Drinks prices on Riviera

[vistaman]

if you want to drink some better wines on Oceania the best you can do is bring them on board and pay the 25 $ cover charge :D

[LHT28]

I had a bottle of Bud and she a screwdriver with rack vodka for 28$.

 

:eek: how much is a bottle of BUD ???

 

DH has G & T with the premium gin it is about $11 with the 18%

 

if you order a double you will pay for it ...it is a business

Edited March 25, 2014 by LHT28

[Flatbush Flyer]

Most of the restaurants we visit don't use the markup of double the retail price on wine any longer. We usually see 2.5 to 3x markup on the retail price on wine in restaurants these days.

 

 

I've encountered a few restaurants in the SF Bay Area that have overdone the markup and, after mentioning my unhappiness to whoever on the staff will listen, I also mention it in Yelp and Trip Advisor reviews. Fortunately, because SF is a food town and restaurant competition here is vicious, news travels fast and actually has an impact on practices.

 

On a somewhat related item, checkbook.org just published a price comparison for wine at SF Bay Area stores. Because it is a fee based membership, any link to the article, which I would provide will not open for you. BTW, checkbook.org is a terrific non-profit review site of all sorts of stuff and services in several major metro areas including SF, Seattle (?) and DC. Check it out.

 

At the "bottom line" in the article, you can't go wrong with Costco and Safeway for retail sales. Interestingly (for one of the earlier posters), two of the included wines were LaCrema and Santa Margarita.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ORV]

" However, when one feels they are being unreasonably gouged it is irritating. "

 

This is the problem I have with it, as said the price is the price. Whenever we ordered the wait staff always asked if we wanted a double, I had noticed how the barperson carefully measured out one shot glass of vodka for my wife's drink so I said sure. I had a bottle of Bud and she a screwdriver with rack vodka for 28$. AS some have said the price is the price if you can afford Oceania just pay, if you do not like it move on but do not question. Well for our next two upcoming trips we ARE giving Oceania a break, thanks for the advice.

 

2 words, Happy Hour. ;)

[JimandStan]

if you can afford Oceania just pay, if you do not like it move on but do not question. Well for our next two upcoming trips we ARE giving Oceania a break, thanks for the advice.

 

Yes, and if you are able to enjoy those trips, then more power to you. :D

 

As we tell friends with whom we used to sail on Holland America (as I seem to recall that you also did), some people just don't seem to notice the frayed carpets, stained upholstery, chipped veneers and cloudy drinking glasses.

 

If however, you Sail elsewhere and come to the conclusion that the Oceania experience IS worth the difference in pricing, and I know some otherwise VERY FRUGAL people who do!, then I hope that you will be candid enough to return here and Post that opinion as well.

 

Happy Travels to you!

[LHT28]

people find the darndest things to moan about :D

 

It is like everything else in life ...if you think it is too much money do not buy it whether it be drinks, excursions, spa treatments etc...

 

The cruise lines are in business to make money

 

JMO

 

Life has an expiry date enjoy it while you can

[hypercafe]

Yes, and if you are able to enjoy those trips, then more power to you. :D

 

As we tell friends with whom we used to sail on Holland America (as I seem to recall that you also did), some people just don't seem to notice the frayed carpets, stained upholstery, chipped veneers and cloudy drinking glasses.

 

If however, you Sail elsewhere and come to the conclusion that the Oceania experience IS worth the difference in pricing, and I know some otherwise VERY FRUGAL people who do!, then I hope that you will be candid enough to return here and Post that opinion as well.

 

Happy Travels to you!

 

 

I do not know why you jumped to the conclusion I am trying cheaper lines. We will spend two weeks on Crystal in June and two weeks on the new Europe2 in December. I expect the experience will be worth the difference in pricing!, and yes I will report as to how the trips went. Yes I have sailed on HAL as, I believe, you have too, what is the point?

[RJB]

Yes, and if you are able to enjoy those trips, then more power to you. :D

 

As we tell friends with whom we used to sail on Holland America (as I seem to recall that you also did), some people just don't seem to notice the frayed carpets, stained upholstery, chipped veneers and cloudy drinking glasses.

 

If however, you Sail elsewhere and come to the conclusion that the Oceania experience IS worth the difference in pricing, and I know some otherwise VERY FRUGAL people who do!, then I hope that you will be candid enough to return here and Post that opinion as well.

 

Happy Travels to you!

What gives you the idea that Oceania is the only game in town? When they start to take their customers for granted. When you start to think that way it is the beginning of the end for them. When a business gets so high and mighty that they don't have to think about their customers if could be the finish of them. Hope not since O is my favorate cruise line and I would hate to see them get in trouble.

[JimandStan]

What gives you the idea that Oceania is the only game in town? When they start to take their customers for granted. When you start to think that way it is the beginning of the end for them. When a business gets so high and mighty that they don't have to think about their customers if could be the finish of them. Hope not since O is my favorate cruise line and I would hate to see them get in trouble.

 

I'm sure that you're considered quite astute in whatever business you practice, RJB, but if you'll forgive my frankness your statements reveal a woeful lack of awareness as to how higher end Cruise Lines tend to fail.

 

What usually happens is that jaded clients, spoiled by several years (sometimes decades) of a wonderful product, rankle about the prices until the original, successful management becomes disenchanted and decides to move on to greener pastures.

 

They sell the Successful Name to a bean counter who, because he buys Vodka and Vermouth by the train-load, WILL Supply $5 Martini's in exchange for being able to pass off Cut Rate cruises as luxurious for as long as that name continues to hold cachet.

 

At first, there are multiple announcements about how nothing is changing, and that the staff is considered "extended family". Unfortunately, however, maintaining a luxurious atmosphere is more expensive than it looks, and "common sense" cuts continually water down the product, until finally it is unrecognizable.

 

This has happened to Royal Viking, Sitmar, Royal, Home Lines, Holland America, Costa and Princess.

In the end, even the mighty Cunard Line fell into the trap.

-And they were the biggest and the best for most of the last Century....

[edgee]

[size="3"

What usually happens is that jaded clients, spoiled by several years (sometimes decades) of a wonderful product, rankle about the prices until the original, successful management becomes disenchanted and decides to move on to greener pastures. They sell the Successful Name to a bean counter who, because he buys Vodka and Vermouth by the train-load, WILL Supply $5 Martini's in exchange for being able to pass off Cut Rate cruises as luxurious for as long as that name continues to hold cachet.

At first, there are multiple announcements about how nothing is changing, and that the staff is considered "extended family". Unfortunately, however, maintaining a luxurious atmosphere is more expensive than it looks, and "common sense" cuts continually water down the product, until finally it is unrecognizable.

This has happened to Royal Viking, Sitmar, Royal, Home Lines, Holland America, Costa and Princess.

In the end, even the mighty Cunard Line fell into the trap. -And they were the biggest and the best for most of the last Century...

 

 

 

Terrific point! So so true.

Edited March 25, 2014 by edgee

[writer100]

[size="3"

What usually happens is that jaded clients, spoiled by several years (sometimes decades) of a wonderful product, rankle about the prices until the original, successful management becomes disenchanted and decides to move on to greener pastures. They sell the Successful Name to a bean counter who, because he buys Vodka and Vermouth by the train-load, WILL Supply $5 Martini's in exchange for being able to pass off Cut Rate cruises as luxurious for as long as that name continues to hold cachet.

At first, there are multiple announcements about how nothing is changing, and that the staff is considered "extended family". Unfortunately, however, maintaining a luxurious atmosphere is more expensive than it looks, and "common sense" cuts continually water down the product, until finally it is unrecognizable.

This has happened to Royal Viking, Sitmar, Royal, Home Lines, Holland America, Costa and Princess.

In the end, even the mighty Cunard Line fell into the trap. -And they were the biggest and the best for most of the last Century...

 

 

 

Terrific point! So so true.[/quot Well, true, sort of. The lines weren't sold because their owners were "rankled" but because the owners were offered deals with huge profits. Or because the changing tides of the cruise market(s) were threatening to leave certain lines aground. Perhaps keening over drink prices is an exercise in futility, but surely any passenger on O has a right to air his/her opinion?

 

Two quick points. First, my problem with the alcohol on O has little to do with the price, and much to with the bartenders who never heard of a Hemingway daiquiri or a Bramble. Literally, never heard of either drink--in Horizons, or Martini's, or the Casino Bar. That may seem esoteric or merely unreasonable, but those are fairly standard drinks for a bartender in any upscale restaurant.

Second, O is involved in an IPO. Based on your historical analysis, should we presume a decline in the brand is inevitable?

Let me also add that I, like many others, relied on your insights and exhaustive knowledge to help us fully enjoy our first cruise on O, and those that have followed.

[RJB]

I'm sure that you're considered quite astute in whatever business you practice, RJB, but if you'll forgive my frankness your statements reveal a woeful lack of awareness as to how higher end Cruise Lines tend to fail.

 

What usually happens is that jaded clients, spoiled by several years (sometimes decades) of a wonderful product, rankle about the prices until the original, successful management becomes disenchanted and decides to move on to greener pastures.

 

They sell the Successful Name to a bean counter who, because he buys Vodka and Vermouth by the train-load, WILL Supply $5 Martini's in exchange for being able to pass off Cut Rate cruises as luxurious for as long as that name continues to hold cachet.

 

At first, there are multiple announcements about how nothing is changing, and that the staff is considered "extended family". Unfortunately, however, maintaining a luxurious atmosphere is more expensive than it looks, and "common sense" cuts continually water down the product, until finally it is unrecognizable.

 

This has happened to Royal Viking, Sitmar, Royal, Home Lines, Holland America, Costa and Princess.

In the end, even the mighty Cunard Line fell into the trap.

-And they were the biggest and the best for most of the last Century....

Boy, What a load of words that mean nothing. It is how businesses will fail. Including higher end cruise lines. O could be going down the same road as these examples you talk about. Loose touch with your customers and that will be the end.

[barcrab]

I do not think anyone is asking for a 5$ martini...just a good drink at a listed price that is commensurate with average upscale restaurants. One should not have to order "doubles" on a so called luxury cruise line. The wine offerings "by the glass" should be broader in my opinion and not based solely on profit from the Oceania package buyers. Cocktails and wine in general should be a non issue with prices that are not eye pop expensive or inexpensive.

 

"Pay me now or pay me later" is not what I would expect from Oceania.

[LHT28]

A standard shot is usually 1oz or 1.5oz depending on where you live

 

If the bartender is measuring using the shot glass I do not see what the problem is

You know upfront the cost of the drink & how much alcohol is served

 

The drinks are not free poured like people do at home or maybe your favourite bartender gives you an extra shot because you go there a lot

 

Some people have a higher tolerance for alcohol in the drink so 1 oz will seem weak to them

I know people that will pour 3-4 oz of vodka in the drink but that is not what a bar will usually give you for the price of a single

 

If the cruise is all inclusive they might just give you a larger serving :cool:

 

YMMV

[Glome]

Are you allowed to bring your own bottle of wine... Or 10?

[JimandStan]

Are you allowed to bring your own bottle of wine... Or 10?

 

Yes, and yes, as much as you care to take onboard as long as it is for consumption in your cabin.

 

If you'd care to bring outside Wine into the Dining Rooms and/or Restaurants, there is a corkage fee of $25 per bottle.

[Mura]

Yes and yes. For consumption in your room.

 

Otherwise there is a corkage fee charged when the bottle is opened.

 

Mura

[oldpharmguy]

Yes, and yes, as much as you care to take onboard as long as it is for consumption in your cabin.

 

If you'd care to bring outside Wine into the Dining Rooms and/or Restaurants, there is a corkage fee of $25 per bottle.

 

Is the $25 for a 750 ml and 1500 ml bottle?

[forevertravel]

How about beer. Can beer be brought onboard to be consumed in the cabin? We are Regent travelers and used to have a refrigerator filled with beer, soft drinks and water. My husband enjoys reading out in the balcony or cabin and having a beer while doing that. I know you can bring wine and liquor but I don't know about beer. Thanks.

[LHT28]

How about beer. Can beer be brought onboard to be consumed in the cabin? We are Regent travelers and used to have a refrigerator filled with beer, soft drinks and water. My husband enjoys reading out in the balcony or cabin and having a beer while doing that. I know you can bring wine and liquor but I don't know about beer. Thanks.

 

you can bring Beer as long as you drink it in your cabin

[LHT28]

Is the $25 for a 750 ml and 1500 ml bottle?

 

probably

[las313]

Curious - I am diabetic. Are any of the drinks or sodas sugar free? Are there any sugar free drinks available?

[las313]

Are any sugar free drinks or sodas available on the Regatta? I am a diabetic.

[ORV]

Are any sugar free drinks or sodas available on the Regatta? I am a diabetic.

 

Absolutely, if you have a special one that you like have your TA request that it be stocked in your frig for you.

[JimandStan]

Is the $25 for a 750 ml and 1500 ml bottle?

 

Size does not matter-

 

That is not a sentence that I ever expected to be typing on Cruise Critic :rolleyes: