Corkage Fees -- A New Twist (Or should I say A New Screw!)

[Wakepatrol]

"Just Let Us Pay Corkage Like Princess"

They screamed.

 

You're paying corkage

[InTheWASide]

While policy should be clear and consistent, I've no issue at all with HAL allowing those taking its wine tours to bring back wine and not pay corkage. Like being first to take a tender ashore or the ship waiting if a tour bus is late returning, taking HAL excursions has its perks. Besides, you could probably take an identical private tour, pay your corkage fee and still be ahead financially!

 

I was trying to decide exactly how I wanted to reply to this and your wording hits the nail square on the head.

[InTheWASide]

To be consistent, HAL should allow those on any HAL excursion to bring back wine without corkage, not just those going to wineries. Or maybe they do?

 

But then people can book the cheap little throwaway bus tour excursion, run to a nearby store, walmart, whatever it might be, load up on lots of bottles of wine for $5-10 and not pay HAL a cent for the rest of the cruise.

 

I agree it's the right move for wine/winery excursions, but definitely not for ALL. While a lot of us would personally like it, it doesn't make sense for HAL to do it from a financial standpoint

[kazu]

The policy stated to us was, "If the tour mentions wine, you can bring back a bottle, no corkage." This implies that tours that didn't include wine in some fashion would need to pay the corkage. When we brought back wine, they had a list of the excursions that included wine, and the room numbers and names of the participants. Our cabin/names were checked against the list and a sticker issued. Excursions that didn't do wine did not appear on the list, so they had to pay corkage.

 

While we used to bring on many bottles of wine under the old policy, HAL usually got their corkage fee because we took them to the MDR. This isn't different from what I would pay to bring my own wine to a restaurant.

 

I don't have a problem with the new policy. I think about it this way. I get to purchase wines that I know and like at the store price. Even with the HAL $18 corkage fee, they are still better bottles of wine, and cheaper, than if I purchased them directly from HAL. So I still "win".

 

I agree that HAL excursions are pricey. But they have to make money somewhere. If they don't make it on excursions, they may have to raise the base cruise fare.

 

So to all the folks that refuse to take HAL excursions, Be Happy! :) Your cruise fare is being subsidized by the folks that do take them. :eek: Say thank you.

 

 

Greg

 

Oh I am sorry, but there are lots of way HAL makes money. We don't do a lot of HAL shore excursions as we don't like being on a bus with 40 people. If HAl has one of their small shore excursion groups, then we take a hard look at it and often will book it.

 

 

But we have booked the Oasis at HMC, Vatican private tour with 8 people (now THAT is pricey ;) ) and we have booked a private van/bus for Constanta - the list goes on. These are not $69 tours, trust me. These are in the 4 figures.

 

We spend lots of money on the ship - whether it be bars, bingo, casino, special dinners (always) or whatever.

 

You might be subsidizing others but I don't think we are in that group. If we were, we wouldn't be five star ;):p:D

Edited July 13, 2015 by kazu

[kazu]

But then people can book the cheap little throwaway bus tour excursion, run to a nearby store, walmart, whatever it might be, load up on lots of bottles of wine for $5-10 and not pay HAL a cent for the rest of the cruise.

 

I agree it's the right move for wine/winery excursions, but definitely not for ALL. While a lot of us would personally like it, it doesn't make sense for HAL to do it from a financial standpoint

 

They are only allowed to bring on one bottle of wine. I don't really see that as a biggie. But what do I know?

[InTheWASide]

They are only allowed to bring on one bottle of wine. I don't really see that as a biggie. But what do I know?

 

Is it one bottle from a shore ex as well? I may have missed that part. If so, then yes, less of a situation than I indicated

[kazu]

Is it one bottle from a shore ex as well? I may have missed that part. If so, then yes, less of a situation than I indicated

 

It was only one bottle for the winery tours the last time we were in Europe, but Terri has reported on this thread that is for shore ex as well as there were no winery tours scheduled from the day she reported that started this thread.

 

I am just going by what is being reported.

[kazu]

The policy stated to us was, "If the tour mentions wine, you can bring back a bottle, no corkage." This implies that tours that didn't include wine in some fashion would need to pay the corkage. When we brought back wine, they had a list of the excursions that included wine, and the room numbers and names of the participants. Our cabin/names were checked against the list and a sticker issued. Excursions that didn't do wine did not appear on the list, so they had to pay corkage.

 

While we used to bring on many bottles of wine under the old policy, HAL usually got their corkage fee because we took them to the MDR. This isn't different from what I would pay to bring my own wine to a restaurant.

 

I don't have a problem with the new policy. I think about it this way. I get to purchase wines that I know and like at the store price. Even with the HAL $18 corkage fee, they are still better bottles of wine, and cheaper, than if I purchased them directly from HAL. So I still "win".

 

I agree that HAL excursions are pricey. But they have to make money somewhere. If they don't make it on excursions, they may have to raise the base cruise fare.

 

So to all the folks that refuse to take HAL excursions, Be Happy! :) Your cruise fare is being subsidized by the folks that do take them. :eek: Say thank you.

 

 

Greg

 

Oh I am sorry, but there are lots of way HAL makes money. We don't do a lot of HAL shore excursions as we don't like being on a bus with 40 people. If HAl has one of their small shore excursion groups, then we take a hard look at it and often will book it.

 

 

But we have booked the Oasis at HMC, Vatican private tour with 8 people (now THAT is pricey ;) ) and we have booked a private van/bus for Constanta - the list goes on. These are not $69 tours, trust me. These are in the 4 figures.

 

We spend lots of money on the ship - whether it be bars, bingo, casino, special dinners (always) or whatever.

 

You might be subsidizing others but I don't think we are in that group. If we were, we wouldn't be five star

 

For those that think that shore excursions make a lot of money, maybe you should review this thread - page 46 by two who are in the business.

 

While it might be an old thread, it was the first one I could find and I doubt that profit margins have changed that much.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=18826382&highlight=shorex+profit#post18826382

 

I refer you to posts 46, 51 and 57. Shore excursions are not the money maker some think they are ;)

 

It's NET profit that counts, not gross ;)

[GregnChris]

Yes, for wine tours, it is one bottle per participant.

 

Greg

 

Is it one bottle from a shore ex as well? I may have missed that part. If so, then yes, less of a situation than I indicated

[TiogaCruiser]

It was only one bottle for the winery tours the last time we were in Europe, but Terri has reported on this thread that is for shore ex as well as there were no winery tours scheduled from the day she reported that started this thread.

 

I am just going by what is being reported.

 

In re-reading Teri's posts it's vague to me if she meant HAL shorex to wineries only were exempt from 1 corkage for a bottle purchased at the winery, or anyone who took a HAL shorex anywhere at the port could bring on one bottle sans corkage. The later interpretation makes no sense to me. My first read was the former.

 

Maybe Teri can clear that up - maybe when she gets home. Meanwhile, may she really enjoy herself.

[GregnChris]

Hey POA1, If I can't dodge the slings and duck the arrows, I shouldn't be posting. :p:eek:

 

Greg

 

PS. I appreciate your sense wry sense of humor as well. :)

 

Thanks. That's probably the most cogent explanation of the wine excursion policy. Prepare for slings and arrows. :) (Smiley face. Yep. That's right. Smiley F. Face)

Edited July 14, 2015 by GregnChris

[richstowe]

Frankly I'm happily surprised that so many are of the "what's the big deal" school .

If I understand the issue it is how dare HAL sell excursions and allow them to bring back a bottle without

paying the fee . What a disgrace ! :rolleyes:

Think of it as a $18 discount off the cost of a ship excursion .

[Wakepatrol]

But then people can book the cheap little throwaway bus tour excursion, run to a nearby store, walmart, whatever it might be, load up on lots of bottles of wine for $5-10 and not pay HAL a cent for the rest of the cruise.

 

Whoever goes through all this must have a severe drinking problem. I feel bad for them, for they need help.

[navybankerteacher]

Frankly I'm happily surprised that so many are of the "what's the big deal" school .

If I understand the issue it is how dare HAL sell excursions and allow them to bring back a bottle without

paying the fee . What a disgrace ! :rolleyes:

Think of it as a $18 discount off the cost of a ship excursion .

 

Seconded!

 

What is difficult to understand is how some have felt that HAL is being "inconsistent" - and feel that HAL fails to treat geese and ganders the same way (it's beyond me how poultry got involved).

[Jldevlin]

We took a HAL wine tour in Italy in May on the Eurodam and we bought 3 bottles from the winery thinking we would have to pay corkage on one ... but the line up to get back on the ship was long and when we showed them the box from the winery they just waved us on ... I still have one bottle at home that I think I may drink this weekend !!!! And it stated on our excursion ticket that we could each bring one back without corkage.

[Jade13]

Hi to all.

Reporting from the Zuiderdam. We boarded yesterday in Civitavecchia where I could have brought a case of wine on board and no one would have noticed. However, today in Messina the Wine Patrol was out in full force.

 

However, heres the story. We bought a bottle of wine in Taormina to enjoy with dinner on our verandah tonight. We returned too late from our tour to have dinner in the MDR.

When we went through security we were sent to the table to pay the corkage fee, but first the wine steward checked to see if we were on a HAL tour. If we were, there was no corkage fee charged. Since we were on a private tour we had to pay. So now we have a class system for the corkage fee as well. Another way that HAL will force (or should I say encourage) you to take their tours.

 

I was really taken aback at this.

 

Has anyone else had this experience? I will write more as we go along, but that was the shocker for today.

 

I will have more to say about the Zuiderdam as we continue our cruise. So far I am not totally impressed.

 

Terri

 

Hi Cruzin Terri!

 

Glad you made it to Civitavecchia!

 

I think it is ridiculous what you pay for a top SA Suite and you cannot bring back a bottle of wine without reporting it and paying a corkage fee.

 

What does HAL really offer anyone staying in these Suites besides breakfast at the Pinnacle Grille?

 

For comparison look what the competition is offering to those who stay in the top suites. This is the list from Celebrity for comparison.

 

===

Features and Highlights

 

European-style butler service 24/7 for assistance with unpacking, in-suite lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, evening hors d'oeuvres, espresso and cappuccino

Priority check-in at boarding & early debarkation

Dedicated private restaurant, Luminae, reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests

Complimentary Premium Beverage package

Complimentary unlimited Specialty Dining

Complimentary unlimited Internet access

Complimentary mini-bar stocked daily with water, sodas, beer

****One complimentary dinner for all guests in suite (cruise of 6 or 7 nights) and two complimentary dinners for all guests in suite (cruise of 8 nights or more) in a specialty restaurant

Reserved theatre seating on formal nights

Luxury bath amenities & plush robes

Premium Reverie® Dream Sleep System™ customizable mattresses

Celebrity eXhale™ bedding, pillow menu, plush duvets and pure cotton linens

Private veranda with whirlpool and lounge seating

Marble master bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower

Music center

Stateroom setup of one bottle of vodka and one bottle of scotch with mixers

Fresh flowers

Michael's Club - free drinks

 

Per CC,

 

"The amenities have changed after April 2015, so Royal suites do get unlimited complimentary Specialty dining

, internet, fitness classes, Bingo Jackpot card packets (6-card), mini bar and Premium beverage package. Daily delivery of afternoon savories, bottle of Vodka, scotch or gin with mixers and the ability to extend your stay without having to pay. There is a bottle of wine in your stateroom to welcome you onboard and a Helipad Sail away party. "

Edited July 14, 2015 by Jade13

[cruz chic]

Hi Cruzin Terri!

 

Glad you made it to Civitavecchia!

 

I think it is ridiculous what you pay for a top SA Suite and you cannot bring back a bottle of wine without reporting it and paying a corkage fee.

 

What does HAL really offer anyone staying in these Suites besides breakfast at the Pinnacle Grille?

 

For comparison look what the competition is offering to those who stay in the top suites. This is the list from Celebrity for comparison.

 

===

Features and Highlights

 

European-style butler service 24/7 for assistance with unpacking, in-suite lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, evening hors d'oeuvres, espresso and cappuccino

Priority check-in at boarding & early debarkation

Dedicated private restaurant, Luminae, reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests

Complimentary Premium Beverage package

Complimentary unlimited Specialty Dining

Complimentary unlimited Internet access

Complimentary mini-bar stocked daily with water, sodas, beer

****One complimentary dinner for all guests in suite (cruise of 6 or 7 nights) and two complimentary dinners for all guests in suite (cruise of 8 nights or more) in a specialty restaurant

Reserved theatre seating on formal nights

Luxury bath amenities & plush robes

Premium Reverie® Dream Sleep System™ customizable mattresses

Celebrity eXhale™ bedding, pillow menu, plush duvets and pure cotton linens

Private veranda with whirlpool and lounge seating

Marble master bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower

Music center

Stateroom setup of one bottle of vodka and one bottle of scotch with mixers

Fresh flowers

Michael's Club - free drinks

 

Per CC,

 

"The amenities have changed after April 2015, so Royal suites do get unlimited complimentary Specialty dining

, internet, fitness classes, Bingo Jackpot card packets (6-card), mini bar and Premium beverage package. Daily delivery of afternoon savories, bottle of Vodka, scotch or gin with mixers and the ability to extend your stay without having to pay. There is a bottle of wine in your stateroom to welcome you onboard and a Helipad Sail away party. "

 

Sounds like celebrity is the best fit for you. If you want to see lousy benefits for full suites take a look at princess.

[Jade13]

Sounds like celebrity is the best fit for you. If you want to see lousy benefits for full suites take a look at princess.[/quote

 

Not sure how you came to that conclusion.

 

We normally do not book Suites. The comment was for Cruzin Terri who normally does.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Jade13

[Cruzin Terri]

Sounds like celebrity is the best fit for you. If you want to see lousy benefits for full suites take a look at princess.[/quote

 

Not sure how you came to that conclusion.

 

We normally do not book Suites. The comment was for Cruzin Terri who normally does.

 

Jade,

That is not totally correct. We book suites when the price is right. Not all the time.

Terri