Are the wine Packages still available

[don't-use-real-name]

Thank You I thought that that was the case and the most reasonable

solution !

[jay_arr]

Thanks for the info! - Point of clarification ?

 

" (The prices are basically $price + slight surcharge + $15 corkage fee) "

 

So that is price of the bottle of wine from the wine menu + the 15%

gratuity charge AND THE DAMN $15 CORKAGE FEE ???

Shouldn't NCL be selling the wine with the corkage fee already included ?

At this point it would be better to haul your own wine on board and pay

the corkage fee and be ahead. Adding $15 per bottle to the prices that

are posted with a limited selection is gross overkill on the part of NCL!

Even if NCL grants a 20% discount for the total wine purchase the first

day of the cruise that is only enough to cover the fee on maybe 3 bottles!

 

In sprite of the corkage fee the rest of the information was greatly

appreciated in preparation to planning a pleasant uncomplicated cruise

free of nickle and dime surcharges; gratuities and fees.

 

Thank You !

Sorry to make that confusing!

Since we were looking up the wines on the Internet, we could see what the prices were in the "real world". For example, the Malbec is about $8-10 retail price and about $25 on board, so i figured they're technically adding on the corkage fee -- that is, it wouldn't be any cheaper to bring the same wine on board. Does that make more sense?

[kirsty_r]

Sorry to make that confusing!

Since we were looking up the wines on the Internet, we could see what the prices were in the "real world". For example, the Malbec is about $8-10 retail price and about $25 on board, so i figured they're technically adding on the corkage fee -- that is, it wouldn't be any cheaper to bring the same wine on board. Does that make more sense?

Don't worry - I knew that was what you meant, but can see how some found it confusing. I might bring a few bottles aboard and then buy a package to top it up.

[BiXLL]

I have never cruised before and the only knowledge I have has been gotten on here. I am not sure I understand this whole wine and corking fee thing. Is it just NCL that is like this? I was sure I read somewhere you were permitted to bring 2 bottles per pass. on for enjoyment in your cabin in your carry on??????

[jdvmd]

I have never cruised before and the only knowledge I have has been gotten on here. I am not sure I understand this whole wine and corking fee thing. Is it just NCL that is like this? I was sure I read somewhere you were permitted to bring 2 bottles per pass. on for enjoyment in your cabin in your carry on??????

The proper term is corkage fee and it has nothing to do with removing the cork. It is a courtesy extended to patrons who bring their own wine into a restaurant. In NCL's case, it is the entire ship. The charge is to offset the revenue they would have made if you bought the wine onboard.

 

Some cruise lines will allow two bottles, or one, to be brought onboard. If taken to the dining room or specialty restaurant, you will incur a corkage fee then. NCL allows you to bring as much as you want. We routinely bring one to 1.5 cases for each cruise. Have no problem paying the corkage fee as we bring very highly rated, hard-to-find bottles from producers with low production. If a ship (any ship, anywhere) even had these bottles, they would be in the hundreds of dollars. They are from our cellar and we know exactly how they have been stored and where they came from. For us, it is a steal to pay the $15 and enjoy our wine. FYI: Celebrity and RCCL charge $25 per bottle corkage fee if brought to a dining room, specialty restaurant etc. and you are limited to one bottle per person for the entire cruise.

[BiXLL]

I understand, we live in totally different worlds! I will admit to being a bit envious also!

[Richpontone]

The corkage fee that NCL charges is not just for the privilege to bring your purchased wine to their restaurants but for bringing the wine on their ship. If you exclusively drink your wine in your cabin, you still have to pay the corkage fee.

[don't-use-real-name]

Thanks to jay_arr for the information and claification.

 

Thank you also for price comparison and adding the corkage fee into

the mix to get a reality check on the actual cost of the wine.

 

With this information it is worth while to buy the wine onboard and

not have to buy it somewhere else and then lug it around with you

til you can stash it in your cabin or going thru the Spanish Inquisition to

have it in your checked baggage and go to the 'Naughty Room' to settle

up affairs.

 

Basically my impression of NCL is:

 

"WHAT PART OF *FREE* STYLE CRUISING DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND NCL"?

 

Holland America allows each adult cruiser to bring 2 bottles on board in

carry on baggage.

[don't-use-real-name]

One other question ?

 

Anyone getting the 20% discount on the package wine deal buying it on

the first day of the cruise ?

 

This would be great offsetting the 15% gratuity surcharge !

[HUNKY]

Does NCL have sommeliers, and will they properly decant bottles brought on board?

 

JDVMD - How do you get your wine to the port and on board? In particular, the Port of Tampa.

[aussiecruzer]

Hello aussiecruzer. We are doing the same cruise early in June. Do us all a favour and let us know the situation when you get back.If possible would you please get a list of what is on offer, scan it and post it on this board. Thanks:cool:

 

Sure, I will post an update on these boards when we return :):)

[kirsty_r]

Thanks to jay_arr for the information and claification.

 

Thank you also for price comparison and adding the corkage fee into

the mix to get a reality check on the actual cost of the wine.

 

With this information it is worth while to buy the wine onboard and

not have to buy it somewhere else and then lug it around with you

til you can stash it in your cabin or going thru the Spanish Inquisition to

have it in your checked baggage and go to the 'Naughty Room' to settle

up affairs.

 

Basically my impression of NCL is:

 

"WHAT PART OF *FREE* STYLE CRUISING DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND NCL"?

 

Holland America allows each adult cruiser to bring 2 bottles on board in

carry on baggage.

Holland America still charge $15 corkage. NCL allows as many bottles as you like. (on longer cruises this is preferable). And yes you do pay 15% onboard, but still reasonable deal. Better than some other cruiselines when I've priced them up.

 

You could always buy wine as part of bon voyage... but I think this still includes 15% gratuity. Most cruiselines add a tip (or expect a tip).

[jdvmd]

Holland America still charge $15 corkage. NCL allows as many bottles as you like. (on longer cruises this is preferable). And yes you do pay 15% onboard, but still reasonable deal. Better than some other cruiselines when I've priced them up.

 

You could always buy wine as part of bon voyage... but I think this still includes 15% gratuity. Most cruiselines add a tip (or expect a tip).

Holland America's corkage fee is $18 a bottle, not $15.

[don't-use-real-name]

Holland America's corkage fee is $18 a bottle, not $15.

 

Strange in that HAL has one of the most liberal liquor policies.

HAL is not your Disney or Carnival fun without alcohol ships.

I guess I escaped and one flew over the cockoos nest. Last HAL cruise I

took two bottles of wine on board and was not charged a corkage fee

or any other fee.

It may have had something to do with being in a Suite or being a part of

a large affinity group but no fees and I don't recall anyone in our group

being charged for anything extra !?! Each of us had a bottle champagne

as a gift when we got to our stateroom. We had one hell-of-a party

night after night.

Just why don't these cruise lines let adults act like kids - they keep

messing around with potential repeat customers ?

[jdvmd]

Strange in that HAL has one of the most liberal liquor policies.

HAL is not your Disney or Carnival fun without alcohol ships.

I guess I escaped and one flew over the cockoos nest. Last HAL cruise I

took two bottles of wine on board and was not charged a corkage fee

or any other fee.

It may have had something to do with being in a Suite or being a part of

a large affinity group but no fees and I don't recall anyone in our group

being charged for anything extra !?! Each of us had a bottle champagne

as a gift when we got to our stateroom. We had one hell-of-a party

night after night.

Just why don't these cruise lines let adults act like kids - they keep

messing around with potential repeat customers ?

Not sure why you were not charged a corkage fee ever but we made up for it and were charged each and every time on both of our HAL cruises last year. We were also in a suite for one of those cruises. Consider yourself lucky.

[meltingmoments]

[quote=don't-use-real-name;37700845]One other question ?

Anyone getting the 20% discount on the package wine deal buying it on
the first day of the cruise ?

This would be great offsetting the 15% gratuity surcharge ![/quote]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][SIZE=3][FONT=Comic Sans MS] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][COLOR=DarkOrchid][SIZE=3][FONT=Comic Sans MS]We did the wine package on the Epic and paid $167 for 6 bottles.....4 white and 2 red.....all very drinkable......but everyone has different tastes. I didn't think that was too bad....just under $28 a bottle. That was with 20% discount and bought on embarkation day.
[SIZE=3]If I recall correctly, the white wine was a Pinot Grigio and the red was a Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz.[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]