Corkage fee question

[O2B@C]

If we open a bottle of wine in our stateroom before dinner, have a glass each on the veranda, and then bring the rest of the bottle with us to the dining room, should we expect to pay the corkage charge for that bottle?

Does the answer to that question change if:

(1) We ask for a tableside ice bucket to keep it chilled (we normally drink whites), and/or

(2) We don't finish the bottle that night, and ask the steward to keep it for us until the following evening? (Yeah, I know, we're wimps when it comes to drinking.:rolleyes: )

I would expect to tip the steward for the above services, of course, but my question is whether people think we would and/or should be charged for corkage if we bring in a bottle that we have already opened ourselves. I myself am of two minds on the question, which is why I'm asking for your opinions. Thanks!

[peaches from georgia]

[QUOTE=O2B@C;10535812]If we open a bottle of wine in our stateroom before dinner, have a glass each on the veranda, and then bring the rest of the bottle with us to the dining room, should we expect to pay the corkage charge for that bottle?

I don't really know the answer to your questions. I would think if you asked your wine steward to perform a service for you with your wine- chilling, storing- then you probably would be charged the corkage fee.

However, I don't think the purpose of the 'corkage' fee has anything to do with the act of uncorking the bottle. The reason for the fee is because you are drinking wine in the dining room that you purchased elsewhere when you could have purchased wine from HAL. If an uncorked bottle coming into the dining room meant no corkage fee, then I think everybody would uncork in their room, don't you? ;)

[jtl513]

However, I don't think the purpose of the 'corkage' fee has anything to do with the act of uncorking the bottle. The reason for the fee is because you are drinking wine in the dining room that you purchased elsewhere when you could have purchased wine from HAL. If an uncorked bottle coming into the dining room meant no corkage fee, then I think everybody would uncork in their room, don't you? ;)I agree.

O2B@C: if you are "wimps" that don't drink that much at dinner, why not have a glass in your cabin and then bring another full glass to dinner, as if you had purchased it at a nearby bar/lounge?

[Gonzo70]

Here's what we did to avoid the corkage fee. Have a glass of wine in stateroom/verandah prior to dinner. Fill up glasses just before leaving room for dinner. If there is still wine left, store it in your stateroom fridge (if white). It is easy to pack one of those wine stoppers to bring with you and your steward can supply you with wine glasses and a corkscrew for your stateroom at no charge. Bring full glasses of wine (minus the bottle) into the dining room. Nobody can tell that it is your own wine versus you bought a glass of wine at a bar/lounge prior to dinner and then brought the wine with you to dinner.

[peaches from georgia]

I agree.

O2B@C: if you are "wimps" that don't drink that much at dinner, why not have a glass in your cabin and then bring another full glass to dinner, as if you had purchased it at a nearby bar/lounge?
One good reason not to do that is that HAL allows pax to bring wine onto the ship with the understanding that it is to be drunk ONLY in your cabin and not taken to bars or dining rooms. If there is too much abuse of this policy then HAL would have every reason to disallow pax bringing on any alcohol. Many cruiselines confiscate all wine, champagne, soft drinks, etc. being brought aboard.

[Gonzo70]

I agree.

O2B@C: if you are "wimps" that don't drink that much at dinner, why not have a glass in your cabin and then bring another full glass to dinner, as if you had purchased it at a nearby bar/lounge?

Doh, you beat me to it!

[Gonzo70]

I agree.

O2B@C: if you are "wimps" that don't drink that much at dinner, why not have a glass in your cabin and then bring another full glass to dinner, as if you had purchased it at a nearby bar/lounge?

Doh, you beat me to it!

[Denn33]

I would guess that you woudl be charged, but I have no idea what the real answer is. But it is true that "Corkage" is not about them actually "uncorking" the bottle for you.
If I were not going to finish an entire bottle of wine with dinner, but wanted to have a drink in my stateroom beforehand, I would instead do the following: (1) have one bottle of wine in the stateroom, and put a stopper in it after opening it the first night (and put it in the fridge if it's white); (2) take a different bottle to the dining room, pay the $15 corkage fee the first night, and then you get to have them store what's left and have it the next night without paying an additional fee. The corkage fee really doesn't seem bad when it's spread over 2 different days.
Carrying a full glass of wine from your stateroom to the dining room sounds like a bit of a hassle...I especially wouldn't want to do it with red wine (imagine if you spilled it on yourself, or worse, someone else on your way to the dining room (get bumped in an elevator, etc)!)

[jtl513]

One good reason not to do that is that HAL allows pax to bring wine onto the ship with the understanding that it is to be drunk ONLY in your cabin and not taken to bars or dining rooms.Really? :confused: :confused: I have never heard that before! Where did you get that info? :)

[O2B@C]

...
If I were not going to finish an entire bottle of wine with dinner, but wanted to have a drink in my stateroom beforehand, I would instead do the following: (1) have one bottle of wine in the stateroom, and put a stopper in it after opening it the first night (and put it in the fridge if it's white); (2) take a different bottle to the dining room, pay the $15 corkage fee the first night, and then you get to have them store what's left and have it the next night without paying an additional fee. The corkage fee really doesn't seem bad when it's spread over 2 different days...

Thanks - that's an excellent suggestion - and you make a very good point about the corkage fee being even more reasonable if spread over two days. So I think that's what we'll do.

I thought about the suggestion of carrying it into the DR in a glass, but even though we'll be only one deck away from the DR, that still sounds a bit chancy. Plus DH might want more than one glass with dinner, and if we have a bottle available in the dining room, he'll have that option.

I don't have a problem with paying the corkage fee - I understand the reasons behind it - and I certainly wouldn't want to do anything that might cause HAL to change its policy allowing pax to bring wine! :D (I wish they'd extend it to include beer so we could bring some decent microbrews instead of being limited to what they carry, but that's another issue, and I can live with Heineken and Corona.)

Thanks for your help, everyone!

[peaches from georgia]

Really? :confused: :confused: I have never heard that before! Where did you get that info? :)
I can't say I have read that in any official HAL policy, but it certainly has been discussed here very negatively. You do see pax leaving the dr with an empty wine glass and returning with a full one. The Maitre d's are not stupid.

HAL can change allowing pax to bring on wine at any time if they think pax are abusing the privilege. Why would they have a corkage fee for bringing in a bottle for dinner yet bringing wine by the glass to avoid the fee is okay?

[Denn33]

(I wish they'd extend it to include beer so we could bring some decent microbrews instead of being limited to what they carry, but that's another issue, and I can live with Heineken and Corona.)


I bet they wouldn't know the difference or mind if you brought on a beer like Chimay Ale that comes in a wine-sized bottle :)

[3 Fan]

Not saying that I've done it but... A folded $5 bill under a bottle of wine on your table does wonders. Tell the WS it is for him/her, they smile, slips the money into his/her pocket and says nice choice. It has been corked and returned the next night. But now the wine card is easier.

[dakrewser]

The corkage fee applies to drinking your own wine in the DR, no matter where it is opened. The bar waiter may decide not to charge you, but bribing him "up front" is really tacky, IMHO.

Bring the open bottle with you, and let him know the situation. If he charges you, sign the slip. If not, let him have a taste...

[LVSue]

"But now the wine card is easier."

I keep hearing about the wine card. What is it? How much is it? What kind of wine is it good for (type and maker)?

[grsnovi]

We used the wine card on our 6/2 Oosterdam sailing. Paid about $70 (USD) prior to boarding ship for a 20 punch card. The card is good for the "house" wines (minimally) in the dining room and Lido. I seem to remember there were places where you couldn't use the card, but I also recall we used it in the PG as well as one of the bars off the Lido. The house chardonnay that we drank all week was fine as far as we were concerned. I think they had about five varieties. Using the card is easy: you request a glass of wine and your card is punched by your wine steward.

[jtl513]

"But now the wine card is easier."

I keep hearing about the wine card. What is it? How much is it? What kind of wine is it good for (type and maker)?20 glasses of "house wine" is $67.50 + 15% service charge, 10 glasses is $36 + 15%. Card is punched once for each glass. Choices are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, "sparkling" (they don't say Champagne.) No brands revealed. For whites, many people prefer the Pinot Grigio to the Chard. Best to buy them from your dining room wine steward so s/he gets the 15%, and you don't have to pay the state sales tax in some ports.

There are also soda cards, specialty coffee cards, and "Signature cocktail cards". Ask again if you need to know about them. :D

[m steve]

those figuring how to beat a $15 corkage I hope thatHAL stops all wine being brought onboard. What a bunch af losers. It's one thing to have the convenience of a drink in your cabin but it's really a different story trying to beat the house for the corkage charge or making cocktails and carrying them about the ship. All I can hope for is having the wine steward bump you as you enter and pour your drink on your new dress.:D

[O2B@C]

[If many passengers were as cheap as] those figuring how to beat a $15 corkage I hope thatHAL stops all wine being brought onboard. What a bunch af losers. It's one thing to have the convenience of a drink in your cabin but it's really a different story trying to beat the house for the corkage charge or making cocktails and carrying them about the ship. All I can hope for is having the wine steward bump you as you enter and pour your drink on your new dress.:D

I sure hope this was not aimed at me. I thought my original post made it clear that I was not trying to figure out how to "beat" the corkage, I was just asking in good faith whether or not it would apply in the situation I described. Now that I have been informed that it does indeed apply, I fully accept that, and have no intention of trying to get around it - as I also made clear in a subsequent post in this thread.

In the future I hope you will find ways to express your opinions - the substance of which I actually agree with, in this instance - without using insulting words like "cheap" and "losers" or wishing unfortunate accidents on people you disagree with. You do not enhance your credibility by being unpleasant.

[jtl513]

In the future I hope you will find ways to express your opinions - the substance of which I actually agree with, in this instance - without using insulting words like "cheap" and "losers" or wishing unfortunate accidents on people you disagree with. You do not enhance your credibility by being unpleasant.Amen! :)

[sail7seas]

I wouldn't bring an open bottle of wine to the dining room. Just me; just not something I would do.

IF you choose to bring a bottle you have already opened, you should expect to pay the corkage fee IMO You would be expecting wine steward to have the proper wine glasses available for you, get the ice bucket to keep it chillled and to pour while you are having your dinner and repour as appropriate.

In addition, you anticipate you may not finish it the first night so (s)he will have to cork it, tag it with your table/name and bring it back the next night. You should be charged for that service. The rules are perfectly clear. Drink wine you have brought aboard in your cabin and there is no corkage fee. Drink it in the dining room, and you will be charged.

I would never put any money on a table under a bottle as described above. Just me; just not something I would ever do.

We are always very happy to tip our wine steward at the end of our cruise with an envelope provided for that purpose.

Hope you have a great cruise.

[sail7seas]

This may sound like a stupid question but you are aware HAL has a wine list from which you can order?

You pick a wine you like or ask the steward for a recommendation. (S)he brings and opens it and you get to enjoy it in the dining room. You don't have to bring your own in order to have wine with dinner.

[O2B@C]

... I would never put any money on a table under a bottle as described above.

Me neither. And now that I've been advised otherwise, I wouldn't bring an open bottle to the DR either. I really wasn't sure if it was OK, but now that I've seen people's reactions, I totally understand and accept that it isn't. As I posted earlier, I think the suggestion of keeping one bottle going in the cabin for pre-dinner aperitifs, and another going in the dining room, for which we will gladly pay corkage, makes perfect sense, and that's what I think we'll do.

This may sound like a stupid question but you are aware HAL has a wine list from which you can order? ...

Yes, I am aware of that, though I appreciate your calling it to my attention. In fact, I've gone so far as to look at the various HAL wine lists I've seen posted on the internet in various places, and that's precisely why I'm thinking about bringing my own.

Frankly, my taste in wine is pretty simple, and my budget is limited. If I'm going to drink reasonably-priced wine, I think I'm better off selecting my own bottles - wines I already know I like - and paying corkage on the ones I drink in the dining room, rather than ordering off the low priced end of HAL's wine list, which isn't heavily populated with wines I'm familiar with. So my plan is to pick up about four bottles for the week (like I said, we're wimpy drinkers) in port before boarding. Of course, if we run out, we can always try one of HAL's bottles, or order by the glass. I like pinot grigio, and people seem to be saying that HAL's house pinot grigio is pretty good, so I can always fall back on that.

And needless to say, I do plan to tip the wine steward! (In an envelope, at the end of the cruise.) I may have a limited budget, but that does NOT make me "cheap" when it comes to compensating people who work hard to provide me with good service!

Thanks to everyone who answered my question and offered good advice. I appreciate your help.

[ANSalberg]

On the recent World Cruise we bought several bottles of wine in Israel -just for fun. We opened one in the room -and took it down to the table so every one that wanted a sample could taste [ table for 8] Our wine-steward took the bottle SO FAST/charged the "corkage fee" quickly. Someone bought wine almost nightly and several had mixed drinks nightly [ It wasn't as if ANYBODY was 'cheap' -this was the WORLD cruise] BUT we had thought this wine was "interesting" .......Charge was $15.

[infohunter]

I doubt I would bring an open bottle or a full glass into the dinning room. I would probably trip in the hall and spill everything (ROFLMAO)...

That said...

We are planning on purchasing wine in each of our ports if possible to enjoy on the cruise. We hope to learn by tasting our way along about Latin American wines. So will probably bring different bottle each night to dinner. Happy to pay a corkage fee if charged as those are the rules. I'm also planning on letting our wine steward share a taste if he/she is interested. This way then can make recommendations based on our tastes as we go in case we aren't able to purchase wines as planned.

As to left overs I'll worry about that if that happens. Who knows who we may be sitting with or near ;)

I for one am appreciative that HAL allows wine to be brought aboard. I'm amazed that folks are trying to figure out ways to get around the system.

[ANSalberg]

[QUOTE=infohunter;10554248]I doubt I would bring an open bottle or a full glass into the dinning room. I would probably trip in the hall and spill everything (ROFLMAO)..

As to left overs I'll worry about that if that happens. Who knows who we may be sitting with or near ;)

Leftovers????? You're kidding -right?

[Boytjie]

I would never think of brining an open bottle of wine into a restaurant and I see a ship's dining room as pretty much the same thing.

[infohunter]

;) Leftovers????? You're kidding -right?

Okay I admit it we will probably kill the bottle... Just didn't want to appear to be a wino on the board :p

[LVSue]

Thanks, GSB and John for the info on the wine card.

One other thing for those on a budget, we did notice that there were bottle wines sold from a cart in the Lido that were cheaper than the dining room list.

I was glad to see the 10% discount still exists somewhere. It sure didn't on our cruise last August.

[Penzance]

jtl513 thank you for the information about the Wine Card. As my husband and I both enjoy a couple of glasses of wine with our dinner each night, the wine card sounds ideal. Do you know the regular cost of a single glass of house wine, so that comparisons can be made? If your information is correct, less than $4 a glass seems a very good deal.

[sail7seas]

To be economy minded and still enjoy your wine......

IF you and your husband are going to each have two (or more) glasses of wine per evening, it may be more economical to buy the bottle of house wine from which the 'wine card' glasses would be poured. Often if you buy by the glass, the wine ends up costing more. Compare the price of the bottle to the price of four punches on your wine card.

[DoctorFeelgood]

I personally don't have any problems with the "$15 per bottle corkage fee". You see... it all depends on the size of the bottle.

[Denn33]

I personally don't have any problems with the "$15 per bottle corkage fee". You see... it all depends on the size of the bottle.

That actually leads to an interesting question...most restaurants charge more corkage for a magnum (a 1500 mL bottle, twice the size of a normal one)--e.g., $15 for a normal bottle, $25 for a magnum. I wonder if HAL would do that. Of course, it's not very relevant to me because I can't imagine lugging 1500ml bottles on to the ship, nor finishing a magnum bottle with my wife at dinner. (Though I guess one could try to have the wine steward hold onto it for you, but it might not fit where they store things). But if one were going with a group of 4 or more at dinner, a large-format bottle might make sense.

[Barrick]

There is no corkage fee if you bring a bottle of the same type that HAL also carries, otherwise you can bring any bottle to any restaurtant on board and you will be charged $ 15.00 corkage. HAL sells wine on board that can also be bought on shore for substancially less. When you buy a brand not available on ship then you will pay the extra $ 15.00.

[Charliesmom]

Whether or not to charge a corkage fee is sometimes up to the beverage manager.

In December, several of us at our table on the Veendam had received wine from the Captain or our travel agents. We had several nights where the wine steward opened wine for us with no corkage charge.

On the 5th or 6th night, I brought a double bottle of Rosemount Cabernet Shiraz to the table. The wine stewardess called her manager who came over and opened the wine. All of the folks at our table said "Oh-oh, you're going to get charged the corkage fee". I had expected that. What I didn't expect was that I was NOT charged a corkage fee. I guess it was the discretion of the beverage manager.

Needless to say, the wine steward was well rewarded by us. Whether or not our table mates did so, I do not know.

Roberta

[Denn33]

In December, several of us at our table on the Veendam had received wine from the Captain or our travel agents. We had several nights where the wine steward opened wine for us with no corkage charge.

Roberta

There is no corkage fee for wine purchased from the ship (e.g., if you ordered bottle of wines from the gift department of ship services to your cabin in advance). This is what bottle of wine one receives from a travel agent as a gift are--the TAhas to buy the wine from HAL to be delivered in the stateroom. So, there shouldn't be corkage for those (so if you ever get wine from a TA, bring that to the dining room :) .

Pretty nice that they charged you no corkage for a magnum!