"Live" Sapphire Princess, 32 Days, Buenos Aires to LA, 3/5/23 to 4/6/23

[Tracyken]

Thank you for your informative post.  We’re hoping to do this next year so it’s helping me plan.

 

As a matter of interest did they take your wine away until the end of the cruise?
 

Thanks again for all the information.

[LACruiser88]

3 hours ago, Tracyken said:

Thank you for your informative post.  We’re hoping to do this next year so it’s helping me plan.

 

As a matter of interest did they take your wine away until the end of the cruise?
 

Thanks again for all the information.

There has been no "wine police" anywhere.  They do not seem to care and our MDR servers were happy to open our wine at dinner with no mention of the corkage fee.  I see a nice tip coming their way!  🍷🙂

[LACruiser88]

[mrspaper]

Ship is in good condition for an oldie. As mentioned, going to dry dock in April

 

We ate in Sterling last night. While it's location is horrible, we sat at the back and didn't feel we were in the OV cafe. Food was good. 

 

Food on ship overall has been good. We were on Sky? In August and Food was inedible

[LACruiser88]

23 hours ago, loge23 said:

Looking forward to a wine update!

Here are some photos of the mini-Vines onboard.  If I'm not mistaken the original Vines on the Sapphire was located where they currently have Alfredo's Pizzeria?  We have not been on the Sapphire since 2012.

 

The current Vines is next to Alfredo's.  There is no "bar" area, wines are served from a built-in buffet and the seating area is not very big.

 

We were lucky that we have known the server in Vines, "Red," for many years.  He is an extremely funny guy!

 

So far our go to wines have been Spellbound Petite Syrah and the Spanish Embruix Red Blend.  The nicer, higher end wines are not being ordered and most have been opened for several days, no bueno!

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, Tracyken said:

As a matter of interest did they take your wine away until the end of the cruise?

Never happens - only liquor gets held.

[Steelers36]

34 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

The nicer, higher end wines are not being ordered and most have been opened for several days, no bueno!

As far as you know, they aren't squirting in any inert gas to preserve the wine at all?

[Tracyken]

4 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

There has been no "wine police" anywhere.  They do not seem to care and our MDR servers were happy to open our wine at dinner with no mention of the corkage fee.  I see a nice tip coming their way!  🍷🙂

Thank you.  I don’t mind paying for the package but I only drink wine and the last cruise had the most horrible selection in the standard package and as this is £100 per day between you it’s a significant cost.  I’m not a connoisseur but the wine they were serving is 2 bottles for £10 in U.K. supermarkets.

[LACruiser88]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

As far as you know, they aren't squirting in any inert gas to preserve the wine at all?

No gas, they are just pumping the air out.  That helps but not much.  They really should invest in Corvin's, but I don't see that happening.

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, LACruiser88 said:

No gas, they are just pumping the air out.  That helps but not much.  They really should invest in Corvin's, but I don't see that happening.

Yes, attempting to remove air is a bad idea.

[LACruiser88]

[suekel]

So just for fun, I ordered a bottle of Crown Royal for our cabin (There hasn't been any on my last 3 cruises).  Have you seen any on the ship?

[Happiest when cruising]

2 hours ago, suekel said:

So just for fun, I ordered a bottle of Crown Royal for our cabin (There hasn't been any on my last 3 cruises).  Have you seen any on the ship?

I hope you get it. It’s a tiny bottle, through. I don’t think the ship sells the 375 ml. in the shops. 

[LACruiser88]

8 hours ago, suekel said:

So just for fun, I ordered a bottle of Crown Royal for our cabin (There hasn't been any on my last 3 cruises).  Have you seen any on the ship?

I was told by our favorite bartender that they have not had Crown Royal onboard for quite some time.  They are hoping for a big resupply when they reach LA.

[EDVM96]

51 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

  They are hoping for a big resupply when they reach LA.

After returning to San Pedro, there is only a 6-day west coast sailing ending in Vancouver, followed by a 17 day dry dock break. I think the big resupply will be in Vancouver for the upcoming Alaska season April 29.

By the way, is the wine refrigerator at Vines Bar repaired?

[LACruiser88]

33 minutes ago, EDVM96 said:

By the way, is the wine refrigerator at Vines Bar repaired?

No, they have all the white and sparkling wines in a tub filled with ice.

[LACruiser88]

We have arrived in Puerto Madryn (Argentina) part of the Region of Patagonia.  Patagonia is shared by Argentina and Chile.

 

The view from our balcony.

[LACruiser88]

A few more photos from deck 15 and the Sanctuary.  It is currently 70 degrees at 10:40 am.  It should be a nice day.  Going into town now.

[suekel]

2 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

I was told by our favorite bartender that they have not had Crown Royal onboard for quite some time.  They are hoping for a big resupply when they reach LA.

Well, I guess I'll get a refund in OBC  at some point..

[LACruiser88]

We saw our first penguins today swimming right off the pier while we were walking back to the ship!

 

We also saw one walking down the street!  And my purchase of the day, three really nice Malbec's (total of $40 USD)!

[LACruiser88]

One more photo, from the town looking out to the ship.

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

No, they have all the white and sparkling wines in a tub filled with ice.

Oh, the horror!!!  OMG, white wine is not supposed to be served like beer!!

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

We saw our first penguins today swimming right off the pier while we were walking back to the ship!

 

We also saw one walking down the street!  And my purchase of the day, three really nice Malbec's (total of $40 USD)!

 

 

 

 

 

Looks a bit stiff.  Perhaps weather not to his liking?

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

And my purchase of the day, three really nice Malbec's (total of $40 USD)!

👍

Edited March 9, 2023 by Steelers36

[suekel]

A gentleman who is on-board posted a picture of new shower products.  He is elite so I am wondering if it's an elite thing or is it for all?