Wine Card?

[Kathy & George]

Someone mentioned a Wine Card, similar to a soda card, Does this exist? How do you get one? Is it worth it?:confused:

[ualtim]

They had it aboard the Veendam on our 1/29 cruise, but when I sent an e-mail to Seattle I was told that they are discontinuing the program on all ships. I was disapointed at the news as I was looking forward to it on future cruises. If it is available on your cruise, it is definately worth it, but it sounds like HAL will no longer be offering it.

[Kathy & George]

Thanks for the info. Dissapointing news, but then again I usually bring some wine anyhow. I'll just have to see what they have to offer on board. Does the Pinacle have the same wine list as the main dining room, or is it upscaled?

[mariner]

While I've never heard of the wine card, they do have the Wine Navigator and Captain's Table plans that offer some good choices at reasonable prices. They're well worth looking into and beats schleping some bottles aboard.

The mark-up on HAL's wine list is relatively low on the higher-end and medium priced bottles. Where they make money is the lower end. Forget the Asti. Go with Mumms.

[Kathy & George]

While I've never heard of the wine card, they do have the Wine Navigator and Captain's Table plans that offer some good choices at reasonable prices. They're well worth looking into and beats schleping some bottles aboard.

The mark-up on HAL's wine list is relatively low on the higher-end and medium priced bottles. Where they make money is the lower end. Forget the Asti. Go with Mumms.Thanks, we'll check into those....I do love a great bottle of wine with dinner.:D

[ualtim]

Thanks for the info. Dissapointing news, but then again I usually bring some wine anyhow. I'll just have to see what they have to offer on board. Does the Pinacle have the same wine list as the main dining room, or is it upscaled?

The Pinnacle Grill does have a different wine list which is a bit mroe upscaled than the main dining room, but does not have as large of selection as the main dining room. Mark-ups on all bottles of wine are pretty much the same: the corkage fee. The more the bottle costs, the less the percentage the corkage fee is compared to the overall price so it seems to be a better value.

If you are going to drink wine with dinner, definately go with the packages which are normally offered in 4 or 6 bottle denominations. If you attend wine tastings, they normally provide a greater discount than the package on a single bottle of wine if you purchase it after the tasting (not limited to the wines in the tasting, and if you want a wine from the pinnacle grill list delivered to your main dining table they can probably make it work.)

[Kathy & George]

Thanks for the info about the tastings and related packages. I usually do attend the tastings. It's nice to know that they give you a bit of a break if you purchase those. Do they have tastings early in the week usually? Are the packages available from the sommelier the first day after boarding as well? Thanks again for the info.

[Lisa616]

Just an FYI...On the Zui a few weeks ago, the wine steward saw me lying by the pool and brought me the dinner menu and the wine list. He said that if I pre-ordered my bottle of wine for that evening, it was discounted 10%. Anyone else heard of that?

[Cindy-Sue]

We are booked on the Oosterdam 3-26-05 and purchased a wine package. It's 6 bottles of wine for $144.00, which includes the tax and tip. We won't know what are choices are until we board, but have been assured that it is a good selection of reds, whites and some champagne (my favorite). Hope this helps.

Bon Voyage!

Cindy Sue :)

[Kathy & George]

You guys are awsome! Thanks again for all the great tips!

[viennacruiser]

We are booked on the Oosterdam 3-26-05 and purchased a wine package. It's 6 bottles of wine for $144.00, which includes the tax and tip. We won't know what are choices are until we board, but have been assured that it is a good selection of reds, whites and some champagne (my favorite). Hope this helps.

Bon Voyage!

Cindy Sue :)
Cindy Sue,
Where did you find out about the wine package? do you know what choices you have? also what if you do not drink them all:rolleyes:
thanks

[bballprncess]

Hey There Cindy Sue!

I'm also sailing on the 3/26 Oosterdam cruise. I am interested in the wine package. How do you order it? Maybe we could attend the wine tasting class together!

Best Wishes!
Lori

[mariner]

The packages are outlined in a little booklet that's at each bar and on tables in the lounges.

In addition, a wine steward sets up each day in the Lido area. That's your best bet for finding out which bottles are available for each package.

I have not gotten a 10 percent discount for preordering in about 3 years. Glad to hear it might be coming back. But that wasn't the case on Maasdam 3 weeks ago.

[Kathy & George]

This all sounds great. I think I could like sailing HAL. Thanks again for all the tips.