Drinks package advice

[Tog]

Thanks...better have a look at the wine packages now! Will probably go for the NA and then have the odd spirit/wine on top with dinner...were doing 12 days round the Med and we think we will be sick of alcohol after a few days if we have it "on tap" every day.

[Lsimon]

Originally Posted by Tog

Thanks...better have a look at the wine packages now! Will probably go for the NA and then have the odd spirit/wine on top with dinner...were doing 12 days round the Med and we think we will be sick of alcohol after a few days if we have it "on tap" every day.

Keep in mind the wine packages have a very limited selection of similarly priced wines at a small discount from the regular wine list. If you like variety then take a pass on those and just buy your wines from the much wider selection of bottled wines on the full wine list.

This post shows the wine list. There is a page which shows the limited selections available for the wine packages: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1566983

For a new cruiser I'd really recommend waiting until you are on board and check things out before buying any package.

[chamima]

Originally Posted by Lsimon

Keep in mind the wine packages have a very limited selection of similarly priced wines at a small discount from the regular wine list. If you like variety then take a pass on those and just buy your wines from the much wider selection of bottled wines on the full wine list.

This post shows the wine list. There is a page which shows the limited selections available for the wine packages: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1566983

For a new cruiser I'd really recommend waiting until you are on board and check things out before buying any package.

Larry
I just have to share that I just bought a bottle of one of the wines I enjoy on cruises.
It's The Spur by Murietta's Well (2009). It was $18.99 at Costco. It's approximately $51 on Celebrity and $48ish on Princess. Some markup!!!! Kind of takes the joy out of of it knowing how much i'm overpaying!

[Lsimon]

Originally Posted by chamima

Larry
I just have to share that I just bought a bottle of one of the wines I enjoy on cruises.
It's The Spur by Murietta's Well (2009). It was $18.99 at Costco. It's approximately $51 on Celebrity and $48ish on Princess. Some markup!!!! Kind of takes the joy out of of it knowing how much i'm overpaying!

Celebrity's prices on wine are OK and compare well to pricing at restaurants or resorts. It is not realistic to compare the pricing to retail any more than you'd compare the price of steak at a nice restaurant to prices at a supermarket.

[drfun48]

Originally Posted by Lsimon

Celebrity's prices on wine are OK and compare well to pricing at restaurants or resorts. It is not realistic to compare the pricing to retail any more than you'd compare the price of steak at a nice restaurant to prices at a supermarket.

I consider more than a 2X-2.5X markup excessive.. It's not the same as buying a steak in a supermarket, which you must cook at home. The wine is simply opened. Not a big deal.

[chamima]

Originally Posted by drfun48

I consider more than a 2X-2.5X markup excessive.. It's not the same as buying a steak in a supermarket, which you must cook at home. The wine is simply opened. Not a big deal.

I agree. I'm fine with 2X but this is almost triple.
It wasn't that long ago when wine on a ship was considerably less than what we paid in restaurants. Those days are definitely over.
In all fairness - we tried a wine in a restaurant here that we thought was good and reasonably priced at $60 but Costco had that one for $16.99!!!!! (In case anyone wants to try it - it's Buehler Cabernet - also 2009 - let it breathe before you drink it!)

[MicCanberra]

The cruiseships have a monopoly and they certainly take advantage of that. They can argue that they need to stock it and make sure that there is a good variety, which makes them comparable to restuarants and then thay have carry it around on the ship. All this doesn't matter, they charge what they want and people will pay the price. If the price is too high for a particular wine, drink the spirits or beer.

[MicCanberra]

Originally Posted by chamima

(In case anyone wants to try it - it's Buehler Cabernet - also 2009 - let it breathe before you drink it!)

When it comes to wine, I am a murderer and refuse to let it stand long enough to breathe. cheers mic