Wine cost

[crayola]

We just recieved our documents for our December 30 cruise. Included within them was a gift list which offered different wine packages. Some of the selections were (6) assorted bottles for $144 or individual bottles of Merlot or Chardonnay for $18 each. Is there any pricing advantage to purchasing the wine now or is it the same price on board? Also, if purchased as gifts, can they be consumed at dinner without a corkage fee?

[sail7seas]

If the wine is purchased through the HAL gift list, you can drink it in the dining room with no corkage fee. The only time you pay a corkage fee is if you are bringing a wine you purchased/obtained from anywhere other than the ship/HAL.

[Arubalisa]

There is also an excellent thread regarding this at wine packages (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=107713&highlight=wine+package)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I was just looking over the "gift" list that we got in our documents.

It appears that the 6 bottle wine package has gone up in price since our last cruise and since I posted the list on the other thread.

[Arubalisa]

Gift Order Form (http://www.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/onboard/Gift_Order.pdf) http://www.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/onboard/Gift_Order.pdf (http://www.hollandamerica.com/pdfs/onboard/Gift_Order.pdf)
6 bottle Wine Package 144.00
Admiral 6 Bottle Wine package 207.00

[CDRMark]

On the 11/20 Maasdam voyage there was no price advantage to getting the package prior to sailing. Also on the first sea day there was a wine tasting held (for cost) to give one an idea of the various offerings.

Cheers
MarkB

[LAFFNVEGAS]

On our last cruise just a few weeks ago I was expecting to pay $4.00 more a bottle than my previous cruise for our favorite Asti because HAL's web site and the gift list said it cost $26.00. I had stated here on these boards that I was a little upset. When we got on the ship they knew nothing of that price and they were the same price of $22.00 that we have paid for previous 2 cruises. I was extremely happy. I think if you buy it on board and not before the cruise it could possibly be cheaper.