Wine Cellar on the R and S class ships

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our recent cruises on different ships, we have noticed that the wine cellar on the R and S class ships is hardly used -- maybe for an hour about every 3rd or 4th day for a lecture on wine.

Has anyone else noticed this?

If so -- do you feel that HAL wasted money by taking out the FREE Java Cafe and installing the Wine Cellar?

[sail7seas]

Yes, I've noticed the same thing.

I think it might depend upon how well the WineMasters are doing. If they are producing good sales, that would be one thing. If not??

I don't really miss Java Cafe. We really like the coffee in Explorations (and Neptune Lounge).



I wonder how profitable the Coffee sales are in Explorations Cafe on the various ships. I wonder if one itinerary is apt to produce higher sales than sailings in other regions. Alaska vs. Europe vs. So. America vs. Caribbean etc

[dakrewser]

Tell me more about the wine cellar - this is evidently new since our last R/S class cruise (maybe 3 years ago)

[Krazy Kruizers]

As the various R and S class went into dry - beginning about 3 years ago, the Java Cafe was taken out and replaced with a "Wine Cellar". There are cases here displaying wines and wine glasses. There is also a table/bar with 3 chairs in front of it. When these wine cellars first opened up, someone used to be on duty for a couple of hours to introduce the wines advertised on the evening menu and takes sales -- this was done by a wine steward. Also in the evenings, they had wine smaplings for a price - don't remember who much it cost to sample 4 wines/champagnes.

They even have a TV that repeats the history of wines, etc -- wasn't even playing on our Veendam cruises.

Now that area basically is just wasted.

JMO - BIG waste of money.

[catl331]

If it is a waste of money, it will probably disappear soon!!:p

[boards]

The last two cruises we were on we seldom, if ever saw anyone using. It was attended but no one tasting any wine.

[Harry1954]

I have not seen anyone tasting wine there; we used it to order wine for dinner often in advance so it would be already prepared and ready for consumption when we were ready to dine .. especially when going to Pinnacle as their wine list is wanting.
harry

[Krazy Kruizers]

It's been years since we saw anyone tasting wines there.

Absolutely no one was tending the Wine Cellar on our last cruises.

[ldog]

It was never open on the Statendam in February. We used to go every afternoon to pre-order our dinner wine. They would always have a dinner menu available and we received a 10% discount. This way our wine was waiting for us when we arrived for dinner and our over-worked wine steward had a bit of a head start.

We worked out a system with our lovely steward, Maureen Hara to order the next night's wine before we left the dining room. She would, often, have a copy of the next night's menu. One night we left before ordering. Maureen phoned us in our cabin to ask if we wanted to order our wine. Now that's service!

[Krazy Kruizers]

It was never open on the Statendam in February. We used to go every afternoon to pre-order our dinner wine. They would always have a dinner menu available and we received a 10% discount. This way our wine was waiting for us when we arrived for dinner and our over-worked wine steward had a bit of a head start.

We worked out a system with our lovely steward, Maureen Hara to order the next night's wine before we left the dining room. She would, often, have a copy of the next night's menu. One night we left before ordering. Maureen phoned us in our cabin to ask if we wanted to order our wine. Now that's service!

That is so great to have an excellent wine steward.

On our Veendam cruises, the first 7 days we had an excellent girl. On the next 14 days, he was just so-so.

[Two if by Sea]

Where on the Maasdam will I find the Wine Cellar?

[Odd Ball]

I have never seen anyone use it.

I liked the Java Cafe and was sorry to see it replaced.

[jtl513]

Where on the Maasdam will I find the Wine Cellar?I believe it's across the hall from the Wajang Theater. :confused:

[gizmo]

On our recent cruises on different ships, we have noticed that the wine cellar on the R and S class ships is hardly used -- maybe for an hour about every 3rd or 4th day for a lecture on wine.

Has anyone else noticed this?

If so -- do you feel that HAL wasted money by taking out the FREE Java Cafe and installing the Wine Cellar?

I have noticed the same thing. Everytime I would walk past the Wine Cellar, there were no passengers there.

I think it was a waste of money converting the Java Cafe to something no one uses.

[Two if by Sea]

I believe it's across the hall from the Wajang Theater. :confused:

Ah, thanks. On the deck plans it is called the Wine Tasting Bar and Gourmet Shops.