Oh no....it's that wine poicy again!

[Boytjie]

I'm asking for others experiences so I can gauge whether the policy is actively enforced.

 

The best you will get here is anecdotal evidence which may not accurately reflect what actually happens.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Boytjie

[Beejay4016]

When HAL first announced their new wine policy, this board erupted.

HAL relented and they revised it. Everyone said they thought it more fair and they seemed to accept HAL's now policy as reasonable.

 

So, what do people do?

They plan how to sneak around the revised policy.

I really don't mind saying I don't like that.

Of course, no one cares what I like or not and certainly it will influence no one but

it just isn't right. Everyone suffers for the lack of responsibility of some, IMO.

 

I would not blame HAL were they to revert to their originally announced policy and

ban people bringing any wine aboard in ports along the way.

So many things have changed on the ship that impacts all of us though it was only

some of us who caused the changes.

 

Is there no honor, morality, sense of what is right and wrong in society anymore?

Are none/few of us to be trusted?

Can you expect anyone to be honest anymore?

Just thinkin'

 

 

 

Another time when I wish there was a "Like" button. Well said.

[LindaM]

I kind of look at it like going to a movie theater. You are not allowed to take your own snacks and drinks inside, but are required to purchase theirs. Popcorn and 2 drinks cost more than the senior admission fee. But they are trying to make money. Sure, you can sneak stuff in, but it requires carrying a larger purse, big coat pockets, etc. Same thing if you go to a ball game at a major league park - no carrying stuff in. HAL is just ensuring that we will purchase their products, or pay the corkage to bring our own. One doesn't carry a glass of iced tea into Chili's to go with their burger, they pay $2.50 for it to Chili's - a huge markup. Same as HAL's huge markups for wine. Those that want their own brands of wine can bring it on and pay the corkage, just like most restaurants allow. We bought a bottle of wine in Santorini last year and gladly paid the corkage to enjoy it with our dinner as a special memory of our day.

 

I like your thinking and perspective. I believe the issue is that change is difficult. We were used to doing things one way, and now we can't. It took me months, but I have accepted it. To me, in the scheme of things, saving $18 by sneaking in a bottle of wine isn't worth it, after paying thousands for the cruise. I still maintain those who brought in cases of wine spoiled it for the rest of us, and that was backed up by a hotel manager.

 

FYI, in Detroit, we are allowed to bring unopened water into the BallPark. We can also bring in snacks, ie peanuts, sandwiches etc. We pay $ 8-9 for a beer---and pay it without blinking an eye. Watching others, they buy lots of beer, and pop/water for $4.50. I just try not to think about it....like I will do if I bring wine onboard and pay a corkage.

[eandj]

. One doesn't carry a glass of iced tea into Chili's to go with their burger, they pay $2.50 for it to Chili's - a huge markup. Same as HAL's huge markups for wine. .

 

 

Not exactly an accurate comparison. :rolleyes: When one enters a Chili's and pays for a beer or coke, it is basically the same price at the similar chain restaurants nearby. If you went next door to BW3,TGIF ,Ruby Tues.,etc. and had to pay $8.00 for that same iced tea, wouldn't you wonder...What the heck? Now that's how HAL is appearing to me and obviously lots of others.

 

What HAL has done is price their wine soooo far over the comparable cruise lines that it can't be ignored. Why would they do that?

Edited July 11, 2014 by eandj

[Cruzin Terri]

 

What HAL has done is price their wine soooo far over the comparable cruise lines that it can't be ignored. Why would they do that?

 

It's greed--certainly not a question of morality.

 

Another thing to consider is that HAL allows one free bottle at embarkation regardless of the length of the cruise. Therefore those taking a seven day cruise are allowed one free bottle and those taking the world cruise of 114 days are also only allowed one free bottle. Go figure.

Is this fair or ludicrous? BTW I am not on the World Cruise so I don't have a dog in this fight.

[Boytjie]

It's greed--certainly not a question of morality.

 

Where does one draw the line between not moral and capitalism? ;)

[Surreyman]

Is this fair or ludicrous? BTW I am not on the World Cruise so I don't have a dog in this fight.

 

News just in - life isn't fair.

[PathfinderEss]

When HAL first announced their new wine policy, this board erupted.

HAL relented and they revised it. Everyone said they thought it more fair and they seemed to accept HAL's now policy as reasonable.

 

So, what do people do?

They plan how to sneak around the revised policy.

I really don't mind saying I don't like that.

Of course, no one cares what I like or not and certainly it will influence no one but

it just isn't right. Everyone suffers for the lack of responsibility of some, IMO.

 

I would not blame HAL were they to revert to their originally announced policy and

ban people bringing any wine aboard in ports along the way.

So many things have changed on the ship that impacts all of us though it was only

some of us who caused the changes.

 

Is there no honor, morality, sense of what is right and wrong in society anymore?

Are none/few of us to be trusted?

Can you expect anyone to be honest anymore?

Just thinkin'

 

 

Very well said Sails.

Isn't that what is wrong in this country - there is no honor or morality.

If we can afford to cruise, can't we afford to pay wine corkage fees or has this just become a game for some people.

Yes Hal is expensive on their wine's. We pay about 14 dollars for one we like and Hal charges 44 dollars for the same wine, so we end up drinking less.

[TiogaCruiser]

What gets me is that HAL's price for the wine they want their cruisers to purchase is SOOO overpriced that they are almost asking for their cruisers to try to sneak a few extra onboard. Or expecting them to figure out where to pick up bottles at the port and how to carry on the 6 bottles they will want. :rolleyes: A Beringer White Zin for $42 is robbery!! That's 400% over the store price. I can understand double, even triple the cost. But even in a nice restaurant, you aren't going to pay that for that variety. And this is one of the lowest cost bottles. :rolleyes:

If they charged $32 for that class of wine, I'd pay it gladly as part of the cruise cost. But I would give up drinking before paying that for that quality/ bottle of wine.

 

I believe I saw Behringer White Zin at Trader Joes for around $4. Let's say you end up spending $6. With $18 corkage, that comes to $24- well below your stated acceptable price point.

Edited July 11, 2014 by TiogaCruiser

[DaveOKC]

Very well said Sails.

Isn't that what is wrong in this country - there is no honor or morality.

If we can afford to cruise, can't we afford to pay wine corkage fees or has this just become a game for some people.

Yes Hal is expensive on their wine's. We pay about 14 dollars for one we like and Hal charges 44 dollars for the same wine, so we end up drinking less.

 

Setting aside the issues of honor and morality (which I agree with you on), it is just not smart to discuss how to get around the "rules" on an open message board. You all do know that the cruise lines all monitor these boards to see what is being discussed, what we like and what we dislike. So encouraging rule breaking is just not smart IMO.

 

I experienced a similar situation with Harrahs/Caesars (HET) properties. They ran a great promotion where the more casinos you visited over the course of the summer, the greater the bonus comp dollars you received from them. It sounded like a great plan to them to get players into new casinos throughout the country and I am sure they thought that woud pay for the generous bonus comp money they gave away. What happened was that players used a couple of well known message boards to "beat" the "rules" and earn bonus money that they really did not earn. So guess what happened?, HET cancelled the promotion after a 2 summer run. Bad deal for those of us playing by the rules, as we had earned over $1000 each summer from the program.

 

Think about it.......

 

DaveOKC

[Silver sailor]

 

One can always find justification. That's easy to do.

 

HAL has stockholders and they expect a profit from the company. It is no secret the cruise line is in business to make profits. That is not immoral.

 

They clearly state their wine/liquor policy and no matter how any of us twist it, it is expected that when we book our cruise with this company we agree to follow their rules. If we don't like their rules, we don't have to do business with them.

 

You asked what has changed? What changed is HAL, well within their rights, chose to change the policy. They published that change and made it known. Anyone booking with the company is responsible to follow their policies.

 

BTW, You are the OP of this thread, as was pointed out above..

 

So true but this attitude can also be applied to the anti smoking lobby on these boards

"If you don't like their rules you don't have to do business with them"

Let's just apply the same concept to all HAL policies whether you agree or disagree There are other cruise lines with different policies

[soccerpapi]

So true but this attitude can also be applied to the anti smoking lobby on these boards

"If you don't like their rules you don't have to do business with them"

Let's just apply the same concept to all HAL policies whether you agree or disagree There are other cruise lines with different policies

 

An excellent point. Based on the comments about smoking on balconies by many of these same posters, they should not be sailing on Holland America.

 

Disney Cruise Line allows unlimited alcohol to be carried on and I believe is very profitable. So a cruise line can survive based on delivering a quality product without limiting how much alcohol is brought on board by the passengers.

 

soccer

[eandj]

I believe I saw Behringer White Zin at Trader Joes for around $4. Let's say you end up spending $6. With $18 corkage, that comes to $24- well below your stated acceptable price point.

 

My concern has nothing to do with paying corkage or an "acceptable price point" for me. I can buy whatever I want and spend what I want. I have the money. But when I know the value of anything, I have a hard time with someone going into my pocket to take 400% of its value. The service isn't THAT good.

 

 

My point is why does HAL not only offer the smallest wine menu on any line we've EVER cruised (even river cruise ships do better) and then top it by charging the most I have ever seen on a ship menu. HAL is telling its wine drinking customers, " Welcome to our BYO party and we will charge you to lug the bottles on with you." :D Just a big turnoff. (Which makes me wonder why they offer hard liquor at reasonable rates, but go nuts with pricing a bottle of wine? )

 

Offer a larger menu of wines and charge what other lines charge. Nothing hard about that.

Edited July 11, 2014 by eandj

[POA1]

Disney Cruise Line allows unlimited alcohol to be carried on and I believe is very profitable.

 

Not true. It's got to fit in a small carry-on. They also charge a $20 corkage fee.

 

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/my-cruise-plans/faqs/preparing-for-your-cruise/alcohol-onboard-policy/

 

My in-laws are big DCL fans. That said, if you're a "drink cheap wine in the room" type, you should calculate the difference in fares. Disney isn't inexpensive.

[pv girl]

Have to agree with previous poster about HAL's very reasonable prices for mixed drinks. Even their $2.95 charge for a bottle of Perrier, or $1.95 for a can of soda, is in line with landside restaurant charges. I can get a mojito on HAL for $6.95 and regularly pay $8-10 locally. And specialty coffees in Explorations are a little cheaper than Starbucks. So why the high wine prices? I bet a larger percentage of passengers drink soda, beer, mixed drinks and they aren't overcharging there.

 

But HAL is not quick to change, so this thread is not going to impact their wine prices. I'm just glad I am a light drinker and drink other things as well as wine. And that the house wine by the glass is okay with me. Now if they stop me from carrying on bottled water, I will go elsewhere, as that becomes a health issue. Too much salt in their tap water for my salt-sensitive body.

[Linda&Vern]

An excellent point. Based on the comments about smoking on balconies by many of these same posters, they should not be sailing on Holland America.

 

Disney Cruise Line allows unlimited alcohol to be carried on and I believe is very profitable. So a cruise line can survive based on delivering a quality product without limiting how much alcohol is brought on board by the passengers.

 

soccer

I was not aware of Disney's policy. I know their cruise fares tend to be higher than I am used to, but I did not know of the unlimited alcohol. That seems odd for Disney. Go figure.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Linda&Vern

[soccerpapi]

Not true. It's got to fit in a small carry-on. They also charge a $20 corkage fee.

 

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/my-cruise-plans/faqs/preparing-for-your-cruise/alcohol-onboard-policy/

 

My in-laws are big DCL fans. That said, if you're a "drink cheap wine in the room" type, you should calculate the difference in fares. Disney isn't inexpensive.

 

I stated that Disney Cruise Line allows you to carry on unlimited alcohol onboard which is the case. I didn't say to put it in your checked luggage. So I was correct. Any corkage fee is only paid if you bring it to the dining room for comsumption, which I have never done.

 

I am not sure what your point was in your post.

 

soccer

[Vict0riann]

I stated that Disney Cruise Line allows you to carry on unlimited alcohol onboard which is the case. I didn't say to put it in your checked luggage. So I was correct. Any corkage fee is only paid if you bring it to the dining room for comsumption, which I have never done.

 

I am not sure what your point was in your post.

 

soccer

 

Not exactly unlimited - come on, POA, how many bottles will fit in a case that is 22" x14" x9" - not too many, I would imagine! And Disney doesn't let you carry on sodas, either. Maybe they make more money off those.

[Fouremco]

I stated that Disney Cruise Line allows you to carry on unlimited alcohol onboard which is the case.

Sorry, but that isn't the case at all. Disney certainly does limit the amount of alcohol you and bring aboard:

 

Beverages must be packed in your carry-on bag—which must not exceed 22 inches wide, 14 inches high and 9 inches deep.

 

Disney doesn't specify the number of ounces or number of bottles, but by placing a very clear restriction on the size of the container in which you may carry it on board has established a strict limitation.

[POA1]

I stated that Disney Cruise Line allows you to carry on unlimited alcohol onboard which is the case. I didn't say to put it in your checked luggage. So I was correct. Any corkage fee is only paid if you bring it to the dining room for comsumption, which I have never done.

 

I am not sure what your point was in your post.

 

soccer

My point is that a carry on of a specific size is not unlimited. From Disney's site, which I linked to in my post:

 

Beverages must be packed in your carry-on bag—which must not exceed 22 inches wide, 14 inches high and 9 inches deep in dimension.

 

I'm not arguing that it's not more generous than most other lines, but unless it's a magic suitcase, it's not unlimited.

[soccerpapi]

Sorry, but that isn't the case at all. Disney certainly does limit the amount of alcohol you and bring aboard:

 

Beverages must be packed in your carry-on bag—which must not exceed 22 inches wide, 14 inches high and 9 inches deep.

 

Disney doesn't specify the number of ounces or number of bottles, but by placing a very clear restriction on the size of the container in which you may carry it on board has established a strict limitation.

 

The limit is the size of the carry on, not the amount of the carry on bags that you can bring. So in fact you can carry on unlimited alcohol or any beverage.

 

soccer

[soccerpapi]

Not exactly unlimited - come on, POA, how many bottles will fit in a case that is 22" x14" x9" - not too many, I would imagine! And Disney doesn't let you carry on sodas, either. Maybe they make more money off those.

 

You can bring on any beverage on board, not just alcohol. It just has to be in your carry on baggage.

 

Also, sodas are free on Disney Cruise Line.

 

soccer

[POA1]

Not exactly unlimited - come on, POA, how many bottles will fit in a case that is 22" x14" x9" - not too many, I would imagine! And Disney doesn't let you carry on sodas, either. Maybe they make more money off those.

I can't find my DSIL's post on the subject where she details what they take in their "beer suitcase," but I think it holds a case of Coors Light and a few bottles of wine.

[Fouremco]

The limit is the size of the carry on, not the amount of the carry on bags that you can bring. So in fact you can carry on unlimited alcohol or any beverage.

 

soccer

Please re-read Disney's directive, paying particular attention to the part that says "your carry-on bag". Bag. Singular. Not "bags".

 

Or ignore it, in which case please let us all know when you are headed for your Disney cruise so that we can watch you with your multiple bags of booze, trying to convince security that they simply don't understand the policy!

[soccerpapi]

Not sure of your point. I don't bring on a lot of alcohol onboard, just pointing out the Disney Cruise Line policy on alcohol. It must be in your carry on baggage.

 

Like Holland America, Disney Cruise Line does not limit how many carry on bags you can bring on board.

 

I have cruised with Disney Cruise Line three times and highly recommend it. Disney Cruise Line is a very nice cruise line.

 

soccer