Sommelier package - is it worth it?

[cat shepard]

I couldn't find any info on this, despite my search, so perhaps this is too new for many people to have tried it. But if there is anyone who tried this package - I'd be really interested in your thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

[willowoodf]

I'm not sure what you mean about the "Sommelier Package"? On our cruise we just got home from a couple days ago we did the Sommelier Dinner, which we really enjoyed! It was a many course meal with different wines for each course, and it was a very enjoyable evening.

Mary

[cat shepard]

this brochure offers a Sommelier Package which includes several private wine tastings, five bottles of wine that you get to choose and something else, that I can't remember.

The brochure asks one to call HAL for pricing and ordering, so my guess is that it is pricey. But if people had tried it and loved it/thought it was worth it, I'd keep it on my list.


I believe it's on the same brochure page as the Spa Package.


BTW - the Sommelier Dinner sounds amazing. Did you like the wines chosen for each course?

[Bxianesq]

On out 11/1 Westerdam cruise, we did the Wine Navigator package-7 bottles of wine. It was split between 2 couples, and we thought that it was more cost effective than each of us ordering 1 or 2 glasses at dinner.

We felt that it was worth it to order the more expensive of the 2 wine packages offered. The wine steward will bring a card to your table on your first night listing the wine choices. I think that the package that we got was $267 for 7 bottles. I am sure that they would fax you the list of wines-I know that we had a Mark West Cabernet and a Spellbound Cabernet, among others. There are more than 7 wines on the list.

We were also offered a "Sommelier's Wine Dinner" at $167 pp. We passed. There were also 2 wine tasting classes on our cruise-we got conflicting information as to whether or not they would taste the same wines as the ones in our package, so we passed on those options as well.

If you like food and wine, there are free cooking demos as well as a cooking class ($35). My cousin and I took the cooking class, which was a lot of fun and had an entertaining chef. Some people got to help the chef, and we got to sample the dishes and have a glass of wine in the "extra charge" dining area afterward. Be sure you sign up for the cooking class the first day if you are interested-we booked at 2 PM on theday we boarded and got the last 2 slots!

[cat shepard]

This is great info. Perhaps the advertised package is a way to book those special wine tastings in advance. Great idea about asking for a list of wine in advance - that will help us make our decision.

[knitlady037]

Sommelier Package- double occupancy up to 10 days
The Sommelier Wine Package designed to enhance the five-star dining experience you will enjoy during your cruise, and to encourage you to try varietals and labels that are new, interesting, different and fun. Included with your package: Standard Wine Tasting Discover delicious, affordable wines that complement a variety of cuisine styles. The Standard Wine Tasting schedule is published in Daily Happenings. Premium Wine Tasting Savor fine wines under the tutelage of the ships expert sommelier. Bold and robust, or subtle and buttery, these wines represent the best and the brightest. The tasting schedule is published in Daily Happenings. Dinner at the Pinnacle Grill Celebrate fine dining at the Pinnacle Grill. Wine Navigators Choice of Five Bottles Browse through the cellar in the Wine Navigator brochure. Choose old favorites or try something new as you pick out five bottles of wine to enjoy during your cruise. Holland America Line Commemorative Wine Enjoy a bottle of Holland America Line Commemorative Cabernet Sauvignon an elegant memento of your cruise. If you prefer white wine, the Cellar Master will exchange yours for a bottle of Chardonnay. Gift Set We hope you will enjoy the wine-related gift in your stateroom, and that it will remind you of the many excellent vintages you have explored during your Holland America Line cruise.
$293.00
This is one of the packages available on the Vista ships. Maybe this is what the OP is asking about.

[cat shepard]

KL - that is the info that appeared in the brochure I read - except the brochure indicated I had to contact HAL for pricing.

Is this too new for many people to have tried? If anyone has tried it, I'd be interested in hearing your opinions - good, bad, indifferent!

Thanks.

CS

[willowoodf]

Originally Posted by cat shepard

BTW - the Sommelier Dinner sounds amazing. Did you like the wines chosen for each course?

Yes, I liked all the wines that were chosen. Our dinner was only $60 or $65pp, not the $167pp mentioned by another poster (I wonder why the difference?) and I thought it was well worth the price. The food was very good and our wine glasses were refilled when necessary.

Mary

[crule]

There's the "Sommelier Dinner" - which is normally around $70 pp or so - and then on select ship's, they are piloting/introducing/testing a "Dine with the Chef" dinner - and that is more ($129pp on Zuiderdam last month).

If you're a foodie and like to dine at 4-Star restaurants back home, don't miss the "Dine with the Chef" or whatever they are marketing it as. (Perhaps they have supplanted the original sommelier dinner with this new one?).

There were 3 different wine tastings, too - the "Navigator Wine Tasting", the "Explorers Wine Tasting" and then lastly the premium wine tasting. I didn't think the Navigator tasting was anything special, but the Explorer and the Premium were wonderful (and a bit more intimate).

Editorial: For the pricing of some of their wine packages, you can pick up some exceptional wines (or even the same wines) at a wine store (Total Wine, if departing from FLL) and pay corkage and save a bunch.

[cat shepard]

ok - now I want to do everything. We both love food & wine, preferably good.

I also like the idea of bringing some of our own wine on board with us. We have a couple of faves that may not be available, or would be so expensive, we wouldn't want to purchase them.

Does anyone remember if HAL charges for the wine tastings - if you don't purchase a package? If so - do you know how much per person?

Sorry for all the questions, but we're planning our first HAL cruise and trying to make our list of "must dos".

Thanks all!

[knitlady037]

There are usually two different wine tastings. 1 regular and 1 premium. I think the prices were $15 & $35. There are also drink mixology classes also with a charge. The sommoliere dinner is wonderful. Some ships are replacing that with the dinner with the master chef. The wines that are chosen to go with each course are paired just right. The wine steward will have any info about tastings plus it is posted in the dailies. They really are nice and informative.

[cat shepard]

Thanks KL!