Wine drinkers - classic and premium - what wine is available

Hello,

I hear lots of talk about the different drinks packages available and what spirits and beer is included, I am curious to hear what wines are available in each package?

Many thanks

I would like to know this as well

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Compared to what is available in the spirit and beer ranges , the wines available by the glass list for both packages is ridculously limited , and disappointing in quality.

You will find very little in the classic package - a couple of token whites and reds - similar to those you find in the $10 price range on land.There is a sparkling wine .( I think a Prosecco ? or maybe the Celebrity House brand)

The Premium package now fares little better with several wines previously included now requiring an extra payment on top of the $ limit. Once again the selection is very limited and particularly ordinary when you associate the word Premium with the range. These wines run around $15 per bottle at home , not $15 per glass.

We do enjoy having the Chandon Bubbly included and fear each time we embark that it will also suffer the dreaded bracket creep and go the way of the DryCreek Zinfandel , Conundrum ,etc etc .( mind you these are not expensive wines ) You will find wines to match your dinners , but dont expect to ponder too hard over the choice, especially in the Specialty Restaurants. ( Unless you are prepared to pay more ).

You can ask for a wine you have seen on any onboard list , say in the MDR , that is not on the list offered (eg Murano , Qsine etc) and they will get it for you.You will need to know the name as our last waiter in Murano required the brand . In the end I just said bring me the best chardonnay included , so I got the Celebrity House wine. Somehow , I dont like that - I would like to see the complete list that should be available and not have to say , I dont want to pay any extra for the glass of Chardonnay you are suggesting that sadly is not included in my package .Instead , I will chose something from this wonderful range you have thoughtfully offered for my discerning perusal , and which will add immeasurably to this fine dining experience that I am paying extra for.

And , if I do care to pay a bit or a lot more then I can chose to do that also. After all , I'm not expecting Romanee Conti , the Kendall -Jackson will suffice.Thankyou .:rolleyes:

I really do think Celebrity can do better here.:cool:

Is it hard to understand that the availability of wines changes with every order? Ship sell out of one wine and substitute another? Just like in your local store the vintages come and go and the prices change. Exactly the same on ship. They often run out of one and substitute another. The sommelier on our last ship offered sever not part of their "standard list". But again that list changed from cruises we took in August to novemeber and again by January as supplies changed.

this was one on the Select package

beringer white zinfandel

typically less than £5 in UK store or $8 a glass onboard

One thing to consider is that if you have the classic package either as part of a promotion or you purchased it...and you want a "better" glass of wine...perhaps a $10 glass....you will pay the entire $10 if you are on the classic package...and it will be included in the premium package.

If you order a $15 glass of wine, it will cost you $15 if you're on the classic package or just $5 if you're on the premium package. That was just a saving of $10 which happens to be the cost of upgrading from classic to premium.

If you like house reds/blush/white wines, the classic package will be fine. If you prefer a little more choice or the occasional more expensive wine, just upgrade. Note: you don't have to upgrade for the entire cruise...just the remaining nights of the cruise (but for at least three or four days, I think)...so you can try the classic package and then if you find you prefer "better" wines, just upgrade then for the rest of the cruise.

Here is a link to a post which shows what wines were available on a cruise about a year ago. Since this is a year old the list will be different but the list should still be pretty representative. The person who posted the list put some notes at the top that you should read and color coded the list to show which wines were available on which package. The list is in post #9 on this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44321241&

If someone is really into wines and likes a good variety and broad selection they will likely be much happier skipping the beverage packages and buying wines from the selection of bottled wines available on board which is much larger than the selection of wines by the glass.

I agree that the wine selection is not the best.

I enjoy a full bodied cabernet, and one is not to be found on the classic package.

I asked the sommelier if upgrading would be to my benefit and was told NO, they just didn't have any full bodied cabs that were included.

She ended up offering me the Light's out Shiraz. It wasn't great, but it was drinkable.

Google tells me it's about a $20 bottle. it's not a wine carried by my local LCBO/Vintages store, so I doubt its even available in Canada. It got me by having a red to drink with dinner, but I'm not rushing out to start buying it either.

I really think its ridiculous that Celebrity can't stock a cabernet on their classic wine list.

For nights, I mostly drank cocktails or liquers at the casino (because the red they would bring was awful). Midweek I started drinking Prosecco. Wasn't the greatest, but it was drinkable and kept my thirst quenched.

One thing to consider is that if you have the classic package either as part of a promotion or you purchased it...and you want a "better" glass of wine...perhaps a $10 glass....you will pay the entire $10 if you are on the classic package...and it will be included in the premium package.

 

If you order a $15 glass of wine, it will cost you $15 if you're on the classic package or just $5 if you're on the premium package. That was just a saving of $10 which happens to be the cost of upgrading from classic to premium.

 

If you like house reds/blush/white wines, the classic package will be fine. If you prefer a little more choice or the occasional more expensive wine, just upgrade. Note: you don't have to upgrade for the entire cruise...just the remaining nights of the cruise (but for at least three or four days, I think)...so you can try the classic package and then if you find you prefer "better" wines, just upgrade then for the rest of the cruise.

If its $15.00 it will cost you $2.00 on the premium package, not $5.00. the limit is $13.00 and the difference between $15.00 and $13.00 is $2.00.

Here is a link to a post which shows what wines were available on a cruise about a year ago. Since this is a year old the list will be different but the list should still be pretty representative. The person who posted the list put some notes at the top that you should read and color coded the list to show which wines were available on which package. The list is in post #9 on this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44321241&

 

If someone is really into wines and likes a good variety and broad selection they will likely be much happier skipping the beverage packages and buying wines from the selection of bottled wines available on board which is much larger than the selection of wines by the glass.

It would be nice if recent cruisers would look at the link and give specifics on what was included currently. We did enjoy the Shiraz and the wendt cab a year ago. There were also additional wines that the wine steward had available in both packages, but every single one on the link was available in May last year on the California coastal. Updates happen. Would love new details.

It would be nice if recent cruisers would look at the link and give specifics on what was included currently. We did enjoy the Shiraz and the wendt cab a year ago. There were also additional wines that the wine steward had available in both packages, but every single one on the link was available in May last year on the California coastal. Updates happen. Would love new details.

That was our experience, that every wine on the wine list was not available. Would be nice if they could print wine lists for each voyage. Even if it was just one list per sommelier, you could see what was available.

That was our experience, that every wine on the wine list was not available. Would be nice if they could print wine lists for each voyage. Even if it was just one list per sommelier, you could see what was available.

I looked quickly at some other reviews of the reflection and one fellow reported a couple of months later being told they ran out the wine on the classic package and needed to upgrade. Very bad to have that as an ongoing problem. Sure hopes this stops happening.

By the way, you write a great review!

wow, thank you!

I looked quickly at some other reviews of the reflection and one fellow reported a couple of months later being told they ran out the wine on the classic package and needed to upgrade. Very bad to have that as an ongoing problem. Sure hopes this stops happening.

 

By the way, you write a great review!

They can't "run out" of wine on the classic package, unless it was just one specific wine.

The classic package - according to Celebrity website - includes:

"We offer a large global assortment of red, white and sparkling wines by the glass"

If they can't offer red, white or sparkling wines in the classic package because they "ran out", then they have to substitute another more expensive wine in order to provide what they promised when you purchased (or received) the classic package.

They can't make you upgrade in order to get wine.

If its $15.00 it will cost you $2.00 on the premium package, not $5.00. the limit is $13.00 and the difference between $15.00 and $13.00 is $2.00.

The last two cruises we have upgraded the package both for the Martini Bar and for wines. I am still looking for wines that I may enjoy and rely heavily on the Sommelier's recommendations. In this way I can try many wines (no problem paying the difference (I think I paid $26 extra on a 14 night cruise). I would never go out and buy bottles of all the different wines I tried, just to see if I liked them. But the 2 or 3 new wines that I loved, I used the Vivino app so that I could purchase them back home. In Oct we plan to try many new wines again. We were stuck on Chardonnay's for years but our palate has now been expanded:D

Compared to what is available in the spirit and beer ranges , the wines available by the glass list for both packages is ridculously limited , and disappointing in quality.

You will find very little in the classic package - a couple of token whites and reds - similar to those you find in the $10 price range on land.There is a sparkling wine .( I think a Prosecco ? or maybe the Celebrity House brand)

The Premium package now fares little better with several wines previously included now requiring an extra payment on top of the $ limit. Once again the selection is very limited and particularly ordinary when you associate the word Premium with the range. These wines run around $15 per bottle at home , not $15 per glass.

We do enjoy having the Chandon Bubbly included and fear each time we embark that it will also suffer the dreaded bracket creep and go the way of the DryCreek Zinfandel , Conundrum ,etc etc .( mind you these are not expensive wines ) You will find wines to match your dinners , but dont expect to ponder too hard over the choice, especially in the Specialty Restaurants. ( Unless you are prepared to pay more ).

You can ask for a wine you have seen on any onboard list , say in the MDR , that is not on the list offered (eg Murano , Qsine etc) and they will get it for you.You will need to know the name as our last waiter in Murano required the brand . In the end I just said bring me the best chardonnay included , so I got the Celebrity House wine. Somehow , I dont like that - I would like to see the complete list that should be available and not have to say , I dont want to pay any extra for the glass of Chardonnay you are suggesting that sadly is not included in my package .Instead , I will chose something from this wonderful range you have thoughtfully offered for my discerning perusal , and which will add immeasurably to this fine dining experience that I am paying extra for.

And , if I do care to pay a bit or a lot more then I can chose to do that also. After all , I'm not expecting Romanee Conti , the Kendall -Jackson will suffice.Thankyou .:rolleyes:

 

I really do think Celebrity can do better here.:cool:

The solution we discovered is to stop by the Molecular Bar on the way to dinner.

After a couple of their delicious cocktails we didn't care so much about the quality of our wine. :p ...... ;)

They can't "run out" of wine on the classic package, unless it was just one specific wine.

 

The classic package - according to Celebrity website - includes:

 

"We offer a large global assortment of red, white and sparkling wines by the glass"

 

If they can't offer red, white or sparkling wines in the classic package because they "ran out", then they have to substitute another more expensive wine in order to provide what they promised when you purchased (or received) the classic package.

 

They can't make you upgrade in order to get wine.

They cover any wine that is below the 9 dollar per glass price point. If they run out of those wines, then they say that the have run out for the package.

I agree with you that they should offer substitutes. I imagine only the hotel manager has the authority to do that and that is who I would ask to see if the sommelier can't make me happy at dinner. You might have the same problem in the bars.

They cover any wine that is below the 9 dollar per glass price point. If they run out of those wines, then they say that the have run out for the package.

 

I agree with you that they should offer substitutes. I imagine only the hotel manager has the authority to do that and that is who I would ask to see if the sommelier can't make me happy at dinner. You might have the same problem in the bars.

They may run out of SPECIFIC wines, but they cannot say that they have NO white wines that fit into the classic package.

If they did that, I would bet that it's a breach of contract, since they PROMISE the availability of red, white and sparkling wine in the classic package.

If that happened, I would speak to the hotel director, and I am SURE that would be rectified immediately.

They may run out of SPECIFIC wines, but they cannot say that they have NO white wines that fit into the classic package.

 

If they did that, I would bet that it's a breach of contract, since they PROMISE the availability of red, white and sparkling wine in the classic package.

 

If that happened, I would speak to the hotel director, and I am SURE that would be rectified immediately.

More than likely, an individual bar or sommelier might claim they don't have a red or a white....because they either don't have any more in their area, they don't feel they have the power to substitute, or they don't want to go to wine storage to get some, but I'm sure that the food and beverage manager would find a solution pretty quickly.

I agree that the wine selection is not the best.

 

 

 

I enjoy a full bodied cabernet, and one is not to be found on the classic package.

 

 

 

I asked the sommelier if upgrading would be to my benefit and was told NO, they just didn't have any full bodied cabs that were included.

 

 

I really think its ridiculous that Celebrity can't stock a cabernet on their classic wine list.

 

.

Spot on, but I would add "or premium, or even under $20/glass". I put this on my comment card after every celebrity cruise. Makes no sense that they can't offer one affordable Cab with some oomph. I hate their red wine by the glass list.

Jenna (aka needtobespoiled) just posted the wine list from Luminae. Bottle and glass prices are listed.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46180697&postcount=123

Is it hard to understand that the availability of wines changes with every order? Ship sell out of one wine and substitute another? Just like in your local store the vintages come and go and the prices change. Exactly the same on ship. They often run out of one and substitute another. The sommelier on our last ship offered sever not part of their "standard list". But again that list changed from cruises we took in August to novemeber and again by January as supplies changed.

No, I understand what you are saying. BUT, they were out of pino grigio and sauvignon blanc for various bars, various days on our last cruise...hallo? We had to cruise from bar to bar asking if they had white wine? what's up with that? After I paid for a premium bar package? won't bother again...go with classic and drink whatever (like I did in college!)

They may run out of SPECIFIC wines, but they cannot say that they have NO white wines that fit into the classic package.

 

If they did that, I would bet that it's a breach of contract, since they PROMISE the availability of red, white and sparkling wine in the classic package.

 

If that happened, I would speak to the hotel director, and I am SURE that would be rectified immediately.

We ran into this problem multiple times on our recent Silhouette cruise...after being told several times that there were was no Clifford Bay (sauvignon blanc) available (I paid for Premium alcohol package), I started telling them: I would like a glass of decent Sauvignon blanc...find one please....there are 5000 bottles in the dining room wine cellar. That was the end of the problem..they went and got me wine!

The solution we discovered is to stop by the Molecular Bar on the way to dinner.

After a couple of their delicious cocktails we didn't care so much about the quality of our wine. :p ...... ;)

You must have been at the Molecular Bar for hours if you had a couple of drinks. We waited 45 minutes for a drink on Solstice in March !lol :eek: Getting a second would have meant missing dinner !!

But seriously -- anyone who enjoys wine with dinner surely expects a reasonable selection if you have outlayed good money for a beverage package that promises that. Particularly if you have upgraded to the so-called Premium range.

Now the offered package is more expensive , surely Celebrity will either improve the range or increase the limit - even to re-include some wines they excluded last time they "adjusted " the list.:(

Geez, some of the wines by the glass have sure shot up in price since the list per the link LSimon kindly posted was first collated. We just got off Solstice and we liked the Grigch Hills Chardonnay but was advised it was cheaper to buy the bottle with our 20% premium package discount.. We did have a few glasses each. It both my mate and I were charged $72 each for a bottle.

We also had heard of and tasted the Old Vines Zinfandel but this was no longer available by the glass (was $18) and could only buy by the bottle. I think that was around $80-90 before our 20% discount. We held off from indulging on that one!!

Interestingly, found Celebrity's own Cellarmasters label quite drinkable, and had quite a bit of the red. Enjoyed the white even more, but they ran out about the 2nd day in. [emoji20].

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