rkacruiser Posted February 17, 2014 #26 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I thought Cunard's wine prices were high. Fortunately we can take it or leave it - well, I have to admit I would rather take it. DW has to limit alcohol due to various medications, so we may order a glass now and then instead of sending the bottle away to be kept for the next dinner. Is there anything decent served by the glass? Decent by the glass: Yes, if it is available. Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted February 17, 2014 #27 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I thought Cunard's wine prices were high. Fortunately we can take it or leave it - well, I have to admit I would rather take it. DW has to limit alcohol due to various medications, so we may order a glass now and then instead of sending the bottle away to be kept for the next dinner. Is there anything decent served by the glass? Guess that would depend on your personal definition of "decent." We would say they do have some "drinkable" wines by the glass, but nothing we would buy when at home :) Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campisfortis Posted February 19, 2014 #28 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thank-you for the updated list. By my math, with a three star 25% discount means a seven bottle Navigator package costs about $25 a bottle. You know we always complain about the stuff on the ship which seems to be over-priced, it is just human nature, but then you get upset, and it is not good to be upset on vacation, or even while planning one. So I have a suggestion, next time you get annoyed that HAL is charging a 300% markup (or whatever) on your favorite wine. Think about one thing we get from HAL at no extra charge - maybe the twenty-four hour room service, ocean views, entertainment you can walk to, or walk away from. And most of all, remember the pure joy of being on a ship at sea, a ship which looks and feels like a ship, a ship on which you can experience the limitless expanse of sea and sky, hear the waves, feel the breeze, the gentle rocking of the waves, and surrender to the age-old human yearning for the sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda&Vern Posted February 19, 2014 #29 Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) Thank-you for the updated list. By my math, with a three star 25% discount means a seven bottle Navigator package costs about $25 a bottle. You know we always complain about the stuff on the ship which seems to be over-priced, it is just human nature, but then you get upset, and it is not good to be upset on vacation, or even while planning one. So I have a suggestion, next time you get annoyed that HAL is charging a 300% markup (or whatever) on your favorite wine. Think about one thing we get from HAL at no extra charge - maybe the twenty-four hour room service, ocean views, entertainment you can walk to, or walk away from. And most of all, remember the pure joy of being on a ship at sea, a ship which looks and feels like a ship, a ship on which you can experience the limitless expanse of sea and sky, hear the waves, feel the breeze, the gentle rocking of the waves, and surrender to the age-old human yearning for the sea. Very nice post. Thank you. Today I paid $2.40 for a glass of diet coke at a chain deli. All I kept thinking was I could have gotten this cheaper on HAL. :D Edited February 19, 2014 by Linda&Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaBands Posted February 19, 2014 Author #30 Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) a 50% discount on bottles in the dining room? Not just wine packages that have some losers in it. Edited February 19, 2014 by SeaBands deleted duplicate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaBands Posted February 19, 2014 Author #31 Share Posted February 19, 2014 a 50% discount on bottles in the dining room? Not just wine packages that have some losers in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted February 19, 2014 #32 Share Posted February 19, 2014 a 50% discount on bottles in the dining room? Not just wine packages that have some losers in it. Fine with me! Even 25% would get my attention and dollars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare david,Mississauga Posted February 19, 2014 #33 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Guess that would depend on your personal definition of "decent." We would say they do have some "drinkable" wines by the glass, but nothing we would buy when at home :) Hank Yes, I think "drinkable" was the word I should have used. I would define that as something that doesn't make me gag or wish I had ordered ginger ale. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted February 19, 2014 #34 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Just off the Noordam on Monday and the implementation of the new wine policy. I bought a 5 bottle Navigator package for 85.50 with my 50% 4 star discount. $17.10 plus 15% gratuity. Per bottle. I went to the tasting and found a bottle that I liked. Came home with two - didn't want to leave them behind! The employee stationed at the "liquor table" at the gangway was collecting a lot of wine. They had a sign on the table stating the $18 corkage fee per bottle and I guess passengers weren't too happy. There were multiple bottles left to be stored until the last night of the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ON cruiser Posted February 19, 2014 #35 Share Posted February 19, 2014 In reply to an earlier post, indeed, there are some " losers" on the navigator and admiral packages...yet the Cellar Master ( aka, Sommelier) will usually help find other wines of equivalent value if he has any. We have had all the Admiral package wines--some we like, some we like less, that we usually ask if we can trade, and the answer is usually " of course" . Just ask the Sommelier, not necessarily the wine waiter. As 4 star mariners, we appreciate this flexibility from the Sommelier, so we get to try newer wine ( different stuff) and use the applicable discount. Cheers, smooth seas and thanks, KK, for the new list. Am sorry to see that the price for Chivas has increased...may have to switch to Martinis, and pursuade my wife to "trade down" to Finlandia from Chopin...as you said, it's 2 for 1, after all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windsailer Posted February 20, 2014 #36 Share Posted February 20, 2014 You know we always complain about the stuff on the ship which seems to be over-priced, it is just human nature, but then you get upset, and it is not good to be upset on vacation, or even while planning one. So I have a suggestion, next time you get annoyed that HAL is charging a 300% markup (or whatever) on your favorite wine. Think about one thing we get from HAL at no extra charge - maybe the twenty-four hour room service, ocean views, entertainment you can walk to, or walk away from. . Actually HAL's markup is more than 300% but I don't let it bother me. I'm not annoyed. Quite happy to bring my favorite wine onboard (MUCH better than adequate or just "drinkable") and pay the corkage fee. But if HAL had a decently priced wine list (like Celebrity) they would get more of my money. Their choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda&Vern Posted February 20, 2014 #37 Share Posted February 20, 2014 (edited) Actually HAL's markup is more than 300% but I don't let it bother me. I'm not annoyed. Quite happy to bring my favorite wine onboard (MUCH better than adequate or just "drinkable") and pay the corkage fee. But if HAL had a decently priced wine list (like Celebrity) they would get more of my money. Their choice. I'm not doubting your opinion. But do you have a copy of this famous Celebrity list of decently priced wine? I ask because although many have mentioned it, no one seems to have a copy. Just curious what's on it, that's all. Edited February 20, 2014 by Linda&Vern Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted February 20, 2014 #38 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I'm not doubting your opinion. But do you have a copy of this famous Celebrity list of decently priced wine? I ask because although many have mentioned it, no one seems to have a copy. Just curious what's on it, that's all. I do not carry around a copy of Celebrity's or HAL's wine lists, but we do cruise both lines quite often (4 Star Mariners with HAL and Elite Plus with Celebrity) and will verify that Celebrity does have a wine list that is far superior to what we have on HAL. As to prices, neither line is great, but Celebrity does seem to have some better choices in the medium ($30 -$40) price range. One interesting facet of HAL are the Navigator and Admiral Packages, which are a great interest to many 3,4 and 5 star cruisers because of the discounts. But HAL has padded these packages with very low cost wines (we think some would cost HAL less then $4 per bottle since they can avoid paying most taxes) for the express reason that the packages are designed to be sold at a great discount and still generate a healthy profit. We would love to see the same discounts applied to the entire wine list...but we know that will never happen. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windsailer Posted February 20, 2014 #39 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I'm not doubting your opinion. But do you have a copy of this famous Celebrity list of decently priced wine? I ask because although many have mentioned it, no one seems to have a copy. Just curious what's on it, that's all. I found it a few months ago on the Celebrity forum - when I was looking into the wine prices on various cruise lines. Once the search function is back you can do a search for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julia Posted February 20, 2014 #40 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I'm not doubting your opinion. But do you have a copy of this famous Celebrity list of decently priced wine? I ask because although many have mentioned it, no one seems to have a copy. Just curious what's on it, that's all. We love Celebrity's beverage packages, which include MANY choices of wines by the glass. While the list below doesn't show the bottle price, I can attest that they are much better than the stiff prices listed above (thank you, KK). On a recent European "wine immersion cruise" we enjoyed several great vintages from France and Spain, and all were in the classic beverage package (which was included in our cruise fare). Below is a direct copy from Celebrity's website of their wine packages... their actual wine lists are even more extensive. Onboard Wine Collection We recently added over 100 new wines by the bottle, including 20 new half bottle selections, so our extensive wine collection now features over 500 choices. Every major wine-producing region is represented including more wines from South America, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Portugal and South Africa. We've also expanded our wine-by-the-glass selections from 25 to 38 choices, and many of these are included as part of our Classic Beverage Package or Premium Beverage Package. The new Reserve List contains hand-picked selections of our best wines from the Specialty Wine Lists found in our Main Restaurant and Blu. Wine Packages (Premium) Celebrity Cruises proudly partners with the following brands to offer you, our guests, greater pleasure and value: Sparkling Wines Domaine Carneros, by Taittinger, California White Wines Chardonnay, Cambria, Katherine's Vineyard, Santa Barbara Chardonnay, Zuccardi, Q, Mendoza Pinot Grigio, Bertani, Veneto Sancerre, Michel Redde, France Sauvignon Blanc, Villa Maria, Private Bin, New Zealand Albariño, Paco and Lola, Rais Baixas Riesling, Pacific Rim, Wallula Vineyard, Washington Pinot Gris, King Estate, Oregon Grüner Veltliner, Estoras, Austria Rose Whispering Angel, Provence, France Red Wines Malbec, Pascael Toso, Reserve, Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosemount, Show Reserve, Mudgee, Australia Cabernet Sauvignon, Nelms Road, Washington Pinot Noir, Whitehaven, Marlborough, New Zealand Prima Voce, Tuscany, Italy Shiraz, Wolf Blass, Gold Label, South Australia Miguel Torres "Coridllera", Chile Merlot, Raymond, Reserve, Napa Valley Grenache, d'Arenburg, "The Custodian", Barossa Valley Pinot Noir, Joseph Drouhin, Vero, France Zinfandel, St. Francis, Sonoma Zinfandel, Kunde Estate, California Wine Packages (Classic) Celebrity Cruises proudly partners with the following brands to offer you excellence and value: Sparkling Wine Bouvet Signature, France White Wines Chardonnay, Penfolds, Koonunga Hill, Australia Vouvray, Michel Picard,Loire, France Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Horse Heaven Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Murphy Goode, California Chardonnay, Santa Ema, "Select Terroir", Chile Riesling, S.A. Prum, "Essence", Germany Pinot Grigio, Fantinel, Borgo Tesis, Italy Rose Wines Gaga Rose, by Kendall-Jackson, California White Zinfandel, Beringer, California Red Wines Malbec, Luigi Bosca, "La Linda", Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon, Beringer, Founder's Estates, California Pinot Noir, Matua, New Zealand Garnacha, Altovinum, "Evodia", Spain Zinfandel, Renwood, Sierra Foothills, California Tempranillo, Condesa de Laganza, Spain Syrah , Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Crest "H3" Horse Heaven, Washington Merlot, Sebastiani, California Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted February 20, 2014 #41 Share Posted February 20, 2014 (edited) I'm not doubting your opinion. But do you have a copy of this famous Celebrity list of decently priced wine? I ask because although many have mentioned it, no one seems to have a copy. Just curious what's on it, that's all. I think the word "famous" is certainly an overstatement and doing folks who are just trying to express their opinion a disservice. Celebrity does seem to often make changes to their basic wine list and they also have a more extensive wine list plus many additional wines in all price ranges available in their special wine rooms (on the S-Class ships) where anyone can choose from dozens of wines by the glass in various sizes (they are dispensed by automatic machines. But here is link to the "basic" wine list with prices: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1814677 What we find notable on Celebrity is there decent medium priced selection in the $25-$40 price range. For those who enjoy "fine wines" there are many offerings (some for hundreds of dollars per bottle) that do not show on the basic list. Hank Edited February 20, 2014 by Hlitner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 20, 2014 #42 Share Posted February 20, 2014 KK - Just want some clarification:The list you posted is the pre-order list from Indulgences not the wine list on the ship - correct? Correct Sorry I didn't get back to this thread sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted February 20, 2014 #43 Share Posted February 20, 2014 FWIW, I am on board Ryndam right now. Here is the regular wine list as offered in the bars: Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmusic Posted February 20, 2014 #44 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Think about one thing we get from HAL at no extra charge - maybe the twenty-four hour room service, ocean views, entertainment you can walk to, or walk away from. Last time I checked, these 'no extra charge' items came as part of the cost of the cruise fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baytraller Posted February 20, 2014 #45 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Thank you Retired Mustang photo of wine list great As we have not sailed on HAL (have 2 cruises booked on the Prinsendam) When you purchase a bottle in one of the bars, if you only drink half a bottle what happens Are you able to take the wine to the MDR or a different bar There are various sizes for a glass of wine (how many glasses to the bottle) Also notice the cost for water is there no free water at bars and the MDR 15% added for each glass or bottle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted February 21, 2014 #46 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thank you Retired Mustang photo of wine list great As we have not sailed on HAL (have 2 cruises booked on the Prinsendam) When you purchase a bottle in one of the bars, if you only drink half a bottle what happens Are you able to take the wine to the MDR or a different bar There are various sizes for a glass of wine (how many glasses to the bottle) Also notice the cost for water is there no free water at bars and the MDR 15% added for each glass or bottle You can take your unfinished wine with you, or the wine steward will store it for the next night. Regardless of the size of the wine glass, you *should* get 5 glasses per bottle. (We own some Riedel Burgundy & Bordeaux glasses. They'd hold almost a whole bottle, but you still only fill them with a 5 oz pour.) The exception is dessert wines, which typically have a 3 oz serving. Water is free everywhere, but *bottled* water is a chargeable item. Hope this helps. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baytraller Posted February 21, 2014 #47 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks POA1 Certainly lowers the cost of wine if you are able to buy by the bottle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted February 21, 2014 #48 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks POA1 Certainly lowers the cost of wine if you are able to buy by the bottle Retired Mustang (Dave) posted the wine package lists in his Live from the Ryndam thread. Your cost per bottle is lowest with the packages. I looked all those wines up in Wine Spectator & Wine Advocate. They are pretty much all in the Good to Very Good range. The reds are a bit better in the Admiral's package. The whites are kind of a pick em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baytraller Posted February 21, 2014 #49 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Will check the wine packages out when onboard The 15% service charge is included in the packages What about if you purchase by the glass or bottle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted February 21, 2014 #50 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Will check the wine packages out when onboard The 15% service charge is included in the packages What about if you purchase by the glass or bottle Same 15%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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