Bringing Your Own Wine Aboard

[MagnumGourmet]

Looking for advice from cruisers that typically bring thier own wine aboard.

I talked to a rep at HAL that said the policy is to allow 6 bottles of wine per person on a cruise. I will be traveling with a group of 10 people and am bringing 3 cases to cover all dinner wines for the week.

I have three main questions....

Does the wine steward have access to decanters for older reds?

Is it possible to get that evenings wine in the hands of the wine steward before dinner time (to get the whites at serving temperature) or typically do you have to bring them down when you arrive for dinner?

Is it customary to offer a taste of a special bottle to the wine steward? I like to give them some so that it allows them another opportunity to expand thier palate, however I have found that it is 50/50 is some restaurants...i.e. no drinking on the job.

Thanks all.

MG!

[dakrewser]

Looking for advice from cruisers that typically bring thier own wine aboard.

I talked to a rep at HAL that said the policy is to allow 6 bottles of wine per person on a cruise. I will be traveling with a group of 10 people and am bringing 3 cases to cover all dinner wines for the week.

I've never heard of a 6-bottle limit so it's either new or (as frequently happens these days with HAL customer service reps) the person you spoke to was making it up as they went along. I've seen bottles of booze confiscated, but never seen bottles of wine subject to a count.
I have three main questions....

Does the wine steward have access to decanters for older reds?

I've also never seen a decanter, but would also hesitate to bring anything needing decanting. The journey to the ship would be enough to cause problems, I should think. Still, if there's something that does need decanting I would do so before leaving home, then re-bottle and re-cork the wine.

Is it possible to get that evenings wine in the hands of the wine steward before dinner time (to get the whites at serving temperature) or typically do you have to bring them down when you arrive for dinner?

Bring the bottle with you the night before so that you can hand it directly to the wine steward and discuss the best serving ambience (time to breathe, correct temperature, etc.). While your cabin steward can be trusted to deliver a bottle to the dining room, don't expect that he could also convey any instructions.


Is it customary to offer a taste of a special bottle to the wine steward? I like to give them some so that it allows them another opportunity to expand thier palate, however I have found that it is 50/50 is some restaurants...i.e. no drinking on the job.

Definitely let the wine steward have a taste and invite his/her comments. Any place that won't let their personnel taste doesn't deserve to have a wine list!

Have a great cruise!

[caviargal]

We brought a case for personal consumption on our March ZUI cruise.

We had dinner in Pinnacle all nights but one, and our wine was decanted every evening after we requested it the first night.

We offered a taste each evening to the wine steward and he always partook, although sometimes waited til most diners left. We always dine late.

And we would drop off the evening's selection at some point during the day. After the first evening, our decanter and bottle awaited us each evening.

And, we did tip the wine steward each evening for service along with paying the corkage.

Hope this helps.

[CaliforniaAC]

Bring the bottle with you the night before so that you can hand it directly to the wine steward and discuss the best serving ambience (time to breathe, correct temperature, etc.). While your cabin steward can be trusted to deliver a bottle to the dining room, don't expect that he could also convey any instructions.


It doesn't hurt to write down the instructions on a large post-it note (that can be removed before the wine is served) for the wine steward.

Also (from experience), If you open a bottle at the Pinnacle Grill and will finish it in the Dining Room, make sure you know the name of the Wine Steward at the Pinnacle Grill. If your Wine Steward in the Dining Room can't find the bottle, you can tell him who to ask where they put it.

I have a question for the three of you... I can't remember the title of the Master Wine Steward that has gone through all the certifications. He wears a silver tasting cup around his neck. I'm sure one of you would know.

[caviargal]

I have a question for the three of you... I can't remember the title of the Master Wine Steward that has gone through all the certifications. He wears a silver tasting cup around his neck. I'm sure one of you would know.

The Sommelier.:)

[dakrewser]

I have a question for the three of you... I can't remember the title of the Master Wine Steward that has gone through all the certifications. He wears a silver tasting cup around his neck. I'm sure one of you would know.

It's "Dave". I often roam the dining room with a tastevin around my neck offering to "check the quality" of the wines people are drinking...:rolleyes:

[crystal808]

It's "Dave".

LMAO!!!!!! :D

Paul

[trubey]

It's "Dave" . . . :rolleyes:


:) :p :)

Loved it. susana.

[bruceh4]

Looking for advice from cruisers that typically bring thier own wine aboard.

I talked to a rep at HAL that said the policy is to allow 6 bottles of wine per person on a cruise.

MG!It sounds like a customer service rep made up the 6 bottle limit. On my last cruise a couple was at the terminal with a hand cart with 4 cases of wine and nobody stopped them:eek:

[MagnumGourmet]

It sounds like a customer service rep made up the 6 bottle limit. On my last cruise a couple was at the terminal with a hand cart with 4 cases of wine and nobody stopped them:eek:

You bring up an interesting quandry....How to carry 115 pounds of wine onto a cruise ship. I mean, I am in decent shape but I won't be for long if I attempt that. Will there be someone at the dock that can help me carry the cases on board? Do NOT want to put it with my checked luggage.

[sail7seas]

HAL has a wine list. Surely you can find some wines that would appeal to both your palate and your budget. Why not bring some bottles and buy some aboard rather than kill yourself lugging over a hundred pounds with you?

Isn't it a nice opportunity to sample a few new ones.....and, most likely, you'll find some favorites on the list as well.

If you can properly package your cases of wine, the stevedores will load it for you.

If not......you should plan to carry it yourself. That is why it might be a good idea to cut back on how much you plan to bring.


JMHO.....

[MagnumGourmet]

HAL has a wine list. Surely you can find some wines that would appeal to both your palate and your budget. Why not bring some bottles and buy some aboard rather than kill yourself lugging over a hundred pounds with you?

Isn't it a nice opportunity to sample a few new ones.....and, most likely, you'll find some favorites on the list as well.

If you can properly package your cases of wine, the stevedores will load it for you.

If not......you should plan to carry it yourself. That is why it might be a good idea to cut back on how much you plan to bring.


JMHO.....




I actually have a copy of the current wine list (you can view it in this post http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=333796 ). Personally I didn't find it overly exciting.

However, I am bringing the wine from my own cellar for the group I am traveling with. It allows me to share older bottles of properly stored wines that you can't get from a typical wine list.

I would pack it properly to go with the checked baggage, but the cruise line will just unpack it to make sure that there are no bottles of liquor mixed in the case.

I will end up carrying it onboard myself...It is worth it!

[shipaddict]

I think it costs 12.00 for someone to pour a bottle of wine.

[MagnumGourmet]

I think it costs 12.00 for someone to pour a bottle of wine.

Corkage fee on HAL is $15 per bottle. This is inclusive of the typical 15% tip. However, if the steward is good, i have no problem giving him a healthy $$$ handshake at the end of the cruise.

Great service deserves appreciation.

[jerseygirl3]

I'm not sure all the things you are requesting (decanted, white wine chilled before dinner, etc.) will be accomplished by the regular dining wait staff. As others have said, it doesn't seem to be a problem in the Pinnacle Grill, but it is much less hurried there. I would discuss it with the Maitre de when you board the ship to make the arrangments. Perhaps also ask to speak with the Sommelier.

[dakrewser]

HAL has a wine list.



I've got to agree with MG, Sail - HAL's wine list is very unimaginative. It's one area were I feel Celebrity is much better. It's not enough to keep me away from HAL - or sailing X more - but it is something that I'd like to see improved.

[sail7seas]

:) I didn't say they had a phenomenal wine list. :)

Simply that they have a wine list.

I think most people can find a wine or two they can enjoy from their list.

I'm just an average cruiser without an overly sophisticated palate. ;) and we manage to find a wine to enjoy with our dinner each evening.

Speaking only for myself, I'd never lug all those bottles with me.

Different strokes for different folks and all that..............

[dakrewser]

:) I didn't say they had a phenomenal
wine list. :)

We're in full agreement, Sail. I've never brought more than a single bottle of champagne with me on-board. But as my wife and I only pick tables for two, there's no need to bring the better stuff, which we'll enjoy at home. There's always something drinkable on the wine list, but never anything to be discovered. Still, we only have to drive an hour or so in any direction to find wine gems, so I won't complain over much :rolleyes:

[NorthernNeighbour]

Personnally, I would find it a bit embarrassing to have my "private stock" of fine wine while dining with others at a table who order ordinary wines from the wine list.

However, I suppose if one is dining "a deux" every evening and perhaps in the reservations-only restaurant, then why not?

[MagnumGourmet]

Please remember that the only reason I am bringing 36 bottles is that it is for 10 people over a week. All sitting at the same table.

If it were just my wife and I, the list would be paired down significantly to one bottle for each night at dinner plus two bottles of champagne.

[dakrewser]

So, MG, what will you be bringing along?

[MagnumGourmet]

So, MG, what will you be bringing along?

Saturday
2 - Scharffenberger Sparkling Wine
3 - Januik Merlot
1 - Rulo Combine

Sunday
2 - St Supery Cabernet
2 - Chateau St Jean Belle Terre Vineyard Chardonnay

Monday
3 - Penny's Hill Shiraz
1 - Woodinville Wine Company Sauvignon Blanc

Tuesday
2 - Seghesio Zinfandel
2 - Solena Pinot Gris

Wednesday
3 - Terra Blanca Cabernet
1 - Rulo Sundance Vineyard Chardonnay

Thursday
2 - Rulo Syrah
2 - Cougar Crest Viognier

Friday
2 - Scharffenberger Sparkling Wine
3 - Terra Blanca Merlot
1 - L'ecole Barrel Fermented Semillon

OTHERS
2 - 1985 Porto Rocha Vintage Port
2 - Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes

[dakrewser]

Outside of the Scharffenberger (not my favorite, or even top 3) and the L'ecole (haven't tried it), I'd gladly bring along my tastevin and decant them for you....:rolleyes:

[MagnumGourmet]

Outside of the Scharffenberger (not my favorite, or even top 3) and the L'ecole (haven't tried it), I'd gladly bring along my tastevin and decant them for you....:rolleyes:

The whole point of having wine is to share it...For some reason it makes it taste better.

Had planned on bringing either the J or Frank Family sparkling wines, but my wife likes the Scharffenberger.

If you get a chance to try the L'ecole, it's a great QPR. It runs about $13 a bottle and I prefer it to the single vineyard semillon for twice the price. It's a consistent wine year in and year out.

Of all the wines on the list the one that I would recommend to try if you ever get the chance is the Rulo Syrah. It is a small producer in Walla Walla, WA.

[canaandog]

I have sailed on a number of HAL cruises and have procured a copy of the wine list in advance each time. Each time, the actual inventory was larger than represented (i.e., greater selection than originally represented). In each experience, there were a number of truly memorable wines available at a lesser price than would have been available in a land based restaurant. There was, however, almost always an issue finding a "wine steward" who actually knew anything about wine. You should spend some time as soon as you hit the ship identifying the party who will be able to meet your needs with your own wine. There is no reason for you to settle for anything less than quality service in this area. You should be able to have your wines served at the appropriaate tempertures, decanted if necessary -- even opened in advance to permit breathing if you prefer. You will just have to spend a little time and effort identifying the appropriate staff person with the authority, willingness, and expertise to assist you. There will be someone, but in my experience, it may take a little work to find them.

Oh, you will be able to get a list of all of the vintages on the entire list once you are on board. The explanation I got as to why I couldn't get that info in advance made little sense, but I have never been able to get it from HAL prior to boarding.

You are bringing some nice wines, but I think you could have done just as well from the list (I followed your link to the HAL list), except for older vintages. If I really needed the older wines, I would carry them, and just get everything else on board. But that's just me. . . .

[dakrewser]

If you get a chance to try the L'ecole, it's a great QPR. It runs about $13 a bottle and I prefer it to the single vineyard semillon for twice the price. It's a consistent wine year in and year out.

Of all the wines on the list the one that I would recommend to try if you ever get the chance is the Rulo Syrah. It is a small producer in Walla Walla, WA.

Next time I'm in Walla, Walla :)

[MagnumGourmet]

You are bringing some nice wines, but I think you could have done just as well from the list (I followed your link to the HAL list), except for older vintages. If I really needed the older wines, I would carry them, and just get everything else on board. But that's just me. . . .

I have two main reasons for bringing the wines rather than purchasing them from the ship...

If I don't open my cellar up for large party consumption on occasion, there is a tendancy to fall behind in my drinking and have wines go "over the hill". Plus it's just good to share!!!

I personally believe that "nearly" all red wines will improve with a couple more years of bottle age after release. Did you know that 98% of all wine purchased in the United States is consumed within 24 hours.