yvonneh Posted September 28, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Hello, I just booked my first HAL cruise for over Thanksgiving on the NA, and plan on purchasing the Elite Beverage Package. Beside coffees and lots of water, I love great wine. My question is for other wine appreciators: Have you been happy with the wine selection HAL offers onboard and does anyone have a current list? I love Champagne, Rosé, Cabernet, and love to try new wine as well. How does HAL compare to Celebrity ( excellent Premium Package) in this department? Thank you so much for your input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted September 28, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 28, 2017 The elite package will allow you to order wines up to $15 per glass. Post #568 has a link to the MDR wines: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=51951024&highlight=wine+list#post51951024 While almost all the wines are on the list, whether these are 'great wines' is a matter of opinion. Personally, we would stop at Total Wine in Fort Lauderdale and pick up some better wines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 28, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Apologies for skipping my usual fancy formatting.... Here's the late December 2016 list from Eurodam. Bear in mind that will likely be some changes, however, the composition of the list remains pretty consistent. (In case it's not obvious, I really pay attention to this stuff. Probably too much. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.) Not only are the wines listed, but I also compiled all the ratings I could find from my wine magazine subscriptions and other reliable sources. (The ratings are by wine professionals. I'm just a really enthusiastic amateur.) The ratings scale: 95-100 Classic: a great wine 90-94 Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style 85-89 Very good: a wine with special qualities 80-84 Good: a solid, well-made wine 75-79 Mediocre: a drinkable wine that may have minor flaws 50-74 Not recommended Sparkling: Cantine Maschio Brut Prosecco Treviso, Italy - $6.25 - Crisp and stony, with floral, white peach and slivered almond notes riding the lively bead. 85 points WS Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne Réserve France - $12.50 - This balanced Champagne is ripe and juicy, with crème de cassis and Honeycrisp apple fruit flavors accented by details of honey, smoke and biscuit. A fresh and creamy aperitif. 90 points WS Domaine Chandon Brut California Classic - $13.00 - Lively and crisp, with user-friendly flavors of tart apple, lemon and spicy vanilla. 89 points WS Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne - $17.50 -Bright and lightly toasty, this elegant Champagne layers flavors of cassis, crushed hazelnut and lemon meringue pie on the creamy bead. 90 points WS White Wine: Zonin Pinot Grigio Latisana del Friuli Albola - $6.25 - A simple white, with some apple and banana character. Medium-bodied, offering good acidity and a light finish. - 84 points WS La Terre White Zinfandel - $6.25 - No rating found. Ruffino Pinot Grigio - $11.00 - Intense, clean notes of meadow flowers, pears and pleasant hints of golden apple. The bouquet is fresh and fragrant, yet complex, showing refined notes of sage and mint, with a nice touch of minerality typical of Pinot Grigio - Mid 80s Gruber-Ro****z Riesling (Spelled wrong on list) - $8.50 - Subtle, fruitful Riesling which reveals its subtle charms rather slowly. The nose is shy but the palate shines with ripe, aromatic apricot fruit, accentuated by lemon freshness and centered around a concentrated core of fruit and zest. This is slender but generous, refreshing and lasting. - 88 points Winemag.com Snoqualmie Select Riesling - $7.25 - Moderately sweet, offering apricot and pear flavors that remain ripe as the finish lingers. - 85-87 points Zonin Moscato - $8.50 - Excellent as dessert wine it matches perfectly with jam tarts fruit salads and pastry. Low alcohol 7% - 84 point avg Domaine Laroche Chablis - $13.50 - Lovely balance and expressive flavors of apple, peach and lemon highlight this juicy white. Leaves a mouthwatering impression on the stony finish. - 89 poiints WS Formation Monterey Sauvignon Blanc - $9.75 - I can find nothing on this Formation's Sauv Blanc. It was fine though, probably 84-86 if I had to rate it. Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc - $12.25 - Lean, with grass, citrus zest and ruby grapefruit flavors that are juicy and vibrant. Toasted herb and floral details linger. - 87 points WS Santa Carolina Chardonnay - $6.25 - A fruity style, with Gala apple and pear tart flavors that are clean and direct. The spicy finish has some smoky notes. - 86 points WS Vina Santa Carolina Chardonnay - $6.50 - This was the Reserva di Familia. - Rich and well-crafted, with concentrated ripe pear, apple pastry and almond tart notes. The buttery finish is long and spicy, supported by fresh acidity. - 89 points WS Penfolds Chardonnay South Australia Koonunga Hill - $8.50 - Refreshing, with lime zest and tangerine flavors that have a spicy edge. Compact and intense. - 87 points WS Chateau Ste. Michelle, Mimi Chardonnay, Washington - $9.75 - A lightly oaked, elegant style, offering apple and pear fruit character with bright natural acidity. Refreshing yet complex.90 points, Wine Enthuisiast Red Wine: Santa Carolina Merlot - $6.25 - There's plenty of freshness to the juicy red plum, dark cherry and black olive flavors, accented by appealing green herbal notes. Finishes with hints of dried mint and chocolate. - 88 points WS Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon - $6.25 - Zesty, with dried green herbal notes to the fresh red plum and berry flavors. Olive and mineral accents show on the finish. - 88 points WS Luigi Bosca La Linda Malbec - $8.50 - A zesty style, redolent of cherry and licorice flavors, with notes of pepper in the mix. The juicy finish has some paprika details. - 87 points WS Greystone Cellars Merlot - $9.25 - Jammy and soft, with simple cherry and cola flavors. - 84 points Batasiolo Barbera D'asti - $9.75 - High-toned boysenberry and raspberry flavors, with bright acidity and slightly chewy tannins. Moderate length. - WS 84 points Meridian Pinot Noir - $9.75 - Fresh, with snappy cranberry and wild berry flavors that are pleasant and easy-drinking. - 85 points Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon - $9.75 - A crunchy red, showing good cut to the dried berry and cherry flavors, with plenty of savory details. Dried green herb hints show on the finish. - 86 points WS Light Horse Jamieson Ranch Pinot Noir - $9.75 - Smoky, oaky aroma leads to meaty flavors with notes of rhubarb and red cherries. The texture is on the soft side and the body is medium. On the finish those oaky notes meld with the fruit for a soft finale. - 88 points Wine Enthusast Line 39 Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon - $9.75 - Big and brawny, this has bold, ripe fruit aromas and flavors that are shaded by thyme and dill, and backed by very firm tannins and good acidity. The mouthfeel is full and astringent, and the mouth-puckering tannins last on the finish. - 86 points Wine Enthusiast Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot - $12.25 - Broad and generous, with expressive cedar, blueberry and cream flavors that glide over polished tannins into the long, precise finish. - 87 points WS Niebaum Coppola Claret - $13.50 - Seriously tasty and full-bodied, this inky-colored wine is packed with ripe fruit, fine tannins and firm texture, and needs a juicy steak or tender roast as a table mate. A core of black cherry and black plum is shaded by spicy oak. - 88 points Wine Enthusiast Peter Lehmann Portrait Shiraz - $14.75 - Bursting with blueberry and plum flavors, this offers chocolate and Earl Grey tea accents. Velvety and smooth on the long finish - 88 points WS Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - $9.75 - There's a brambly fresh herb detail to the berry and plum flavors, with impressive minerality, chewy tannins and notes of fresh earth. 88 points WS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 28, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Beverage - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP DAILY PRICE - - $51.69 - $63.19 PROMO COST/DAY - Explore 4 - Free - $11.50 Non-Alcoholic - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Mineral Water 1.5L - $3.95 - Yes - Yes Mineral Water 0.5L - $1.95 - Yes - Yes San Pelligrino 1.0L - $4.50 - Yes - Yes Perrier 750ml - $3.25 - Yes - Yes Juices - All - $2.75 - Yes - Yes Soda - All - $2.25 - Yes - Yes Red Bull - $4.50 - Yes - Yes Red Bull Sugar Free - $4.50 - Yes - Yes Please note that both plans include mocktails and smoothies. WINE - HAL Price - HAL SBP # - HAL EBP # House Sparkling - $6.50 - 1 - 1 Prosecco - $6.75 - 1 - 1 Other Sparkling - $9.50 - 0 - 1 Champagne - $12.50 - 0 - 1 Pinot Grigio - $6.50-$11.00 - 1 - 2 Chablis - $13.50 - 0 - 1 Chardonnay - $6.50-$9.75 - 2 - 4 Riesling - $7.25-8.50 - 2 - 2 Moscato - $8.50 - 1 - 1 Sauv Blanc - $8.50-$9.75 - 1 - 2 Barbera - $9.75 - 0 - 1 Claret - $13.50 - 0 - 1 Malbec - $8.50 - 1 - 1 Merlot - $6.50-$12.25 - 1 - 2 Cabernet Sauv - $6.50-$9.75 - 3 - 5 Shiraz/Syrah - $7.25-$14.75 - 2 - 3 Pinot Noir - $9.75 - 0 - 2 Zinfandel - $6.50 - 1 - 1 White Zin - $6.50 - 1 - 1 Dessert Wine - $7.95 - 1 - 1 Number Wines Available - - 19 - 34 BEER 12 oz - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Amstel Light - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Beck's - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Blue Moon - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Corona - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Guinness Stout - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Heineken - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Molson - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Sam Adams Boston Lager - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Stella Artois - $5.95 - Yes - Yes BEER 16 oz - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Boddington's - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Bud - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Bud Light - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Bud Light Lime - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Coors Light - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Grolsch - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Michelob Ultra - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Miller Genuine Draft - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Miller Lite - $6.25 - Yes - Yes CIDERS/OTHER - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Crispin Cider - $5.75 - Yes - Yes NA Beer - $4.25 - Yes - Yes Rekordling Pear - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Rekordling Strawberry/Lime - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Smirnoff Ice - $5.25 - Yes - Yes Strongbow Cider - $5.75 - Yes - Yes VODKA - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Absolut - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Absolut Citron - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Absolut Mandarin - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Absolut Vanilla - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Belvedere - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Chopin - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Finlandia - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Grey Goose - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Grey Goose Citron - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Grey Goose 'Orange - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Grey Goose La Poire - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Ketel One - $7.50 - Yes - Yes New Amsterdam - $6.95 - Yes - Yes Skyy - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Skyy Pineapple - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Smirnoff - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Stolichnaya - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Tito's - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Vox - $6.95 - Yes - Yes RUM - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Appleton - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Bacardi - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Bacardi 8 - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Bacardi Gold - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Bacardi Limon - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Bacardi Oakheart - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Bacardi Razz - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Brugal - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Captain Morgan - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Cruzan - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Gosling's Black Seal - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Malibu - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Myer's Dark - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Pyrat XO - $6.75 - Yes - Yes BOURBON - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Buffalo Trace - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Jack Daniels - $7.50 - Yes - Yes Jack Daniels Honey - $7.50 - Yes - Yes Jim Beam - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Jim Beam Red Stag - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Knob Creek - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Maker's Mark - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Tatoosh - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Wild Turkey 101 - $6.75 - Yes - Yes RYE/IRISH WHISKY - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Canadian Club - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Crown Royal - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Jameson Irish - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Seagram's 7 Crown - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Seagram's VO - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Tatoosh Rye - $7.95 - Yes - Yes SCOTCH - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Aberfeldy - $7.75 - Yes - Yes Ballentine's - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Chivas Regal - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Cutty Sark - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Dalmore - $10.25 - Excluded - Yes Dewar's 12 Year Old - $7.25 - Yes - Yes Dewar's White - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Glen Deveron - $8.50 - Yes - Yes Glenfiddich - $10.25 - Excluded - Yes Glenlivet - $8.95 - Yes - Yes Glenmorangie - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Highland Park - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes J&B - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Johnnie Walker - Black - $7.75 - Yes - Yes Johnnie Walker - Red - $7.00 - Yes - Yes Laphroaig - $8.95 - Yes - Yes Macallan Select Oak - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes GIN - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Bols Dutch Jenever - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Bombay - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Bombay Sapphire - $7.50 - Yes - Yes Hendricks - $8.00 - Yes - Yes Tanqueray - $7.50 - Yes - Yes Tanqueray 10 - $7.50 - Yes - Yes TEQUILA - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Cabo Wabo Blanco - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Cazadores Anejo - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes El Jimador Silver - $7.75 - Yes - Yes Herradura Reposado - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Herradura Silver - $9.75 - Excluded - Yes Jose Cuervo 1800 - $7.75 - Yes - Yes Jose Cuervo Gold - $6.95 - Yes - Yes Patron Anejo - $13.95 - Excluded - Yes Patron Reposado - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes Patron Silver - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes APERITIF - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Aperol - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Campari - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Dubonnet - $6.00 - Yes - Yes Pernod - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Vermouth - $6.00 - Yes - Yes COGNAC/ARMAGNAC - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Armagnac - $8.95 - Yes - Yes Courvoisier Napoleon - $10.95 - Excluded - Yes Courvoisier VS - $7.50 - Yes - Yes Courvoisier VSOP - $8.50 - Yes - Yes Hennessey VS - $7.95 - Yes - Yes Hennessey VSOP - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Hennessey XO - $19.95 - Excluded - Excluded Remy Martin VSOP - $10.95 - Excluded - Yes Remy Martin XO - $18.95 - Excluded - Excluded DIGESTIF - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Aquavit - $5.95 - Yes - Yes Grappa di Alexander - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Grappa di Cabernet - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Grappa di Prosecco - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Limoncello - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Villa Massa Limoncello PGI - $7.00 - Yes - Yes LIQUEUR - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Amaretto Disaronno - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Baileys Irish Cream - $6.95 - Yes - Yes Chambord - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Cointreau - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Crème de Menthe - $6.25 - Yes - Yes D.O.M. Benedictine - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Drambuie - $6.95 - Yes - Yes Frangelico - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Galliano - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Grand Marnier - $6.95 - Yes - Yes Jagermeister - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Kahlua - $6.75 - Yes - Yes Patron Cafe XO - $11.95 - Excluded - Yes Patron Citronage - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Sambuca - $6.95 - Yes - Yes Southern Comfort - $6.95 - Yes - Yes Tia Maria - $6.75 - Yes - Yes PORT/SHERRY - HAL Price - HAL SBP - HAL EBP Dow's LBV - $7.95 - Yes - Yes f-larvey Bristol Cream Sherry - $6.00 - Yes - Yes Graham's Six Grapes - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Sandeman - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Smith Woodhouse Reserve LBV - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Tio Pepe Sherry - $6.25 - Yes - Yes Warre's Otima - $6.50 - Yes - Yes Warre's Warrior Tawny - $9.95 - Excluded - Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 28, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 28, 2017 And finally... for the qualitative stuff. We were perfectly happy with the EBP. We upgraded from the free SBP, so our out of pocket cost was $11.50 per person per day. My father-in-law stuck with the SBP, but he's not much of a wine connoisseur. Since we're in Fort Lauderdale, our normal MO is to lug our own wines onboard and pay corkage. We typically have a bottle of red and a bottle of white each evening and throw in a Champagne on gala nights and the last night. (Often the first night, too.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonneh Posted September 28, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted September 28, 2017 This is amazing!!! I appreciate this so much. This must have taken you some serious time. I will definitely use this as a guide. [emoji2][emoji485] Thank you!! Yes, not quite the wine list I was hoping for. I'll try to be adventurous! [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 28, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 28, 2017 This is amazing!!! I appreciate this so much. This must have taken you some serious time. I will definitely use this as a guide. [emoji2][emoji485]Thank you!! Yes, not quite the wine list I was hoping for. I'll try to be adventurous! [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Forums You're welcome. A lot of people research ports and destinations when they cruise. I do this. You'd be surprised how often there's a call for it. I'm sure that there are some changes since I compiled the list earlier in the year, but with 30+ wines to choose from, you shouldn't have a problem with pairings. Make sure you try things you wouldn't normally order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxThrusters Posted September 29, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 29, 2017 One of the things I enjoy on HAL is trying out the many American wines they feature as part of the Navigator and Admiral wine packages that simply aren't available where I live (Ontario, Canada). If your palate is more refined than mine, you may well want to consider boarding with your own preferred vintages but keep in mind that you will have to pay the corkage fee on any bottles beyond the one-each at embarkation. Note that even with this fee the total cost is still well below what it would cost ordering such bottles in a restaurant etc, which is usually 2x to 2.5x markup. You also have to carry the bottles yourself aboard (you can't have them checked in). My advice is to board with the corkage-free allowance of two bottles (some better bubbly!) and get a wine package aboard. Then you can have the wine stewards suggest something suitable for your meals each day. Oh and unfinished bottles can be taken back to your stateroom too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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