Wine Packages & Dining Options

[maddie404]

We cruise in 3 weeks on the Zaandam. I am booking shore excursions and dinner items now. We have used the wine package on a prior HAL cruise & found it to be a great value. But that was before all the dining options. If we purchase one of the available wine packages, will we be able to chose a wine from it to enjoy with dinner in the Lido, or in the Pinnacle Grille, or even room service dinners on those evenings? How about 2 wines in one night? Can we get a bottle from our package at lunch if we eat in the dining room?

[Arubalisa]

The only question I can answer with certainty is that yes, you may order more than one bottle per night in the dining room.

Wine Navigator (http://www.arubabound.com/image/lg/us/zaandam/scans/HALwine_navigator.JPG)
Wind Navigator Admiral's Choice (http://www.arubabound.com/image/lg/us/zaandam/scans/HALwine_admiral.JPG)

[VaCruzers]

Arubalisa - We will be on our first HAL cruise in May & I'm afraid I'm not familiar with HAL's wine package program. From looking at your links, it seems like maybe these order forms are available in your cabin or from somewhere before you get to the first evening's dinner. Can you explain how that works? Also, is the wine list in the dining room more extensive than these 2 lists? Thanks for any insight.

[KSCnCA]

Our friends used their wine package in the Pinnacle and there was some confusion, but they were able to use it. The wine steward in the dining room had the receipts for the wine packages and kept track of the wine we ordered in the dining room. I would think that you might have some trouble trying to use it in the Lido. It was not on a computer, but on paper ticket. I got the feeling that the waiter in the Pinnacle went to the dining room wine steward to get the paperwork, and the logistics of that happening between the Lido and the Dining Room seem that it would be unlikely to happen. Good luck. I like the idea of the wine by the glass package. That you could use anywhere!

[dakrewser]

Arubalisa - We will be on our first HAL cruise in May & I'm afraid I'm not familiar with HAL's wine package program. From looking at your links, it seems like maybe these order forms are available in your cabin or from somewhere before you get to the first evening's dinner. Can you explain how that works? Also, is the wine list in the dining room more extensive than these 2 lists? Thanks for any insight.

You can pre-order the package (download the form at HAL's web site) or buy it while waiting to board or anytime during your cruise (the beverage dept. sets up tables in the boarding area as well as on the Lido deck each day). You can order single bottles (for that night's dinner) or a package.

The full wine list includes many items not part of any of the various packages.

[ualtim]

While we did not personally do this, a group of people next to us on the Veendam had one of their Wine bottles forwarded to the Pinnacle grill for the next evening. They did not have a problem with that at all.

We also had to option of wine by the glass package aboard the Veendam that was good anywhere we tried it. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be fleet wide at this time so you will have to check that out once you are on board to see if they are offering it.

As far as the lido goes, I do not think that your package would find you there, but if you talk to your sommelier the first night he/she may be able to forward your bottle with advanced notice.

P.S. One quick tip from aboard the Veendam. When we went to the wine tasting, they offered 15% off the price of a bottle which is a better discount than the wine package. I believe that you can only get one bottle at that discount, but it is a good way to supplement your four day package at a good price. Plus, you get to sample some great wine in the process. The price for wine tasting aboard Veendam was up to $20/person, but we got to sample 7 wines from the pinnacle grill list (most of the 7 bottles retailed at over $50/bottle) and had a snack and desert plate to compliment the wines. They offered wine tasting again late in the week, but the price was $28 for the same wines as the first day. I showed up to participate thinking there would be different wines, but Francisco (sommelier) informed me they were the same so I should not sign up again but he would give another bottle for 15% off just for showing up :). I do not know why the price changed, but if you are going to a wine tasting, go to the first one to avoid the mark up.

[VaCruzers]

Thanks, everyone, for the good info. It is very helpful.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The wine packages can be used anywhere - Lido - lunch - dinner - Main dining room - lunch - dinner - Pinnacle - lunch - dinner.

On our last cruise we ordered wine from our concierge and there was a little confusion for about 5 minutes in the Pinnacle. But the problem was solved.

[maddie404]

Thank you all you cruisers! We will definately try the wine tasting. Still not sure what we will do about dinner wines. Probably get one of the packages, not sure which one. We'll try the wines here at home before we go. We also may bring our own for the cabin. The DH & I are not as extreme as the character in "Sideways" but we do enjoy our wine. For those of you who haven't seen it--go...the wine country of Santa Barbara is beautifully captured on film.

[tankerjo2]

Our wine package we ordered from HAL's Ship Services, turned out to be a bummer. When we arrived for our 1st dinner seating they didn't have a clue about it. It was worked out and corrected but was a hassel. Also when ordering by phone we were informed the 4 bottle package was no longer available but found it was offered on the ship, 6 bottles is just a tad to much for us on a 7 day cruise. We had no problem with our wine in the Pinnacle.

[dakrewser]

Our wine package we ordered from HAL's Ship Services, turned out to be a bummer. When we arrived for our 1st dinner seating they didn't have a clue about it. It was worked out and corrected but was a hassel.

Others have also reported on communications problems between the personnel in Seattle and those on the ship. It shouldn't happen, but - just in case - folks should always bring all the paperwork they have as backup. Hassles make for bad vacations...

[HalFan]

Thanks to you all for the great wine info. Now all I have to do is decide where we go next. :D Does anyone know if the wine lists are the same on all the ships and are the wine tastings offered on all or most ships?

[ualtim]

Thanks to you all for the great wine info. Now all I have to do is decide where we go next. :D Does anyone know if the wine lists are the same on all the ships and are the wine tastings offered on all or most ships?

I have found the wine lists to be similar on all the ships, but they do change from time to time so what was available on your last cruise may not be available on the next one. Additionally, not all of the wines on the list may be available due to supply issues. The wines on the package lists do seem to change with every cruise that I have been on. The wines on the package list on the Zuiderdam last fall were different than the wines available on the package on the Veendam 2 weeks ago. Both package list were different than the lists on the Veendam in March of 2003.

As far as wine tastings go, on every HAL cruise I have been on there has been at least one wine tasting offered. Usually, it is on the first "at sea" day, but that may vary by ship schedule. Check the daily schedule as it will be listed on the day it is offered.

[Cauvet]

I loved Sideways! I used to live in Santa Barbara and it brought back many memories of wine tasting, wine festivals and wine dinners. The only flaw in the movie was when Maya lit a cigarette in the Hitching Post. Anyone from California knows you cannot smoke ANYWHERE indoors. And the Hitching Post does have marvelous Pinot Noir under their label.