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, Sydney to Auckland/NZ doing 14 days on this ship.

 

Am also reading on these boards about some potential Celebrity VIP program and/or use of this area of the ship as a reward for Suite occupants, etc. Any guesses or predictions for how this will come together?? Then, there is the 1-2-3-Go program for free drinks, etc. As I understand currently, that will not apply in Michael's Club with the wine dispensers. BUT, will it change and/or be modified?

 

Full story at:

http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/article/cruises-go-self-serve-with-wine-beer/2642325/

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at over 9,541 views for this shorter version of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

[RickT]

I've been on a couple of X ships with the Enomatic wine dispenser and it has it's pluses and minus.

 

On the plus size it increases the number of wines you can purchase by the glass and in what size. Based on our most recent cruise it also included a number of wines that didn't even appear on the current wine list. We tried a couple and wound up having the Wine Cellar send a bottle to the dining room so we can have one with dinner. It also allows you to browse the various wines without having someone hovering over you or pushing the wine of the day on you.

 

On the minus size it isn't conducive to creating a social atmosphere, most people come in, browse the wines, grab a glass and either sit with their friends or head elsewhere on the ship. Ships with a true wine bar often find people mingling and chatting about the wines. Also, while you can buy a small glass (2oz is the smallest I think) you don't really have the ability to have the wine steward give you a quick taste to see if you want to buy it.

 

With the number of people on the alcohol package it will probably further hurt this as the Enomatic dispenser is not part of the program.

[Charles4515]

From USA Today yesterday, they have this headline: "Cruises go self-serve with wine, beer" with these highlights: "At home, you want a beer or a glass of wine you help yourself. Cruise lines are increasingly adapting a similar style. Self-serve is becoming the rage. Celebrity Cruises started the trend in a rather elegant way, with Italian-made 'enomatic' wine dispensers installed in the Cellar Masters wine bar on CelebritySolstice, featuring fine wines from around the world. The idea was that cruise passengers can try a sampling whenever they want – just a 1-ounce taste in up to a 5-ounce glass – by swiping their shipboard spending card at the fancy dispensary machines. Only cards coded for those 21 and older will work on the self-serve machines. The machines can now be found on nearly every Celebrity ship. Recently, Norwegian quietly added wine dispensers to its fleet, starting with the Norwegian Breakaway, which debuted in the spring. They will also be found on the Norwegian Getaway, which debuts from Miami in January."

 

Don't know how much in this story is . . . reality . . . versus . . . media hype?? When last on the Solstice in June 2011, the did not have the Cellar Masters feature. We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, Sydney to Auckland/NZ doing 14 days on this ship.

 

Am also reading on these boards about some potential Celebrity VIP program and/or use of this area of the ship as a reward for Suite occupants, etc. Any guesses or predictions for how this will come together?? Then, there is the 1-2-3-Go program for free drinks, etc. As I understand currently, that will not apply in Michael's Club with the wine dispensers. BUT, will it change and/or be modified?

 

Full story at:

http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/article/cruises-go-self-serve-with-wine-beer/2642325/

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at over 9,541 views for this shorter version of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

 

I have seen those dispensers and never used them or seen anyone using them. So I would say it is hype.

[wallie5446]

We used them back in 2007 on the RCCL Mariner and saw them again in 2011 on the Freedom. We also have one at home called a Sky Bar. Keeps a bottle like just opened for a couple of days. Only problem is a pour from them is not covered by any of the beverage pkg's, so we will not try the wines in them on the Reflection in Nov.

[Lsimon]

They've had these on all of the S class ships, in the Cellar Masters wine bar, since the ships were first introduced. So if you missed it in 2011 you just didn't get to that lounge on the ship. The machines have also been added to all of the M class ships as they converted part of the original martini bars to Cellarmasters lounges as part of the Solsticization program.

 

We've usually found Cellarmasters pretty quiet and don't see a lot of use of the machines. Our initial try of the Enomatic machines was on the Constellation after it was Solsticized in 2011 and we were not impressed. We "tested" the machines by trying a taste sample of a very nice chardonnay that we had a bottle of the prior evening in a specialty restaurant but the wine from the enomatic machine was stale! Still, we know other cruisers who've tried the machines more recently and have had nice results.

 

On some of the ships you need to buy a prepaid card which is only useable in the machines and on other ships you can just use your sea pass card in the machines. I think the difference is newer technology allowing the use of sea pass cards in installations done in the past couple of years.

 

Interesting technology and perhaps worth a look and maybe be a try. But I think that referring to these machines as "becoming the rage" is pure media hype and stretching things more than a little.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Lsimon

[coldweathergirl]

When we sailed on the Millennium in January, we would frequently meet friends in Cellar Masters. Chat up the sommelier there early in the cruise as they often have deals on the wine card that you have to buy for the machines. We got several glasses of wine comped plus quite a few extra dollar value on the card we bought.

 

It is handy if you want to sample a new wine that is quite expensive as you can get one ounce pours. The wines that are in the machines are often the types that passengers request be in them and on that cruise there were a lot of inexpensive wines that I didn't care for. If you don't like what the offerings are, mention to the sommelier and they will often put your request in the next time that they change the bottle.

 

We often found Cellar Masters to have quite a few people socializing before dinner on the last couple of cruises that we took since it was right beside the entrance to the MDR and close to Blu. If we had to wait for a table in Blu, we would just go back there for a glass of wine.

[debkaysmith]

We love the machines in Cellar Masters. I truly enjoy being able to get just a smidge of wine and sample it before I get my full pour. Or I can try a dozen smidges if I choose. My daughter and I enjoyed sampling all the different varieties onboard Infinity this past summer. It was a good introduction to the world of wine for her.

[bighairtexan]

I was on both the Solstice and the Eclipse in 2011 and they each had the machines. Not very busy in CellarMasters on either ship whenever I passed. In fact usually it was deserted.

[Honeybearhollow]

How much does this cost? Exactly how does it work>

[The_Big_M]

You swipe your card, choose a size and variety, and the machine will dispense it.

 

Pricing is generally higher than the traditional selection.

[MicCanberra]

How much does this cost? Exactly how does it work>

 

The wine ranges in price some are around $8 per glass, but you can buy tastings. Note: these are not included in the beverage packages.:D

[Lovemychoos]

We love the machines in Cellar Masters. I truly enjoy being able to get just a smidge of wine and sample it before I get my full pour. Or I can try a dozen smidges if I choose. My daughter and I enjoyed sampling all the different varieties onboard Infinity this past summer. It was a good introduction to the world of wine for her.

 

 

We love Cellar Masters too! Before we discovered the bev packages, we bought a pre-paid card, from memory on the $100 card they gave you 15% extra free, and I tried many wines I would never have if I'd been buying by the full glass.

 

Even though we have the packages now, we still go there quite a lot before dinner, as their wine list by the glass is good, and they are always willing to find you something different if you fancy it which is included in your package.

 

Lou

[Lsimon]

How much does this cost? Exactly how does it work>

 

The price is different for every bottle of wine and there are three prices listed for every bottle for three different size pours: from a small taste to a large pour. You put a glass under the spout for a given wine, put your card into the machine, then hit the button for the size pour you want to purchase for a given wine and it dispenses it.

 

On some ships you have to purchase a prepaid card for the machines but on other ships you can use your sea pass card. I think the difference is that the card reading technology changed as they were implementing these. On the ships where you have to buy a card they often have "specials" where you get an extra percentage for purchasing a card with a certain amount - for example they might say buy a $50 card and get an extra 10% added to the value.

 

Friends of ours on our last cruise went to a tasting/demonstration event about the machines that had a $25/pp fee but in addition to the tasting they got a $25 card at the end. They also found out that if there is a small amount left on the card as it is almost used up that the machines will give you a pour worth that remaining amount to clear out the card.

 

[MicCanberra]

The price is different for every bottle of wine and there are three prices listed for every bottle for three different size pours: from a small taste to a large pour. You put a glass under the spout for a given wine, put your card into the machine, then hit the button for the size pour you want to purchase for a given wine and it dispenses it.

 

On some ships you have to purchase a prepaid card for the machines but on other ships you can use your sea pass card. I think the difference is that the card reading technology changed as they were implementing these. On the ships where you have to buy a card they often have "specials" where you get an extra percentage for purchasing a card with a certain amount - for example they might say buy a $50 card and get an extra 10% added to the value.

 

Friends of ours on our last cruise went to a tasting/demonstration event about the machines that had a $25/pp fee but in addition to the tasting they got a $25 card at the end. They also found out that if there is a small amount left on the card as it is almost used up that the machines will give you a pour worth that remaining amount to clear out the card.

 

Thanks larry, great information and pictures yet again.:D

[TLCOhio]

Thanks larry, great information and pictures yet again.:D

 

Appreciate the info and pictures from Larry and others. YES!! Very helpful and interesting. Not sure for in early 2014 when on the Solstice between Sydney and Auckland, how much "extra" we want to spend for this option. BUT, I'll see how the value of the dollar helps us when doing oru pre-cruise activities, etc. Might do a few times on our 14-day cruise.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 139,199 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[dolittle]

I have seen those dispensers and never used them or seen anyone using them. So I would say it is hype.

That is my experience it is a good idea but I think most people are wary of using them .Every time we have been near them no one and I mean no one uses them. I think it would help if they had some one demonstrate how it works when there is a big crowd around ,maybe people would go for it on there own. I think Carnival is also trying these.

[vjh]

Does anyone know if they are on the Century?

[MicCanberra]

Does anyone know if they are on the Century?

I am not sure but as they are normally in the Cellar Masters, I would think not.

[The_Big_M]

That is my experience it is a good idea but I think most people are wary of using them .Every time we have been near them no one and I mean no one uses them. I think it would help if they had some one demonstrate how it works when there is a big crowd around ,maybe people would go for it on there own. I think Carnival is also trying these.

 

Wouldn't say they're hype as they work as advertised. But agreed that my experience is they don't get a lot of use.

[MicCanberra]

While I have a drink package, I would not bother to use them. I have paid for my cruise with drinks but why pay extra and do something yourself if they have staff around to do it for you.:D

[The_Big_M]

Just like they have premium drinks outside the classic package, and then drinks further outside the premium package, it gives you a greater range of choices. Some don't like the limits inside the packages, or just want to try one of the different ones. :D

[MicCanberra]

True, the Riedel glass wine tasting, scotch tasting and the cahampagne tasting that can be experienced are all extras outside of any package.:D

[cherdon]

When we were on the Solstice in Feb. we didn't see many people use the machines. We noticed empty bottles that didn't get replaced. I think if the staff rotated what was in the machine they would get more passengers to go in and have a "wine tasting" We liked Cellar Masters and the two staff we got to know. We would get a glass of wine on our way to dinner. They had nice Riedel glasses that they poured in. If you left to go to the dining room they poured what was left of your wine into a standard wine glass. I wish they would use the Riedel in the dining room.

[Charles4515]

When we were on the Solstice in Feb. we didn't see many people use the machines. We noticed empty bottles that didn't get replaced. I think if the staff rotated what was in the machine they would get more passengers to go in and have a "wine tasting" We liked Cellar Masters and the two staff we got to know. We would get a glass of wine on our way to dinner. They had nice Riedel glasses that they poured in. If you left to go to the dining room they poured what was left of your wine into a standard wine glass. I wish they would use the Riedel in the dining room.

 

Several evenings on a Celebrity Bermuda sailing one of my friends purchased an expensive bottle of wine in the dining room. They brought us the Riedel glasses for those bottles.

[KMooney929]

When we sailed on the Millennium in January, we would frequently meet friends in Cellar Masters. Chat up the sommelier there early in the cruise as they often have deals on the wine card that you have to buy for the machines. We got several glasses of wine comped plus quite a few extra dollar value on the card we bought.

 

It is handy if you want to sample a new wine that is quite expensive as you can get one ounce pours. The wines that are in the machines are often the types that passengers request be in them and on that cruise there were a lot of inexpensive wines that I didn't care for. If you don't like what the offerings are, mention to the sommelier and they will often put your request in the next time that they change the bottle.

 

We often found Cellar Masters to have quite a few people socializing before dinner on the last couple of cruises that we took since it was right beside the entrance to the MDR and close to Blu. If we had to wait for a table in Blu, we would just go back there for a glass of wine.

 

We were on the Millie last January too and loved the Cellar Masters. We were there every night before dinner and so enjoyed it. On the Mille, the CM was an open room passageway where you walked from one area of the ship to another and was right before the MDR. It was great to have your glass of wine and watch the passing parade of folks. The wines were reasonable and a fairly good assortment. Now, on the Solstice last May for the Alaskan Inside Passage cruise, we checked the wines and prices as soon as we got on board. They were comparable to what we experienced on the Millie. But, after we sailed and we went for our first glass of wine before dinner, we found the wines the same but the prices had doubled and sometimes tripled!!!!!! $58.00 for a glass of wine should be a pretty special glass of wine in my book. These wines did of warrant these prices. Consequently, no one was in the CM the entire cruise. Plus on the Solstice, the CM is in a separate room cut off from the flow of traffic.

 

We'll be sailing again this January on the Solstice. It will be interesting to see if the prices are still astronomical.