Cellar Master Package

[YHZcruiser]

My partner and I will be sailing on the Eurodam in May (17 days, Barcelona-Dover) and I am considering purchasing the Cellar Master Package. The price seems very good, even in Canadian dollars! Description: A premium wine tasting experience is available throughout the length of your cruise with the Cellar Master Package. Two wine tasting events conducted by our Cellar Master, two evenings of fine dining in the Pinnacle Grill, five vintage bottles based on the wine navigators' preference, a Holland America Line commemorative bottle and wine gift are included for on board enjoyment. Pricing based on double occupancy, 11+ day voyages. A 15% service charge is included in the price of the item.

My question is: Has anyone tried this or a similar package and what did you think of the wine tasting events? Were the wines proposed interesting? I remember attending a couple of wines tastings on another HAL cruise (Caribbean) and they were pretty good; nothing outstanding but certainly some nice surprises. I am interested in comments.

Sylvain

[YXU AC*SE]

Bonjour Sylvain. I'd perhaps save my money?

Having come off the Eurodam on Labour Day, I can say that the wine tastings are merely okay -- the wines (for the most part) come from the various Wine Navigators -- both the Navigator's and Admiral's Choice packages (so really with a view to sell the packages themselves.) The food pairing ones are generally more interesting -- on our 18-day TA we have four from which to choose, and the one pairing wine with chocolate (yes, chocolate) was a little off the beaten path so we tried it for a lark.

Oddly, we couldn't get into either the Culinary Arts centre, or the dining room, so the tasting was held in the Explorer's Lounge. With the low to the ground cocktail seating there, we practically sat beneath the table -- I felt like I was at the kid table for Christmas dinner! :-) It was an okay mid-afternoon sea day filler, but I am not sure I could see the value in purchasing a package. Of course, YMMV.

Scott.

[YHZcruiser]

Thank you for your response. Now that I read your reply, I remember our HAL cruise in the Caribbean and the tastings were somewhat linked to the packages. Mind you, they had some surprises, which was nice. The tastings were well organized and we still enjoyed them. They held them in the Culinary Arts Centre both times.

A friend sent me the complete lists of packages and wine lists. As I study it, I notice that most of the wines in packages are not on the regular wine list. Interesting, because it's hard to gauge the prices and determine if you had a deal or... if you were had :rolleyes:! I might just have to take a gamble! It was the same situation on Celebrity Century when we sailed on a TA last spring. I had bought a package, which turned out to be very good. We had several wines in the package that were not on the main list, among them an albarino (Paco & Lola). Very, very nice. The cellar is located not far from Vigo, where we stop on the cruise. We just might have to pay them a visit!

I visited you website. Nicely done.

Sylvain

[lv9777]

Are all the wine tasting and culinary classes extra? Do you need to order prior to the cruise?

[YHZcruiser]

Are all the wine tasting and culinary classes extra? Do you need to order prior to the cruise?

I can't remember very well; there might have been a small fee ($10), but there might have been none either. I remember we had to register ahead of time because the room was prepared in advance with place settings, glasses, food. Maybe Dutch by Association could tell you. I did not attend the culinary classes.

Sylvain