Adjusting the bar menus to the cruise

[m steve]

I wish that HAL would bring more rums from the different islands when you cruise the Caribbean. Maybe they could add more single malts when visiting England and northern Europe. I get tired of the same old Bacardi and Capt. Morgan at the bars when they have Appleton and Mt. Gay in the DFS on board. This would allow you to taste some of the local rums before you get to the ports and you woiuld know what to buy. The sell some Cruzan but none of the aged rums from them, usually just the low proof flavors. Aged rum is becoming the new single malt or fancy bottle vodka.

[cf_chuck]

I wish that HAL would bring more rums from the different islands when you cruise the Caribbean. Maybe they could add more single malts when visiting England and northern Europe. I get tired of the same old Bacardi and Capt. Morgan at the bars when they have Appleton and Mt. Gay in the DFS on board. This would allow you to taste some of the local rums before you get to the ports and you woiuld know what to buy. The sell some Cruzan but none of the aged rums from them, usually just the low proof flavors. Aged rum is becoming the new single malt or fancy bottle vodka.


Aesthetically, I'm with you. In the Caribbean there are a number of wonderful and wonderous rums I've stumbled across and the addition would add a bit more local color to the cruises. Practically, I don't see this happening due to the logistics involved. Since I'm currently in a "fly-in" position to cruise, enjoying the local flavors is dicey - pack it in checked luggage and hope or begin imbibing way too early in the day (for me).

[Krazy Kruizers]

All supplies are bought at discount prices from companies that the cruise lines have used for years.

Buying items in the Craibbean -- doubt if they could really get good prices even though they would be buying in bulk.

If you ever notice you don't see a lot of supplies being loaded onto ships in Caribbean ports.

[leoandhugh]

I think the real reason you don't see those premium brands so much on cruise ships is that most drinkers are not as discriminating in taste as the OP and are just not willing to pay the prices that such brands command. I have noticed that they seem more available on European cruises where the European cruisers are used to paying much more in their home countries

[SonomaDriver]

The logistical cost simply isn't worth it to a mass market line like HAL. If you can't sneak it aboard (and its a no-no), you'd need to imbibe ashore on a Carib cruise or book with Seabourn, Silversea or another "premium" line which might have a wider variety.

[rkacruiser]

On the long cruises, it has been my experience that some effort is made by the Bar Manager to buy some local spirits when his/her budget permits. For example, when around Australia and New Zealand, Foster's is available and some Australian and New Zealand wines are available. From what I was told by the Amsterdam's Bar Manager this past winter, it is the budget with which he had to work that determined what and how much he could purchase.

[m steve]

or the buyers get a special deal or a kick---- cause Mt. Gay and Appleton are available everywhere including the on board DF shops. It just doesn't make sense. Bacardi products just aren't that good. That's why they spend so much on politicians to keep the embargo going against Cuba. Havana Club made in their old factory is just so much better. Try it on an island that had relations with Cuba. You can taste the difference.