View Full Version : Wine packages
mvkor
July 31st, 2011, 05:33 PM
Do you think it is a good idea to buy this wine packages:
Admiral's wine package or Navigator's wine package?
As a 3 Stars Mariner I will get 25% off, so may be it is a time to try them?
Anybody has an experience?
CoconutFish
July 31st, 2011, 05:50 PM
The Admiral's pack has a few nice, but ordinary, wines, especially the whites. You really have to wait and see exactly which wines are included on your specific cruise, because they do change a lot; otherwise I would give you some recommendations.
If you want a better than average wine, the packages are not the way to go as they are very middle-of-the-road. Mostly in the $10 to 16 range at home. Even the Admiral's pack!
If you just want something drinkable and inexpensive, go with a bottle of the house white. Usually this is very dependable, the red not.
We have bought the Admiral's pack and even with 50% discount, it worked out to more that the house bottles. It is just a matter of what you want to pay for.
Cheers!
mllewis48
July 31st, 2011, 08:09 PM
We've always done the Navigator Package, and like you, with our 25% discount it's not that bad, some decent choices. If you compare the cost to bringing it onboard and paying the corkage fee it averages out. We usually bring onboard for in-room consumption. We'll soon be 4 Star so the 50% discount might be a little more enticing. If you are a big wine consumer the onboard wines may not appeal to you but as said they're okay.
Good Luck
Mike
SJSULIBRARIAN
July 31st, 2011, 08:38 PM
We buy the Navigator package onevery cruise since we drink a bottle with dinner each night. There are two reds that we like and alternate. Have no idea if the whites are any good or not. With 50% off as 4Star Mariner, we think it is a good deal.
kazu
August 1st, 2011, 06:43 AM
We have done both the navigator and admiral packages. We tend to drink more whites and they usually offer a couple of decent ones. I used to order in advance but now I wait until I am onboard to see the selection and then choose which one has wines that appeal to us. (You can order the same one or two over and over if you so wish). The savings makes it worthwhile for us. JMO:)
Gerd
August 1st, 2011, 07:20 AM
.
Hello "mvkor"
its HAL wine packages are interesting with the mariner discount but unfortunately not more.
The given wine choices are more orientated to the US flavor (and I do have really nothing against US citizen nor there wine), but if you like more international, and because you are from Russia, more European wine, you will be disappointed.
But as a 3 / 4 star mariner, you will win via the vessel price level, and thats why we also book the navigator packages.
But also the expensive wine proposals at the onboard list reflect my statement above.
The price level, as living in France, is for a upper-quoted Dining room most equal then here, but I indeed agree, its pricy
.!
Happy cruising
G E R D
Our marvelous cruises : :)
MS Ryndam Wayfarer March 1997
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MS Volendam - Southern Caribbean - April 2002
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mvkor
August 1st, 2011, 03:58 PM
Thank you very much for the opinions.
Do you know: Are there rose wines offered in these packages?
travelinjones
August 1st, 2011, 04:07 PM
Thank you very much for the opinions.
Do you know: Are there rose wines offered in these packages?
Don't believe that there was a rose on either the Admirals or Navigator packages on the Prinsendam cruise we were just on.
We always go to the first wine tasting onboard (which generally focuses on wines from these packages) and then buy a package according to what we liked.
With the 4-start Mariner discount, you can't go wrong with the packages.
Of course, if you like specific wines, why not buy in port and bring on? The $18 corkage lets you enjoy what you love with dinner, and in your stateroom with no charge.