Flatbush Flyer Posted October 27, 2022 #1 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Last night, we had an opportunity to check out the new Wine Bar evening now held occasionally in the La Reserve space on Marina and (I assume) Riviera. Hopefully, this will continue -particularly the “relatively” decent pricing - at least for some of the wines by the bottle. Among them (see the pic) was one of our favorite unassuming Sicilian whites: Donnafugata Anthìlia (Catarratto grapes). Back in California, it usually retails for just under $20. On the O Wine Bar menu, it’s $38. Yes, on a cruise ship - a wine markup of only 100%! In any case, the comp hors d’oeuvres are varied including charcuterie items and other small bites including scallops and lox. And, for those who want to try a flight of wines, there’s a reasonable selection of wines that are somewhat more attractive than what is found on the wine-by-the-glass menu. And the price for your choice of three servings is reasonable for the top group of wines (though the pricier group at the bottom of the menu is IMO quite the contrast. Note, however, that, since we no longer do the booze package, I can’t comment on how that translates for the Wine Bar (perhaps someone else will chime in). Bottom line: Worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 27, 2022 #2 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Is this different that the ones pre covid ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robjame Posted October 27, 2022 #3 Share Posted October 27, 2022 7 hours ago, LHT28 said: Is this different that the ones pre covid ? The wine events we attended pre-Covid were either themed - wines of a certain region or wines of a certain type for which there was a slick presentation and nibbles and a fixed charge which covered all - or complimentary sponsored by a particular wine promoter. ‘These pay for what you want events will be new to us and mirror what is happening in Baristas pre-dinner with tapas and regional wines. The question for us is how do these events meld with the Prestige Drink package? Are some of these wines included? Is there a discount/break for those on packages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 27, 2022 #4 Share Posted October 27, 2022 20 minutes ago, Robjame said: The wine events we attended pre-Covid were either themed - wines of a certain region or wines of a certain type for which there was a slick presentation and nibbles and a fixed charge which covered all - or complimentary sponsored by a particular wine promoter. That is different than the Wine night in the La Reserve space You can get the wine of your choice from the menu provided for a fee & all sorts of appy type food cheeses /meats etc It is held a few times during the cruise when La Reserve is not being used anyone can go go no sign up required usually from 5 to 8Pm at least on the cruises we were on pre covid If it is the same then not new as suggested by the OP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robjame Posted October 27, 2022 #5 Share Posted October 27, 2022 24 minutes ago, LHT28 said: You can get the wine of your choice from the menu provided for a fee & all sorts of appy type food cheeses /meats etc Thanks Lynn. It is making me re-think the choice of beverage package both as OLife and upgrade options. These events, Barista’s wine samplings, wine pairings in MDR and Privée all make the packages less attractive. Things getting expensive for us drinkers and wine enthusiasts. As a suggestion, I would rather see a dollar value applied to the Prestige package. For example, All drinks $20 and below are free and upcharges apply for more expensive drinks minus the $20. This would be more in line with other cruise lines and would entice me to buying into some of these events. Just my opinion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madera1 Posted October 27, 2022 #6 Share Posted October 27, 2022 We attended the wine tasting before dinner a couple of times during our transatlantic crossing on the Marina. Our next O cruise will be on the smaller Regatta so not sure if it will offer this feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 27, 2022 #7 Share Posted October 27, 2022 1 hour ago, Robjame said: As a suggestion, I would rather see a dollar value applied to the Prestige package. For example, All drinks $20 and below are free and upcharges apply for more expensive drinks minus the $20. This would be more in line with other cruise lines and would entice me to buying into some of these events. Just my opinion. Do they have many drinks more than $20? We are not big drinkers so it does not matter to me We will buy a bottle for dinner with out OBC that way we will try some wines we have not had before I make a note of the ones we like & will buy them at home if available JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 27, 2022 #8 Share Posted October 27, 2022 6 minutes ago, madera1 said: We attended the wine tasting before dinner a couple of times during our transatlantic crossing on the Marina. Our next O cruise will be on the smaller Regatta so not sure if it will offer this feature. Wine tasting event is different than the Wine Bar They have had the tasting events on the R ships Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraM Posted October 27, 2022 #9 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Wines by the glass are included in the Prestige package, as well as a nice discount on La Reserve and a discount on wines but the bottle. Wines in the “15th and Vine” nights are included (those by the glass) if I recall from last fall on Marina with those on the Prstige package. Wines in Privee would be treated the same, as they are not included in the price of Privee—Suggested wines in the MDR are almost always wines by the glass. To me, this makes the upgraded wine package more attractive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted October 28, 2022 #10 Share Posted October 28, 2022 8 hours ago, BarbaraM said: To me, this makes the upgraded wine package more attractive. There is no upgraded wine package. Wines by the glass are the same on both packages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraM Posted October 28, 2022 #11 Share Posted October 28, 2022 17 minutes ago, ORV said: There is no upgraded wine package. Wines by the glass are the same on both packages. My mistake— the upgrade beverage package Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robjame Posted October 28, 2022 #12 Share Posted October 28, 2022 14 hours ago, BarbaraM said: Wines by the glass are included in the Prestige package, as well as a nice discount on La Reserve and a discount on wines but the bottle. Wines in the “15th and Vine” nights are included (those by the glass) if I recall from last fall on Marina with those on the Prstige package. Wines in Privee would be treated the same, as they are not included in the price of Privee—Suggested wines in the MDR are almost always wines by the glass. To me, this makes the upgraded wine package more attractive. What is 15th and Vine nights? Is that what they call the wine bar evenings in La Reserve? Are the wines by the glass in MDR that are part of the wine pairing menus included in the beverage packages? ‘If you take the Select Package and then upgrade on board to the Prestige Package for $20 pp per day, you do not get the discount (unless there has been a recent change in policy) for La Reserve or for wines by the bottle. This is not advertised that I have seen and many have been surprised when they see their bill. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robjame Posted October 28, 2022 #13 Share Posted October 28, 2022 16 hours ago, LHT28 said: Do they have many drinks more than $20? I meant this as an alternative to the present system which is wines by the glass or drinks are included if they are on the main bar menu. People have ordered an after dinner liquor in Tuscan, sake, beer in Red Ginger, featured wine or beer in Terrace, wine by the glass in food/wine pairings in MDR only to find charges 0n their final bill. Very confusing. The alternative is to ask with every pour, “Is this included with my beverage package?” Often the servers don’t know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysteps Posted October 28, 2022 #14 Share Posted October 28, 2022 On 10/27/2022 at 2:10 AM, LHT28 said: Is this different that the ones pre covid ? No these are the same (we have gone both pre and post Covid). Launched at the same time as the Dom dinners, and there is (or may be depending on length of segment?) also a Dom drop-in tasting offered. I know the wine bar evenings were available in April 2019, not sure exactly when they started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janecambridge Posted October 28, 2022 #15 Share Posted October 28, 2022 4 hours ago, Robjame said: ‘If you take the Select Package and then upgrade on board to the Prestige Package for $20 pp per day, you do not get the discount (unless there has been a recent change in policy) for La Reserve or for wines by the bottle. This is not advertised that I have seen and many have been surprised when they see their bill. It is definitely true and definitely not advertised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted October 28, 2022 Author #16 Share Posted October 28, 2022 4 hours ago, Robjame said: What is 15th and Vine nights? Is that what they call the wine bar evenings in La Reserve? The Wine Bar (currently at the LaReserve space on Marina) on select nights is simply called “The Wine Bar.” Perhaps the “15th and Vine” names was from an earlier time when they were “testing” the concept (and names). As for what basic booze package wines-by-the-glass might be found on any menu other than the list found on many dining venue tables (including the Wine Bar menu I posted above), you’ll have to make that comparison once onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 28, 2022 #17 Share Posted October 28, 2022 2 hours ago, babysteps said: No these are the same (we have gone both pre and post Covid). Launched at the same time as the Dom dinners, and there is (or may be depending on length of segment?) also a Dom drop-in tasting offered. I know the wine bar evenings were available in April 2019, not sure exactly when they started. yes on our April 2019 cruise & maybe the 2018 cruise Just wanted to clarify if they were NEW as suggested by the OP or not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 28, 2022 #18 Share Posted October 28, 2022 4 hours ago, Robjame said: I meant this as an alternative to the present system which is wines by the glass or drinks are included if they are on the main bar menu. People have ordered an after dinner liquor in Tuscan, sake, beer in Red Ginger, featured wine or beer in Terrace, wine by the glass in food/wine pairings in MDR only to find charges 0n their final bill. Very confusing. The alternative is to ask with every pour, “Is this included with my beverage package?” Often the servers don’t know. Or maybe just exclude all drinks in the Specialties from the package I think that the wine by the glass for the GDR wine pairing menu is included they seem to be the ones offered on the menu by the glass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robjame Posted October 28, 2022 #19 Share Posted October 28, 2022 1 minute ago, LHT28 said: GDR wine pairing menu is included they seem to be the ones offered on the menu by the glass Oh I didn’t know that - that is good news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 28, 2022 #20 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Just now, Robjame said: Oh I didn’t know that - that is good news! just compare the wines that are paired with what is on the main bar menu there may be exceptions but looking at most of the offerings they would be the same as offered by the glass 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robjame Posted October 28, 2022 #21 Share Posted October 28, 2022 2 hours ago, babysteps said: also a Dom drop-in tasting offered. I I have tried to verify that it is Dom on the drop-in tastings as the champagne/food pairing menu on Vista is Moët & Chandon, not Dom Perignon. ‘For comparison purposes - Dom is $147 - $400 a bottle Moet & Chandon is $51 - $75 a bottle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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