Liquor Smugglers Beware~!! (Multi-ship experiences - merged)

[Tra4]

So you are telling me that the wines you and little elm find horrible are going to be though of the same by everyone else because you two are into fine wines. Now I find that very snobbish on your part because you are telling what I should like. I said we weren't wine snobs but we know what we like and dislike. I guess DW and myself and the other six people we have been on four different cruises with in the last year actually don't know much about fine wines since we all enjoyed some of the wines on the wine & dine packages thus don't know what we should like in wines.

All I said was that individuals have different taste and suggested that others try some of their preferred types of wines on that list and decide for themselves whether they like them or not.

 

I have to agree, the wines that rccl has are not only ok wines, and if you know wines well you would know that was true. The wines the offer if you want to go by dollar value are only 5.99-9.99 value tops, which does not equal a top wine by any means. Any anyone that likes wines is very willing to pay top dollar for a decent wine but not willing to pay top dollar for a cheap wine in which these are!!!!

 

All we are asking is for a decent markup, decent wine list if you are cutting us from bring our own without a corkage!!!! That is such a fair request! Right now its a 500% markup on a ok wine!

[MakinGold]

I have to agree, the wines that rccl has are not only ok wines, and if you know wines well you would know that was true. The wines the offer if you want to go by dollar value are only 5.99-9.99 value tops, which does not equal a top wine by any means. Any anyone that likes wines is very willing to pay top dollar for a decent wine but not willing to pay top dollar for a cheap wine in which these are!!!!

 

All we are asking is for a decent markup, decent wine list if you are cutting us from bring our own without a corkage!!!! That is such a fair request! Right now its a 500% markup on a ok wine!

 

Most of the wines in the "packages" are in the $8-10 range normally, although a couple retail for more than that. The higher end wines tend to be a little less on the percentage mark-up. That's because the markup on wine tends to have a percentage component and a "corkage" component. So, if you buy a bottle of Opus One, for example, the percentage you'll pay over regular retail is much less than on one of the low-end wines. They do have some high end wines, if you're really willing to pay top dollar. They do not have small, "boutique" wines, of course, because they'll buying for a fleet-wide wine list, so they only buy wines that are reasonably high production volume. Still some of them are high end, and some of the $10 wines can be quite good, as well. It is pretentious to insinuate that anyone who appreciates fine wine would have nothing to do with the wines in the package.

[Tra4]

People drinkin wine have very different tastes, but if you have aquired a taste for fine wine you definately know the difference and that difference is in RCCL wine list. There are too many of us that agree and if we are wine snobs, so be it, I've been called worse!!

 

They have a 9.00 wine list with a 40.00 price tag + gratuity!!!!!!

which is ridiculous and they wonder why people smuggle. Have a decent markup and then crack down on smuggling!!!!

[Tra4]

Most of the wines in the "packages" are in the $8-10 range normally, although a couple retail for more than that. The higher end wines tend to be a little less on the percentage mark-up. That's because the markup on wine tends to have a percentage component and a "corkage" component. So, if you buy a bottle of Opus One, for example, the percentage you'll pay over regular retail is much less than on one of the low-end wines. They do have some high end wines, if you're really willing to pay top dollar. They do not have small, "boutique" wines, of course, because they'll buying for a fleet-wide wine list, so they only buy wines that are reasonably high production volume. Still some of them are high end, and some of the $10 wines can be quite good, as well. It is pretentious to insinuate that anyone who appreciates fine wine would have nothing to do with the wines in the package.

 

I can guarentee that anyone who enjoys fine wines will not get the RCCL wine package. Sorry, but they are far from wines that true wine loves like. They are truly for the ones that are sampling or novices! Look at the posts above, too many examples to prove!!! No one that likes good wine will go for the package!!

[MakinGold]

People drinkin wine have very different tastes, but if you have aquired a taste for fine wine you definately know the difference and that difference is in RCCL wine list. There are too many of us that agree and if we are wine snobs, so be it, I've been called worse!!

 

They have a 9.00 wine list with a 40.00 price tag + gratuity!!!!!!

which is ridiculous and they wonder why people smuggle. Have a decent markup and then crack down on smuggling!!!!

 

They also have 30.00 wines with a 50.00 price tag. You don't know what you're talking about, if you think the short list of selections on the W&D package is all they offer. And some of the wines in the package really aren't bad, even for those of us who appreciate fine wine. I think the Cline Zinfandel is good, as is the Rioja and the Rosemount Shiraz. Check out the pedigree on the Rosemount, btw. It's consistently gotten good ratings over recent years from some respected wine critics.

[Tra4]

Most of the wines in the "packages" are in the $8-10 range normally, although a couple retail for more than that. The higher end wines tend to be a little less on the percentage mark-up. That's because the markup on wine tends to have a percentage component and a "corkage" component. So, if you buy a bottle of Opus One, for example, the percentage you'll pay over regular retail is much less than on one of the low-end wines. They do have some high end wines, if you're really willing to pay top dollar. They do not have small, "boutique" wines, of course, because they'll buying for a fleet-wide wine list, so they only buy wines that are reasonably high production volume. Still some of them are high end, and some of the $10 wines can be quite good, as well. It is pretentious to insinuate that anyone who appreciates fine wine would have nothing to do with the wines in the package.

 

Except that they have no high end price wine!! Wine lovers like a good wine, not opus!!! They don't want the 5.99 wine but want the good 19.00 wine that they know they may pay 39.00 for. but they don't want to pay 39.00 for the 7.99 bottle they will get!!!! RCCL has a beer wine price list with a champagne cost!!! That is my point!!! Charge me correctly for a good bottle of wine and I will pay!

[buckanear]

I can guarentee that anyone who enjoys fine wines will not get the RCCL wine package. Sorry, but they are far from wines that true wine loves like. They are truly for the ones that are sampling or novices! Look at the posts above, too many examples to prove!!! No one that likes good wine will go for the package!!

 

I don't have a refined palate by any means and I know that there are some decent wines at budget prices. But to charge "fine" wine prices for not "fine" wine is ridiculous. I'm not paying 350% above retail to sample a mid/lower end wine.

[MakinGold]

Except that they have no high end price wine!! Wine lovers like a good wine, not opus!!! They don't want the 5.99 wine but want the good 19.00 wine that they know they may pay 39.00 for. but they don't want to pay 39.00 for the 7.99 bottle they will get!!!! RCCL has a beer wine price list with a champagne cost!!! That is my point!!! Charge me correctly for a good bottle of wine and I will pay!

 

Your point is simply wrong, then. You are right that the mark-up is high, but they have wines ranging from just a few dollars in retail value to over $100 in retail value, with some moderate selections in between. The mark-up is higher than you'll see in most restaurants. I'll agree with you that it would be nice to have a lower mark-up. But it's not just low-end wines. It's a decent range, if you look at the full list of offerings. Someone complained about the lack of selection in another thread, because they, too, were looking at just the package lists and only saw four different cabs. I looked up the dining room list for them, and there were something like 30 different cabs between the regular and reserve lists, spanning a wide range of prices.

[Tra4]

Your point is simply wrong, then. You are right that the mark-up is high, but they have wines ranging from just a few dollars in retail value to over $100 in retail value, with some moderate selections in between. The mark-up is higher than you'll see in most restaurants. I'll agree with you that it would be nice to have a lower mark-up. But it's not just low-end wines. It's a decent range, if you look at the full list of offerings. Someone complained about the lack of selection in another thread, because they, too, were looking at just the package lists and only saw four different cabs. I looked up the dining room list for them, and there were something like 30 different cabs between the regular and reserve lists, spanning a wide range of prices.

 

On what is published on their website there is absolutly no wine over l0.00 retail!!! Where is this wine list you are getting?? On RCCL.com all wines offered are under 10.00 a bottle retail!!! That is not a decent range!!

[MakinGold]

On what is published on their website there is absolutly no wine over l0.00 retail!!! Where is this wine list you are getting?? On RCCL.com all wines offered are under 10.00 a bottle retail!!! That is not a decent range!!

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/560040409VZdLVw

 

I don't know what you're into, but if you like reds, there are several decent ones. It's still a high mark-up, but there are some nice wines in the $40-45 range (even though they'd retail for more like 15-20).

[MakinGold]

Then there are some higher end ones, such as the Geyser Peak Meritage, that list for $85. That's a bit more than I would normally spend, but it's a wine that retails for close to $50.

[98Charlie]

i don't understand the whole smuggling thing. i don't understand the point in drinking THAT much on vacation. i can't imagine spending so much money on my sea pass on alcohol that I'd need to smuggle! don't get me wrong...i do love to party and have a good time but when you only have a 7 day cruise and 3 of them you have to wake up at 8am/9am for excursions i think the last thing I'd want is a hangover! my style is a few pina coladas by the pool and wine with dinner and get "A" drink in a different bar every night! to spend over 2,000 dollars on a cruise just to drink the whole time seems crazy to me, why not just sit at home and drink the week away! Plus the whole "denied boarding" concept is a little scary when you've spent the last 6 months saving for something like this! my parents have always taught me to be safe when it comes to drinking and i just pray that all the spring breakers (and cruisers all the rest of the weeks in the year) are smart and take care of each other that and no one goes missing from drinking too much on an island and- no one goes overboard.

OK first of all, I have not read all 200+ post on the thread. But your statement is really a "fill in the blank" kind that pops up all of the time.

 

I don't understand how people could go on a cruise and (fill in the blank):

1. Eat
   
2. Drink
   
3. Play bingo
   
4. Lay in the sun
   
5. Lay in the shade
   
6. Buy expensive jewelry
   
7. Buy cheap trinkets
   
8. Stay in the casino
   
9. Etc.
   
10. Etc.
    

all the time.

 

It's different strokes for different folks.

 

JMHO,

 

Charlie

[Buccaneergirl]

I agree that RCI charges way too much for their wines and do not have a very good selection. We usually use our diamond discount coupon for buy 1 bottle and get the next for 1/2 off and we feel better about the $$ we spent.

Makingold - You really don't have to tell people that they are "simply wrong" and "pretentious". That is just rude! You can state your opinion without insulting someone else.

[vancity_guy]

just wanna comment on the whole price gouging of alcohol, especially wines. we as consumers have the choice of making our frustrations heard. It is important that we voice our opinions to rccl and let them know that unless they change there policies or pricing they will inevitably loose loyal customers. Loyalty retention is held in high regard in most companies, so hopefully they will get the message sooner then later and make some changes.

[vancity_guy]

Forgot to add, looks like were going on the voyager transatlantic end of April ( very excited!!!) and have every intention of bringing on a bottle, maybe even two, so hopefully they make it haha.

[Merion_Mom]

Sorry, you're mistaken. It's always been allowed on Princess.

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/services/gifts/princess_cellars/index.jsp

 

That's really interesting, Cruise Junky. They had specifically "discontinued" doing that when I was on the Crown Princess in July 2006. We were given the distinct impression that this was a permanent change. Maybe it was an experiment on the Crown Princess? :confused: :)

[iheartbda]

That's really interesting, Cruise Junky. They had specifically "discontinued" doing that when I was on the Crown Princess in July 2006. We were given the distinct impression that this was a permanent change. Maybe it was an experiment on the Crown Princess? :confused: :)

 

Wasn't that THE TILT cruise? Maybe your neurological receptors were so traumatized that it was an indistinct impression? :D :p

[robtulipe]

:cool: I'm a bit of a wine lover, myself, and I've occasionally found some really good selections in the $8-10 range. I hate to see people acting like they know more than anyone else and trying to tell others that they just don't know anything about wine, if they're not drinking "high end" stuff. I suppose it's a bit of a pet peeve of mine. I enjoy some of the high end stuff, too, but don't buy it that much, because I can afford to buy wine more often if it's the under $20 variety, and it's fun discovering some of the really good stuff that can be found in that price range.

That is exactly my way of thinking also and have found some IMHO very nice wines for under $10. In fact about 5 years ago the wine critic in the Toronto Star newspaper recommended a $6 bottle of Italian Sangiovese. Since we were to visit with some 2nd generation in Canada Italian friends we had met on one of our previous cruises, I went out and bought a couple of bottles to take to their home. We all enjoyed it so much that both they and us went out and each bought a case the following week. Actually I could only get 10 bottles and had to go to two LCBO (gov't liquor/wine stores in Ontario) to find them since they were so in demand after that article in the Star.

After our Legend cruise in Nov. we were out celebrating DW birthday in a very popular local restaurant and ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio (the name of which I did not and cared not to remember) which cost $30 with tax and without gratuity added and to our taste it was no where as nice as the Danzante Pinot Grigio offered on all three packages of the W&D and which could be had for $26 inc. gratuity by buying the Gold one.

I agree about your comment that the final wine price consists of four components, RC's cost, their mark up, corkage and the 15% gratuity. I recall paying $15 corkage in the dining on the last RC cruise I was allowed by the rules to bring my our wine onboard. That means if you remove the corkage that I would have had to pay in the past to have my own wine in the dining room, they are selling that bottle to you for $11 gratuity included or about $9.50 without.

[Gregg20]

I think that is closer to 450% than 45%!:eek: Their prices are outrageous.

 

...and if you keep jumping to conclusions regarding peoples actions, you'll never understand. RCI used to let you buy a bottle of liquor in their onboard store. Then they charged a premium on it to allow you to take it back to your room. Now you can't buy any liquor to take back to your room. I liked a bottle of vodka/gin in the room so that I could have a drink while getting ready for dinner. Room service doesn't really hack it, too slow and inconvenient. So now I have to go to a bar and get a drink to enjoy in the room, Price has nothing to do with it, getting hammered is something that is way out of my league. I just want the convenience of a cocktail during the pre dinner time in our cabin.:D

 

I couldn't agree with you more. I'm primarily a craft beer drinker and I drink for taste first just as many wine drinkers do. Getting buzzed is secondary. Needless to say on cruiseships the beer I like is not available so I usually go with rum or tequila. So having a few bottles of this in my cabin is more of a convenience thing, like you said, more than anything else.

[Cruise Junky]

That's really interesting, Cruise Junky. They had specifically "discontinued" doing that when I was on the Crown Princess in July 2006. We were given the distinct impression that this was a permanent change. Maybe it was an experiment on the Crown Princess? :confused: :)

 

 

Hi there, not sure if there was a gap between when they stopped letting you order a 750ml and implemented these 375 ml bottles that used to come with Soda but now are just sold separately. But they've definitely been available for a long time infact we ordered a couple on our Nov. 06 Sea Princess cruise and I remember reading that they were available long before that.

[SDPadreFan]

Yes I was thinking that also but I still prefer, very much so, the taste of rum with my diet coke.

 

I would suggest trying Barcardi Limon with diet coke. Discovered this when we were doing the Atkin's Diet. For us, it is much better than regular rum with diet coke.

[traveling1969]

Busted! Just back from a 4-nighter on the Navigator. Out of three of us who had some wine in our checked luggage, they nabbed all three of us. Not a bad score for their security folks: 3 for 3. One of us had unlocked luggage and they took it before his bag got onboard. Two of us had locked our bags and were summoned to the dreaded "security area on deck one" to unlock our bags and face the music. I must say, they were very polite and quite matter-of-fact about it. Our wine was returned to us by noon of the last sea day and we were able to enjoy it later that day. Our other friend received a card stating he could reclaim his upon disembarkation on the pier. One quantity of gin in a tonic bottle was confiscated and not returned. Before the teetotalers and morals police start dumping on us, let me just say mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!:p

[ruskatab]

Im sure everyone is getting caught because its Spring Break. I would say in a month they wont be looking so hard for it. Glad to hear ya got your wine back and enjoyed it!

[traveling1969]

Im sure everyone is getting caught because its Spring Break. I would say in a month they wont be looking so hard for it. Glad to hear ya got your wine back and enjoyed it!

That's what we thought as well. As I said, they were very polite and the process was relatively painless.:p

[Aubiecruiser]

I wonder if all this extra checking is slowing down the delivery of luggage to the staterooms. Anyone have an answer for this one?

Aubie