Coffee & Water & Wine question

[VKMcCarty]

OK, Sports fans--

Here's two basic questions:
Will the coffee be OK on Royal Caribbean, specifically on the Brilliance May 26 in the Med? Will it be Starbucks-quality?

And can you brush your teeth in the tap water, or is it better to use bottled water? as one often does in Eastern European journeys, anyway.

Regarding coffee, if someone were to ask me about the Princess ships, I cd tell you that the strongest coffee by far comes out of the tap of the Princess-version of the Windjammer. That stuff packs a caffeine zing, whereas the coffee poured in the dining rooms is pretty wimpy.

Are there special expresso bars? This is an area where Princess could do a little better, but maybe Royal Carib's use real ground expresso, Prin still uses powdery stuff that isn't really expresso, so it's not "shot-gunning" into coffee.

And while I'm at it, how's the quality of the choices of wines by the glass? Is it OK? A pleasant glass of Merlot or Chardonney?

[jean-lynd]

I don't drink coffee or wine but I can help you with the water. We always drink the tap water on the ship and find it to be very good. I hope this helps!

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[xpcdoojk]

I will post generically, about the coffee, but it is almost always very strong. On some of the Radiance class ships which the Brilliance is they have a Seattle's Best Coffee house. Similar to Starbucks and it is not free. You can also, get a cappucino or expresso on all the ships in the main dining room for a fee. The standard coffee is drinkable, but not nearly as good as Starbucks.

The water is probably as pure as what you drink at home. In fact it is probably purer. So drinking from the tap water is no risk at all. There have been stories of colored tap water, and I believe this happens when they are flushing the lines, still the water will not hurt you as it is most likely iron in the piping system you are seeing. If you have discolored water, unlikely, just run the faucet til it runs clear.

Wine, by the glass is available, and is fine, and priced like a nice land restaurant. Remember most restaurants don't sell Opus by the glass, and you will get grocery store brands of Merlot or Chardonnay, but again what is wrong with that and they are drinkable and pleasant.

jc

[trish1c]

But if you want the Opus you can buy a bottle the 1st night & they will hold it for you, pouring each night until it's finished.

Trish

[DENNAS]

To answer the coffee part of your question:
On the Radiance a few weeks ago the coffee OUT of the dining rooms was pretty bad. Just so you can compare, I predominately drink Folger's, Maxwell House, Or CF Of N, both at work and home, all of which I think is pretty good, but comparing the Windjammer coffee to this, it was, very bland, no real flavor to it, and somewhat weak. I believe that IN the dining room it's indeed Seattle's Best, which was VERY good. We had it at dinner and breakfast when we ate in the dining room. I definately noticed a difference in the coffee in the Windjammer vs. the dining room.

[yarlenna]

That was supposed to be coffee?
They could have fooled me!
If you want coffee go to the Seatle's Best Coffee house. That is decent coffee.
Water is OK, but remember it will be warm unless you put it over ice. (Your room steward will keep your ice bucket filled. If he doesn't do it automatically, just ask.)
Yes, the wine list included chardonay and merlot. We also enjoy the Shiraz.

Work like a dog. Live like a pauper. Save all your money. Then Cruise!

[VKMcCarty]

Goodness, this is all so helpful!Thank you ever so much.

And it is good to be getting used to saying windjammer this and that instead of lido-food like they do on Princess. I'm really acclimating to the RC experience.

And the Seattle coffee bar coffee sounds wonderful and I look forward to it. And I'll probably be back after the cruise and review it all here myself as well.
Thanks again!

[Auroraknights]

Ok....on the coffee subject. Does anyone know if the "Vision" has brewed decaf coffee or do they only offer instant? Also do they have decaf tea? Any info would be appreciated.

[cruiserforlife]

xpcdoojk is correct regarding the wines.You won't be dissapointed or overwellmed by the wine by the glass selection.

Cruiseships tend to serve the cheapest wines they can get away with so you may need to step up in price to get something that is half way drinkable.

The other spectrum is high-end wines that have been shook to death.

You decide.

"a bad day at sea is better than a great day at work and a lousy day at sea is still pretty damn good!"

[DedeM]

Yes, I'm curious about decaf too. I'm hoping they serve it brewed in the dining room as well as windjammer. I'd hate to have to give up another caffeine addiction after the cruise is over [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

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[lscole]

I found on recent cruises the by the glass (white) is ok. Nothing I'd rave about and usually add ice. I prefer pinot grigio and you can only get glasses of pinot grigio in Chops or Portofino's. I think the wine by the glass selection needs to be better in the bars.

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[kath816]

Hi, on the Radiance two weeks ago I drank decaf coffee. It was definitely concentrate in the Windjammer and not very appetizing. The coffee in the dining room was brewed and very good. Now I must add here that I do not care for Starbucks; it is too strong for me. I also had a latte (I think) one day at the coffee shop and it was good also - not cheap, but good! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

We brought our own bottles of wine, and the water was fine.

Hope this helps.

[pegasushello]

how do you bring your own wine on board, right in your luggage and they dont say anything? I want to bring juices like pineapple is that ok too? It seems like they would take it from us? But I want to ring the juices we are use to guava and so on. thanks

[VKMcCarty]

Gosh, this is so long ago you, but I wanted you to know that I have seen mixed answers about this. My hunch is that if you packed it inside yr luggage, probably no one would notice, but that if you walk onboard with wine bags they "help you out" by taking them for you and giving them back the last day.

I remember on numerous Caribbean cruises with Princess that once I got down to Florida, I would open up a collapsible suitcase I had brought and filled it with soda juice beer and wine and tried to stuff soft things around it, and they just delivered it with my other luggage and there was no trouble.

Good luck!

[canyousayvacation]

Here's another question. Has anyone found it worth the time and expense to get the soda card on RCCL? Also, does the soda card include bottled water or do you still have to pay for that? Thanks!


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[VKMcCarty]

Your bottled water question is a good one, and I have a hunch that isn't included, but rather just cans of soda and fountain soda.

Those cards are, I think, a good idea if you find you drink a lot of soda, and for example, like soda with your meals in the dining room. And certainly if you have kids, a soda card for a thirsty teen will save you in the long run.

Anyone know if bottled water is covered on the RCCL soda cards???

[the_psycho]

No, the soda cards do not cover either bottled water, or soda in cans. Only sodas from a fountain.

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[39august]

Bottled water is not necessary. The water on Brilliance tasted fine to me. We always have a water bottle when we travel and just fill it up as needed. Do remember to take water when you go ashore.

[canyousayvacation]

Thanks for the help. I had a feeling that bottled water isn't included - but never hurts to ask! Good idea about taking our own water bottles!


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[pegasushello]

I am saving fitness water bottles(propell) to bring in the suitcase, they are blue and allows you to fill with another color of liquid, in my case I am bringing a wine in there, like zindfandel white or pink doesnt show up. I really dont want it confinscated during our disembarkment so I put it in the suitcase...

have a great time on RCCL

[VKMcCarty]

Quite clever, really!