Wines-by-the-Bottle Packages

[jimdee3636]

I haven't seen anything here recently about HAL's wines-by-the-bottle packages, and there doesn't seem to be any details about them on the HAL website. As a four star Mariner, I get a 50% discount on the list price of such packages, and it certainly was a great benefit the one time I used it (back in December 2019). My wife and I will be going on a 35 night cruise on the Koningsdam in February, so we'd be purchasing such a package, probably multiple times. Does anyone have any more-or-less current information on the packages offered, the wines included, the prices, etc. Last time, there were two packages offered, one costing (I think) about 25% more than the other, although both represented good value, even without the 50% discount. I realize that the makeup of these packages can change suddenly based on a particular wine's availability, but any information would be helpful, even if not totally accurate.

 

Thanks. Jim

[Cruising-along]

If you go to your booking on the HAL site, then on the far left click on "purchase beverages" then "wine packages" which is at the bottom.  The packages will pop up.  You'll see the prices for each package, and the wines in each package.  * But bear in mind* , you may get on your cruise and learn they don't have all the wines listed.  In that case you'll have other choices from what they do have.  They do their best to get you what you'd like. 

[canadarocks]

This is Crew News' most recent update of the Wine Packages - 

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Sommelier-Suite-2021.pdf

[jimdee3636]

@Cruising-alongand @canadarocks

Thanks for your helpful information. I'll follow up on your suggestions.

Jim

[FlaMariner]

19 hours ago, canadarocks said:

This is Crew News' most recent update of the Wine Packages - 

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Sommelier-Suite-2021.pdf

 

So something interesting in the fine print on this.....It says you can enjoy the wine with your meals or in your stateroom but not in bars or public areas.....Is this new?  Last year, we would bring a bottle to Billboard Onboard and the bar waiter got us all set up.   (The tip was paid when we bought the package).

 

 

[canadarocks]

1 hour ago, FlaMariner said:

 

So something interesting in the fine print on this.....It says you can enjoy the wine with your meals or in your stateroom but not in bars or public areas.....Is this new?  Last year, we would bring a bottle to Billboard Onboard and the bar waiter got us all set up.   (The tip was paid when we bought the package).

 

 

Interesting... hopefully someone who has cruised recently or is cruising currently can update us. 

[Crusin-Suzan]

I thought you could drop one off at a bar!   Like Ocean Bar! 

[VMax1700]

 

2 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

.It says you can enjoy the wine with your meals or in your stateroom but not in bars or public areas.

It doesn't actually say that.

It says you can enjoy it with your meals or have it delivered to your stateroom.  It does not say that you must drink it in your stateroom nor does it say that you cannot use it in the bars.

[crystalspin]

10 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

It doesn't actually say that.

It says you can enjoy it with your meals or have it delivered to your stateroom.  It does not say that you must drink it in your stateroom nor does it say that you cannot use it in the bars.

In the fine print it does say that. (White print on blue on my screen.) Also says "effective June 1, 2021 @FlaMariner, who asked.

 

You could of course fill a glass in your cabin and take it wandering...

[VMax1700]

35 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

In the fine print it does say that. (White print on blue on my screen.) Also says "effective June 1, 2021 @FlaMariner, who asked.

 

You could of course fill a glass in your cabin and take it wandering...

That is 'Scrouge-ingly' mean.  I have always filled the glass just before I left the restaurant, and taken it with me to a bar etc.  I still will.  I can't see them stopping me, if they don't tell people to wear masks when necessary.

Maybe I will have to take a bottle or two onboard and pay corkage, then drink those in the bar.

It is a stupid, penny pinching decision.

Edited August 19, 2022 by VMax1700

[FlaMariner]

18 hours ago, Crusin-Suzan said:

I thought you could drop one off at a bar!   Like Ocean Bar! 

 

That's what we did......

 

So we were onboard after the effective date in that fine print....6/1/21....and we enjoyed a bottle from the package at Billboard Onboard w/the assistance of the bar waiter........All good.  

 

I hope the crew chooses to avoid that "rule" in the fine print.  

 

Next up is the Nieuw Statendam in November and I'll be attempting to drink my wine package bottle at Billboard Onboard......we shall see. 

 

 

Edited August 20, 2022 by FlaMariner

[tunafish]

while it highly depend on what you drink, I did not notice huge difference between the "cellars" on their package. Cellar one was as good/bad as cellar 3 but cost was a big difference

[FlaMariner]

We always buy package #1 (the cheap package) and find it just fine for us.....And the 25% Mariner discount gets the price close to 20 bucks a bottle.  We consider the wine package and the laundry two deals at sea that we enjoy!